Merritt, and the Expedition.
The Spanish fleet had been destroyed; Cavité had been taken; and
Admiral Dewey lay in the harbor awaiting the reinforcements that were
on the way.
These reinforcements had been sent out in three expeditions: the first
expedition, Brigadier-General Anderson commanding, consisted of 115
officers and 2,386 enlisted men; the second, under Brigadier-General
Greene, of 158 officers and 3,428 enlisted soldiers; the third, under
command of General McArthur, consisted of 197 officers, and 4,650
men. With these expeditions went the Astor Battery and Major-General
Wesley Merritt, who had been chosen Commander-in-chief of the United
States forces in the Philippines. In all, over 11,000 men were on
their way to Manila, and a fourth expedition, consisting of 1,763 men,
under Brigadier-General H. G. Otis, was soon to follow.
It was the cruiser Charleston, which conveyed the transports of one
of these expeditions, that stopped to have a little fun, by way of
profitable diversion, at the island of Guam, one of the Ladrones.
Thirteen shells from the Charleston went thundering against the
fortress of Santa Cruz. But even thirteen proved insufficient to
provoke a Spanish reply. However, a half-hour after the bombardment
began, the captain of the port, Lieutenant Commander José Garcia
y Gutierrez, of the Spanish navy, accompanied by one or two other
Spanish officers, were rowed to the Charleston, and, having been
taken on board, apologized for their seeming discourtesy; they said
that lack of ammunition at the fortress made it impossible for them
to return the American salute. They were, in fact, unaware that war
had been declared between the United States and Spain, and were,
therefore, much surprised when Captain Henry Glass informed them
that they were prisoners of war. They were sent ashore and ordered
to convey to the Governor Don Juan Marina the command that he come
upon the Charleston. He replied that, under Spanish law, he was not
allowed to go aboard a foreign man-of-war.
Captain Glass then sent Lieutenant Brannersreuther to the Governor,
demanding an immediate and unconditional surrender. A half-hour was
allowed for the consideration of the demand. The Governor expressed
great surprise at these peremptory proceedings; but twenty-five
minutes after this demand he, nevertheless, made the unconditional
surrender of everything Spanish in and around the Ladrones. The guns,
ammunition, and flags of the Spaniards, as well as the garrison and
all the Spanish officers, were then taken aboard one of the transports,
and the expedition continued its journey Manila-ward.
It is said that, great was the rejoicing on board the cruiser and
the transports as the Stars and Stripes were unfurled from the Fort
of Santa Cruz; and, while the Charleston fired a salute of 21 guns,
Captain Glass formally declared the Ladrones to be possessions of
the United States.
Upon his arrival at Manila, by the transport Newport,--July
26th,--General Merritt immediately reported to Admiral Dewey, and,
establishing his headquarters in the Cavité Arsenal, he assumed command
of all the American land-forces. He was officially recognized by a
salute of 13 guns. The three expeditions, respectively, arrived a
few days after one another, and all were now awaiting the word of
the Commander-in-chief. He at once proceeded to inform himself of
the situation.
Meantime, General Aguinaldo had removed his headquarters to Malolos. He
had also consolidated the divers insurrectionary parties in the
northeast provinces, by which he had gained an additional force
of 5,000 men, and obtained control of the entire northern part of
Luzon. The insurgents, too, kept up a desultory fight, and were
gradually driving the Spaniards back. The latter possessed still a
few outposts, but these were for the most part but feebly defended,
and it was indeed a question of but a few days when the enemy would
be driven within the walls of the city. The insurgents were already
building trenches on the northern part of the city; they also held
the water-works; and this, inasmuch as the dry season was approaching,
was most important.
The Battle of Malate.
On the night of Sunday, July 31st, occurred the first loss of life of
the Americans in the Philippine Islands. They had thrown up earth-works
not far from the Spanish trenches, which, soon after dark, kept up
a desultory fire.
The Americans began to reply in the American fashion, the men standing
up and exposing themselves to the Spanish fire. The most dangerous
place, of course, was the open ground just behind the trenches;
and here the greatest loss was incurred; for the reinforcements,
when crossing this open space, were wholly unprotected.
