River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08


sage 10 narrate the history Of the ex-
traordinary war that followed the Spanish
declaration of April q, but a brief recital
of its more salient features is appropriate
The first encounter of the war in point of
date took place April II, when a detsch-
ment of the blockading squadron made a
recon noissance in force at Matanzas,
shelled the harbor forts and demolished
several new works in construction.
Dewey's Victory.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maritime war
fare. The Pacific Meet under Commodore
George Dewey, had lain for some weeks at
Hong-kong. Upon the colonial proclama-
ton Of neutrality being issued ana the
customary "a hours notice being given. it
repaired to Mrs bay, near Hong Kong,
whence Ii proceeded to the Philippine is
lands under Geographic orders to capture
or destroy the formidable Spanish fleet then
assembled at Manila. At daybreak on the
Is, of May the American force entered Ma
ment effected the total destruction Of the
Spanish fleet consisting Of ten warshlps
and a transport, besides capturing the
naval station and forts a Cavlte, thus an
Initiating the Spanish power in the Pacific
ocean and completely controlling the Bay
of Manila with the ability to take the city
al will Not a life was lost on our ships,
the wounded only numbering seven, while
not a vessel was materially injured. For
this gallant achievement the congress, up
on my recomm endation titiy bestowed up
on theactors present permanent and sub
stantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon the
fortunes of the war was instant. pres
tige of invincibility thereby attached to
our arms which continued throughout the
struggle. Requirements were hurried to
Manila under the command of Maj Gen
Merritt, and firmly established within sight
OF the capital, which lay helpless before
our guns. On the seventh day of May the
government was advised officially of the
victory of Manila, and at once inquired of
the commander of our fleet what troops
would be required. The information was
received on the 18th of May, and the first
army expedition sailed May 25 and ar
rived off Manila June 80. Other expeditions
soon followed, the total force consisting
Of 641 officers and 1868 men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the city and
herewith the absolute military occupancy
of the whole, group. The insurgents
meanwhile had resumed the active hos
tilties suspended by the uncompleted truce
of December 1897. Their forces invested
Manila from the northern and eastern side,
bus were constrained by Admiral Dewey
and Gen. Merritt from attempting an as
sault 1t was fitting that whatever was
GONE in the way of decisive operations in
mat quarter should be accomplished by
the strong arm Of the United States alone.
Obeying the stern precept of war, which
eniOins the overcoming of the adverse ry
and the extinction of his power wherever
aSsailable, the speedy and sure means
to win peace, divided victory was not
DeFTniSSa bic. for no partition or the rights
and responsibilities attending the enforce
ment of a just and advantageous peace
could be thought Of.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack powerful forces were as
semhled at various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were made at several
exposed points. On May II, the cruiser
Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow
We're unsuccessful in an attempt to silence
the batteries at Cardcnas, against Matan-
ing These grievous fatalities We're strange
~ enough among the very few which oc
CURED during our naval operations in this
extraordinary conflict
Advance of Cervern's Fleet.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepare
lions had been pushed with great vigor. 4
which had assembled at the Cape Verde
Islands before the outbreak of hOstilities,
had crossed the ocean and by its erratic
movements in the Caribbean sea delayed
5ttr military operations while battling the
pursuit of our fleets. For time fears were
felt lest the Oregon and Marietta then
nearing home after their long voyage from
San Francisco of over 15,Oo0 miles, might
be surprised by Admiral Cervera fleet
but their fortunate arrival dlspelled these
apprehensions and lent much needed reen-
forcements. Not until Admiral Cervera
took refuge in the harbor of Santiago de
cuba about May was it practicable to
plan a systematic military attack upon the
Antillean possessions of Spain
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts
ton for the larger event on May IL the
North Atlantic squadron shelled San Juan
dc Porto Rico. on May 80 Commodore
Schley's squadron bombarded the forts
Guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor.
Neither attack had any material result. 1t
was evident that well-ordered land opera
tions were Indispensable to achieve de-
cisive advantage.
Hobsoa's Band of Heroes.
The next act in the war thrilled not alone
the hearts of our countrymen but the world
by It's exceptional heroism. On the night
OF June 8 Lieut.. Hobson, aided by seven
devoted volunteers, blocked the narrow
outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking the
collier Merrimac in the channel, under
fierce fire from the shore batteries, eScap-
ing with their lives as by a miracle, but
falling into the hands of the Spaniards. It
is a most gratifying incident, of the war
that the bravery Of this little band of
heroes was cordially appreciated by the
Spaniardst who sent a flag of truce to notify
Admiral Sampson of their safety and to
compliment them on their daring act. They
were subsequently exchanged July I.
Fail of Guantanamo.
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 600 marines from the Oregon.
Marblehead and Yankee was effected in
Guantanamo bay, where II had been deter
mined to establish naval station. This
important and essential port was taken
from the enemy after severe lighting by
force of the United States to land in Cuba,
The position so won was held, despite des-
perate attempts to dislOdge our forces. BY
June is additional forces were landed and
vance of the invading army under Maj
Gen. Shafter landed at Baiquiri, about Is
miles east of Santiago. This was accom-
plished under great difficulties, but with
marvellous dispatch
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.