The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-08
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.

The war news during the past week has |
been marked by only two incidents OF note. |
The story Of the battle OF Santiago harbor |
ia told on page two. The other event OF
Importance was blocking the channel at
the entrance to Santiago harbor by the ex-
plosion of the Merrimsc at the entrance to
the bay.
The Merrimac was chosen for this pur-
pose because owing to her length, $3.50 feet
she would completely close the channel.
even IL she did not go down directly across
it.
When Admiral Sampson made it known
throughout the feet that volunteers were
wanted for the hazardous task Of running
the Merrimac past the batteries and sinking
her, more than 1000 brave fellows signified
their willingness to go. Naval Constructor
Pearson Hobson and seven men were se-
lected, Hobson commanding the gallant
crew. They at once went on board the
Merrimac and made preparations for the
work ahead of them. The officers and crew
of the Merrimac were transferred to other
vessels OF the fleet.
With almost certain death staring those
on board in the face, the Merrimac started
at three o'clock Friday morning for the en-.
trance to the harbor. Several war ships
accompanied her, they pouring heavy fire
upon the batteries to divert attention
from the Merrimac. The Spaniards made
no attempt to blow her up with their Mines
but allowed her to reach the narrowest part
of the channel where she dropped anchor
and swung broadside on to the channel.
The brave fellows on board had time
fuse prepared in the fore-hold to which was
attacked explosives sufficient to wreck
half dozen ships. AS soon as the anchor
held they lighted the fuse and rowed away
from the doomed vessel They had gone
only short distance when the explosion
occurred, the Merrimac gave lurch and
went down in forty feet of water. Part OF
her masts and smokestack were above
water, and the channel was effectually
blocked.
Hobson and his men knew that they
could not row out Of the harbor under
the fire OF the batteries, and they calmly
rowed to the Cristobsl Colon, the flagship
of the Spanish squadron, and surrendered
themselves as prisoners of war. Their
bravery was recognized by Admiral Ger
vera, who treated them kindly, and later
offered to exchange them for Spanish pris-
oners, now confined at Atlanta. 1t is prob
able that this exchange will be effected, and
that Hobson and his brave fellows will
soon again be under the protection Of the
American flag.
After weeks of anxious waiting most
gratifying news was received on Monday
from Admiral Dewey. His plans are work
ing admirably. He has succeeded in plac-
ing upon the insurgents the burden of con-
Quoting military operations at Manila
while his fleet is lying in enforced idleness,
waiting the arrival of troops. Admiral
Dewey has insisted that the insurgents OBJ
serve the rules OF civilized warfare, and the
terrible stories circulated regarding the
barbarous treatment of prisoners captured
by the insurgents have been without foun-
dalton.
The double turreted monitor Monadnock
was ordered on Monday from Mare Island,
Cal, to Manila to reinforce Dewey. The
Monterey is already on the way there, and
with these two monitors it is confidently be-
lieved that Admiral Dewey will be fully
able to take care of himself, even if the
Cadiz feet should attack him in Manila
harbor.
1t is officially stated at Manila that four
armored cruisers with GOLFERS, torpedo
boats and transports, carrying 900 troops,
have left Spain for Eastern waters, presum-
ably for Manila. The governor has issued
a proclamation offering the natives great
concessions, declaring that the Americans
will be powerless to land Meanwhile the
insurgents are steadily advancing along the
coast supported by the United States gun
boat Petrol, and are driving the Spaniards
into Manila.
Dispatches received last evening indicate
that the bombardment at Santiago was re-
newed by the American ships on Monday.
The firing opened at eight o'clock and con-
tinued until eleven. The American war
ships circled slowly in front of the harbor
and maintained a steady and careful fire
against Moro castle and the batteries at
Punta Gorda, Socarpa and Cincoreales.
Ten Of the warships Of the American feet
were engaged in the bombardment. They
also bombarded the Spanish fleet in the
harbor, and did great amount Of damage.
About 1000 projectiles were fred by the
Americans during the engagement, and
few Of them were wasted. Immense dam
age was done to the enemy, and the Span
iards themselves admit that 1.-THE fire Of the
American fleet was most destructive.
The batteries were virtually silenced and
the Notifications were demolished. The
Spanish firing was wild and did little dam
age to the American vessels. Having COM
pleted the bombsrdment OF Santiago the
American feet drew away and attacked
Aguabores, a small coast town near the
month of a small river and just west of the
Bay dc Los Rios.
They landed force.of troops and siege
guns. These had to fight the Spanish
forces, but came of victorious. While they
were engaging the Spaniards on one side
the insurgents INSIDE an attack on Santiago
and caused severe losses to the Spaniards.
The Spanish report says that the garrison
suffered heavy loss in killed and wound
ed. The American loss 10 at present I'M
known, but ia believed to be very light