The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-21
THE BATTLE OF MANILA.
Two Members OF the Fleet Tell Their
Tales in Washington.

Washington, June 20.-ScCretary Long
received a call today from Or. Kindlc
berger, assistant surgeon of the Olym-
pia flagship of Admiral Dewey's squad
ron, and Gunner Evans, of the cruiser
Boston, both Of whom participated in
the battle of Manila. They are the
first to arrive here to give to the otfiC-
ias personal information of that
famous engagement. DIR. Kindleberger
is on leave, and incidentally on his
way through took a bride at San Fran
cisco. Gunner Evans time expired
early in April, but, knowing that the
battle was impending, he asked Ad-
miral Dewey for permission to remain
at his post through the engagement,
and this was readily granted. as Evans
is a veteran at the guns, such as Dewey
needed. The two men look bronzed
from exposure to the tropical suns, and
their sturdness gives assurance that
Dewey's men are not suffering at Ma
nila, a fact of which they gave Secre-
tary Long express assurance.
Gunner Evans had a long talk with
the secretary, describing many inter-
esting phases of the battle. After
ward he talked with a representative
u lllt ASSbtldleu 1EeSS, pn llle nlRlI
before the battle the officers remained
awake and ready for service constant
ly, while the men slept beside their
guns. The spirit of the crew was high
| and they We're eager for the contest
There was no apprehension, except in
crossing over the mines at the entrance
of Manila Bay, for the fate of the
Maine had aroused dread lest the
| Spaniards had planted mines and tor
| pedOes at the entrance. The Olympia,
| with the admiral aboard, took the lead
! through this unknown danger. and
! when this had been cleared there was
! keen eagerness to begin the fighting.
| There is no long dawn in the Philip
| pines, the transition from darkness to
| clear daylight coming in a few min
utes. 1t was shortly after 3 o'clock
! that this change came, disclosing the
! Spanish ships lying eight miles off.
The American sailors watched the
/ hurry and confusion on board the Span
. isE ships as they prepared to defend
I themselves. They were practically
! helpless, as their fires were banked,
| and beyond clearing the deck for action
! and getting the men to quarters they
! could not be moved. Meantime the
! Olympia had led the way. and tho
! American ships We're in line Of battle
for ;hcir first broadside. Evans re-
manned at the ammunition cases, serv-
| ing shot and shell as fast as needed
! The men at the guns had stripped to
the waist keeping on only their trous-
ers and shoes. There was not a breath
of air stirring and aside from the in,
/ tcnse tropical heat there was the heat
of action and excitement.
Evans says the Spanish fleet was not
such lame and helpless aggregation
as the people believe The Castillo and
! lIuaro We're the worst Of the lot, beine
old boats, but the former had a fine lot
of modern Krupp guns on her. The
two lslas the Reina Christina, tn,
Donna Antonio and the Austurias, were
all good ships with rapid-fir batteries
and heavy modern guns. But they
were taken completely unawares. We're
! unable to move and were literally
blown to pieces before they had an op-
pOrtunity To get into the action.