Warren sheaf., 1898-12-08
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WAR.
Leading Engagements and Thrilling
Achievements RecOunted,

Achievements RecOunted.
1t Is not within the province OF this mes
sage to narrate the history Of the ex-
traordinary war that followed the Spanish
declaration of April 21, but brief recital
of it's more salient features is appropriate.
The first encounter of the; war in point of
date took place April q. when a detach-
ment of the blockading squadron made
reconnaissance in force at Matanzas
shelled the harbor forts and demolished
several new works in construction.
Dewey's Victory. ~
The next engagement was destined to
mark mem orable epoch in. maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commodore
paa h ooona or Te9an a.
ton of neutrality being issued and the
customary 24Lhours' notice being given. it
whence it proceeded to the Philippine is
lands under telegrap1ic orders to capture
or destroy the formida BILE anish fleet then
1st of May the American force entered Ma
Mia bay and after a few hours engage
ment effected the total destruction Of the
and transport, besides capturing the
naval station and forts at Cavite, thus Ar
initiating the Spanish power in the Paeitlc f
of Manila, with the ability to take the city
at will. Not life was lost on our ships,
the wounded only num6er1ng !; seven; even Whl1e me
this gallant achievement the congress, up
on my re commentator, fifty bestowed up
on theactors present permanent and sub
The effect Of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon the
fortunes of the MAR instant
our arms, which continued throughout the
struggle Reenforcements were hurried to
Marr and he 0f wn
OF the capital, which lay helpless before
our guns. On the seventh day Of May the
governme was advised officially of the
Victory of Manila, and at once inquired of
would be required. The information was
received on the 18th of May, and the first
army expedition sailed May 25 and ar
rived off Manila June 80. Other expeditions
soon followed the total force consisting
Of GAL officers and15 ,C5S men.
i Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
naval Administrations We're made at several
wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow
We're unsuccessful in an attempt to silence
the batteries at Cardenas, against. .Matan-
zas, Worth Bagley and four seamen fall
ing. These grievous ia talities We're strange
ly enough among the very few. which oc-
CURED during our naval operations in this
extraordindryf.c conf1ict. .sgE4 b.
@ Advance of Ceryera's Fleet.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
tions had beeE. pushed with great yigor. A
>
which had assembled at the Cape Verde
islands before the outbreak of hostlities,
had crossed the ocean and by its errat1c
movements in the, Caribbean sea delayed
our military operations while .baflin g the
pursuit Of our fleets. For a time fears We're
felt lest. the Oregon and Marietta, then
nearing homesafter their long voyage from
San Francisco of over $4,000 miles, might
be surprised by Admiral CerVera's feet
but their fortunate arrival dispelled these
apprehensions and lent much needed reen-
forcements. Not until Admiral Cervera
Cuba about May 8 was it practicable to
plan a systematic military attack upon the
Antil1ean possessions OF Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts Of Cuba and Porto Rico in prepara-
rion for the larger event On May 13 the
North Atlantic squadron shelled San Juan
| dc Porto Rico. On May 80 Commodore
Schley's squadron bOmbarded the forts
guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor.
Neither attack had any material result. It
tions were indispensable to achieve de-
ciSive advantage.
| HObsOn's Band of Heroes.
The next act in the war thrilled not alone
the hearts of our countrymen but the world
nv .ts exceptional heroism On the night
of June 3 Lieut.. Hobson, aided by seven
I3deyoted volunteers, blocked the narrow
outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking the
collier Merrimac in the channel, under a
ing with their lives as by miracle, but
/ falling into the hands Of the Spaniards. It
| is most gratifying incident of the war
that the bravery of this little band of
heroes was cordially appreciated by the
| sSpaniards, who sent a flag of truce to notify
| compliment them on their daring act. They
were subsequently, exchanged July z.