It has been said that there was no need to reply to the Spanish fire,
as the intrenchment was sufficient protection. However, the First
Colorado and the First Nebraska regiments, who threw up the trenches,
suffered no loss whatever. No attention was paid to the Spanish fire
at that time; and it is a pity that this contemptuous indifference
on the part of the Americans was not maintained.
Subsequently, about the middle of July, the First Battalion of
the Californians pitched their tents at Tambo. This soon came to
be known as Camp Dewey. The Californians were soon joined by the
other American regiments, and outposts were stationed far in front,
near the insurgent line. The insurgents at this time were between the
Spaniards and the Americans; but, at General Merritt's solicitation,
Aguinaldo moved his position over to Pasai, while the Americans
advanced to the insurgent trenches.
These were soon found untenable, and it was Lieutenant-Colonel McAvoy,
who commanded the Colorado battalions, that was the first to assume
a position in front of the enemy. He advanced the line to an old
Capuchin chapel, that stood in the middle of the field, between the
Spanish position and the insurgent trenches.
The Colorado and Nebraska men, who threw up the new breast-works at
the point that Colonel McAvoy had chosen, were occasionally fired
at by the Spaniards, who had a good view of what the Americans were
doing. The breast-work was about seven feet high, with notches and
peepholes for the lookouts. Inside the parapet was a parallel elevation
of about two feet--for the men to stand on when they wished a shot
at the enemy. The old chapel itself was in the line of defense, and
was used for cover; though it was nearly wrecked by the many shells
that had been thrown against it.
Saturday, July 30th, two batteries were placed in position: they were
A and B of the Utah Battalion. The guns of the former were placed on
the right, those of the latter on the left, of the chapel.
It was, accordingly, near Pasai, about ten o'clock the same day,
that the first American blood was spilt. The First Colorado regiment
had just been relieved by the men from Nebraska, and were returning
to camp, when a Spanish bullet hit Private W. H. Sterling of Company
K. in the upper part of the left arm. The wound, however, was very
slight, and Sterling was soon back in the ranks.
Saturday night the Spaniards began a lively fusillade. But this did
no damage--the men were safe inside the newly-finished parapet. The
rain, in fact, made things far more uncomfortable than the Spanish
bullets. It fell in torrents, but the inventive Yankees tore up the
floor of the old chapel, and hastily built shelters, which effectually
kept off the water.
The Spanish trench was about 800 yards from the American
breast-works. It extended northeast, just in front of the old fort
at Malate, and was strengthened with rocks and sandbags. The land
between the two trenches was low and level. On Sunday night Spaniards
advanced beyond their works, began a heavy fire against the Americans,
and drove in the pickets of the Tenth Pennsylvania. The bullets
began to fall among the Americans, and the guns of Malate roared
continuously. The night is described as awful. From the skies fell
tons of water, while the wind blew with the force of a cyclone,
howling and shrieking through the swaying trees.
Major Cuthbertson was in command of the Pennsylvanians, and when the
pickets came in and reported that the enemy was trying to flank the
Americans, he ordered K and B companies into the trench, and also
commanded Major Bierer, who commanded companies D and E, to the front.
The Spaniards, meanwhile, with their Mausers, kept up a terrific fire,
but the Americans and their Springfields soon began a vociferous
reply. The Utah artillerymen displayed remarkable coolness, and
worked their four guns like veterans. Though there was a perfect hail
of bullets, only one man was hit, and he but slightly wounded. The
Spanish fire was now concerted, and their bullets whistled, sang, and
fell all round the Americans. Most of them, however, were too high,
though they sounded dangerously near.
Across the open field, to the rear of the American trenches, now came
two companies, under the command of Major Bierer. It was here in this
unprotected field, swept by Mauser bullets, that the first American
lost his life. Corporal W. E. Brown, of Company D, Tenth Pennsylvania,
was the hero. He was shot through the body. Many others around him were
wounded, and, a few minutes later, Private William E. Stillwagon was
also killed. The men, notwithstanding, kept right on, and continued
to shoot; though, on account of the darkness, they could not see the
enemy; their fire, therefore, was not effective.
