The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-14
OEWEY'S DISPATCH.
First Mail Advices From the Hero OF
Manila.

First Mail Advices From the Hero OF
Manila.
Washington, June 13.-The navy de-
partment to-day made public the fol.
lowing letter received from Admiral
Dewey, being its first mail advices from
him since he reached Manila:
Flagship Olympia, Cavite, May :,
1s9S.-The squadron left Mrs bay on
April %, arriving off Bolinao on the
morning of April 80. and, finding no
vessels there, proceeded down the
coast and arrived off the entrance to
Manila bay on the same afternoon. The
Boston and Concord were sent to re-
connoiter: A thorough search
of the port side was made by the Bos-
ton and the Concord, but the Spanish
fleet was not found.
Entered south channel at 10:30 p.
m, steaming in column at eight knots.
After half the squadron had passed,
battery on the south side of the chan
mel opened fire, none of the shots TAX
ing effect. The Boston and McCulloch
returned the fire. The squadron pro-
ceeded across the bay at slow speed
and arrived off Manila at daybreak.
and was fired upon at 5:l5 a. m. py
three batteries at Manila and two at
Cavite and by the Spanish fleet, an
chored in an approximately east and
west line across the mouth of Baker
bay with their left in shoal water in
Canacac bay The squadron then pro-
ceeded to the attack, the flagship un-
der my personal direction Leading, foi-
lowed at distance by the Baltimore,
Raleigh, Petrol, Concord and Boston in
the order named, which formation was
maintained throughout the action. The
squadron opened fire at Sal a. m
While advancing to the attack two
mines were exploded ahead OF the nag
ship, too far to be effective. The squa-
dron maintained a continuous and pre-
else fire at ranges varying from 5000 to
| 1000 yards, counter marching in line
| approximately parallel to the Spanish
fleet. The enemy's fire was vigorous
but generally Ineffective. Early in the
| engagement two launches put out to-
ward the Olympia. with the apparent
intention of using torpedoes. One was
| sunk and the other disabled by our
fire and beached before an opportunity
occurred to fire torpedoes. At a. IN.
the Spanish flagship Reina Christina
made desperate effort to leave the
line and come out to engage at short
range, but was received with such a
| CALLING fire. the entire battery of the
| Olympia being concentrated upon her.
| that she was barely able to return to
the shelter of the point The fires
| started in her at this time by our shells
were not extinguished until she
| sank
"The three batteries at Manila had
| kept up a continuous fire from the be-
| ginning of the enga cement. which fire
| was returned by the squadron. The
| first of these batteries were situated
| on the south mole head, at the en-
trance to the Pasig river: the second
| on the south bastion Of the walled city
| of Manila; the third at Malate, about
one-half mile further south. At this
| point j sent message to the governor
| general to the effect that IL the bat
ri Eriy al
be shelled. This had the effect of si-
| lencing them. At 7:30 a. m. I ceased
| firing and withdrew the squadron for
breakfast At 11:15 a. m. returned to
the attack. BY this time the Spanish
flagship and almost the entire Spanish
dron ceased firing. the batteries being
silenced and the ships being sunk,
| burned and deserted. At 12:42 the
squadron returned and anchored off
Manila. the Petrol being left behind to
complete the destruction Of the smaller
| guns which were behind the point of
| Cavite. This duty was performed by
| Commander f. p. Wood i'm the most
expeditions and complete manner pos
sible.
The Spanish lost the following ves-
sells: Sunk-Reina Christina. Castillo.
Don Antonio de Ulloa. Burnt-Don
| Juan de Austria, Isla de Luzon. Isle de
FL Correo. valesco and Isle de Min
| danao ttransport). Captured-Rapido
and Hercules (tugs) and several small
launches. am unable to obtain complete
| accounts of the enemy's killed and
wounded. but believe their losses to be
very heavy. The Reina Christina alone
had $50 killed. including the captain. and
20 wounded. / am happy to report that
| the damage done to the squadron under
my command was inconsiderable There
were none killed and only seven men in
the squadron slightly wounded. .
Several of the vessels were struck
| and even penetrated, but the damage
was OF the slightest. and the squadron is
| in as good condition now as before the
battle. l beg to state to the department
| that doubt IL any commander-in- -chief
was ever served by more loyal. effic!en,
and gallant captains than those of the
| squadron now under my command. Can
| tain Frank Wildes. commanding the
Boston. volunteered to remain in COM
mand OF his vessel. although his relief
arrived before leaving Hong Kong. As
sistant Surgeon Kindleberger of the
| Olympia and Gunner Evans of the Bos-
| ton also volunteered to remain after or
| ders detaching them had arrived.
The conduct Of my personal staff was
excellent. Commander r. p. Lamberton
chief of star. was a volunteer for tina:
position. and gave me most efficient aid
| Lieutenant Brumbv. flag lieutenant
and Ensign w p Scott, aide. perform
| ed their duties as signal officers in a
highly creditable manner. The oiym-
| pia being short Of officers for the bat
| terry. Ensign II. H. Caldwell. flag sec.
retary. volunteered for and was as
signed to a subdivision of the five-incf
| battery.
~. L. Stickney. formerly an officer In
the United States navy and now CORE
spondent Of the New York Herald. vol
unteered for duty as my aide and rem.
dered valuable service. I desire seecial.
| iy to mention the coolness Of Lieuten-