Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-05-12
STORY OF THE BATTLE.
Details of the Greatest Naval Victor.
the World Has Ever Known.

the World Has Ever known.
New York special
A New York newspaper correspondent
who was with the American fleet during
the engagement cables from Hong Kong
the story of the fight, as follows:
When Commodore Dewey arrived Off
Manila bay he decided to make Il dash
into the inner harbor. From his flagship,
the Olympia, he signaled the commanders
of the fleet to follow him and with al
lights out the squadron of sea fighters
steamed into the bay with the crews a
their guns. AS they passed the fortified
tons at Corregidor the order of tie yes
sells was as follows: Olympia, Baltimore
Raleigh, Petrol. Concord, Boston.
Eight o'clock had just struck when til,
stately flagship steamed silently past TIE
frowning batteries that command the eI.
trance to the bay, and in spite of the fact
that the moon was shining brightly the
fleet was we'll up the harbor before the
Spaniards on watch were aware of its
approach. Corregidor lay Il mile behind
them when the first gun doomed its warm
ing that the enemy was at hand.
One heavy projectile screamed over the
intloating ships and plunged into the wat
or far away This was followed by a sec
ond, which dropped astern. Instantly the
Releigh, the Concord and the Boston ac-
cepted the challenge. A shell from the
Concord described a long curve and ap-
parently landed exactly inside the shore
battery, which fired no more. Slowly the
squadron edged its way toward Manila
and the men, worn with long watching,
were allowed to drop beside their guns
"a aln boI a
arrival of the fleet been timed that at
break of day Dewey was within five
miles of Manila. Here he sighted the
Spanish squadron. Admiral Montejo's
flag was seen tluttering from the cruiser
Reinl Christina.
The vessels moved down to the attack
in single file at Il uniform speed of eight
knots, and as they passed in front Of
Manila three great batteries mounting
powerful guns opened mp at distance of
five miles. Suddenly the Concords guns
doomed out Il reply. For a moment there
was silence and expectation. Commo-
dore Dewey signaled not to attack these
batteries, for fear of sending his shells
into the crowded city.
Neering up the bay. he passed slowly
in front of Cayite whore two powerful
submarine mines were exploded ahead of
the flagship. The commodore coolly glanc-
ed at his watch as he stood impa ssiyely
on the bridge and called the attention of
one of his officers to the fact that it was
exactly six minutes past ) o'clock. AS
the mines let so a smile fitted over his
face, because of the fact that the Span
iards in exploding the mines had mis-
judged the position of the flagship. AS it
was, tremendous volumes of water were
hurled into the air. But there was no
hesitation. Dewey evidently had no fear
of the mines. He sigualed the ships to
steam ahead, and in Il moment he was
within range of the guns of the batteries
of Cavite. By, this time the Spanish gun
ners had got the range and the shells be-
gan bursting close aboard.
The Spanish vessels also orened up
with their guns, and the missiles flew all
about the flagship, which was evidently
| the mark at which they were directing
their fire. Aboard the American fleet
the heat was Intense The men, striDDetl
| to the waist, stood at their guns waiting
for the signal to open up.
At nineteen minutes past the star
/ board eiSht-inch gun in the forward tur-
ret of the Olympia belchcd forth a well
come to the dons at Il distance of $500
yards The firing was taken up by the
Baltimore and the Boston in turn, and
shell after shell from their great guns was
sent hurting toward the Castillo and the
Reina Christina. At first it was all guess
work. The Spani&rds, knowing the exact
distance, fired rapidly. Their guns, ashore
| and afoat, were making it warm for the
American squadron. Shot plunged and
screamed about the vessels, while the
shells burst in the air, their fragments
lashing the water till it splashed all about
! their hulls.
Encoura ged by the small amount of
damage that was being done by the guns
from the Spanish ships and batteries, the
flagship turned and steamed majestically