The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-22

When. in April of 1898, the war cloud
was dark and lowering, and hostilities
with spain seemed imminent, secre-
tary Long ordered the cruiser Balti-
more from Yokohoma to Hong Kong
10 toin Commodore George Dewey, in
command of the Asiatlc squadron, the
intention being to send the fleet against
Manila. the capital city Of the Philip
nine group, spaIn's richest colonial pos
session in the Far East. The Bald-
more commanded by Captain N. NJ.
DYER. reached Hong Kong April 81,
the very day on which Sampson cleared
Kpy west with his feet in the first
movement Of the impending conflict,
and the day on which the Buenaven-
tura was captured by the little Nash
vile IAN act of war that was known
throughout the country within few
hours, and which induced the Intelli-
gencer to order the ringing Of its war
alarm, as everybody in Wheeling will
remcmber).
Delayed by the foul-bottomed con-
dillon Of the Baltimore, which was
placed on the dry dock at Hong Kong
the feet was not ready for its move
mqnt on Manila until the following
Sunday. April 2I-the day on which the
Spanish government issued a decree
declaring the existence Of war, an act
that compelled the friendly British
governor at Hong Kong to order Dew
ey's fleet from the harbor, a measure
required OF neutral powers. That very
afternoon part Of the feet sailed, and
on Monday the other warships fol-
lowed. and proceeded to Mrs bay. in
Chinese territory. thirty miles distant.
Writing Of the departure of the fleet
from Hong Kong. Gunner Evans, OF
the Boston, says: When we were leav-
ing port for Manila the captain Of the
Immortallte British shouted to Cap
tain wndes: You will surely win. l
have seen too much of your target
practice to doubt It. Ibelieve the RUS
sian, German and French naval Off
GERS thought Spain would conquer
Sailed for Manila.
Commodore Dewey sailed for Manila
from Mrs bay on Wednesday, April %,
with the following ships: Olympia, flag
ship, protected cruiser, $50 tons, Cap
tain Grldley (slnce deceased): Balti-
more, protected cruiser, 4.4lS tons, Cap
tain Dyer; Raleigh, protected cruiser,
s,zl3 tons; Boston, protected cruiser.
5000 tons, Captain wndes. Concord,
gunboat, ITO tons, Captain Walker;
Petrol, gunboat, s92 tons. Captain
Wood; Hugh AicColloch, revenue cut
ter, commanded by Captain Hodgsdon,
of the revenue service, accompanied by
the transports Nashau and Zafiro. car
rying $500 tons OF coal and six months
supplies for the squadron. The squad
ron left the bay with the flagship lead
ing, her band playing the stirring sousG
march, eel Captain" An elght-knot
speed was maintained. Dewey knowing
that high speed would avail nothing,
the spaniards in Manila having been
notified Of the American fleets depart
ure. The coast Of Luzon was sighted
Saturday, April 80. The Boston and
Concord were ordered ahead TO exam
Inc subig bay, the commodore desiring
10 avoid nautical ambush, It being
thought likely that the Spanish adj
mlral, Mohtejo, would come out to
meet the Americans. The bay was
found unoccupied. and here the feet
was assembled. a council Of war was
held by the captains. nt which the COM
modore gave his orders, and then, as
the shades Of evening fell. the squadron
was led down the coast with the in
tentIon Of striking the entrance to Ma
Mia bay Mt midnight. At midnight the
heights Of COrregldOr island loomed
ahead. and soon the feet was entering
the bay about TO be made memorable
AZ the scene Of the greatest victory
in the annals OF the navy OF n grent
nation Of freemen over IN opposing
feet flying the colors Of country
whose nag had always been Bynony-
nous with oppression. The strong bat
terry on Corresldor remained silent until
the last vessel In the squadron. the
Mccolloch, gave the alarm by tho Hight
arising from the stoklng Of her fires.
Then almost simultaneously II rocket
flashing up hundreds OF feet into the
air showed that the surprise was sur
prise no longer. An answering rocket
came from I1l FrDile. on the other side
of the channel, followed by the boom
Of great gun. The Boston returned
the hre, sE did the Mccolloeh with her
uIE-pOuuderB, and the Concord with