Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-12-10
the pr,nolpa, nhrsors. from Mains 70 Cal.

The signal corps was promptly organized
and performed service of the most difi-
cult and Important character
The national defense fund of $50 900 900
was expended In large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which II
was used are fully shown in the reports
OF the several secretaries.
This fund being inadequate for the con-
duct of the war, the patriotism of the
congress provided the means In the war
revenue act of June 10, by authorizing a
per cent popular loan not to exceed
S400,000.0OO and by levying additional i'm
ports and taxes,
OF the authorized loan 5000, ,OOOO 900 were
offered and promptly taken, the subscrip-
tlons SO far exceeding the call as to cover
II many times over, while, preference be-
ing given to the smaller bids, no single
allotment exceeded 5000. This was a
most encouraging and significant result,
showing the vast resources of the nation
and the determination of the people to
uphold their country's honor
1t is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history OF the ex-
traordlnary war that followed the Span
ish declaration of April 21, but brief re-
cltal of Its more salient FEATURES Is ap-
propriate.
The first encounter Of the war in point
OF date took place April a. when detach-
SeI'' sheied the harbor forts s and demolished
several new works in construction.
The Manila Campaign.
The next engagement was destined to
mark a mem orable epoch in maritime
warfare The Pacific fleet, under Com
modore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hongkong.
AT daybreak on the first OF May the
American force entered Manila bay, and
after a few hours engagement effected
the total destruction of the Spanish fleet,
consisting of 10 warships and a transport,
besides capturing the naval station and
forts at Cavite. thus annihilating the
Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean
and completely controlling the bay of Ma
nila, with the ability to take the city at
will. Not life was lost on our ships the
wounded only numbering seven, while not
vessel was materially injured
The effect OF this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instant. A
prestige of invincibilty thereby attached
to our arms, which continued throughout
the struggle. Reinforcements were hur-
ried to Manila under the command of Mai
Gen. Merritt, and firmly established with
in sight Of the capital, which lay helpless
before our guns.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
| of life and property prevented the early
| storming and capture of the city, and
| Herewith the absolute military occupan-
| cy of the whole group.
The insurgents invested Manila from
the northern and eastern sides, but were
| constrained by Admiral Dewey and Gen
| Merritt from attempting an assault
No partition of the rights and respon-
| sibilities attending the enforcement of a
|
| thought of.
on May Ii the cruiser Wilmington and
| the torpedo boat Winslow were unsuccess.
| full in an attempt to silence the batteries
| at Cardenas, a gallant ensign, Worth
| BaEey. and four seamen falling. These
| grievous fatalities were, strangely enough
among the very few which occurred dur
| ing our naval operations in this eXtraor.
| dinary conflict.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
| coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in prepa
| ration for the larger event.
HObsOn and the NIerimac. r5
The next act in the war thrilled no
| alone the hearts Of our countrymen, bu
| the world by its exceptional heroism
on the night OF June 3 Lieut.. Hobson
aided by seven devoted volunteers. blocked
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbo
| by sinking the collier Merrimac in tn,
channel, under a fierce fire from the shor,
batteries escaping with their lives as b!
miracle, but falling into the hands OF tn
| Spaniards.
1t is a most gratifying incident OF tn
war that the bravery of this little bant
of heroes was cordially appreciated by tn
Spanish admiral, who sent nag OF true
to notify Admiral Sampson of their safet,
and to compliment them on their daring
act. They were subsequently exchanged
on June 10, under a heavy fire. a land
ing of COO marines was effected in Guam
tanamo bay. where 1t had been determines
to establish a naval station. This i'm
portant and essential port was taken from
the enemy after severe fighting by tn
marines, who were the first organize
force of the United States to land in Cuba
on June 22 the advance OF the inyadin
army under Mai. Gen. Shafter landed a
Daiquiri, about 15 miles east of Santiago
This was accomplished under great diff
culties, but with marvellous dispatch.
| On June % the movement against San
tiago was begun. On the 24th the flrs
serious engagement took place, In whic
the First and Tenth cavalry and the F'irs
United States volunteer cavalry, Ger
Young's brigade of Gen. Wheelers div
sion participated losing heavily.
| BY nightfall, however, ground With
FIVE miles of Santiago was won, The ad
vantage was steadily increased. On Jul
a severe battle took place. our force
gaining the outer works of Santiago; o
( en-, after desperate charge, and the II
vestment of the city was completed. Th
navy co-operateG by shelling the tow
and the coast forts
E Decisive Naval Battle.
on the day following, July 8, occurre
, the decisive naval combat of the war. Th
, Spanish fleet, attempting to leave tn
= harbor. was met by the American squat
ron under command of Commodore SamI
, son. In less than three hours all th
, Spanish ships were destroyed.
With the catastrophe OF Santiag,
q Spain's effort upon the ocean virtual
ceased. The capltulation of Santiago 70
, lowed
! To those who gained this complete tr
WHICH the dSCeHudnC
y OF the United States upon land, as II
;; fight off Santiago had fixed our supremaC
= upon the seas. the earnest and lastir
: gratitude OF the nation Is unsparingly du
Nor should we alone remember the ga
lantry of the living, The dead claim oil
4 tears, and our losses by battle and disea'
= must cloud any eXultation at the resu
a and teach us to weigh the awful cost
y war.
e with the fall of Santiago, the occup
!, ton of Porto Rico became the ne;
. strategic necessity. Gen. Miles had bee
:, assigned to organize an expedition for Il
- purpose. Fortunately he was already
= Santiago. on July q he entered Ponc
= from which he thereafter directed oper
q tions for the capture OF the island, T.
w campaign was prosecuted with vlgor, al
n by the 12th of August most OF the islal
= was in our possession and the acquisiti'
of the remainder was only the matter
! a short time.
0 The last scene OF the war was enact
at Manila, its starting place, on Aug.
After a brief assault upon the works
the land forces in which the squadron a
I sisted the capital surrendered uncont
: tionaly. To Gen. Merritt, his officers a
n men. the nation is sincerely grateful.
1t is fitting that should bear testimo
i to the patriotism and devotion of t
;, large portion of OR army which,