The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-06

Herewith the absolute military occupancy
of the whole group. The insurgents,
meanwhile, had resumed the active hos
Utilities suspended by the uncompleted
truce of December, 1897. Their forces in
vested Manila from the northern and east
ern sides, but were restrained by Admiral
Dewey and General Merritt fromattempt-.
ing an assault. 1t was fitting that what
ever was to be done in the way of deci-
sive operations in that quarter should be
accomplished by the strong arm of the
United States alone. Obeying the stern
precept of war, which enjoins the over
coming of the adversary and the extinc-
ton of his power wherever assailable, as
the speedy and sure means to win a peace,
divided victory was not permissible, for
no partition Of the rights and RESPONSE
bilities attending the enforcement of a
just and advantageous peace could be
thought of.
Following the coming of the compre-
henslye scheme of general attack, power
fu! forces were assembled at various
points on our coast to invade Cuba and
Porto Rico. Meanwhile, naval demon
strations We're made at several exposed
points. On May II the cruiser Whining
ton and torpedo boat Winslow were UNI
successful in an attempt to silence the
batteries at CArdenas and against Matan-
zas, Ensign Worth Bagley and four sea-
men falling. These grievous fatalities
few which occurred during our naval OPP
erations in this extraordinary conflict.
Coming of Cervera.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepare
lions had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera, which had assembled at the Cape
Verde islands before the outbreak of hos
tilities, had crossed the ocean, and by it's
cratic movements in the Caribbean sea
delayed our military operations while
battling the pursuit of our fleets. For q
time fears were felt lest the Oregon and
Marietta, then nearing home, after their
long voyage from San Francisco of over
5000 miles, might be surprised by Ad-
miral Cervera's feet, but their fortunate
arrival dispelled the apprehensions and
brought the much needed achievements
Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge
in::the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba, about
May 9. was it practicable to plan syste-
possessions Of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coast of Cuba and Porto Rico, in prepare
tions for the larger event. On May ID the
north Atlantic squadron shelled San
Juan de Porto Rico, on May 80 Commo-
dorc Schley's squadron bombarded the
forts guarding the mouth of Santiago
harbor. Neither attack had any material
land operations were Indispensable to
skieve q decided advantage.
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 Lieutenant Hobson,
aided h1de x seven devoted
harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac in
the channel under a fierce fire from the
shore batteries, escaping with their lives
as by a miracle, but falling into the hands
of the Spaniurils. 1t is a most gratifying
incident of the war that the bravery OF
the little band of heroes was cordially
flag of truce to notify Admiral Sampson
of their safety and to compliment them
upon their daring act 1hy were subse-
quently exchanged July z.
First Landing In Cuba.
BY June tn" lifting of the last Cuban
cable isolated uhe island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted On
June 10, under a heavy protecting fire, u
landing force of 600 marines of the Ore
gon, Marblehead and Yankee was effected
in Guantanamo bay, where it had been
determined to establish naval station
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines, who v ere the first Oh
ganiZed force .of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The position so won was held despite
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces.
BY June l6 additional forces were landed
and strongly entrenched. On June q
the advance of the invading army under
Major General Shafter landed in Bal
quiri, about Is miles east of Santiago
This was accomplished under great diff
culties. but with marvellous dispatch. On
June 23 the movement against Santiago
was begun. On the oath the first serious
engagement took place, in which the
First and Tenth cavalr and the First vol
unteer cavalry, General Young's brigade
of General Wheeler's division, partici-
pated, losing heavily. BY nightfall, how
ever, ground within five miles of Santi
ago was won. The advantage WAS stead
lily increased. On July a severe battle
works of Santiago and Ell Caney and Sar
Juan were taken after desperate charge
and the Investment Of the city was com
pleted. The navy co-operated by Smelling
the town and the coast forts.
Battle of July Third.
On the day following this brillian
achievement of our land forces, July 3
occurred the decision of u naval combat o.
the war. The Spanish fleet, attempting
TO leave Cne narDOr, was meG Dy TINT
American squadron under command o
Admiral Sampson. In less than three
hours all the Spanish ships were dc
| strOyed, the two torpedo boats sunk an(
the Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo
| Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore. Tho Spanish admiral ant
over 1900 men were taker
prisoners, while the enemy's loss o
life was deplorably large, some 6Ot
perishing. On our side but one man wa
! killed and one man seriously wounded