The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-18

practicable to assault the Spanish trenches
The reason for this change OF plan, Is MOI
vet apparent, but considerable loss OF lift
resulted. General Anderson placed his d.
vision according to directions from General
Merritt. There were eight battalions OF the
First brigade under Macarthur In the night
Ing hne on the right, with three battalions
In reserve; while seven battalions of the
Second brigade under General Greene were
in the trenches across the road from the
seashore, three others forming reserve
The troops left the camp at ESQ in a heavy
thunderstorm. They carried three hundred
rounds Of ammunition per man and two
days cooked rations.
The Fleet Moves Forward
Shortly after S:45 the feet got away with
flags mastheaded. At 9 clock the Olympia
led the way. attended by the Raleigh and
the Petrol. while the Calloa. under Lieuten-
ant Tappan, and the launch Barcolo crept
close In shore in the heavy breakers.
Perfect quiet prevailed in the lines on
both sides as the great ships cleared for
action and silently advanced, some times
hidden by rain squalls. The Monterey, with
the Baltimore, Charleston and Boston
formed the reserve.
At 1886 a sudden cloud Of smoke. green
and white against the stormy skies, COM
pletely hid the Olympia; shell screamed
across two miles of turbulent water and
burst near the Spanish fort at Malate, San
Antonio de Abbad Then the Petrol and
Raleigh and the active little Callao opened
rapid fire directed toward the shore end
Of the entertainments. In the heavy rain
! It was difficult to Judge the range and the
shots at first fell short. but the fire soon
became accurate and shells rendered the
forts untenable, while the four guns Of the
Utah battery made xecellent practice on
the earthworks and swamp to the east Of
the fort. The Spaniards replied feebly with
few shells.
Less than half an hour after the bonn
bardment began General Green decided that
It was possible to advance, although the
signals to cease firing were disregarded by
the feet, being probably invisible on ac-
count Of the rain.
Volunteers In Action
Thereupon six companies of the Colorado
regiment leaped over their breastworks,
dashed into the swamp and began volley
firing from the partial shelter Of low
hedges within 800 yards Of the Spanish
lines. A few moments later the remaining
six companies moved along the seashore
somewhat covered by sand ridge formed
by an inlet under the outworks of the fort.
and at II o'clock occupied this formidable
stronghold without loss. Mccoy hauled
down the Spanish nag and raised the Stars
and Stripes amid wild cheers along the line.
Meantime the fleet, observing the move
ment Of the troops along the beach, with
held its fire. The bombardment had lasted
exactly an hour and half. An hour later
Gen. Green and his stan proceeded along
the beach, still under a hot infantry fire
from the right, whore the Eighteenth reg
ulars and the Third artillery were engag-
Ing the enemy and directing the move
ment for an advance into Malatc. The vi
cinity Of the forts was uncomfortable on
account Of numbers Of sharpshooters in
the buildings on both sides 200 yards dis
tant. The forward movement was, there
fore FASTENED and in O few minutes the out
skirts of the suburbs were we'll occupied
and the sharpshooters were driven away.
Boys From California
As the Californians under Col. Smith
came up the beach their band played the
national air, accompanied by the whistling
of Mauser bullets and during the sharp.
shooting continued to encourage the men
with Inspiring music. Each regiment car
ried it's colors into action. There was con
siderable street fighting in the suburbs Of
Malate and Ermita. but the battalion of
Cal;fornians pushed into the Luneta, q
popular promenade within 900 yards Of the
moat OF the citadel. Then the white flag
was hoisted at the southwest corner Of the
walled town.
Gen. Green, with few members Of his
staff, galloped along the Luneta under a
sharp scattering fire from the house near
the beach and parleying with an officer
who directed him along to the gate farther
east.
At this moment the Spanish forces re-
treating from Santa Ana came into view
fully 1000 strong. followed by insurgents
who had eluded Gen. McArthurs troops
and now opened fire for brief period. The
situation was awkward, IL not critical
both sides being slightly suspicious of
treachery. The Spanish troops lining the
citadel ramparts, observing the insurgents
action, opened fire on the Californians.
killing one and wounding three. The con-
fusion, however, soon ceased by the adj
vance Of the retreating Spaniards to the
esplanada. when Gen. Green ordered them
to enter the citadel.
Soon letter was brought from the cap
tain general requesting the commander of
the troops to meet him for consultation.
The White Flag Shown
General Green immediately entered with
Adjutant General Bates. Meanwhile, ao-
cording to arrangement the moment the
white flag was shown General Merritt, who
occupied the steamer Zafiro as temporary
corps headquarters, sent General Whittier
with Flag Lieutenant Brumby ashore to
meet the captain general and discuss first
q plan of capitulation. General Whittier
found the officials much startled by tho
news that the attack was vigorously con-
tinuing along the whole line, the American
troops even threatening the citadel.
All available Spanish troops were Inn
mediately massed in the vicinity of the
palace, awaiting the succession of events,
concerning which; a certain degree Of anx-
Lefty was evident.
General Merritt entered with his stan at
3 o'clock. The situation tlRn was better
understood. and conference with General
Jaudenes was held. The terms agreed
upon may be outlined as follows:
Terms of Surrender
An agreement for the capituiation of the
Philippines.
A provision for disarming the men who
remain organized under the command NJ