At this juncture gallant Captain O'Hara, in command of the Third
Artillery, still in camp, who knew that the boys in front must soon be
in want of ammunition, ordered his command to the rescue. And they came
in the nick of time. For the soldiers in the trenches had but a few
rounds of cartridges left. Many of the men, too, were shooting wild;
others, also, were somewhat demoralized; for the darkness, the danger,
and the uncertainty of the enemy were most disconcerting to raw troops;
but the example of Lieutenant Krayenbuhl and his regulars, who kept up
a steady fire, had good effect upon the volunteers; they soon recovered
themselves, and, with a rousing cheer, the whole command moved onward.
Meanwhile, General Greene sent other reinforcements to the
front,--Colonel Smith, with part of his regiment, the First
California. As Boxton's battalion of Californians advanced
through the open field, they received the terrible Spanish fire,
and many were shot, and were left by the way. It was here that
Captain Reinhold Richter, of Company I, was fatally shot; and here,
too, First Sergeant Morris Jurth, of Company A, was killed. It was
said that these Californians, not knowing of the presence of the
Pennsylvanians and of the regulars in front, fired three volleys at
them before the mistake was discovered. It is believed, however, that
no damage was done by the firing; but it was a mistake that might
have cost the Americans dearly. Meanwhile, two men were killed in
the trenches: Sergeant McIlrath, of Battery H., Tenth Pennsylvania,
who had recklessly exposed himself upon the parapet, and Private
Brady of Company I, the same regiment.
It was at this time that Private Finlay of Company C, First California,
gave proof of remarkable bravery. Finlay belonged to Major Jones'
Transportation Department, and, on account of his knowledge of
Spanish, he had been put in charge of the ammunition-train that was
sent forward. In the train were eight carromatas, each in charge of
a native driver. Right through the open fields, where the bullets
fell thickest, he drove with his carromatas. The canvas-tops of the
carts were soon ripped into shreds, and one or two of the natives were
wounded; but the intrepid American kept right on toward the trenches,
and delivered his cartridges. But before he reached his destination
one of the ponies was killed. He merely took it out of the cart,
and, with the native driver, he pulled the cart up to the place
occupied by the others. On his return-journey he stopped to pick up
the dead and wounded that he found lying along the way, taking them
to the field-hospital in the rear, then received orders to take ten
carromatas and to go after all the wounded. This he did as coolly
as if he were loading his wagons with hay. Still, all were tenderly
cared for. The eight dead were buried in the yard of the old convent
of Maribacan, back of the camp. Every man was sewed up in his blanket;
to it was attached a tag with his name for identification. The bodies
were then all buried in one trench, and above the grave of each man
a headboard with his name.
The chaplain of the Tenth Pennsylvania made careful observation of
the place, and of each grave.
About 2 o'clock the Spaniards began to cease firing. The Americans,
on the other hand, kept up a lively rattle for a quarter of an hour
longer; but the engagement was about over; and General Greene, who had
followed the men to the front, returned to the camp. A few desultory
skirmishes took place for a day or two longer, in which two men were
killed; but the Spanish advance had been checked by the first night's
work, and by Monday morning the battle of Malate was practically
over. Altogether, the Americans lost ten killed and forty-six wounded.
Capture of Manila.
Nothing of importance occurred for several days after the battle
of Malate. Troops were landed on the Bacoor shore, and the foreign
warships took up their respective positions: the British and the
Japanese vessels near the American fleet, the French and the German
vessels on the other side of the bay. An ominous quiet brooded
over all.
On August 7th, the following letter was sent by General Merritt and
Admiral Dewey to General Jandenes:
To the General-in-Chief commanding the Spanish Forces at Manila:
Sir: We have the honor to notify Your Excellency that operations
of the land and naval forces of the United States against the
defenses of Manila may begin at any time after the expiration of
forty-eight hours from the receipt by you of this communication,
or sooner if made necessary by attack on your part.
This notice is given to afford you an opportunity to remove all
non-combatants from the city.
Yours Respectfully,
Wesley Merritt, Major-General U. S. A.,
Commanding.
