The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-01
OPERATIONS
NEAR MANILA
General Merritt Makes His
Official Report.
CHEERFUL ENDURANCE
OF HARDSHIPS BY AMERICAN
VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS.
why MERRITT DID NOT JOIN AGUINALDO
How Difficulty of Approach to Spanish LINE was
Overcome. Objections to Bombard-
ment of Manila. Attack on
Spanish Works,
Spanish Works.


Washington, Sept. 30.-The report of
Major General Merritt, of the opeations
about Manila was made public at the
War Department today. After giving
briefly the story of his embarkation and
arrival at Manila, and the disposition of
the troops there, he says:
Il found General Greene's command
encamped on a strip of sandy land run
ming parallel to the shore of the bay
and not far distant from the beach,
but owing to the great difficulties of
landing supplies, the greater portion of
the force had shelter tents only, and
were suffering many discomforts, the
camp being situated in n low, flat place,
without shelter from the heat of the
tropical sun or adequate protection dur
ing the terrific downpours of rain so fire.
quent at this season. / was struck by
the spirit of cheerful endurance shown
by the officers and men under such cir
cumstances, and this admiration for the
manner in which the American soldier,
volunteer and regular alike, accept the
necessary hardships of the work they
have undertaken to do, has increased
with every phase of the difficult and try
ing campaign which the troops of the
Philippine expedition have brought to
such a brilliant and successful conclu-
sion.
The insurgent forces at war with
Spain had. prior to the arrival of the
American land forces. hemn waging
desultory warfare with the Spaniards
for several months, and were at the
time of my arrival in considerable force
probably not far from $4,000 men. These
troops, well supplied with small arms,
ammunition and several field guns. had
obtained possession of several positions
opposite to the Spanish line of detach-
ed works throughout their entire ex,
tent
General Merritt then speaks of Aguin-
aldo's accomplishments previous to his
arrival and continues:
''As General Aguinaldo did not visit
me on my arrival nor offer his services
as a subordinate military leader. and as
my instructions from the President full
ly contemplated the occupation of the
islands by the American land forces and
stated that the powers Of the military
occupant are absolute and supreme and
Immediately operate upon the political
condition of the inhabitants / did not
consider it wise to hold any direct COM
munication with the insurgent leader un-
til | should be in possession of the city
Of Manila, especially as / would not
until then be in a position to enforce
my authority, in the event that his pre-
tensions should clash with my designs.
''FOr these reasons the preparations for
the attack on the city were pressed and
military operations conducted without
reference to the situation of the insur-
gent forces. The wisdom Of this course
was subsequently fully established by
the fact that when the troops of my
command carried the Spanish intrench-
ments, extending from the sea to the
Pasay road on the extreme Spanish
right, we were under no obligations, by
prearranged plans of mutual attack, to
turn to the right and clear the front
still held against the insurgents, but
were able to move forward at once and
occupy the city and suburbs.
'',l'o return to the situation IF General
Green es brigade as ! found it on my ar
rival. The difficult in approaching
the Spanish line lay in my disinclina-
ticn to ask General Aguinaldo to with
draw from the beach and the Gale
real. so that General Greene could move
forward This was overcome by inStruc-
tions to General Greene to arrange, if
mssible, with the insurgent brigade com
,pander in his immediate vicinity to move
to the right and allow the American
forces unobstructed control of the roads
in their immediate front. NO objection
was made. and Gen. Greene's brigade
threw forward a heavy outpost Dne on
the Gale real and The beach and con
structed a trench, in which portion OF
the guns of the Ut1h batteries were
paced.
"Fhe Spanish. observing this activity
on cur part, made terv sharp attack
With infantry and artillery on the night
of July 31st.
'The behavior Of DIR .ro1nS dhring
this night attack was all that could
he desired. Our position was extended
ana strengthened after this and resisted
successfully repeated night attacks, onr
forces suffering, however. considerable
loss in wounded and killed. while the
losses of the enemy. owing to the dAtK-
ness, could not be aScartaincI
General Merritt then tells of the diff
Guilty he experienced nl re-enforcinG
General Greene's troops on account Of
the obstacles in landing. Continuing he
says:
Upon the assembly of Macarthur's
brigade in support of t,reene's. | had
about $500 men in postjon to attack.
and / deemed the time had come for
final action. During the time Of the