The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-10

were without but all seemed to devour with
their eyes these strangers, who, while
. brave, were not called upon to show their
courage since the range. of their guns and
the weakness of our batteries enabled them
to preserve their impunity while doing us
as much harm as they pleased.
.'On they came at full speed in column
OF battle, heading for Cavite with the de-
clsion due to a sense of safety and firm
hour the bombardment held in suspense
those whose souls followed the unequal
struggle, in which the Spanish ships went
down with their glorious banners flying.
what was going on in the waters Of
Cavite? From Manila we saw through
glasses the two squadrons almost mingled
not far from the triumph for our side, con-
sldering the weakness of our batteries. For
once alongside. the enemy the cry of
'boarders away! and the flash of cold steel
might have enabled our devoted seamen to
disturb the calm in which watches and in
struments were regulating and directing
ness of our rage how should we paint the
heroic deeds, the prowess, the waves Of
valor which burst forth from our rnen-of-
war? Those who fought beneath the Span
ish flag bore themselves like men, as chosen
sons Of our native land who never measure
forces, nor yield to superior force in the
hands of an enemy; who would rather die
without ships than live in ships which have
surrendered.
when the hostile squadron turned to-
ward Cavite the crew of the steamer Isia
de Mindanao heard the drums beating to
quarters, and answered with enthusiasm
the three rounds of cheers for the King,
for the Queen and for Spain, which echoed
along our line.
Later. until quarter to s. absolute
lost in ardor for the fray, and every eye
was fixed on the battle flag waving at our
mastheads. In perfect and majestic or
Yankee ships advanced in battle array.
The Olympia, bearing the ,admirals flag,
led the column, followed by the other
GhfnQ a ri
vite. The Olympia opened fire, and an in
slant reply. came from the battery on the
intervals, While p the S ironeiad shaped her her
course for the Reina Christina and Cas-
tilla- Into both these ships she poured
ships which followed in her wake An
other ship which directed a heavy fire on
our line was the Baltimore, and so the
cannonade went on until a quarter to 8.
AT that moment the Don Juan de Aus
tria advanced against the enemy intend
ing to board the Olympia, and If a tremen-
dous broadside had not stopped her self
devoted charge both ships might perhaps
have sunk TO the bottom. The captain of
the Reina Christina, seeing that the reso-
Lutte attempt of his consort had failed, adj
anced at full speed until within about 1000
yards of the Olympia, aiming to attack her.
Then a shower Of projectiles swept the
bridge and decks. filing the ship with dead
and wounded. Heroes and martyrs whom
the nation will remember as long as it en-
dures. dense column or smoke from the
bow compartment showed that an incen-
diary projectile, such as the law of God and
man prohibits, had set fire TO the cruiser.
The ship. still keeping up her fire. on the
enemy, withdrew toward the arsenal, where
she was sunk to keep her from falling into
the hands of the Yankees.
1.-THE desperation of the men Of the Reina
Christina was aggravated by the sight Of
the Castillo also in a blaze from a similar
use of incendiary projectiles. The principal
ships of our little squadron having thus
been put out of the action, the Yankee yes
sells some of them badly crippled by the
fire of our ships and the batteries at Point
Sangley, stood out toward Mariveles and
the entrance of the bay. ceasing their fire