The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-06


hours notice being given, it repaired to
Mrs Bay, near Hong Kong, whence it
proceeded to the Philippine Islands
under telegraphed orders to capture or
destroy the formidable Spanish fleet then
assembled at Manila. At daybreak on
the LIST of May the American force en-
tered Manila bay, and after a few
hours engagement effected the total de-
struction Of the Spanish fleet. consist
ing of ten warships and one transport
besides capturing the naval station at
Cavite, thus annihilating the Spanish
naval power in the Pacific ocean and
completely controlling the bay Of Manila
with the ability to take the city at Will.
Not life was lost on our ships, the
wounded only numbering seven, while
not vessel was injured.
For this gallant achievement the Con
gress, upon my recommendation, fifty
bestowed upon the actors preferment
and substantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instant. A
prestige OF invincibility thereby attached
to our arms, which continued through
out the struggle. Reinforcements were.
hurried to Manila under the command
established within sight of the capital,
which lay helpless before our guns.
TROOPS SENT TO MANILA.
On the 9TH day of May the Govern
ment was advised officially Of the vic
tory at Manila, and at once inquired of
the commander Of our fleet what troops
would be required. The information was
received on the 18th day of May, and
the first army expedition sailed May
18th and arrived off Manila June Both.
Other expeditions soon followed, the to-
tai force consisting of GAL officers and
15,05S enlisted men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the clty, anu
herewith the absolute military occu-
pancy of the whole group. The insur-
gents meanwhile had resumed the ac-
tive hostilities suspended by the uncom-
pleted truce of December, 1897. Their
forces invested Manila from the north
ern and eastern side, but were con-
strained by Admiral Dewey and Gen
eral Merritt from attempting an assault
It was fitting that whatever was to be
done in the way of decisive 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 overcoming of the
adversary and the extinction OF ms
mower wherever assaiable as the speedy
and sure means to win peace, dlVlueu
victory was not permissible, for no par
tition of the rights and Responsiveness
attending the enforcement OF Il just ana
advantageous peace could be thought OF.
OPERATIONS IN THE ANTILLES.
Following the comprehensive scheme
of general attack, powerful forces We're
| assembled at various points on our coast
70 invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean
while naval demonstrations were maue
at several exposed points. On May IIth
the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo BOAT
WinsIow were unsuccessful in an at
temnt to silence the batteries at Car
denas. u gallant Ensign, Worth Bagle
and four seamen falling. These gi-ev-
ous fatalities were strangely enough
among the very few which occurred dur
ING our naval operations in this eX-
traOrdinary conflict
CEVERA'S SQUADRON COMES.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
tions had been pushed with great vlgor.
nowerful squadron. under Admiral
Cpryera. which had assembled at the
Cane Verde Islands before the outbreak
of hOstilities, had crossed the ocean,
and by its cratic movements IN the
Caribbean Sea delayed our military plans
while battling the pursuit of our fleets.
For a time fears were felt lest the Ore
gon and Marietta, then nearing home
after their long voyage from San Fran"
cisco of over $4,000 miles, might be sur
nrised by Admiral Cervera's fleet but
their fortunate arrival dispelled these
apprehensions and lent much needed re-
j enforcement. Not until Admiral Ter
vera took refuge in the harbor or san
tiago de Cuba, about May l9th, was II
practicable to plan systematic naVa
and military attack upon the Antiilean
| possessions of Spain
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in pre-
marathon for the larger event. On May
18th the North Atlantic Squadron she'll
cd San Juan de Porto Rico. On May
Goth Commodore Schley's squadron
bombarded the forts guarding the mouth
| of Santiago harbor Neither attack had
any material result. 1t was evident that
well-ordered land operations were indis-
pensable to achieve a decisive adyant-
age.
HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our cOuntrymen but
the world by its exceptional heroism.
On the night of June 3rd Lieutenant
Hobson, aided by seven devoted volun-
teers. blocked the narrow outlet from
Santiago harbOr by sinking the collier
Merrmac in the channel, under fierce
fire from the shore batteries, and escap-
ing with their lives as by miracle.
but falling into the hands Of the
Standards. It is most graz
tifying incident of the war that the
bravery of this little band of heroes was
cordially appreciated by the Spanish Ad-
miral. who sent flag of truce to notify
Admiral Sampson of their safety and to
compliment them on their daring act.
They were subsequently exchanged Jul
ly 7th.
BY June 7th the cutting of the last
Cuban cable isolated the island. There
after the invasion was vigorously prose
/, cuted. On June 10th. under heavy