George Dewey, Rear-Admiral U. S. N.,
Commanding.
To this the Spanish general replied in a polite note; that on account
of the fact that he was surrounded by the insurgents he was without
"a place of refuge for the increased number of wounded, sick, women,
and children" within the walls. He doubtless hoped that his mention
of this fact would put off the attack altogether.
And it did delay it for several days. However, General Merritt then
issued the following order, which was translated into Spanish:
In view of the extraordinary conditions under which this army is
operating, the commanding general desires to acquaint the officers
and men with the expectations he entertains as to their conduct.
You are assembled on foreign soil, situated within the western
confines of a vast ocean, separating you from your native
land. You have come not as despoilers or oppressors, but simply
as the instrument of a strong, free government, whose purposes
are beneficent, and which declared itself in this war champion
of those oppressed by Spanish misrule.
It is therefore the intention of this order to appeal directly
to your pride in your position as representatives of a high
civilization, in the hope and with the firm conviction that you
will so conduct yourself in your relation with the inhabitants
of these islands as to convince them of the lofty nature of the
mission you have come to execute.
It is not believed any acts of pillage, rapine or violence will be
committed by soldiers or others in the employ of the United States,
but should there be persons with this command who prove themselves
unworthy of this confidence, their acts will be considered not
only as crimes against the sufferers, but as direct insults to
the United States Flag, and be punished on the spot with the
maximum penalties known to military law.
It was decided to begin the attack on Saturday morning, August 13th.
Accordingly, a little before nine o'clock the fleet began to move in
close to the city. The Olympia led the way, followed by the Raleigh
and the Petrel, while the Callao and the launch Barcelo hugged the
shore. The Monterey, with the Baltimore, Charleston, and Boston
formed the reserve. The ships were all cleared for action, and moved
majestically and silently forward. It was raining heavily.
Suddenly at twenty-five minutes of ten, the Olympia opened with her
8-inch guns. The first four shells were aimed at the Spanish fort
at Malate--known as San Antonia de Abad. On account of the rain it
was difficult to get the range, and so these first shells all fell
short. The Raleigh, Petrel, and Callao also opened upon the fort,
and as soon as the range was determined, the shots did great havoc,
the fort soon being rendered untenable.
The Callao, under Lieutenant Tappan, and the launch Barcelo, which
were nearer inshore, threw their shells among the Spanish riflemen,
who replied but feebly.
General Merritt and his staff and the color guard of the First Oregon
were on the despatch boat Zafiro.
General Anderson directed the operations on shore.
About twenty minutes after the bombardment began, General Greene,
with the left wing, began the land-attack, the advance being made
toward Malate, under cover of a heavy fire from the Utah Battery.
The troops, with colors flying, marched rapidly up the beach. The bands
were playing and the men rushed forward with a cheer. Six companies
of the Colorado regiment leaped over the enemy's breast-work and took
position behind some low hedges but a few hundred feet from the Spanish
line. General McArthur led the right wing, and was ably supported
by the Astor Battery, under Captain March. It shelled a Spanish
block-house with its Hotch-kiss Mountain guns, and then gallantly
charged the position with revolvers. It lost three men killed.
Meanwhile, the bombardment had ceased, and the Colorados, the
Californians, and the Eighteenth Regulars drove back the Spaniards
from Malate, and occupied the position, where the Californians at
once raised the Stars and Stripes.
In the suburbs of Malate and Ermita, where the Spaniards had erected
street barricades, there was now considerable street-fighting, and
the Californians, under Colonel Smith, advanced as far as the Luneta,
within 300 yards of the citadel. At this moment General Greene,
with several members of his staff, came galloping up the Luneta, a
scattering fire playing upon him and his companions from the adjoining
houses, until a white flag was raised above the southwest corner of
the fort.
At this,--and while the Americans were standing at rest,--the
Spaniards in the citadel opened fire upon them, fatally wounding two
Californians: privates Dunsoupe and Lamerson. This has never been
satisfactorily explained, but it was probably due to the confusion
of the moment; for 2000 Spaniards, retreating from Santa Ana before a
large body of insurgents, that were shooting at them, just then came
up, and it was to aid these that the Spaniards behind the walls fired
a volley after the flag of surrender had been raised.
