The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-14
ALETTER FROM ADMIRAL DEWEY
First Mail Advices Received Since He
Reached Maniia.

Reached Manila.
WASHINGTON. June 13.-The Navy
Department to-day made public the fol-
lowing letter received from Admiral
Dewey this afternoon. being its first mail
sdvices from him since he reached
Manila:
Flagship Olympia. Cavite, May 4. 1898.
The squadron left Mrs bay on May
9th
Arrived off Bolania on the morning OF
April S0th and finding no vessels there
proceeded down the coast and arrived OF
the entrance TO Manila Bay on the same
afternoon. The Boston and Concord We're
sent TO reconnOiter
Port Subs A thorough
search of the port was made by the Bos-
ton and the Concord. but the Spanish
fleet was not found.
Entered the South Channel Al 1870 p.
NJ. steaming in column at eight knots
After half the squadron had passed.
battery on south side Of the channel
opened FIRE none Of the shots taking ef-
feet. The Boston and McCuloch return
ed the fire. Squadron proceeded across
the bay at slow speed and arrived off
Manila at daybreak; was fred upon at
Sis A. NJ by three batte~es at Manila
and two near Cayite, and by the Spanish
fleet anchored IN an approximately east
and west line across the mouth OF Baker
Bay. with their left in shoal water IN
Canacao Bay.
The squadron then proceeded TO the at
tack, the flagship Olympia, under my
personal direction. leading followed at a
distance by the Baltimore, Raleigh, Pc
trel, Concord and Boston, in the order
named, which formation was maintained
throughout the action. The squadron
opened fire az J:f1 A. NJ. While advancing
TO the attack two mines were exploded
ahead Of the flagship, too far TO be ef-
fective. The squadron maintained
continuous and precise fire. at ranges
varying from five thousand TO two thou
sand yards, cOunter-marching in line
approximately parallel TO that Of the
Spanish feet.
The enemy's fire was vigorous. but gem
orally ineffective Early in the engage
ment two launches put toward the Olym-
pia with the apparent intention Of using
torpedoes. One was sunk and the other
disabled by our fire and beaChed. be-
fore an opportunity occurred 10 fire tor
pedoes.
At A. VI. the Spanish flagship Reina
Christina made a desperate attempt %
leave the line and come out 10 engage AT
short range, but was received with such
CALLING fire. the entire battery OF the
Olympia being concentrated upon her
that she was barely able 10 return 10 the
shelter OF the point The fires started i'm
her by our shell al this time were not
eIiinguished until she sank
The three batteries al Manila had kept
up a continuous report from the begin
ming OF the engagement which fire was
not returned by this squadron. The first
Of these batteries was situated on the
mole head at the entrance 10 the Pasig
river. The second on the south bastion
OF the walled city of Manila and the
third at Malate about one-half mile fur
Their south At this point I sent a mes
sage 10 the Governor-General 10 the ef-
feet that II the batteries did not cease
firing the city would be shelled.
This had the effect OF silencing them.
At 1885 A. NJ. I ceased firing and with
drew the squadron for breakfast At
ll:l6 A. NJ. returned 10 the attack. BY
this time the Spanish flagship ana al
most the entire Spanish feet were in
flames. At 1890 F. NJ. the squadron |
ceased firing the batteries being silenced |
and the ships sunk. burnt and deserted. |
At i2:40 Il. VI. the squadron returned |
and anchored of Manila the Petrol be- |
ing left behind TO complete the destruc- |
ton OF the smaller gunboats. which were |
behind the point OF Cavite This duty !
was performed by Commander +. =. |
Wood in the most expeditions and COM |
plete manner possible.
The Spanish iosl the following vessels. ]
Sunk-Reina Cristina, Castillo, Don An |
toni de Ulloa.
Burnt-Don Juan de Austria. Isla de /
LuzOn and Isla de Nindanao transport. |
captured-Rapldo and Hercules Gugs) |
and several small LAUNCHES.
am unable 10 obtain complete account /
OF the enemys killed and wounded, but |
believe their losses 10 be very heavy. |
The Relna Cristina alone had one hum
bred and fifty killed. including the cap
tain, and ninety wounded
/ am happy TO report that the damage |
done 10 the squadron under my command |
was inconsiderable. There was none Kill |
ed and only seven men in the squadron
very 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.
beg 10 state 70 the department that I
doubt II any commander-in-chief was
ever served by more loyal. efficient and
gallant captains than those of the squad
ron now under my command. Captain
Frank Wildes. commanding the Boston.