The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-27

Special Correspondence The st. Paul Globe.
MANILA, Aug. II, 1S9S.-True to the
expectations of its friends, the Thir-
teenth Minnesota showed itself the
right sort Of stuff in the attack on Ma
Mia, Aug 13, and, literally shot to
pieces, the boys from the Gopher state
stood firm in the face of an enemy
. equipped with effective arms and
fighting desperately at close range.
But they did not falter. Not only
did they hold their ground, but pushed
ahead, and as the Spanish troops wav-
cred and fell back the Minnesota boys,
who were not PROSTATE on the battle
field or in the hospital tents, forged
on and into the city of Manila, sharing
the honors Of a hard days fighting
with the Twenty third infantry, chosen
by Gen. Merritt, who knew them of
old, with Capt. Jack Astor's select, but
by no means soft, New York volunteer
battery, to fill one of the hottest places
in the fight.
We were eager boys that morning.
1t was Saturday and the Sunday pre-
vious we had landed with a heavy sea
running and had since been waiting
the engagement that all felt must so
soon come.
We had expected the attack would
be made on Wednesday, for Tues
day night general orders were read,
which 1 enclose. But we went into the
trenches then and we were to take
position directly in front Of the south
wall Of the city Saturday, where
charge was practically prevented by
barrier of concrete and barbed wire.
In assigning the Thirteenth to this
position Gen. Macarthur asked Col
Reeve if he thought we could hold it
under a heavy fire. Col. Reeve prom
Ised that we would give a good report
of ourselves.
The fight was to be started by Ad
miral Dewey, who would begin the
bombardment as soon in the morning
rs the forces could station themselves.
The naval attack was to be centered
on the big Krupp gun battery at the
north end of the city.
We were to be in line Of battle at s
o'clock, and we were at our station
at 1880. We had the extreme right of
the line. The AstOr battery was slight
ly in advance Of us.
From the beach near our entrench-
ments we could see the city, with flag
flying gaily as if for a frolic and not
for fighting. In the harbor were the
American war vessels, stripped for ac-
ton, but with pennants and ensigns
f1uttering in the breeze.
They were alone. The foreign war
vessels had withdrawn to the other
side of the bay, where our transports
were. Nearest the city was the Mon
terey, and ranged in n half-moOn from
her were the Olympia, Raleigh, and
little Petrol. In front Of the line were
the two gunboats captured from the
Spanish, refitted with machine and
rapid fire guns. Behind the first line
were the heavy battleships.
LINES ADVANCED.
The lines advanced, closing in as they
came, and at $40 the Olympia was hid
den by a cloud Of smoke. One by one
the other vessels followed suit The
first shots fell short and the water
splashed high in the air, but as the
succeeding broadsides came, the range
grew truer and truer. The earth in
front Of the battery was torn by a shell
at last. Another struck the wall of
the fort and, tearing through, exploded
within. Some, breaking in the air,
scattered hot metal to all corners as
they descended. The little gunboats
had run close ashore under the guns
OF the still silent battery and the in
cessant fire Of their small guns was al
most as deafening as the booming of
the heavier but less frequent cannon.
= cloud of smoke from the parapet
betrayed that the fort was afire.
The Spaniar( were abandoning their
Notifications.
The cannonading ceased. 1t was our
turn now. We had orders not to fire
until the fleet had done.
On the double quick we were sent
ahead about 1920. The crack Utah bat
terry opened fire on Blockhouse IA in our
front, where the Spanish garrison
awaited US.
Our First and Second battalions were
then ordered ahead in the firing line,