The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-01
BATTLE OF MANILA.
Gcneral Merritt's Detailed Report Is
Made Public.
HE CAMPAIGN WAS WELL EXECUTED
Every Plan Mas Carried Out a.
Had been I'rearranqed.
GEN. AGUlNALpO MAS IGNORE D
Merritt Would Not Risk Any Come
piications-Thc spanish Protested
After Pence Was Declared.


operations about Manila was made public
at the war department today IT Is dated on
board the transport China, August II. Az
ter giving briefly the story of his embarka-
tion and arrival at Manila and the disposi-
ton of the troops there. he says:
Il found General Greene's command en-
cimpod on a strip of sandy hand running
parallel TO the shore of the bay and not
Tar distant from the beach, but owing 10
the great difficulties OF landing supplies
the greater portion OF the force had shelter
TENS only ana were suffering many dis
comforts, the camp being situated in a
low, nat place, without shelter from the
hSat from the tropical sun or adequate
protection during the terrific dowupours
OF rain so frequent at this season. / WAS
ut once struck by the exemplary spirit Of
patient, even cheerful endurance shown
by the Officers and men under such cir
cumstances ami this feeling of admirlti ton
for the manner In which the American
soldier, volunteer ard regular alike, accept
the hardships OF the work they have under
taken TO 90. has grown and increased with
every phase OF the difficulties of a trying
! pine expedition have brought to such q
/ pti!hant ana successful conclusion.
! ihe Philippines or insu, gene forces at
war With spain had been, PRIOR to the ar
rival OF the American lana forces, waglag
II dcsullory warfare w.th the Spapiar1s
| loI several yeats ana were at the time Of
| my arrival in considerable force various
| ~ estimated ana never accurately ascer-
tanned, but probably not far from 900
ruen, lhese troops, well supplied with
small aims with plenty Of ammunition ana
soVera' guns tcok up position OUTSIDE
Vi the city OF Manila
ne theh speaks OF General Aguinaldo.
sayllg mat Aguinaido did not visit him
on ms arrival nor offer his service IN the
captuIe OF Manila. Il did not consider il
| Wise TO hold any direct communication
WIN the lnsurgent leader until | was In
possession OF the city of Manila, especially
as | would rot be in position to issue
Proclamation and enforce my authority in
me event that his pretensions shoull clash
win my designs. For thJse reasons the
preparations Tor the attack ON the city
were pressed ana military operations con-
Quoted without reference to the insurgent
| FORCES lhe wisdom of this course was sub
sequs nt.y fully established by the fact that
When the troops of my command carried
the Spanish intrenchmcn,s. extending from
the sea to the Pasay road on the extreme
Sl9hsh right, we We're under no obligl.
|
taeN 10 TURN to the right ami clear the
front stun held against the Insurgents but
were Apse Ia move forward ana occupy
The city and suburbs,
10 return to tho situation of General
"rethes brigade rs | found II on my ar
rNhs II VIII be zen that the difficulty in
gaining an avenue of approach to the
SparlSh hue lay ir the tact of my disin,
cIinalon to ask General Agulnah!o 10
withdraw from the beach and the Gale
heal so that Greene could move forward
l MS was overcome by instructions to Gen.
7ral Greene to arrange II possible with
the lnsutgent brigade commander in his
immediate vicinity to move to the right
iund allow the American force unohstrlIcind
cortrol of the roads in their Immediate
front, No objection was made and accord
hg'y GENERAL Greene drew forward a
nodNN outpost line on the Callc Real and
the beach artl constructed trenches. in
/ Nmch a potron OF the guns ul the titan
battery were ppcodl The Spanlards made
q sharp infantry and artillery attack on
ln' nlsht OF july 81, The behavior OF our
troops dursng this night attack was all
! 'h4i could be dCstted and | have In cable
grams TO the war department taken oc-
casion TO commend by name those who de-
| serve special mention for good conduct in
| lh@ anar,
| Our position was extended and
strengthened after this ard resisted suc-
" l'"''' ''fVAttu HlhHt 3ttiVks, our forces
| suffering, however, considerable loss in
wounded and killed. while the loss OF the
enemy, owing to the darkness. could not
be aseertained.
Tie strain Of the night fighting and the
htavy details for outpos, duty made it inn
perative to reinforce General Greenes
liroois with General McArthur's brigade
which had arrived in the transport on July
u. Tho difficulties Of this operation can
hardly be overestimated
The unloading was finally accomplished
after days Of hard work and hardships. and
desire here 10 express again my aimira-
| tion for the fortitudc aud cheerfcl willing
ness OF the men of all commands engaged
III this operation,
Upon the assembly Of McArthur's bri-
gadc In support Of Greeut's had about $500
men In position to attack, and / deemed
the time had come for final action. Dur
INK the time OF the night attacks had
communicated my desire to Admiral Dewey
that he would allow his ships TO open fire
on the right OF tho seventh line of infantry,
but he was not ready to risk general en-
gagement. But when the brigade Of Gen
eral Macarthur was in position ana the Mon