Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-08-24
AIhCOST Of MUCH BLOOD
Manila, the Capital City of the
Philippine Islands, Falls In
to Our Hands.
BATTLE WAS FIERCE WHILE IT LASTED.
Eight Americans Killed and Forty
Wounded in the Attack-Spanish
Loss Much Greater-Seven Thou
sand Prisoners and Much Ammuni-
ton and Guns Taken.

Loss Much Greater-Seven Thou
sand Prisoners and Much Ammuni-
ton and Guns Taken.
Hong-Kong, Aug. II. - Manila was
captured on Saturday, August 13, by
the combined land and naval forces.
At nine o'clock in the morning the
fleet opened fire at Malate fort and
the Spanish trenches. The fire con-
tinued for wo hours, with no re-
Spouse on the feet, but heavy fire on
the troops. The formal surrender
occurred in the afternoon. The Span
ish flag was replaced by 40-foot Amer
lean flag, the fleet giving the national
salute. Seven thousand prisoners
were taken with $4,000 rifles and I'M
limited ammunition. Merritt assumes
command, leaving temporarily the
civil laws in force. Eight Americans
were killed and 40 wounded. The Span
ish loss was much greater. The ships
were not struck. The blockade was
raised and the shops are reopening.
The people are pleased. The cable will
shortly be repaired.
London, Aug. 1s.-The Manila CORE
spondent of the Times telegraphs un-
der date of August 10. five p. M:
1.-THE capture of the town to-day was not
without certain melodramatic elements.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Span
tsh made serious resistance against the ad-
vance of the right wing of the American
force, 1t could not have been difficult to
fOresee that surrender would follow dis
play by the land forces to satisfy Spanish
honor, has Il been a well-kept secret
that the captain general practically sug
geste1 the manner in which the American
troops should advance to prevent loss of
life on both Sides At first it was not in
tended to attack the trenches, but quietly
to advance after the bombardment had
ceased. At the last moment, however, the
programme was changed and orders were
issued for the land battery to open fire
simultaneously with the feet and for an
advance to be made as soon as 1t was con-
sidered practicable to assault the Spanish
tt enches. The reason for this change of
plan is not yet apparent. but considerable
loss Of life resulted. Gen. Anderson placed
his division according to directions from
Gen. Merritt. There were eight battalons
of the First brigade under Gen. Macarthur
in the fighting line on the right, with three
battalfons in reserve, while seven bat
talions of the Second brigade under Gen
Greene were in the trenches across the
forming reserve. The troops left the camp
Gale road to the seashore, three others
at $50 in heavy thunderstorm. They
carried 300 rounds of ammunition per man
and two days cooked rations.
Olympia Opens Fire.
''shortly after s:45 the fleet got under way
with flags mastheaded. At nine o'clock the
Olympia led the way, attended by the
Raleigh and the Petrol, while the Callao,
under Lieut.. Tappan, and the launch Bar
colo crept close in shore in the heavy
breakers. Perfect quiet prevailed in the
lines on both sides as the great ships
cleared for action, silently advanced,
sometimes hidden by rain squalls The
Monterey, with the Baltimore. Charleston
and Boston, formed the reserve. At 9:35
a sudden cloud of smoke, green and white
against the stormy sky, completely hid
the Olympia. a shell screamed across two
miles of turbulent water and burst near
the Spanish fort at Malate San Antonio de
Abad. Then the Petrol and Raleigh and
the active little Callao opened rapid
fire, directed toward the shore end of the
1ntrenchments. In the heavy rain it was
difficult to judge the range and the shots
at first fell short, but the fire soon became
accurate and shells rendered the fort un-
tenable, while the four guns of the Utah
battery made excellent practice Of the
earthworks and swamp to the east of the
fort. The Spaniards replied feebly with
few shells.
Land Forces Advance.
LESS than half an hour after the bonn
bardment began Gen. Greene decided that
II was possible to advance, although
the signals to cease firing were disre-
garded by the fleet, being probably in
visible on account Of the rain. There
upon six companies Of the Colorado regi-
ment leaped over their breastworks,
dashed into the swamp and began volley
firing from the partial shelter Of low
hedges within 300 yards of the Spanish
lines. A few moments later the remaining
six companies moved along the seashOre,
somewhat covered by sand ridge formed
by an inlet under the outworks Of the fort,
and at II o'clock occupied this formidable
stronghold without loss. Mccoy hauled
down the Spanish flag and raised the stars
and stripes amid wild cheers along the line.
Meanwhile the feet. observing the move
ment of the troops along the beach. with
held its fire. The bombardment had lasted
exactly an hour and half. An hour later
Gen. Greene and his staff proceeded along
the beach, still under hot infantry fire
from the right, where the Eighteenth reg
ulars and the Third regular artillery were
engaging the enemy. and directed the move
ment for an advance into Malate. The vi
cinity of the fort was uncomfortable on
account of numbers Of sharpshooters in
the buildings on both sides 2OO yards dis
tant. The forward movement DIS there
fore FASTENED, and in few minutes the
outskirts Of the suburb were we'll occupied
and the sharpshooters were driven away.
White Flag Goes Up.
LAS the Californians under Col Smith
came up the beach their baL1 played the
national air. accompanied by the whslling
Of Mauser bullets, and during the sharp
shooting continued to encourage the men
with inspiring music. Each regiment car
rjed it's colors into action. There was: con-
siderable street fighting in the suburbs Of
Malate and Ermita. but the battalion of
Californians pushed into the Luneta, pop-.
ular promenade: within 200 yards Of the
noatof the citadel Then the white flag
was 'hoisted at the southwest corner of the
walled town., Gen. Greene. with few
members Of his staff. galloped along the
Luneta under sharp. scattering fire from
the houses near the. beach and parleyed
with an officer who directed him along to
the gate. further east. y :g5 glgE:x r: A
z! III An Awkward situation. ~,.,.z
''At this point the Spanish forces retreat
Ing from Santa Ana came into view, fully
1900 strong. followed by insurgents who
had 4eluded Gen. +McArthur's troops. and
now opened fire for brief period The sif-4