Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-08
DELAWARE. DECEMBER 1885

might be made by the enemy. Every
precaution was taken to prevent pos
sibleinjury to our great cities lying
along the coast. Temporary garrinons
were provided, drawn from the State
militia, infantry and light batteries
were drawn from the volunteer force.
About 1900 troops were thus en-
ployed. The coast signal service was
established for observing the approach
Of an enemy's ships to the coast of the
United States, and the life saving and
lighthouse services co-operated, which
enabled the navy department to have
all portions Of the Atlantic coast, from
Maine to Texas, under observation.
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority Of Congress and was OIL
cered and manned by the naval militia
of the several States. This organiza-
ton patrolled the coast, and performed
the duty of a second line of defence.
Under the direction OF the chief Of
engineers submarine mines were placed
at the most exposed points. Before the
outbreak of tho war permanent mining
classmates and cable galleries had boon
constructed at nearly all important
harbors. Most Of the torpedo material
was not to be found in the market, and
had to be specially manufactured.
Under date of April 10Th, district off
GERS were directed to take all prelimi-
nary measures, short of the actual
attaching Of the loaded mines to the
cables, and on April 22d telegraphic
orders we're issued TO place the loaded
mines in position.
The aggregate number Of mines
placed was 1,535, ut the principal
Il 10 IN
Preparations we're also made for the
planting OF mines at certain other
harbors; but owing to the early de-
structlon Of the Spanish fleot, these
mines were not placed.
Tho signal corps was promptly
organized, and performed service Of
the most difficult and important char
actor Its operations during the war
| covered the electrical connection of all
coast Notifications, tho establishment
Of telephone and telegraphic facilities
| for the camps at Manila, Santiago, and
in Porto Rico. There were constructed
300 miles OF lines at ten great camps,
thus facilitating military movements
from those points in manner hereto.
fore unknown in military administra.
| ton. Field telegraph lines were estab.
lished and maintained under the
enemy's fire at Manila, and later the
Manila Hongkong cable was reopened.
In Porto Rico cable communications
were opened over discontinued route,
and on land the headquarters of the
commanding officer was kept in tele'
graphic or telephone communication
with the division commanders on foul
different lines Of operations.
There was placed in Cuban waters {
completely outfitted cableship. with
war cables and cable gear, suitable
both for the destruction Of com
munications belonging to the enem,
and the establishment of our own. Tw,
ocean cables were destroyed under tn,
enemy's batteries at Santiago. TIL,
day previous to the landing of Gen
Skaters corps at Caimanera, within
20 miles of the landing place, cabl,
communications were established and
cable station opened giving direct com
munication with the government a
Washington. This service was invalu
able to the executive in directing thu
operations of the army and navy. Will
total force Of over l,300, the loss wa
by disease in camp and field, officer
and men included, only five.
The national fund of $50, 900, 600 wa
expended in large part by the arm,
and navy and the objects for which
it was used are fully shown in tn
reports of the several secretaries. |
was o most timely appropriation, en-
abling the government to strengthel
its defences and make preparation
greatly needed in case of war.
This fund being inadequate to tn
requirements of equipment and for tn
conduct of the war, the patriotism Q
the Congress provided the war revenu
act OF june 18th, by authorizing
per cont popular loan not TO eXcee
Si00, 000, 900 and by levying addition;
imports and taxes. OF the authorize
8 loan, 5000, 900, 600 were offered an
D promptly taken, the subscriptions s
far exceeding the call as to cover
, many times over, while, preference
, being given to the samller bids, n
. single allotment exceeded $1,000. TIL
= was most encouraging and significar
8 result, showing the vast resources {
D tho nation and the determination {
the people to uphold their country
a honor.
. SALIENT FEATURES OF TUE WAR.
1t is not within the province Of th
4 message to narrate the history of IL
: extraordinary war that followed ii
: Spanish declaration of April 21st, bi
= brief recital of its more saliel
|, features is appropriate.
. The first encounter of war in poll
Of date took place April 9th, when
:. detachment of tho bloclsading squadrC
made reconnaissance in force at M
Il tanzas, shelled the harbor forts az
:, demolished several new works in co
= struction.
y The next engagement was destin,
to mark a memorable epoch in mar
e time warfare he Pacific feet, und
i Commodore George Dewey, had la
= for weeks at Hongkong. Upon Il
y colonial proclamation of neutrali
20 being issued and the customary
y hours notice being gievn, il repair
\ to Mrs Bay, near Hongkong, when
it proceeded to the Philippine Islam
!, under telegraphed orders to capture
y destroy the formidable Spanish fle
" then assembled at Manila. At da
n, break on the LIST of May the Americ
II force entered Manila Bay and after
IN few hours engagement effected t
y total destruction of the Spanish fle'
~ consisting of 10 warships and trar
al port, besides capturing the NAY
~ station and forts at Oavite, thus q
ns Initiating the Spanish naval power
M the Pacific Ocean and completely &C
~ trolling the Bay Of Manila, with t
10 ability to take the city at will. No
II life was lost on our ships, the wound
p" only numbering seven, while not
,o vessel was materially injured. +
~ this gallant achievement the Congre
IN upon my recommendation, fifty
y, "a slowed upon the actors preferment a
~ SnbetanfioI r.unrd