The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-01

Admiral Dewey agreed to my suggestion
that we should send a joint letter to the
captain general notifying him that he
should remove from the city al non-com-
batants within forty-eight hours, and that
operations against the defenses Of Manila
might begin at any time after the expi-
ration of that period.
This letter was sent Aug. T. and a reply
was received the same date to the effect
that the Spanish were without places of
refuge for the Increased numbers of
wounded, sick women, and children now
lodged within the walls. On the 9Th for
mai joint demand for the surrender of the
city was sent in. The captain generals re-
PITY of the same date stated that the coun-
ell of defense had declared that the de-
Tnand could not be granted; bur the captain
general offered to consult his government
If We would allow him the time strictly
necessary for the communications by way
of Hong Kong.
This was declined on our part for the
reason that it could, in the opinion of the
admiral and myself. lead only to a contin-
uance of the situation tn no immediate
result favorable to US, and the necessity
was apparent and very urgent that decis-
i've action should be taken at once to COM
pei the enemy to give up the town, in or
der 10 relieve our troops from the trenches
and from the great exposure to unhealthy
conditions which were unavoidable in a
bivouac during the rainy season. The sea-
coast batteries in defense of Manila are so
situated that it is impossible for ships TO
engage them without firing into the town,
and as the bombardment of a city filled
with women and children, sick and wound
ed and containing a large amount of neu-
tral property, could only be justified as
last resort, il was agreed between Admiral
Dewey and myself that an attempt should
be made to carry the extreme right of
the Spanish line of entertainments in front
g I,., ut hat ip1a OaHnnla6
our troops, which, with Its flank on the
seashore, was entirely open to the fire
of the navy.
1T was not my intention to press the
assault at this point in case the enemy
should hold it in strong force, until af-
ter the navy made practicable breaches in
the works and shaken the troops holding
them, which could not be done by the
navy alone owing TO the absence of siege
guns 1t was believed, however as most
desirable, and in accordance with the
principles of civilized warfare, that the
attempt should be made to drive the
enemy out of his Entertainments before re-
sorting to the bombardment of the city.
by orders issued some time previously
McArthur's and Greene's brigade were
organized as the second division of the
Eighth Army Corps, Brig. Gen Thomas
NJ. Anderson commanding; and in antici-
patton of the attack Gen. Anderson moved
his headquarters from Cavite to the bri-
gade camps and assumed direct command
in the field. All the troops were in posi-
ton on the 18th at an early hour in the
morning.
About a. m. on that day, our feet
steamed forward from Cavite and before ~
a. m. opened a hot and accurate nre OF
heavy shells and rapid-fire projectiles on
the sea flank of the Spanish intrench-
ments at the powder magazine fort ana
at the same time the Utah batteries, In
position in our trenches near the Gale
Real began firing with great accuracy.
At 1925 on a prearranged signal from
our trenches that it was believed our
troops could advance, the navy ceased mr.
ing and Immediately light line OF Skin
mishers from the Colorado regiment OF
Gen Greenes brigade passed over our
trenches and deployed rapidly forward,
another line from the same regiment from
the left flank of our earthworks advancing
swiftly up the beach in open order. Both
these lines found the powder magazine
fort and the trenches 1anking IL, deserted,
but as they passed over the Spanish works
they were met by sharp fire from sec
ond line situated in the streets of Ma
late. by which a number of men were
killed and wounded among others the SOL
der who pulled down the Spanish colors
still fying on the fort and raised our own.
'"The works of the second line soon gave
way to the determined advance Of Greene's
gade through Malate and over the bridges
to occupy Binondo and San Miguel, as
contemplated in his instructions. In the
meantime, the brigade of Gen. Macarthur
advancing simultaneously on the Pasay
road encountered a very sharp fire, COM
ing from the block houses, trenches and
woods in his front, positions which it was
very difficult to carry, owing to the
swarnpy condition of the ground on both
sides of the road and the heavy under
growth concealing the enemy. With
much qaTantry and excellent judgment on
the part OF the brigade commander and
the troops engaged these difficulties were
overcome with a minimum loss and Nc
Arthur advanced and held the bridges and
the town of Malate, as was contemplated
in his instructions.
The city of Manila was now in our pos
session excepting the walled town, but
shortly after the entry of our troops into
Malate white flag was displayed on the
walls, whereupon Lieut. Col. c. A. Whit
fer United States Volunteers, of my
staff, and Lieut.. Brumby, United States
| navy. representing Admiral Dewey, were
sent ashore to communicate with the cap
| tain general I
In leaving the subject of the operations
| of The 18th 1 desire here to record my
! appreciation for che admirable manner
! in which the orders for attack and the
| plan for occupation of the city were car
! ried out by the troops exactly as contem-
/ plated
1T will be observed that the trophies
| of Manila were nearly 100000. 1900 pris-
! oners and 22O00 arms"
| Gen. Merritt then details the inaugura-
| lions of the military government of Ma
| Mia by the americans. Further he says:
"On the 18th, a cablegram containing the
| text of the Presidents proclama ton di-
| recting a cessation Of hostilities, was re-
ceived by me- and at the same lime an
order to make the fact known to the Span
ish authorities, which was done at once.
| This resulted in a formal protest from the
! governor general IN regard to the transfer
! of public funds then taking place, on the
ground that the proclamation was dated
prior 10 the surrender. To this I replied
| that the status quo IN which we were left
| with the cessation Of hostilit.es was that
| existing at the time Of The receipt by me
! of the official notice and that 1 must in
| sist upon the delivery OF the funds. The
| delivery was made under protest
after the issue Of my proclamation and
| H. o-to rlfetroa1t of nv office as military