The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
REVIEW OF THE WAR.
Dewey's Victory and the Sea and
Lnnd BattIes on md In Cuba.


It is not within the province Of this mes
sage to recount the history of the extraor-
binary war that followed the Spanish dec
laration of April q. but brief recital Of It's
more salient features is appropriate. The
first encounter of the war in point Of date
took place April q, when detachment Of
the blockading squadron made a reconnois-
sance in force at Matanzas. shelled the har-
Dor forts and demolished several new works
in construction.
The next engagement was destined to
mark a memorable epoch in maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commodore
George Dewey, had lain for some weeks at
Hong-Kong. Upon the colonial proclama-
ton of neutrality being, issued and the GUS
tomary twenty-four hours notice given, it
repaired to Mrs bay, near Hong-Kong,
whence it proceeded to the Philippine islands
under telegraphic orders to capture or de-
stroy the formidable Spanish fleet then as
sembled at Manila. At daybreak on the 1st
of May the American force entered Manila
bay and after few hours engagement eff
fected the total destruction of the Spanish
fleet, consisting of ten war ships and trans
port, including the naval station and forts at
Cavite, thus annihilating the Spanish naval
power in the Pacific ocean and completely
controlling the bay of Manila with the abil-
ity to take the city at will. Not life was
lost on our ships, the wounded only num-
bering seven, while not vessel was ma
terially injured. For this gallant achieve
ment the Congress, upon my recommended
ton. fifty bestowed upon the actors prefer
ment and substantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory upon
the spirit of our people and upon the for
tunes of the war was instant. A prestige of
inyinclbility thereby attached to our arms,
which continued throughout the struggle.
81 inf nVap af,f- htIp cd tn
der command of Major General Merritt, and
firmly established within the sight of the
capital, which lay helpless before our guns.
On the 7th day of May, the government was
advised officially of the victory at Manila,
and at once inquired Of the commander Of
our fleet what troops would be required.
This information was received on the 18th
day of May and the first army expedition
sailed May p, and arrived off Manila June
81. Other expeditions soon followed, the to-
tai force consisting of GAL officers and 1908
men.
NO DIVIDED VICTORY.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss of
life and property prevented the early storm
ing and capture of the city, and Herewith
the absolute military occupancy of the
whole group. The insurgents meanwhile had
resumed the active hostilities suspended by
the uncompleted truce of December 1897.
Their forces invested Manila from the
northern and eastern side, but were con-
Merritt from attempting an assault. 1t was
lifting that whatever was to be done in the
way of decisive operations in that quarter
should be accomplished by the strong arm
of the United States alone. Obeying the
stern precept of war, which involves the
overcoming of the adversary and the eXtlnc-
ton of h. power wherever aSSailabe as the
speedy and sure means TO win peace, divid-
ed victory was not permissible, for no par
tition of the rights and responsibility at
tending the enforcement of just and adj
vantageous peace could be thought OF.
Following the comprehensive scheme Of
attack powerful forces were assembled at
various points on our coast to invade Cuba
and Porto Rico. Meanwhile naval demon
strations were made at several exposed
points. On May II the cruiser Wilmington
and torpedo boat WinsloW were unSuccesS-
full in an attempt to silence the batteries at
Cardenas against Matanzas, Worth Bagley
and four seamen falling. These grieVouS
fatalities were, strangely enough, among
the very few which occurred during our
naval operations III this extraordinary con-
hict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval preparations
had been pushed with great Vigor. A pow
erful squadron under admiral Cervera,
which had assembled at the Cape Verde
islands before the outbreak of hostilities,
had crossed the ocean, and by it's erratic
movements In the Caribbean sea delayed
our military operations and baffled the pur-
suits of our fleets. For a time fears were
felt lest the Oregon and Marietta, then
nearing home after their long voyage from
San Francisco of over 15,000 miles, might
be surprised by Admiral Cervera,s fleet, but
their fortunate arrival diSpelled these appre-
tensions and lent much needed reinforce
ment. Not until Admiral Cervera took
refuge in the harbor of Santiago lie Cuba
about the 9Th was it practicable to plan
systematic military attack upon the An
tillean possessions of Spain.
2 Several demonstrations occurred OH the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in ITepa'a a
ton for the larger event. On May II the
North Atlantic squadron shatlHd San Iuan,
Porto Rico. On May 80 Commodore Scnievs
Ia ride "a ~ Ffi
mouth of Santiago harbor. Neither attack
had any material result 1t was evident
that well-ordered land operations were in.
dispensabe to achieve a decisive advan-
tage.
HOBSON'S THRILLING FEAT
The next action in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen, but
the world by it's exceptional heroism. On
the night of July Lieutenant Hobson,
aided by seven devoted volunteers, blocked
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor
by sinking the collier Merrimac in the
channel under a fierce fire from the shore
batteries. escaping with their lives as by a
miracle but falling into the hands of the
Spaniards. 1t is a most gratifying incident
of the war that the bravery of this little
band of heroes was cordially appreciated by
the SpaniardS, who sent q flag of truce to
notify Admiral Sampson Of their safety and
to compliment them upon their daring act.
They We're subsequently exchanged July 7.
By June the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June 10, under a heavy protecting fire.
landing of six hundred marines from the
Oregon, Marblehead and Yankee was eff
fected in Guantanamo bay, where it had
been determined to establish a naval sta
tion
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines, who were the first
organized force of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The position so won was held, despite
desperate efforts to dislodge our forces By
June Is additional froces were landed and
strongly intrenched.
On June % the advance of the invading
army, under Major General Shafter, land
ed at Baiquiri. about fifteen miles east
of Santiago. This was accomplished I'M
dispatch. On June % the movement against
Santiago was begun. On the 24th the first
serious engagement took place, in which
the First and Tenth Cavalry and the First
United States Volunteer Cavalry General
Young's brigade of General Wheeler's di-
vision, participated. losing heavily. BY
nightfall, however, ground within five miles
of Santiago was won. The advantage was
steadily increased On July a severe battle
took place, our forces gaining the outworkS
of Santiago; on the I'd Ell Caney and San
Juan were taken after desperate charge,
and the investment of the city was COM
pleted. The navy co-operated by Smelling
the town and the coast forts.
THE BATTLE OF JULY 3.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forces, July g.
occurred the decisive naval combat of the
war. The Spanish fleet attempting to leave