The Portland daily press., 1898-10-01
GEN. hERRITT'S REPORT.
Describes Conditions al NJ Mia As
He Found Them.
ADMIRATION FOR PATIENT EN-
DURANGO OF MEN.

Insurgent Forces Numbered 1900 Men
All Well Armed-Declined to Have
Communication With Aeuinaldo-The
Capture of Manila,
Washington. September So.-The report
of Major General Wesley Merritt of his
operations about Manila was made pub
lie at the war department today. 1t is
dated on board the transport China,
August 81. After giving briefly his story
of the embarkation and his arrival at
Manila and the disposition of the troops
there, he says:
~ found Gen. Greene's command en-.
camped on strip of sandy land running
| parallel to the shore of the bay and not
| far distant from the beach, but owing to
| the great difficulties of landing supplies
the greater portion of the force had shell
ter tents only aud were suffering many
discomforts the camp being situated in a
low, fiat place, without shelter from the
heat of the tropical sun for adequate pro-
lection from the terrific downpours of
rain SO frequent at this season. was at
once struck by the exemplary spirit, of
patient. even cheerful endurance shown
by the loficers and men under such cir
oumstances and this feeling of admiration
for the manner in which the American
soldier, volunteer and regular alike, &C.
oept the necessary hardships for the
work they have undertaken to do, ha 8
grown and increased with every phase
Of the difficult and trying campaign
which the troops of tie PhiltI pine expe-
dition hayebrought to such aibrilliant and
successful conclusion. The Filipinos, or
insurgents at war with Spain before the
arrival Of the American land forces, had
been waging desultory warfare with
the Spaniards for several months, and
were at the time Of my arrival in con-
siderable force, probably not far from
Il, 900 men. These troops, well supplied
with small arms, with plenty of ammun-
irion, and several field guns had obtained
possession Of Investment opposite to the
Spanish line of detached works through
out their entire extent.
Gen. Merritt speaks Of Aguinaldo's &C.
accomplishment previous to his arrival and
continues:
HAs Gen. Aguinaldo did not visit me
subordinate military leader, and as my
instructions from the President fully con-
templated the occupation of the islands by
the American land forces and stated that
the powers of the military occupant are
absolute and supreme and Immediately
operate upon the political condition Of
the Inhabitants, did aot consider it was
wise to hold any direct communication
with ths insurgent leader until should
be in possession Of the city Of Manila,
especially as would not until then be in
position to issue proclamation and
enforce my authority, in the event that
his pretensions should clash with my de.
for the attack upon the city were pressed
and military operations conducted with
out reference to the situation Of the in
scrgent forces. The wisdom Of this course
was subsequently fully established by the
fact that when the troops of my COM
Inand carried the Spanish entrenchments.
extending from the sea to the Pasay road
on the extreme Spanish right, we were
under no obligations by pre-arranged
plans Of mutual attack to turn to the
right and clear the front still held against
the insurgents, but were able to move
forward at once and occupy the city and
suburbs.
"To return to the situation of Gen.
Greene's brigade as found it on my ar
rival, it will be seen that the difficulty
in gaining an avenue Of approach to the
Spanish line lay in the fact of my disin-
olination to ask Gen. Aguinaldo to with
draw from the beach SO that Greene could
move forward. This was overcome by
instructions to Gen. Greene to arrange, If
mander in his immediate vicinity to
move to the right and allow the Ameri-
can forces unobstructed control of the
roads in their immediate front. No OBJ
lection was made and accordingly Gen.
Greenes brigade threw forward heavy
I'll Dno1 4 Akr,i
beach and constructed trench In which |
portion Of the guns of the Utah batter |
les were placed.
"The Spanish observing this activity |
on our part. made very sharp attack |
with infantry and artillery on the night |
of July 81. The behavior of our troops
on the occasion of the night attack was
all that could be desired and have, in |
oablegrams to the war department, taken |
occasion to commend byHname those who
deserve special mention for good conduct
In the affair. Our position was extend |
ed and strengthened after this and resist |
ed successfully repeated night attacks, our
forces suffering, however. considerable
loss In wounded and killed, while the |
losses of the enemy, on account Of the
darkness could not be ascertained.
1.-THE strain Of the night fighting and
thu heavy details for outpost duty made it
imperative to reinforce Gen. Greene's |
troops with Gen. MacArthur's brigade,
which had arrived in transports on the
slst Of July. The difficulties of this
operation can hardly be overestimated. |
The transports were at anchor off Cavite,
five miles from a point on the beach |
where 1t was desirable to disem bark the |
men. Several Squalls, accompanied by |
foods of rain, ragged day after day. and |
the only way to get the troops and sup |
plies ashore was to load them from the |
"a - s,,4A t-,+ nr {<a fad nao
or email steamboats,. move them to |
point opposite the camps and then dis. |
embark them through the surf in small |
boats, or by running lighters head on the
bsach. The landing was finally accom- |
plished after days of hard work and hard |
ships, and desire here to express my ad.
miration for the fortitude and cheerful |
of tine men Of all my COM |
mand employed in the operation.
Ia " Ls~ vi