Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25

tie and complete victory for the United
States fleet. 1t will be impossible for me
to write long letter of the events since
] last wrote to Willie Qny last letter before
we left for the Philippines. but will do the
best L in the time 1 have.
ON April 20 left the Chinese coast
for the Philippine Islands. all prepared for
battle. 1t was a grand sight to
We steamed slowly over the sea, especially
at night, when all the searchlights were
going and the small colored signal lights
flashing orders to the vessels of the
fleet On the morning of April 80 We
came in sight of the Philippines. Al $50
pm We stopped within about thirty miles
of Manila bay. where the admiral had a
final consultation with the commanding
officers They decided to force their way
into Manila bay that night. At 1910 pm.
all hands were called to the general quar-
tiers chat is, everybody had a certain duty
to perform, such as man the guns, ammu-
milton rooms. etc. and then We started to
enter Manila bay.
Spanish Open Fire.
1t was so dark that the Spanish forts
could not see us Gall the lights in the fleet
were extinguished) but just when we were
opposite the forts Q215 am the smoke
stack of the McCulloch caught fire ION ac-
count of SCOT which had accumulated be-
cause of forced rapid travel from Singapore
II Hong Kong and then to Manila) and the
Spa niards saw it and opened fire on us with
their shore batteries. We returned the fire
with cur new 3-inch guns on bow new
guns mounted on theMcCulloch while
were on the coast of China) and the Boston
also fired with her 6-inch guns. 1t was
then that we passed over the position of
the submarine mines and we all thought
that every moment we would be blown out
of existence; but We hear now the Span
iards tried to explode the mines, but they
would not work. 1t was during the pas
sage of the forts that our chief engineer,
F. Z. Randall Or. G.. s. was taken with
stroke of aDODleXy. caused nv
excitement. and he died about hour
later 1t was very sad loss. All the ves
sells passed the forts without any damage
and We steamed arouI}i Manila bay slowly,
waiting for the break of day, and at $50
am May l next morning) we started for
the Spanish fleet. which was in little bay.
The Spaniards as soon as they saw US
opened fire, and then the American fleet
started for the Spaniards. This was the
grandest well as the most exciting mo-
ment of the battle
The Spanish fleet came out of the little
bay. Cavite. but the fire of the American
fleet was so accurate and terrible that the
Spanish fleet turned and returned to the
little bay. 1t was the largest vessel
the flagship, of the Spaniards turned that
the u. s. s. Olympia struck her in the
stern and set the ship on fire. The ad-
miral of the Spanish fleet then transfer ed
his flag from the burning ship to another
Spanish man-of-war. 1t was during this
time that the American fleet caused such
terrible havoc to the Spaniards.
Big Guns Almost Red Hot.
After two hours fighting the American
fleet drew away from the Spaniards to
give everybody breathing spell and also
to cool the heavy guns, which were almost
red hot. 1t was about this time that two
Spanish torpedo boats started for the Nc
Culloch, bat all the vessels of the Ameri-
can feet saw them coming. and every gun
of the fleet was turned on the torpedo
boats. The Boston struck one of the boats
with a six-inch shell and then the torpedo
boat stood right up end and the poor
torpedo boat went down with all hands
stern first The other torpedo boat as soon
as she saw the other boat go down. tried
to get back In the little bay, where the
Spanish fleet was, but they only succeed
ed in getting a short distance when she
also disappeared.
The firing ceased for n short time then
and at IL am the American fleet returned
and started the battle again, and at 12:I5
pm the SDaniards surrendered and then
all firing ceased.
Bands Played and Men Sang.
As all the United States fleet passed
down the bay to anchor, each one of the
vessels gave three cheers for one another,
and will remember that sight as long as
live. The band on the Olympia played
America" and then Three Cheers for the
Red. White and Blue" and every man in
the fleet Joined in and sang. Finally cheer
after cheer went up. as it was signaled
that not man in the fleet had been killed
by the Spaniards. In the afternoon Of that