The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-11
Details Of the Magnif-
cent Victory ii, the
Philippines.
TIE SPANISH FOUGHT
WITH DESPERATE
BRAVERY.

BRAVERY.
Owing to the fact that the cable
between Hong Kong aud the Philip.
pine Islands was not in working order
having been cut, it is said, some dis,
tancs from tie capital Of the islands
there has been delay in obtaining 8
detailed account of the battle, and
fhe facts In the case were only avail
able when the United States gunboa'
Hugh Mccullough arrived at Hong
Hong
Dommodore Dewey's orders were
80 capture or destroy the Spanish
aeet, and never we're instructions, ex
eeuted ia so complete fashion At
the end OF seven hours there was ab.
soInteIy nothing left the Spanish feet
ata few relics.
The American commander had
most sk;llfnlly arranged every detail
sof the action. and even the apparent
az most Insignificant features were
carried out With perfect punctuali.y
and railroad time table order.
&c the end Of the action Commo
dore Dewey anchored his feet in the
bsy before Manila. and cent mes
sage to Governor General August
annonncing the inauguration of the
blockade, and adding that if q shot
waa Cred against his ships he would
destroy every battery about Manila
The position occupied by the
sSpaniards, the snpport which their
ships received from the land bat
1eries. and the big guns they had
ashore gave them an enormous adj
yantage. Therefore, when it is con
sidered that the Spaniards lost over
800 men ID killed and wousded, that
an their ships, amounting to about
.1 were destroyed, and that their
naval arsenal at Cavite was also de
stroyed, with its defensee, it will be-
come apparent that the victory of the
American commodore is one of the
most complete and wonderful achieve
mems 50 the history Of naval war
fare
Not q man on board the American
feet was killed, not ship was dam
aged 20 any extent, and only six men
were injured eighty on board the
Baltimore.
This great achievements is quite as
much due to the generaiship Of Com
medore Dewey as to the fact that the
american gunners, ships and guns
;are saperior TO anything IN the same
1ine aaoat anywhere Credit must
also be given TO the fullest extent to
the officers under Commodore Dewey
for, Is man. they seconded their
gallant commander in every way pos,
siible and thus helped him earn the
laurels which are 80 justly his
When the squadron left Hong Kong
ii touched FIRST at point in the Philip
pines near Bolino, as Commodore
Dewey wished the insurgents sgents
10 disembark there. ascertain the
strength ana disposition of the insur-
gent forces. arrange to prevent need
less bIoodsbed and inform the insur
gents Of his intention to change the
government of the Philippine Islands,
the commodore strongly objecting TO
giyiDg the rebels a chance to commit
excesses. The insurgent leaders, how
ever. refused 10 d,sembark under any
conside deraaion, and the American ships
coasted 10 search of the Spanish
bu. failed to find them Commodore
Dewey arrived at Subig bay, about
so niles north of Manila bay, on
Saturday. April 80. and sent the Bal
timore and Concord 70 reconnoiter the
enemy. They found Spanish chips
lat the entrance of the bay, and so
the commodore decided TO to risk the
mines and proceed that same night
after dark into the bay Of Manila,
which he did
TIE American feet entered Manila
bay on Saturday night with the
greatest Of ease. The Spaniards had
not established 3 patrol aud there
were no searchlighss at the entrance
of the bay. In fact, the American
ships would probably have passed
inside the bay without any challenge
had It not been that some sparks
few up fiom the McCulloch's funnel.
Theseupon few shots were exchang-
ed with the batteries On Corregidor
island, but the feet did not slow
down aud soon took up a position
Bear Cavite. awaiting dawn in order
TO commence hostilities
The early hours of the morning re.
vealed the opposing ships to each
other, the Spanish flagship opening
FIRE Her action was followed hv