The San Francisco call., 1898-09-23
Official Accounts of
 Work in Manila.
BRAVERY OF THE VOLUNTEERS
CALIFORNIANS WERE IN THE
 THICKEST OF THE FIGHT.
Officers Express Surprise at the Or ders to Send More Troops to the Philip
 pines.

Major General Francis V. Greene, who left here in command of the second de- tachment of the expeditionary forces for the Philippines, returned on the steamer China yesterday. When he went away he was a brigadier general, and was ad- vanced to the present rank for gallantry, upon the request of General Wesley Mer- ritt.
 General Greene Is the custodian of the official report of General Merritt, upon all that has taken place in the Philippines since the American troops landed there. It was brought here by Adjutant General Babcock, and will be presented to the army officials at Washington. General Greene spoke freely of the troops and their fighting qualities, but declined to discuss the politics of the islands.
 "The troops at Manila have behaved magnificently in the actions in which they have taken part" said General Greene yesterday. 'The First California Regi- ment was part of my brigade and made his men fought bravely, as we knew they would. Poor Captain Richter was the only officer killed when the troops were going forward to reinforce the men in the trenches.
 My brigade went ashore July II. We went into camp at once and occupied the trenches under desperate conditions as to weather. We were attacked four times by the Spaniards, and drove them back each time. General MacArthur came on August g and reinforced us. On the 18th we attacked the city of Manila and cap tured 1t. The navy bombarded the city for half an hour. after which, we ad- Battery, while the Astor Battery did yeoman duty for General MacArthur
 We took the Spanish line and entered the city, which was surrendered that af- ternoon This was supplemented by a formal equalization on the following day. Our loss was only atwenty-three killed and 103 wounded. With S500 we took 13.000 prisoners. With them we captured 22,OOo guns and 10, 900 900 rounds of ammunition
 The conditions throughout were of the worst 4 th1a rea 6aned Gqn time the men in camp had only shelter tents, while those in the trenches had no protection. The tents were pitched on the ground to keep out the moisture. At first the men spent one day in every four in the trenches, and later, when affairs reached a crisis, they were there one day in three Each man served twentyfour hours without relief.
 ''The country presents almost unsur- mountable difficulties for military opera tions. There were rice swamps, gardens, bamboo thickets and other obstacles to overcome. There are e but few roads ,fnN and Arthur was through the civil war, but he says he never saw such place in which tro1pa m ' CT the tons were bad there was no complaint They were in good spirits, there was no despondency and no sickness.
 ''1he troops are all in the former bar racks of the Spaniards and in barracks made out of private houses. The Span cathedrals, churches and convents.
 "I wish to commend the work 1 of .Se Gerald eG my volunteer aid during all the fighting before Manila and acted gailantly throughout I mentioned him in my re- port. He. preferred to remain behind when I left and connected himself with another command.
 On being asked as to his candidacy for ing his strained relations with General Merritt, he laughingly said 1t was all news to him.
 II left General Merritt at Hongkong on the most friendly terms of intimacy. I knew he had recommended my advance ment to be major general, but did not was no unpleasantness between and I cannot account for the stories that have gained credence here. l am under orders to report at Washington and have no idea as to what the future may hold for me.
 "As to my candidacy for the Governor ship, I am equally at loss to know who, am told, Is a candidate, is a life long friend of mine and our politics are the same. The matter should not be
 'The report of any difference with Cap tain Seabury of the China on the trip out was equally without foundation:
 1T left General Merritt at Hongkong. He started west over the Red Sea for Europe, where he is due October to ap pear before the Peace Commission"
 officers, was surprised at the order sending more troops to the Philippines. Before leaving General Merritt cabled that he required no more. Those now un- der orders to go make the total number of men assigned to the Philippines 21 900. This Is the force that was originally in- tended for the occupancy of the islands.