Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-05-10
'.After bridge, there" calls the com
mander of the Boston.

after bridge, there" calls the com
mander of the Boston.
Aye, aye, sir"
"Clear away those after turret guns"
AYE, aye, sir"
mand the men work on the big guns. Cart
ridges are sent home, breech locked and
the officer reports all ready. Then comes
the order to fire. Ont from the muzzles
spring the first big shells of the battle of
Manila; the war has commenced in earn
est. But the projectiles do no damage on
either side and soon the lines of ships are
out of range, seventeen miles from Manila.
All hands go below and take a sleep, for in
the morning we fight the don.
Who could sleep while stealing upon an
enemy in this fashion? The threatened
storm of wind, rain, lightning and thunder
broke while the firing was going on. Did
they over in Manila hear the peals and
for what did they take them? Was that a
burst of heavens artillery or the sullen
roar of a big gun? Were the dons ready
or did they sleep in the security of ignor.
ance? None on the fleet could know, none
cared, in fact, the mind was busy with
other things. Even the death aboard the
cutter of the chief engineer in stroke of
apoplexy did not disturb the men.
Day dawns clear and bright May L The
feet is standing past Cavite for Manila.
looking for the enemy While the men are
waiting for the morning mess call the
Spanish feet is seen snugly ensconsed in
behind the arsenal. The Reina Cristina
is in front. The Castillo is nearly abreast
Of her and is protected BY harges so shells
cannot pierce her sides. So the don was
ready. Well so much the better, Al
though the Americans are four miles away
a puf- of smoke comes from the forward
turlet of the flagship Of the enemy aud the
fight commences. Dewey turns the prov
Of the Olympia sharp to starboard and
hears directly down on the enemy The
cruisers and gunboats follow in order ex-
cepting the Boston, which steams in to-
ward the point and engages a shore bat
tery. Not a shot is fired in reply as the
vessels still steam rapidly toward the en-
envy. Shells are shriekine all around them.
bnt none is hurt. But the men gnaw fin
gers and mustaches aud are eager for the
command to fire. They are under a fear
full nervous strain and yearn for chance
10 respond to the Iron hail that Is falling
all around them.
Ait last the Olympia sheers up aud
crosses the line OF fire. The commodore,
sedately standing on his bridge. slal pre-
serves his reputation for plaeidify ana ST.
lence. In the coming tower Captain Grid
ley peers out at his superior in an agony
Of desire to get into action. Waen the line
has swept almost clear across the ADMIRAL
he flies the flag Of that rank--tnrns to
the impatient commander of his flagship
and remarks slowly: "You mas begin as
soon as you are ready, Gridley.
Ave, aye, SIR is the grim response.
The words are scarcely spoken until the
big eight-inch forward guns belch forth
flame and smoke The battle Of Manila
has commenced, although it is the hour for
early mass on shore But above the rear
af the huge guns comes an inccssant rattle
as<if a thousand drums were beading the
double drag. What is this and what does
ii mean? IT is the rattle OF the rapid fire
and secondary batteries on those ships
on the flagship the main battery can be
fred only deliberately. Men cannot han
die the enormous shells. so steam winches
are used. But the Petrol and Concord.
with their smalI-bore guns, can IRE with
dazzling rapidity. The smaller calibers
on all the vessels IN the feet are hot at
work. sending out continuous hail cf pro-
jectiles.