Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-25
THE MANILA BATTLE
A London Correspondents Account
Of the Engagement
TERMS OF SURRENDER AGREED On.
About 5000 Spanish Soldiers Laid Down
Their Arms-Grsat Praise Given 70
Admiral Dewey and Gen. Mer.
rift for Humanity.

London, Aug. S.-The Manila cor
respondent OF the Times telegraphs
under date Of August ID, five D. H.:
The capture Of the town to-day was not with
out certain melodramatc elements, nOtwith-
standing the fact that the Spanish made o Sc
riOus resistance against the advance Of the
right wing Of the American force II could not
have been difficult TO have f0rseen that q sur
render would follow display by the land forces
TO satisfy Spanish honor. nor has II been well
kept secret that the captain general practically
suggested the manner In which American
troops should advance 10 prevent loss OF life on
both sides AT first 1t was not Intended to at
tack the trenches, but quietly TO advance after
the bombardment had ceased At the last mo-
ment, however, the programme was changed
and orders were issued for the land battery to
open fire simultaneously with the feet and for
On advance TO be made as soon as II was con-
sidered practicable TO assault the Spanish
trenches The reason for this change OF plan
Is not yet apparent but considerable loss OF lie
resulted Gen Anderson placed his division
according 10 directions from Gen Merritt
There were eight battali0ns OF the First bril-
gade under Cen Macarthur In the fighting line
on the right, with three battalions In reserve,
while seven battallons OF the Secolv brigade,
under Gen Greene were In the trenches across
the road 10 the seashore three Others forming
reserve The troops left the camp at $50 In
heavy thunderstorm They carried 100 rounds
OF ammunition per man and two days cooked
rations
Shortly inter S:45 the feet got under way
with flnps mas,headed. At nine o'clock the
Olympia led the way, attended by the Raleigh
and the Petrol while the Calao, under Lieut..
Tappan, and the launch Barcelo crept close In
shore In the heavy breakers At s:S' sudden
stormy sky. completely hid the Olympia
shell screamed across two miles OF turbulent
water and burst near the Spanish fort ut Malate
San Antonio dc Abad Then the Petrol ind
Raleigh and the active little Calao opened
rapid fire directed toward the shore end Of the
intrenchments The SpaniArds replied feebly
with d Few shells
Less than hali on hour after the bombard-
ment began, Cen Greene decided that " was
possible to advance, although the signals to
cease Hiring were disregarded BY the fleet, be-
80 I'~"N's "''''"'N w " '''S '~'-"
Thereupon SIX companies OF the colorado reg-
ment leaped over their brclstworks, dashed
into the swamp and began volley firing from |
the partial shelter OF low hedges within 300
yards OF the Spanish lines A few moments
later the remaining six companies moved
along the seashore, somewhat covered by
sand ridge formed by on inlet under the out
Works OF the fort, md Of II O'Clock occupied |
this formidable stronghold without loss
Mccoy hauled down the Spanish fiag and raised
the stars ind stripes amid wild cheers along
the limo
Meanwhile, the neet observing the move
ment Of the troops along the beach withheld
Its fire. The bombardment had lasted exactly
~ hours An hour later Cen Greene and his
stan proceeded along the beach, still under q
hot infantry fire from the right, where the
Sixteenth regulars and the Third regular artil-
lery were engaging the enemy, and direct the
movement for on advance into Malate The
vicinity OF the forts was uncomfortable on &C.
count Of numbers OF sharpshooters In the
buildings on both sides 200 yards distant The 4,
forward movement was, therefore. hastened
and In few minutes the outskirts OF the
Supuip "oio "oh oeNuPiou III" VhV ahoiP-
shooters were driven away
There was considerable street fighting In the
suburbs Of Malate md Ermta, but the battal-
ion Of Callfornians pushed into the LunetA, o
popular promenade, within 200 yards Of the moat
Of the citadel. Then the white flag was hoisted |
ut the southwest corner OF the walled town
Gen. Greene, with o few members Of his stat
galloped along the Luneta under sharp
scattering fire from the houses near the
beach and pareyed with on officer who directed
him along to the gate further east Soon let
ter was brought from the captain general re-
questlng the commander Of the troops to meet
him for consultation. Gen Greene immediately
entered with Adjt Gen. Bates Gen. Merritt
entered with his staf at three O'Clock. The
situation was then better understood and .
a.. f... Pa. H.. l.-li