General Greene then ordered the retreating Spaniards inside the
walls, as a letter from the Captain-General was received inviting the
American commander within for a consultation. General Greene himself,
with Adjutant-General Bates, entered the city.
When General Merritt, on the Zafiro, saw the white flag, he sent
General Whittier, with Flag-Lieutenant Thomas M. Bramley, ashore to
meet the Captain-General to discuss the terms of surrender.
General Whittier found the Spanish officials much disturbed. Because
of the Spaniards seeking refuge in the city from the insurgents,
it was believed the Americans were continuing the attack.
When General Merritt himself entered the city, about three o'clock,
the situation was explained, and a conference with General Jandenes
resulted in the following terms of capitulation.
Capitulation of the Philippines.
Officers allowed to retain their swords and personal effects, but
not their horses during their stay at Manila.
Prisoners of war surrendering their arms are to have necessary supplies
provided from the treasury; when that is exhausted the Americans to
make provision.
All public property is surrendered. Future disposition of Spanish
troops surrendered is to be determined by negotiations between the
respective governments.
Arms may be returned at General Merritt's discretion.
Banks will continue to operate under existing regulations, subject
to change by the United States Government.
General Jandenes, it is said, was found in the sacristy of a church,
which was filled with women and children. The capitulation, however,
was made and signed in the adjacent municipal buildings.
The terms of capitulation were formally signed by the American
commissioners: General Greene, Colonel Whittier, Colonel Crowder,
and Captain Lamberton; and the Spanish commissioners Colonel San José
Maria Laguen, Felix Don Carlos Reye, and General Don Nicolas de la
Pena y Cuellas.
The insurgents were barred from the city. At dusk General Augustin,
the Captain-General of the Islands, and his family, escaped on a
German cruiser to Hong-Kong.
Lieutenant Bramley lowered the Spanish flag on Fort Santiago, and
raised the Stars and Stripes. It is said that while this momentous
ceremony was performing, many of the Spaniards looking on wept;
while the American band played the Star-Spangled Banner, and the
surrounding American troops presented arms.
The Americans suffered a loss of eight killed and forty wounded. The
exact Spanish loss has never been ascertained, but it was probably
not far from 500 killed and wounded. The Americans took 20,000
Mauser rifles, 3,000 Remingtons, a large number of cannon and 11,000
prisoners; 7,000 of them Spanish regulars.
American sentries were at once placed on the battlements and along
the Pasig, and perfect order was maintained.
It was found, further, that the stories of starvation were grossly
exaggerated; both the inhabitants and the soldiers were looking very
well. Most of them, in fact, seemed to be pleased that the surrender
had been made so soon, without great loss of life, and before a
continued bombardment had reduced the city to ruins.
General Merritt and chief of staff, General Babcock, deserved great
credit for their plan of attack, which was carried out successfully
under great disadvantages. The conduct of the Americans, officers
and men alike, army and navy, was most creditable.
Because the protocol establishing peace between the United States
and Spain had been signed a few hours before the capture of Manila,
it was believed that the United States was bound by the third article
of the protocol, which reads:
The United States will occupy and hold the city, bay, and
harbor of Manila pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace,
which shall determine the control, disposition, and government
of the Philippines.
Awaiting the Peace Commission.
Thus Spain was to remain the nominal possessor of the Archipelago,
until the decision of the Peace Commission.
Pending the conclusion of the peace negotiations, and the disposition
of the islands, it was settled that the authority of the United
States was to be supreme. Both Spaniards, and insurgents were thus
to have no share in the Government. The Americans were conquerors;
the Spaniards, as the conquered, had lost all right to a voice in
public affairs. There was, however, some doubt on the part of the
American commands as to the status of the insurgents; who, though
they had but little part in the capture of Manila, had done effective
work in other parts of Luzon, having driven the common enemy step by
step to the gates of the capital. The revolution, too, was spreading,
and new complications arose every day.
In reply to their joint-message for instructions, General H. C. Corbin
cabled General Merritt as follows: