The bee., 1898-12-08

few hours engagement effected the to-
tai destruction OF the Spanish fleet con-
sisting OF ten warships and transport,
forts at cavite, thus annihilating the
Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean,
and completely controlling the bay of Ma
Mia, with the ability to take the city at
will. Not life was lost on our ships, the
wounding only numbering seven, while
not vessel was materially injured. For
upon my recommendation, fitly bestowed
upon the actors preferment and substan-
tial reward.
A PRESTIGE OF INvINCIBILITY.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit Of our people and upon the
fortunes OF the war was instant. A pres
tige of Municipality thereby attached 70
the struggle. Reinforcements were hur-
ried to Manila under the command Of
Maj. Gen; Merritt, and firmly established
within sight of the capital, which lay
helpless before our guns. On the 7th day
OF May the government was advised Of
ncialiy OF the victory at Manila. and at
once inquired of the commander of our
feet what troops would be required. The
| information was received on the 18th day
OF May, and the first army expedition
| sailed May IS, and arrived at Manila June
| 30. Other expeditions soon followed, the
| total force consisting of CAL officers and
| l5,O5S men.
OPERATIONS. ABOUT MANILA.
Only reiuctapr b cause needlegr, loss
OF life and pc -rty prevented the early
storming and capture OF the city and
herewith the absolute military oecupan-
meanwhile had resumed the active hos
Utilities, suspended by the uncompleted
vested Manila from the northern and
eastern sides, but were constrained by
| Admiral Dewey and Gen. Merritt from at
| tempting an assault. IL was fitting that
whatever was to be done in the way of
decisive operations I'm that quarter should
be accomplished by the strong arm of the
precept of war, which enjoins the over
coming OF the adversary and the extinc-
ton OF his power wherever assailable, as
peace, divided victory was not permssi-
Bile. for no partition of the rights and re-
sponsiv,uties attending the enforcement
OF a just and advantageous peace could
THE Scheme OF GENERAL ATTACK.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack. powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast
to Invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean
while naval demonstrations were made at
several exposed points. on May IL, the
cruiser Wilmington and the tornedo boat
Winslow were Unsuccessful In an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas,
against Matanzas, Ensign Worth Bagley
and four seamen falling. These grievous
the Every Very few which occurred during our
conflict
SPANISH NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
meanwhile Inc spanish naval pTtpdfd-
lions had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera, which had assembled at the Cape
Verde islands before the outbreak of hos
Titles. had crossed the ocean, and by its
| erratic movements in the Caribbean sea
delayed our military operations while
| time fears We're felt lest the Oregon and
, Marietta, then nearing home after their
long voyage from San Francisco Of over.
Is, 900 miles, might be surprised by ADJ
| miral Cervera's feet but their fortunate
arrival dispellec these apprehensions and
lent much-needed reinforcement. Not I'M
I'll Admiral Cervera took refuge in tbs
harbor OF Santiago de Cuba, about May
0, was It practicable to plan systematic
military attack upon the Antillean pos
sessions OF Spain.
DEMONSTRATIONS ON THE ISLAND
COASTS.
Several demonstrs tions occurred on the
coasts OF Cuba and Porto Rico In p:epara-
tion for the larger event. on May 10 the
North Atlantic squadron shelled San Juan
de Porto Rico. On May 80 Commodore
Schley's squadron bombarded the forts
guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor
Neither attack had any material result.
1t was evident that well-ordered land OPP
erations were indispensable to achieve a
THE SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts OF our countrymen, but
the world by its exceptional heroism. On
the night of June Lieut.. Hobson, aided
by seven devoted volunteers, blocked the
sinking the collier Merrimac I'm the chan
mel, under fiery shower from shore bat
terles, escaping with their lives as by
miracle, but falling into the hands OF the
Spaniards. IL is a most gratifying In
cident of the war that the bravery OF this
little band OF heroes was cordially appre-
ciated by the Spaniards, who sent flag
of truce to notify Admiral Sampson of
their safety and to compliment them upon
their daring act They were subsequent
ly exchanged July I.
CIIBA FINALLY Isolated
By June the cutting OF the last Cuban
cable Isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June 10, under a heavy protecting Ilre,
landing force of 900 marines from the
oregon, Marblehead and Yankee, was af-
fected in Guantanamo bay, where II had
been determined to establish a naval sta
ton. This important and ESSENTIAL port
was taken from the enemy after severe
fighting by the marines, who were the
first force of the United States to land IN
Cuba.
THE INVASION OF THE ISLAND.
The position so won was held despite
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces.
and strongly intrenched. On June %, the
advance of the invading army under Mai
Gen. Shafter landed at Diaquiri about 10
miles east of Santiago. This was accom-
plished under great difficulties but with
marvelous dispatch. On June % the
movement against Santiago was begun.
On the Gath, tho first serious engagement
took place, in which the First and Tenth
cavalry and the First United States vol
unteer cavalry, Gen. Young's brigade of
Gen. Wheelers division, participated, los
ing heavily. BY nightfall, however, ground
within five miles of Santiago was won.
The advantage was steadily Increased.
On July l. a severe battle took place, our
forces gaining the outworks or Santiago;
on the goth El Caney and San Juan hill
were taken after desperate charge, and
the investment of the city was completed.
The navy co-operated by Smelling the
town and the coast forts.
90
FLEET.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement OF our land forces, July 3,
war. The spanish fleet. attempting TO
leave the herbor, was met by the Ameri-
can squadron under command of Com
ali the Spanish ships were destroyed, the
two torpedo boats sunk and the Maria
Teresa, Almirante Oquendo Vizcaya and
ish admiral and over 1900 men were
taken prisoners while the enemy's loss
OF life was deplorably, large, some GOO
perishing On our side but one man was
killed and one man seriously wounded.
Although our ships were repeatedly struck
not one was seriously injured. Where
All so conspicuously distinguished them
selves, from the commanders to the gun
ners. and the unnamed heroes In the
boiler rooms, each and all contributing
toward the achievement of this astound-
ing victory, for which neither ancient
nor modern history affords a parallel, In
marvellous disproportion of casualties, Il
would be invidious 10 single out any for
special honor
DESERVED PROMOTIONS.
Deserved promotion has rewarded the
more conspicuous actors-the nations
profoundest gratitude Is due to all those
brave men who, by their skill and devo-
tion, In few short hours crushed the sea
power Of Spain and wrought 9. triumph
whose decisiveness and far-reaching con-
sequences can scarcely be measured. Nor
can we be unmindful OF the achievements
OF our builders, mechanics and artisans
for their skin In the construction of our
warships.
With the catastrophe of Santiago.
SPANS effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
end of June to send her Mediterranean
fleet. under Admiral sCamara. to relieve
Manila, was abandoned, the expedition
being recalled after II had passed through
the Suez canal
THE CAP1TULATION OF SANTIAGO.
The capilu'aiion of Santiago followed.
Tho city was closely besierei by land,
whilo the entrance OF our sli's into the
harbcr cnt Off all relief on lllt sile. AZ
tor a truce 10 allow Of THO removal of