The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-05-12
DEWEY'S GREAT VICTORY.
The Official Report of the big Naval Battle al
Manila received at Washington Saturday.
Not an American Life Lost.
Spaniards Suffered FrightfuI Loss---600 Killed


of his battle with the enemy at
Manila reached Washington Saturday.
The story briefly told is as follows ::
The entire fleet of eleven Spanish
ships was destroyed with losses in kill
ed and wounded running far up into
the hundreds, while the American
aeet lost not single man and only
S. were injured. 1t was the most
CO, ,plete victory ever known.
Following is summary Of the news
of the week.
Preparations are in active progress
for augmenting Commodore Dewey's
fleet at Manila, while the authorities
are anxiously awaiting for the tidings
which determine how much if any as
sistance he will need.
Secretary Long has informed the
War Department that the cruiser
Charleston, which has been placed in
commission at Mare Island, will be
the man-of-war which will convoy the
troop ships to Manila.
Secretary Alger will therefore deter
mine the date of the departure of the
cruiser with the army expedition from
Mare Island. 1t is proposed by the
War Department to place at least
regiment of infantry on board Of the
City of Pekin, which is expected to
sail from San Francisco for Manila
about May IS. The City of Pekin,
beside carrying a machine shop for
the repair of the conquered vessels of
the Spanish men-of-war, will carry
large amount of ammunition.
The American liner st. Paul now
an auxiliary cruiser which went into
commission at Philadelphia yesterday,
will be attached to the Flying Squad
ron as scout boat.
SATURDAY.
Dewey's report reached the depart
ment to-day. The news could be no
better. The completeness of the
great victory is almost beyond ones
comprehension. The whole Spanish
fleet was wiped out without the loss
of . single American and only six
We injured, none seriously.
ewey's squadron first had to run
pa the strong Notifications at the
er rance of Manila Bay. The Cavite
Notifications were twenty miles above.
About ten miles further lay the town
of Manila. Right at this harbor, and
directly within range of the shore bat
teries the battle took place. The
American squadron consisted of the
following vessels Flagship Olympia,
the baltimore, Raleigh, Petrol, Con-
cord and Boston. The Spaniards
opened fire from their shore batteries
nut nearly every shot either fell short
or else passed over the top without
hitting any of the Americans.
All the ships under Dewey's COM
mand did great work. The rapid fir
ing guns were too much for the
Spaniards and they were forced to fall
back.
'Capture or destroy the Squadron
were Dewey's orders. Never were
instructions more effectually carried
out. Within seven hours after the
arrival of the American squadron
iaothing remained to be done.
y The Spanish, flag on the arsenal
staff was hauled down and white
= flag hoisted in its stead. Dewey has
not landed and taken possession o.
the town for a lack of men. But
Manila is wholly at his mercy. He
can take possession of it at any time
and as soon as the troops can be for
warded from San Francisco he will
nave an army at his command anc
will at once land and fortify the place
which will render it impregnable.
SUNDAY.
Gable advices from Rear-Admlra
:, kampson announce his arrival of
Haitian coast with a division o
his fleet. He will remain at the poin
zyhere he is now located until the
Department or one of the scouts in
prms him of the appearance of th'
t1oanish man. -of-war which sailed from
IA. Vincent nine days ago.
Some apprehension exists in nava
lfcles at the possibility that the Span
III vessels may have passed The
imerican scouts at night or in mist,
! Weather, in which event of course il
will be more difficult to find them
The American Consul at st. Thomas
however, is under instructions to b.
diligent In learning of the arrival O
the Spanish men-of-war, and he vii