Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-17

manned by foreigners. possessiiS
neither instruction nor discipline was
coming to their archipelago 10 ny u
rob them of life, honor ana hoer,s
were were to .enslaye the natives. pill
lage the holy Catholic churches anu
crafty our lustful passions at lne eA
pense of their wives ana uaush'ers
honor Vain designs, ridiculous poast
ings. The struggle would De Short anu
decisive; the god of victories Wouiu give
to them one as complete as the right
eousness of their cause demanded, etc.
etc
Toward the close, mutterings among
the men could be heard, and races
were seen to draw and assume look
of ironical amusement and gross de-
termination. AS he finished speaking
the captain said:
I'VE run the forts. tonight ana at
tack the fleet tomorrow morning.
Then show them what you are made oil
and can do. Pipe down. roar upon
roar. cheer upon cheer vi ueiiahce
went up from the crew. fractlcai'y
the same scene was enacted on each
of the other ships.
AT p. NJ. all preparations hau 49,
made. All lights save one stern hsh.
to keep position by were extihguisheo
or obscured. The crew were si'eiitiy
sent to quarters. Corfigidor lSiahu'
which rises in the mouth OF the pay
could be seen ahead on our port DIV
The bright moonlight made IL seem I'M
possible that the enemy shouid not as
Germ us.
THE gums were loaded. As We had a
long night before US and the time When
tho hattarv would be needed was un-
certain az the Intention was to slip
nv tba fnrts unobserved if possible. the
word was uassed along that the crew
need not remain strictly at lhelf STA
tons but be ready for an instant caii.
The officers and gun captains were 10
remain in the immediate vicinity OF
their guns. The men were gathered IN
knots around the deck, chatting ana
laughing in subdued tone. and watch
ing eagerly the dark mass Of Corrlgl-
dor island and the steady course OF the
flagship light stood. The powder d.
vision WAS all below at their stations
for passing ammunition from the mag
aznes.
IN this division. il may be noted.
were all the servants Of the officers.
including chinese and Japanese. mix
ID lot that could not be expected TO
burn with Il great degree Of patriotic
fever How they would act when the
shells began to scream was doubtful.
When the fight was over it was a mat
ter " comment ana mild wonderment
among the officers at the cheerful and
cool manner in which these telestials
and I.atins performed their duties and
entered into the excitement of the bat
tlc. Not a man showed fear but on
the contrary all expressed regret that
there was no more fight
AT about midnight. the fleet was eX-
actly between the islands Of Corrigi-
dor ana FL Fraiic and about three
quarters Of a mile distant from the
latter BEYOND the flash Of a couple az
signal lights on shore the enemy gave
no evidence of having discovered Us.
The men below decks not being able 50
watch passing events had gotten OUT
their banios and guitars and were sing
ing softly the old patriotic and famil-
lar songs Of country home and mother.
This form did not having a cheering
effect. Suddenly by A stroke OF insp!-
ration one who felt as most of us did
started up 'Therell We a hot time in
the old town, tonight. The strain was
relief ana quiet but mirthful laugh
went around while each Joined in the
chords
1--WE were sim laughing Ut some impro-
vised and appropriate words when flash
came and the whistle and scream OF an
S-inch shell caused everybody TO grow
silent and duck. Each man looked at
his HeiGhbor to see if he had done like
wise and smiled with relief when he saw
that he had company. This shell passed
directly over the forecastlc Of the Ra-
leigh and knocked up the water a couple
of hundred yards ahead on our port bow.
Immediately the order was shouted
from the bridge. Fire from the after D
inch gun. This gun was in charge nt
Ensign Eabiu and had been kept pointed
at the rock. ana almost simultaneously
with the order the electric firing key was
pressed and the first shot of Dewey i
fleet went busting on its way. The first
hostile shots had been exchanged and the
war in the Philippines had practically De-
gun.