THE SURRENDER OF MANILA.
Landing of General Merritt at Manila--The German Fleet Warned by
Admiral Dewey--The Ladrone Islands--Fierce Battle in Darkness and
Storm--Foreign Warships Notified of the Attack--Combined Assault
by Dewey and Merritt--The City Surrenders.
In the meantime, far away in the Philippines, Admiral Dewey was
sustaining the reputation he made at the outbreak of hostilities.
After the battle of Manila there remained but three Spanish
warships in Pacific waters. One of them was in dry dock at
Hongkong and the two others were in hiding in the waters of the
Philippine group. The admiral dispatched the gunboat Concord and a
cruiser to locate and destroy the two Spanish vessels. The Concord
soon discovered the Argos, and after a lively battle lasting
thirty minutes the Spanish ship was sunk with all on board and her
colors flying. Not a man was lost or injured on the Concord, nor
did the ship sustain any damage.
The first American army to sail for foreign shores left San
Francisco May 25. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon Brigadier-General
Anderson signaled from the Australia for the City of Pekin and the
City of Sydney to get under way. The signal was seen from the
shore, and the waiting crowds cheered wildly. No time was lost on
board the transports. The crews worked with a will and in a short
time the anchors were up and the vessels were under way. Then the
2,500 soldiers who had been impatiently awaiting the signal to
start climbed to the rigging and swarmed all over the big ships,
shouting and cheering like mad.
The big transports steamed slowly along the water front, and the
crowd on shore raced along to keep them in sight. The noise made
by the patriotic citizens on sea and shore was something terrible.
Every steam whistle in the city appeared to be blowing, cannon
were fired, and the din lasted fully an hour.
The three transports carried close on to 2,500 men. The
expedition, which was under the command of Brigadier-General
Anderson, consisted of four companies of regulars, under command
of Major Robe; the First Regiment California Volunteers, Colonel
Smith; the First Regiment Oregon Volunteers, Colonel Summers; a
battalion of fifty heavy artillery, Major Gary; about 100 sailors,
and eleven naval officers. The fleet was loaded with supplies to
last a year, and carried a big cargo of ammunition and naval
stores for Admiral Dewey's fleet.
Four transports bearing about 4,000 men passed through the Golden
Gate shortly after 1 o'clock on the 15th of June, amid scenes of
great enthusiasm and patriotism unequaled in the history of San
Francisco. The four vessels which carried the troops were the
China, Colon, Zealandia and Senator. The fleet was accompanied
down the bay by a large number of tugboats and bay steamers.
It was a few minutes past 1 o'clock when the China hoisted the
blue Peter and warned the fleet to get under way. The Senator had
slipped into the stream and straightened out for the run to
Manila. When she reached the stream the China swung away from her
anchorage and started down the bay, followed by the Colon and
Zealandia and a long line of tugboats and steamers.
At 1:30 p.m. the fleet was off Lombard street and a few minutes
later it was steaming past Meiggs' wharf. Thousands of people,
attracted by the blowing of whistles, rushed to points of vantage
on the city front and cheered the departing boats. Soldiers
crowded the fort at the point and shouted and waved their hats as
the squadron passed out through the Golden Gate. A heavy fog lay
outside the bar, and before 2 o'clock the transports were lost in
the mists.
Assigned to the China, General Greene's flagship, and the largest,
finest and fastest vessel of the fleet, was the First Regiment
Colorado Volunteer Infantry, 1,022 men; half a battalion of the
Eighteenth United States Infantry, 150 men, and a detachment of
United States engineers, 20 men.
The Colon took four companies of the Twenty-third Infantry and two
companies of the Eighteenth Infantry, both of the regular army,
and Battery A of the Utah Artillery. In the battery were twelve
men and in each of the infantry companies seventy-five men,
besides the officers, making less than 600 military passengers.
The control of the ship was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Clarence
W. Bailey, of the Eighteenth Infantry.
On the Zealandia were the Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers and part
of Battery B of the Utah Volunteer Artillery. With the gunners
went two Maxim fighting machines, which as a precautionary measure
were placed ready for action in the bow of the vessel. In all
there were 640 privates and 60 officers on board.
On the steamer Senator was the First Regiment of Nebraska
Volunteers, numbering 1,023 men and officers.
TOOK THE LADRONES.
The United States cruiser Charleston, with the troopships City of
Sydney, City of Pekin and Australia, arrived off Cavite on the
30th of June. They left Honolulu, June 4, with sealed orders from
Washington to capture the island of Guam, chief of the Ladrone
Islands, and the seat of Spanish government.
