Willmar tribune., 1898-06-21
DEWEY WRITES A LETTER.
First Mail Communication from the
Admiral Since His Battle
at Manila.
DESCRIBES The ATTACK ON THE CITY.
Highly His Officers and
Crew and Personal Stan for Faith
fulncss and Bravery-AmbnssadO
Hay Denies Responsibility for
Story That Manila Had Fallen.

Washington, June 1t. - L He navy Oe-
partment Monday made public the fol-
lowing letter received from Admiral
Dewey Monday afternoon. being the
first mail advices from him since he
reached Manila:
Flagship Olympia. Cavite, May 4, 1885
The squadron left Mrs bay on Aprl! q;
Arrived off Bolinac on the morning OF Aprli
80, and, finding no vessels there. proceedeo
down the coast and arrived Off the en-
trance to Manila bay on the same AFTER
noon. The Boston and Concord were sent
to reconnoitre Port Subic. A thorough
search of the port was made by the Boston
and the Concord, but the Spanish fleet was
not found. Entered the South channel at
1880 p. m. steaming in column at eight
knots. After half the squadron had passed,
battery on the south side of the channel
opened fire, none of the shots taxing e1,
feet. The Boston and McCulloch returned
the fire. The squadron proceeded across
the bay at slow speed and arrived off Ma
nila at daybreak and was fired upon at Ola
a. m. by three batteries at Manila and two
near Cavite, and by the Spanish fleet an
chored in an approximately east and west
line across the mouth Of Baker bay with
their gunboats in shoal water in Canacac
bay
Proceed to the Attack.
1.-THE squadron then proceeded to the at
tack, the flagship Olympia. under my per-
ceased firing and withdrew the squadron
for breakfast. At HIS a. m. returned to
the attack. By this time the Spanish flag
ship and almost the entire Spanish fleet
were in fleet. At 1890 p. m. the squad
ron ceased firing, the batteries being ST.
fenced and the ships sunk, burned and de-
serted. At 12:4O p. m. the squadron re-
turned and anchored off Manila, the Petrol
being left behind to complete the destruc-
ton of the smaller gunboats, which were
fha inf nf ovyifn 611fU wv G
performed by Commander E. P. Wood in
the most expeditions manner possible.
The Spanish Losses.
1.-The Spanish lost the following vessels:
Sunk-Reina Christina. Castillo, Don An
torio de Ulloa. Burnt-Don Juan de Aus
tria, Isla De Luzon, Isla De Cuba, General
Lezo, Marquis Del Duero, Ell Correo, Velas-
co and Isla de Mindanao (transport). Cap
tured-Rapido and Hercules (ugs), and
several small launches. am unable to OBJ
tain complete accounts Of the enemy's
killed and wounded but believe their losses
| to be very heavy. The Reina Christina
alone had $50 killed. including the captain,
and 80 wounded. am happy TO report that
| the damage done to the squadron under my
command was inconsiderable. There are
| none killed and only seven men in the
squadron very slightly wounded.
| Praise for His Crew.
| Several of the vessels were struck and
| even penetrated, but the damage was of
the slightest, and the squadron is in as
| good condition now as before the battle. I
beg to state to the department that doubt
| If any commander in chief was ever served
by more loyal, efficient and gallant cap
| tains than those of the squadron now un-
| der my command. Capt Frank Wildes,
commanding the Boston, volunteered to re-
| main in command of his vessel although
his relief arrived before leaving Hong
| Kong. Assistant Surgeon Kindleberger. of
the Olympia. and Gunner j. c. Evans, Of
| the Boston, also volunteered to remain
| after orders detaching them had arrived.
| Receives Special Mention.
Il desire specially to mention the cool
| ness of Lieut.. c. G. Calkins the navigator
| of the Olympia, who came under my per-
| sonal observation, being on the bridge with
| me throughout the entire action and CIV
| ing the ranges to the guns with an ac-
| curacy that was proven by the excellency
| of the firing. On May g the day following
| the engagement, the squadron again went
| to Cavite, where it remains. On the Sd
| the military forces evacuated Cavite
| arsenal, which was taken possession of
| by landing party. On the same day the
| Raleigh and Baltimore secured the sur
| render of the batteries on Corrigidor is
land, paroling the garrison and Destroy
ing the guns. On the morning of May
the transport Manila. which had been
/ made price,
The Manila Report.
London, June 14.-The United States
ambassador here, Col. John Hay, says
there is no foundation for the statment
that he is responsible for the story pub
ished in the United States to the effect
that Manila has fallen.