Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-05-10
DEWEY'S
SPLENDID
VICTORY.
Spanish Fleet Of Eleven Ships
Destroyed,
AMERICAN SHIPS UNlNJURED.
Over 200 SBaliaTdS Killed, and From 500
to 700 Wounded.
NONE ON THE D. 5. SHIPS KILLED.
DEWEY MADE AN ADMIRAL AND
CONGRATULATED

Secretary Long at 1890 o'clock Satur-
day read the following to newspaper men
as Dewey's dispatch:
manila, May 1.-THE squadron ar
rived at Manila at daybreak this morning.
Immediately engaged the enemy and de-
stroyed the following Spanish vessels -
Reina Christina, Castillo, UlIoa, Isle de
Cuba, General Leo, the Duero, Correo,
Velasco. Mindanao, one transport and
the water battery at cav1te. The squad
ron is uninjured. and only a few men
were slightly wounded. The only means
OF telegraphing is to the American con-
sui at Hong Kong. Ishall communicate
with him. (signedl DEWEY.
1t is said at the Navy Department that
its advices also show that Dewey's forces
were not sufficient to make landing,
but that this in no way interfered with
the complete control he exercises over
the city and its Notifications.
He asked for more men men to hold the
island. and said that he had himself cut
the cable,
A second dispatch from Commodore
Dewey reads as follows:
cAv1rE, May Al have taken possession
of naval station at Cavite on Philippine
Islands. Have destroyed the fortifca-
tons at bay entrance, patroling garrison.
control bay completely, and can take
city at any time. The squadron in excel
lent health and spirits. Spanish loss not
fully known, but very heavy. One hun
bred and fifty killed, including Captain
of Reina Christina. 1 am assisting in
protecting Spanish sick and wounded
Two hundred and fifty sick and wounded
in hospital within our lines. Much excite
ment at Manila. Will protect foreign
residents. Signed DEWEY.
In recognition of the victory at Manila
President Mckinley has appointed Com
modore Dewey as acting rear admiral.
James Gordon Benefits special to
the Baltimore Sun gives a graphic
description of the battle of Manila,
by naval expert aboard the flag
ship Olympia, written May I, and cabled
from Hong Kong May !, from which we
take the following:
Not one Spanish flag flies in Manila bay to-
day. Not one Spanish warship floats except
as our prize.
More than two hundred Spanish dead and
five hundred to seven hundred wounded at
test to the accuracy OF the American fire.
Commodore Dewey attacked the Spanish
position at Cayite this morning. He swept
five times along the line and scored one of the
most brilliant successes in modern warfare
This was the order of the squadron which
was kept during the whole time of the first
battle: FIagship Olympia, Baltimore, Raleigh,
Petrol. Concord and Boston.
Commodore Dewey had timed our arrival
SO that we were within five mica of the city of
Manila at daybreak.
We then sighted the Spanish squadron, Rear
Admiral Montejo commanding, off Cavite,
pronounced Kahycetay, with accent on the
weep Here the Spaniards had we'll
equipped navy yard called Cavite arsenal.
Admiral Montejos flag was flying ON the
3 ,500-ton protected cruiser Reina Cristina.-
The protected cruiser Castillo. of 5000 tons,
was moored ahead and astern to the port bat
tory, and to seaward were the cruisers Don
Juan dc Austria. Don Antonio de Ulloa. Isle
de Cuba, Isle de Luzon, Quiros, Marquis del
Duero and General Leo. These ships and the
ag-ship remained under way during most of
the action.
With the United States flag flying at all
their nasthcads, our ships moved to the at
tack in line ahead. with speed of eight
knots, first passing in front of Manila, where
the action was begun by three batteries
shell over us at u distance of five miles.
The Concord's guns doomed out reply to
these batteries with two shots. No more were
fired, because Commodore Dewey conId not
engage with these batteries without sending
death and destruction into the crowded city.
As we ncared Cavlte two very powerful SUBJ
marine mines were exploded ahead of the
flagship. This was at six minutes pnst We
o'clock.
The Spaniards evidently had misjudged our
position. Immense volumes of water were
thrown high in the air by these destroyers,
but no harm was done to our ships.
Only few minutes later the shore battery
at Cavide Point seut over the flagship shot
that nearly hit the battery in Manila, but
soon the guns got better range aud the
shells began 10 strike near us or burst close
aboard from both the batteries and the Span
ish vessels.
The heat was intense. Men stripped off all
clothing except their trousers
AS the Olympia drew nearer all was az silent
on board as if the ship had been empty, except
for the whir of the blowers and the throb of
the engines.
Suddenly a shell burst directly over us.
From the bOatswain's mate at the after FIVE
inch gun came hoarse cry. ''Remember the
arose from the throats of 500 men at
the guns.
This watchword was caught up in turrcts
and frerooms, wherever seaman or fireman
stood at his post.
Remember the NIaincI' had rung ont for
defiance and revenge. Its utterauce seemed
but was evidently in every
mans mind, and now that the moment had
come to make adequate reply to the killing of
tue Names crew, every man shouted what
was in his heart.
The Olympia was now ready to begin the
fight.
You may firs when ready, Gridley," said
the Commodore to the Captain, and ut nine
teen minutes of O'Clock. at a distance of &
Nv ynrGf' the starboard eight-iuch gun in the
Onward tnsret roared forth a compliment to
inc spanish forts. Presently similar pnns
from the Baltimore and the Boston scnt S5o-
pound shells toward thcCastilIa nnf, tloI,oi,,.
Gristtna for accuracy, -'e'''''