The American cruiser and the transports arrived at Guam on the
morning of June 20. They passed the unoccupied Fort Santiago and
advanced opposite Fort Santa Cruz. The Charleston then fired
twelve shots, but, receiving no response from the fort, it steamed
on to Port Luis de Appa, where Agana, the capital of the Ladrone
Islands, is situated.
That afternoon the captain of the port and the health officer came
aboard the Charleston and were informed to their astonishment that
they were prisoners of war. They had not heard that war existed
between the United States and Spain, and they had thought the
firing by the Charleston was a salute of courtesy. They said
Governor Marina regretted that he had no powder for his cannon
with which to return the salute. Those surprised Spaniards were
thereupon sent ashore to request the Governor of the islands to
come on board the Charleston. In reply the Governor sent his
official interpreter and secretary to say to the Americans that
the Spanish laws forbade him to leave the shore during his term of
office. However, he invited Captain Glass of the Charleston to a
conference on shore the next morning and guaranteed his safety.
Captain Glass sent Lieutenant Braunersreuther to meet the Governor
and deliver an ultimatum demanding the surrender of the Ladrones,
giving the Governor thirty minutes in which to consider the
matter. Lieutenant Braunersreuther was accompanied by two
companies of Oregon Volunteers.
The governor surrendered gracefully within the allotted time.
Thereupon forty-six marines from the Charleston landed and
disarmed the 108 Spanish soldiers, confiscated their 116 rifles
and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. The natives were allowed to
retain their weapons. They all showed delight in renouncing
Spanish authority, and tore off the Spanish regalia from their
uniforms with many expressions of satisfaction.
General Merritt arrived in Manila bay on July 25, and after
reporting to Admiral Dewey assumed command of the American troops
in the Philippines. He lost no time in making himself familiar
with the situation, and established headquarters at the Cavite
arsenal.
THE GERMAN FLEET AT MANILA.
As soon as the American blockade of Manila was declared, Germany
began to enlarge her fleet in those waters until all but three of
the German men-of-war on the Asiatic station were either in Manila
bay or its vicinity. The German naval officers took pains to show
particular friendliness towards the Spaniards, as for example in
saluting the Spanish flag at Manila on the arrival of every
additional ship. The German officers visited the Spanish
fortifications and trenches, and the Manila newspapers asserted
that the presence before the city of so many German ships enabled
the Spanish authorities and the people of Manila to regard the
American fleet with complacency.
On June 27 the McCulloch met the Irene, one of the German fleet,
at Corregidor island, preparing to enter the bay, and signaled to
her: "We wish to communicate with you." The Irene paid no
attention to the signal, and proceeded on her way until a small
boat was sent out to her from the McCulloch. The captain of the
Irene explained the matter by saying that he had misunderstood the
signal. The action of the Irene in interfering with the attack by
the insurgent vessel, Filipinas, on the Spanish garrison at Isla
Grande, in Subig bay, was in line with the attitude adopted by the
German naval officers.
The Filipinas, a steamer of about 700 tons, loaded with a half
cargo of tobacco, was in hiding in the coves around Subig bay. She
was owned and officered by Spaniards, but her crew was a native
one. The crew mutinied and killed the twelve officers. They then
took charge of the ship and hoisted the insurgent flag. On the
shore of Subig bay, and chiefly in the town of Subig, were 400
Spanish soldiers. As the insurgent forces on the land began to
close in on them they fled in a body to the Isla de Grande, near
the mouth of Subig bay, taking with them 100 sick and about 100
women. They retained their small arms and had only one Maxim gun.
The insurgents hoped to starve them into submission. About this
time the Filipinas incident occurred, whereby she passed from the
Spanish to the insurgents. Two hundred insurgent soldiers took the
ship and approached the island and fired on the Spaniards. Their
firing was ineffective, but after awhile the Spaniards, probably
realizing the ultimate hopelessness of their position, hoisted the
white flag. At almost the same time the German cruiser approached
from within the bay and the Spaniards hauled down the white flag,
for they evidently had reason to hope for interference by the
Germans. The German ship at once advanced to the Filipinas and
said that the flag she flew was not recognized, and if it were not
at once hauled down and a white one substituted she would be taken
with her crew to Manila as prisoners. The Filipinas at once hauled
down the insurgent flag, hoisted the white one and started
immediately south to Manila bay. All this happened July 6. She
arrived off the American flagship late in the evening and the
insurgents at once reported the matter to the admiral.
DEWEY PROTECTS THE INSURGENTS.
