Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-10-05
GEN. MERR|TT'S REPORT.
Tells Why a Decisive Battle was
Necessary.
IGNORES THE FILIPINOS
Carried Ont the Presidents Instruc-
tions to Make the Occupancy
Supreme.

Washington, D. c., Sept. 30.-The re-
port Of Maj.-Gen. Wesley Merritt of the
operations about Manila was made public
at the war department today. 1t is dated
on board the transport China, August 81.
After giving briefly the story of his en-
barkation and arrival at Manila and the
disposition of the troops there he says:
81 found Gen. Greene's command en-
camped On a strip Of sandy land running
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 shell
ter tents only and were suffering many
discOmfOrts, the camp being situated in a
low, fiat place, without shelter from the
heat of the tropical sun or adequate pro-
lection during the terrific %downpOur of
rain so frequent at this season. | was at
once struck by the exemplary spirit of
patient, even cheerful, endurance shown
by the officers and men under such cir
cumstances, and this feeling of admira-
ton for the manner in which the Amer
lean soldier, volunteer and regular alike,
accept the necessary hardships of the
work they have undertaken to do, has
grown and increased with every phase of
the difficult and trying campaign which
the troops of the Philippine expedition
have brought to such q brilliant and sue
cessful conclusion.
THE Filipinos, or insurgent forces at
war with Spain, had, prior to the arrival
OF the American land forces, been waging
a desultory warfare with the Spaniards
for several months and were at the time
OF my arrival in considerable force, va
riously estimated and never accurately as
certained, but probably not far from
$4,000 men. These troops, well supplied
with small arms, plenty of ammunition
and several field guns. had obtained posi-
tons of investment opposite to the Span
ish line of detached works throughout
their entire extent"
Didn't Consult Agninaldo.
Gen. Merritt then speaks of Aguinaldo's
accomplishments previous TO his arrival,
and continues: "As Gen. Aguinaldo did
not visit me on my arrival nor offer his
services as a subordinate military leader,
and as my instructions from the President
fully contemplated the occupation of the
islands by the American land forces and
stated that the powers of the military oc-
cupant are absolute and supreme and I'M
mediately operate upon the political condi-
ton of the inhabitants, | did not consider
it wise to hold any direct communication
with the insurgent leader until | should be
in possession of the city of Manila, espe-
cially as l would not until then be in 4
force my authority, in the event that his
pretensions should clash with my de-
signs.
For these reasons the preparations for
the attack on the city were pressed and
military operations conducted without ref
erence to the situation of the insurgent
forces. The wisdom of this course was
subsequently fully established by the fact
that with troops of my command carried
the Spanish Entertainments, extending
from the sea to the Pasig road on the ex-
IRENE Spanish right, we were under no
obligations, by prearranged plans OF mu-
ual attack. to turn to the right and clear
the front still held against the insurgents,
but we've able to move forward at once
and occupy the city and suburbs
ITO return to the situation of Gen.
Greene's brigade as | found it on my ar
rival, it will be seen that the difficulty IN
gaining an avenue of approach to the
Spanish line lay in the fact Of my disin-
clination to ask Gen. Aguinaldo to with
draw from the beach and the Gale Real
so that Gen. Greene could move forward.
'This was overcome by instructions to
Gen. Greene to arrange, if possible, with
the insurgent brigade commander IN his
immediate vicinity to move to the right
and allow the American forces unObstruct-
ed control of the roads in their immediate
front. No objection was made, and ac-
cordingly Gen. Greene's brigade threw out
from a heavy outpost line OH the Gale
real and he beach and constructed a
trench, in which a portion of the guns of
the Utah batteries were placed.
1.-THE Spanish, observing this activity on
our part, made a very sharp attack with
infantry and artillery on the night of
July 81. Tie behavior of our troops dur
ing this night attack was all that could
be desired, and 1 lave in cablegrams to
the war department taken occasion to
commend by name those who deserve spe-
cial mention for good conduct in the af-
fair. Our position was extended and
strengthened after this and resisted sue
cessfully repeated night attacks, our forces
suffering, however, considerable loss in
wounded and killed, while the losses of
the enemy, owing to the darkness, could
not be ascertained."
LETTER FROM GEN. WOOD.