The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-17
TO BE WATCHED.


rife fire ensued. The method of our opera
lions could not have shown greater system,
our guns greater effectiveness or our offl-
GERS and crews greater bravery, and while
Spanish resistance was stubborn and the
bravery of the Spanish forces such as to
challenge admiration, yet they were out
classed, weighed in the balance of war
against the methods, training, aim and
bravery shown on our decks. After less than
three hours perilous and intense combat,
one of SPANS war ships was sinking two
others were burning and all others, with
land defenses, had severely suffered, when
our squadron with no harm done its ships,
retired for breakfast
AT about 10 o'clock a. m. Commodore
Dewey renewed the battle and with effect
and most fatal with each evolution. No bet
ter evidence of Spanish bravery need be
sought than that, after the castigation of
our flrst engagement, her ships and forts
should again answer our fire. But Spanish
efforts were futile, ship after ship and bat
terry after battery went to destruction be-
fore the onslaught of American energy and
training and an hour and a half of our sec
ond engagement wrought the humiliation of
the Spanish fleet and forts, with several
hundred Spaniards killed and wounded and
millions in value of their government
property destroyed. While amazing, almost
n uf nat as it seems not ship or gun
on the Baltimore, not man had been hurt.
One of the crew of the Baltimore had leg
fractured by slipping and another was hurt
in the ankle in a similar manner, lille
four received slight flesh wounds from
splinters thrown by a six-inch projectile
which pierced the starboard side of the
cruiser. But in the battle of Manila bay
the United States squadron of six war ships
totally destroyed the Spanish fleet of eight
war ships. many forts and batteries and
accomplished this work without the loss of
a man.
History has only contrasts. There is no
couplet to form comparison. The only fin
ish fight between the modern war ships of
civilized nations has proven the prowess of
American naval men and methods, and the
glory is legacy for the whole people. Our
crews all hoarse from cheering and
while we suffer for cough drops and throat
DOCTORS we have no use for liniment or
surgeons. To every ship, officer and crew
all praise must be given. AS Victoria was
is no second so may 1 report to your de-
partment as to our war ships conquering
the Spanish fleet in the battle of Manila
bay. there is no second The cool brav-
cry and efficiency of the commodore was
echoed by every captain and commander
and man, and naval history of the dawning
century will be rich if it furnishes to the
world so glorious a display of intelligent
command and successful service as must be
placed to the credit of the United States
Asiatic squadron under date of May 1, 1898.
1T was my lot to stand on the bridge of
the Baltimore by the side of Captain Dyer
called to the flagship Olympia by the COM
modore at whose side on the bridge l stood
during the second engagement and when
the clouds roll by and ] have again a
settled habitation, 1T will be my honor and
pleasure to transmit a report showing serv-
manders promise data. Meanwhile, our COM
modore will officially inform you of events
which will rival in American history the
exploits of Paul Jones'"