The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-04-20
Capt. George F. F. Wilde, U. S. N


Distinguishes Himself at the Capture of
Iloilo. Complimented by Dewey.
The following article from the Boston
Herald of the Sth inst. is of special interest
to those of our readers who remember Can't.
Wilde and the courtesy lie extended to our
people daring his stay in our harDor While in
command Of the L. S. S. Dolphin, August ii
II and Is, 1881 A reception was given to
the commander and his officers upon this &C.
caslon by our citizens IN Peirce's parlor
theatre, which was very happy and enjoy
able OCCASION:
The story of the capture Of Iloilo is already
al OH story, yet it ls not fully understood
hat part the navy played IN it. 1t was the
men from the Boston, so Of them. who cap
tured and held the city until the army land
ed.
The Boston is in command of Capt. George
+. f. Wilde of Massachusetts,, one of the men
of whom the State may well be proud. At
the beginning of hostilities with Spain, Capt
Wide was on land duty, as secretary of the
lighthouse board and he at once applied for
sea service. He was assigned to the com
mani of the ram Katahdln, and hoped to be
i'll the thick OF the scrimmage, but was set TO
do patrol duty along the coast. He was too
good All officer to complain, but did his duty
to the best of his ability, even though that
duty vas to remain on stations and practice
target shooting
But when the war was over on this side of
the water he was sent to join Admiral Dew
ey, and take command of the Boston. He
| had hardly assumed command when he was
ordered to llollo to cover the landing Of the
! troops and capture the island.
The result of the expedition is already
known.
After Admiral Dewey received Capt.
w ItIe'S rpOOrt ha him fine fDllO LAT.
ter,
United States Naval Force on Asiatic
Station, Flagship Olympia, Manila, p L.,
Feb. IA, 1899.
Sir: The commander in chief begs to
acknow ledge the receipt of your commune
cation of the 18th inst. announcing the
capture and occupation of Ioilo on that day.
He desires to express his admiration for the
skill, promptness aud bravery displayed by
the officers aud men Of the Boston, under
your command, on that OCCASION which has
refte cited 80 much credit upon the naval
Service Very respectfully,
GEORGE DEWEY
Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Com
manding United States Naval Force on
ASatlC station.
The commanding officer, L. S. 5. BOSTON,
| loito.
Nothing which could come to an officer
, IN tue way Of reward is more welcome til an
+ the words of commentator OF his superlDrs
| he publicly expressed thanks Of the score
tarJ OF the navy, the pr sldent, or the peo-
PIE # the country through Congress, are
deeply Appreciated and real y as highly
| valued AZ an advance in rank There is 40
more popular officer III the service than Capt.
/ Wild, and this acknowledgements of his
| bravery by Americas great admiral will
/ make his multitude of friends glad, as they
| appreciate how entirely it was merited.
| There is something of the irony of fate that
! Capt. Wilde should be in command of the
Boston. 1t is barely - months since his
| cldssmate and friend, who was associ ated
! With him at the time on the lighthouse board
| was raging because, when he asked for sea
| duty, he sent to the command of the
| Boston in the Asiatic squadron. He wanted
to be in the Scrap" and thought he was
put out of it. But he obeyed orders, only
| complaining among his personal friends, and
| went to CHINA, only to find that he could not
| nave his ship, because the then commander,
! Capt, Frank Wildes, did not want TO come
| nome just as the fun was going to begin
| there So Lamberton became Deweys chief
| of staff.
Wlldes did magnificent work at Manila,
and when the hardest work there was done,
aud he had won his share OF the glory he
came home, and Capt. George Wilde was
put 10 command, and as if to reward his
| patent service of waiting all through the
battle summer of 1898, he was sent to do a
hit OF work for which he might receive all
the credit, since his ship was alone. unsup-
ported by any other. How he did it, the
letter of Admiral Dewey tells better than
could any report.