The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-19

battle of Manila to NJ. P. Gretchen OF
Sedgwick, and it IS printed in the Panta-
graph. He says Mexican money is used
In the Philippines.
L. S. S. Baltimore,
Manila, P. l., July 10, 1893
Mack P. Gretchen, Sedgwick City, Kan.
Dear Sir and BrotherI received your
welcome letter of May today. was
glad to hear from you. In response 20
your request will write you about the bat
tie Of Manila bay on the LIST of May, 1898.
The United States Steamship Baltimore
left Honolulu March p, for Hong Kong
via olohama, Japan. Went into dry dock
at Hong Kong and three days after our
arrived we were on our way 10 Manila.
70 capture or destroy the enemy. From
the time we left Honolulu until we left
Hong Kong we could get no news, and
today We do not know who declared war.
We were a little nervous when we first
heard that hostilities had broken out, out
that soon vanished when our captain read
a proclama ton to US from the governor
general OF the Philippine islands to his
people. 1t was a very insulting procla-
nation. He said that the United States
had no history; that the American people
consisted Of the scum Of Europe. Speak
ing Of our little feet, he says: "A squad
ron manned by foreigners, having neither
instructions nor discipline, is about 10
sweep upon our island" and in conclu-
sion he says: philippians. gather around
your flag and the god of battles will give
you a brilliant victory"
On our way down we cleared our ship
overheard, even all our tables and benches
except one which the doctor used for an
operating table. The boats were wrap
ped with canvass so that flying splinters
would not hurt any one. The ammuni-
ton HOSTS were protected with coal be-
low the spar deck and with the anchor
chains on the spar deck
On the morning Of the last day Of April
we were ready for the enemy whom we
expected to meet at any hour. About 4
o'clock in the morning the Boston and
Concord were sent ahead TO scout for the
enemy. About 10 o'clock we got orders
TO follow. We caught them in the after
noon and the commodore had a council
OF war aboard his ship and it was decided
TO run the batteries that night. We had
orders to put twelve hours provisions in
the magazines, fire and engine rooms.
No man can get out Of those places dur
ing action. All lights were out except
one at the stern which could be seen only
10Y the ship following. The ships were
brought up close behind each other and
we were ready TO force the batteries.
Minutes seemed hours to US. All at once
signals could be seen ashore. and We
knew we were in for it, We saw the dis
charge of a gun and shell came whist
ling over our stern. The Raleigh and
Concord returned the fire. About dozen
shots were exchanged and We were out
of range. The firemen on the McCulloch
must have been a little excited as they
forced the fires so much that the SCOT in
the funnel caught fire giving the Span
iards an excellent target, but they did
not fire at her We found next day that
the reason they did not fire on the Nc
Cullough was that one of our shells dis
abled a gun and killed the guns crew.
When We were out of danger most OF
US lay down on our stations to get a lit
tie sleep, while a few kept a sharp look
out Those few hours in the early morn
ing seemed years to me. Finally it was
light enough and we made out the Span
ish fleet. Just while we broke our battle
flags We were saluted with a 10-inch shell
from Manila. then all the shore batteries
blaze away at US. We steamed on. not
answering, until we got within 5000 yards
of the fleet; then our guns let loose on
them, which we kept up for two hours,
and withdrew 10 find what damage We
had sustained having in that time sunk
two ships and SPANS finest ships were
on fire, which exploded their magazines
That two hours fighting was terrible.
The sizzling and whstling of the enemy's
shells and the conclusion OF our own
guns I shall never forget I cannot de-
scribe Il.
Our fleet threw 125 tons Of ammunition
at the enemy in that short time and
the enemy did as much. il not more.
firing The shells were flying as thick as
hail around us but only six struck us.
one Of them doing considerable damage
II struck some fixed ammunition. explod-
ing it and wouading the only man that
was hurt during the engagement. 1t also
struck one of the 6-inch guns. disabling
Il. The shell was found on deck and is
now in possession Of the captain. The
Olympia and Boston Were struck A few
times. and that was all the damage 10 US.
Every time our boys made a good shot
they would cheer and work all the hard
er. Il is no fun 10 be shot at but we did
not mind that, for we were there 70
avenge the Maine. or~die in the ATTEMPT.
After the first engagement We made
coffee and had breakfast. When We all
got together on deck IL was as If meeting
after being five years apart There was
hand-shaking all around and when II
was known that no one was missing the
whole fleet started a cheer But our
work was not finished. A strange steam
er came in sight and our ship was sent
after her and found her 10 be an English
steamer. Then our ship was sent in to
destroy the forts. and for twenty minutes
we kept up such a murderous fire that
we destroyed all the guns. At 4 little
after u O'Clock they hoisted the white
nag over Cayite, and all firing ceased
We had destroyed all the ships and orts
and then drew of toward Manila, where
they also ho!sted the white flag.
We found man. with both less shot
of. in a hospital. from the Spanish flag
ship who could speak English. and he
said that at times they would open 8
gun and before they could get 4 shell IN
the whole crew would be swept away.