The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-01

I'LL cHEdStncnt. but Wnen the brigade or
Seneral Macarthur was in position and the
Monterey had arrived Admiral Dewey
agreed 10 my suggestion that we should
nen1 JOINT mt, letter to the captain general
letter was sent Aug. and a reply was
received the same date to the effect that the
Spanish were without places of refuge for
the creased numbers of wounded sick
WON'T and children now lodged within the
walls
JOINT DEMAND FOR SURRENDER.
On the 9Th formal joint demand for the
surrender of the city was sent in. This
demand was based upon the hopelessness
of the struggle on the part of the Span
iards, and that every consideration of hii-
manity demanded that the city should not
be subjected to bombardment under such
circumstances. The captain generals reply.
az same date. stated that the council of
defense had declared that the demand could
not be granted, but the captain general Of
fered to consult his government if we would
allow him the time strictly necessary for
the communications by way of Hong-Kong.
This was declined on our part for the rea-
son that it could. in the opinion Of the
admiral and myself lead only to a con-
finuance of the situation with no imme-
date result favorably to us, and the ne
cesslty was apparent and very urgent mat
decisive action should be taken at once to
compel the enemy to give up the town in
order TO relieve our troops from the
trenches and from the great exposure to I'M
healthy conditions which were unavoidable
in bivouac during the rainy season.
The seacoast batteries in defense of
Manila are so situated that 1t is impossible
-IOf SHIPS to engage them without firing into
the town, and the bombardment of
city Elled up with women and children sick
and wounded, and containing a large
amount OF neutral property, could only be
justified as last resort, it was agreed be-
tween Admiral Dewey and myself that an
attempt should be made to carry the ex-
ri Cff hf.G K,fc1.
1nents in front of the positions at that time
occupied by our troops, which, with its
HANK on the seashore, was entirely open to
IT was not my intention to press the as
Sdult at TINS point, in case the enemy should
hold II Ia strong force until after the navy
ana shaken the troops holding them. which
could not be done by the army alone owing
70 the absence Of siege guns. This in ndi-
Gated fully in the orders and memoranda
or the attack hereto appended. 1t was de-
lclued. however, as most desirable that In
accordance with the principles of civilized
warfare, the attempt should be made
70 drive the enemy out of its entertainments
city.
BY orders issued some time previously
MacArthur's and Greene's brigades were or
ganized as the Second Division of the Eighth
army Corps Brigadier General Thomas N
Anuerson commanding; and in anticipation
OF the attack General Anderson moved his
headquarters fIom Cavite to the brigade
tditDS ana assumed direct command in the
field. Copies of the written and verbal in
Structions referred to above and appended
hereto were given to the division and
brigade commanders on the 18th and all
the troops were I'm position on the 18th at an
early hour in the morning.
THE ENGAGEMENT.
About a. m. on that day our fleet
steamed forward from Cavite, and before
10 a. m. opened a hot and accurate fire of
heavy shells and rapid-fre projectiles on the
sea flank of the Spanish entertainments at
the powder magazine fort, and at the same
time the Utah batteries, in position in our
trenches near the Gale Real, began firing
with great accuracy. At 1925, on a pre-
arranged signal from our trenches that it
was believed that our troops could advance
the navy ceased firing and Immediately a
light line of skirmishers from the Colorado
regiment of Greene's brigade uassed over
our trenches and deployed rapidly forward.
another line from the same regiment from
the left flank of our earthworks advancing
swiftly up the beach in open order. Both
these lines found the powder magazine fort
and the trenches thanking it deserted but
as they passed over the Spanish works they
were met by sharp fire from a second
line located in the streets of Malate by
which a number of men were killed and
wounded. among others the soldier who
pulled down the Spanish colors still flying
on the fort and raised our own.
The works of the second line soon gave
way to the determined advance of .Greene's
troops. and that officer pushed his brigade
rapidly through Malate and over the bridges
10 occupy Binondo and San Miguel, as con-
templated in his instructions. In the mean
time the brigade of General Macarthur adj
Vanc1ng simultaneously on the Pasay road,
encountered very sharp fire, coming from
the blockhouSe. trenches and woods in his
front, positions which it was very difficult
10 carry, owing to the swampy condition of
the ground on both sides of the roads and
the heavy underground concealng the
enemy. With much gallantry and excellent
Judgment on the part of the brigade COM
mander and the troops engaged these diff
culties were overcome with minimum loss.
and Macarthur advanced and held the
bridges and the town of Malate. as was
contemplated in his instructions.
THE City of Manila was row in our pos
session, excepting the walled town, but
Ehortly after the entry of our troops into
Malate white flag was displayed on the
walls, whereupon Lieutenant Colonel c. A.
Whittier. United States Volunteers. of my
staff, and Lieutenant Brunby, United States
navy, representing Admiral Dewey, were
sent ashore to communicate with the cap
tain general. ] soon personally followed
to the palace of the governor general and
there, after a conversation with the Spanish
authorities, q preliminary agreement of the
terms of capitulation was signed by the
captain general and myself This agree
ment was subsequently incorporated into
the formal terms of capitulation, as ar
forces.
''Immediately after the surrender the
Spanish colors on the seafront were hauled
down and the American flag displayed and
ealuted by the guns of the navy. The Sec
ond Oregon Regiment, which had proceeded
by sea from Cavite. was diSembarked and
entered the walled town as a provost guard
and the colonel was directed to receive the
Spanish arms and deposit them in places of
security. The town was WAS filled II du with the
frenchments. regiments formed and stand
ing in line in the streets. but the work of
disarming proceeded quietly and nothing I'M
pleasant occurred.
GREAT RECORD.
SIN leaving the subject of the operations
OF the 18th l desire here to record my APP
probation of the admirable manner in which
the orders for attack and the plan for oc-
cupation of the city were carried out by
the troops exactly as contemplated. l sub
init that for troops to enter under fire a
town covering wide area. to rapidly deploy
and guard all principal points in the extern
Sive suburbs. TO keep out the insurgent
forces pressing for admission, to quietly dis
arm an army of Spaniards more than equal
IN numbers to the American troops and.
finally, by all this, TO prevent entirely all
Tapine, pilage and disorder, and gain en-
tire and complete possession of a city of
the European interests and stirred up by
the knowledge that their own people were
lighting in the outside trenches was an act
which only the law-abiding. temperate. res
handled by his regimental and brigade COM
manders, could accomplish
General Merritt then details the inaugll-
ration or the military government of Ma
mia by the Americans. Further he says:
ION the 18th a cabIegram Containing a
~ no 11.r.