Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-05-12
Echoes of the Great Victory

Alfonso's ships were sinking and burn
ing.
This ended the first days battle, but
it was only the beginning of tee end.
The next day Dewey landed marines
at Cavite, and completing the destruc,
ton of the batteries, they ran mp 'Old
Glory and established protection for
the Spanish hospitals.
One gun from the Olympia made the
way clear for the marines and blew up
the Cavite arsenal
Remember the Maine was the
watchvord for Commodore Dewey
men throughout the fight, and every
man had confidence in his commander.
Had it not been for the eagerness OF
the fireman on the McCulloch in stir
ing their fires the presence OF Uncle
Sans fleet might possibly not have been
discovered at Cavite at all. Their ac-
ton caused the McCullochs funnel TO
emit shower of fiery sparks, and the
next instant there was boom and
shot from one of the forts on Coroeg1dor
island
Others followed in quick succession,
but so wide of the mark were they that
the American gunners had to laugh IN
spite os their serious position.
lean shot against the Spaniards in the
PHILIPPINES. The Boston followed and
for time the batteries were silenced.
Then came the most terrible suspense
and doubt of the entire engagement
The American ships were passing over
mines that might at any moment blow
them into Btoms like the Maine. But
Dewey pressed on as if he knew no fear,
all the time keeping close watch on
Aguinaldo, the 1nsurgent chief, VINO
was acting as his pilot.
Not word of command or direction
came from this Farragut of 9S until the
dawning day showed the Spanish heet
covering under the Cayite batteries.
Then when the Spanish snarled at him
with an opening shot he turned loose his
deadly fire and rushed into the greatest
naval bettle of modern times.
Once the men forgot themselves.
The Olympia was lost to sight in cloud
of smoke and a roar of artillery, and the
other men of the feet feared that she
had been blown up by mine. But the
smoke cleared away and che Olympia
showed that she was all right by send
ing a terrific broadside into the Relna
Christina. Then the men cheered and
yelled, and even cried in their mad de
light. During the rest of the engage
ment they were as cool and deliberate
as if at target practice.
When Dewey withdrew to see what
damage he had wrought the Spaniards
essayed a cheer, evidently believing
that he had given up the battle. But
they did not know the man. de heard
the cheers, and with half sneer, uncon-
sciously perhaps, remarked to an aide
in the language of the great Paul Jones;
"Umph! We haven't begun to tight
yet" >.
And the result showed that he hadn't.
The last shot of the engagement was
fred by the gun boat Petrol.
Com modore Dewey is now IN full pos.
sessian of the entrance to the harbor OF
Manila and maintaining close block
ade of the port while awaiting orders
from Washington. Whether or not he
is directed to take active measures to
capture the town he is confident of its
speedy surrender for the inhabitants are
: likely to be soon in a starving condition
! Meanwhile his ships, such as are not
absolutely necessary to maintain the
blockade, are cruising about the neigh
boring waters, capturing all ships that
fly the Spanish yellow and red.
, General AuguStl wires OF HIS
! Defeat.
MADRID, MAY An official dis
patach from General August, governor
: general of the Philippines, sent by way
of Labuan, says:
; The enemy seized Cavite and the
arsenal owing to the destruction of the
Spanish squadron, and established a
close blockade 1t is said that, at the re-
quest of the consuls, the enemy Will
not lombard Manila for the present,
provided l d not open fire upon Its
squadron, which is out of range of our
guns. Therefore / cannot fire until
, they come nearer.
"a thousand sailors arrived here
yesterday evening from our destroyed
squadron, the losses of which number