Admiral Dewey sent the insurgent ship into a safe anchorage. At 12
o'clock midnight the Raleigh and Concord quietly drew up their
anchors and left the bay. They proceeded at once to Subig bay,
fired several times on the island, where the Spaniards were, and
the latter promptly surrendered. The Irene had disappeared when
they arrived, although she had been in Subig bay for several days
for the expressed purpose of protecting German interests. The
Concord then returned to report to Admiral Dewey and find out what
should be done with the 600 Spaniards captured. The Raleigh
remained at Subig on guard. During the 7th the insurgent leader,
Mr. Seyba, came out to the flagship for permission to take the
Filipinas and go to Subig for the purpose of capturing the island.
The admiral told him that it had already been done. Seyba went
aboard the Filipinas with a strong force of men and left the
harbor.
The Concord, when she returned to report the matter to the
admiral, bore a letter from Captain Coghlan of the Raleigh begging
that the Spaniards captured be made American prisoners, and that
they be not turned over to the insurgents, as Admiral Dewey's
original orders demanded. The Concord was sent back with
instructions to turn the prisoners over to Aguinaldo, but he
exacted an ironclad promise that they should be well and carefully
cared for.
Finally Admiral Dewey sent an officer to the German flagship with
a request that Admiral Diederichs make a statement of the German
attitude in the matter of the blockade of Manila. The German
admiral sent an immediate explanation. Two days later, however, he
sent a protest to Admiral Dewey against the action of American
officers in boarding German ships coming to Manila from Marivles.
He cited the incident of the McCulloch and the Irene at
Corregidor.
Admiral Dewey replied to this very courteously but very firmly. He
pointed out to the German admiral that international law gave to
the commander of a blockading fleet authority to communicate with
all ships entering a blockaded port. As international law
permitted warships to fly any flag they chose in order to deceive
the enemy, the nationality of vessels entering the bay could not
be absolutely determined without communicating with them. For the
German admiral's further information Admiral Dewey told him that
if Germany was at peace with the United States the German naval
officers would have to change their methods, and that if Germany
was at war with his nation he desired to know it at once in order
that he might act accordingly.
The Philippine insurgents under Aguinaldo continued their savage
attacks, and gradually closed in on the city of Manila. They were
working independently of the American forces under General
Merritt, and it was apparent that they did not intend to recognize
American authority. The Spanish residents of Manila, fearing that
the capture of the city by Aguinaldo would be followed by pillage
and slaughter, appealed to the captain-general to surrender to the
American forces, but that official was determined to resist, in
the face of the fact that resistance could only delay defeat.
BATTLE IN A STORM.
On the night of July 31 the soil of the Philippines was drenched
with American blood. Our troops were strengthening their position
near the Spanish fort guarding the southern approach to Manila, in
the suburbs of that city. The Spanish, knowing their situation to
be growing every day more hopeless, made a concerted sortie on the
American right flank, held by the 10th Pennsylvania troops. The
scene of the battle was at a place called Malate, which is located
half way between Cavite and the city of Manila. Here General
Greene was in command of 4,000 men. The arrival of the third
expedition filled the Spaniards with rage, and they determined to
give battle before Camp Dewey could be re-enforced. In the midst
of a raging typhoon, with a tremendous downpour of rain, 3,000
Spanish soldiers attempted to surprise the camp. The American
pickets were driven in and the trenches assaulted. The
Pennsylvania troops did not flinch, but stood their ground under a
withering fire. The alarm spread and the 1st California regiment,
with two companies of the 3rd artillery, who fought with rifles,
were sent up to re-enforce the Pennsylvanians. The enemy was on
top of the trenches when these re-enforcements arrived, and never
was the discipline of the regulars better demonstrated than by the
work of the 3rd artillery under Captain O'Hara. Nothing could be
seen but the flash of Mauser rifles. The Utah battery, under
Captain Young, covered itself with glory. The men pulled their
guns through mud axle deep, and poured in a destructive enfilading
fire.
The enemy was repulsed and retreated in disorder. Our infantry had
exhausted its ammunition and did not follow. Not an inch of ground
was lost, but the scene in the trenches was one never to be
forgotten. During the flashes of lightning the dead and wounded
could be seen lying in blood-red water, but neither the elements
of heaven nor the destructive power of man could wring a cry of
protest from the wounded. They encouraged their comrades to fight
and handed over their cartridge belts.
The fighting was renewed on the night of August 1, and again the
following evening, but the enemy had been taught a lesson, and
made the attacks at long range with heavy artillery. The total
American loss was fourteen killed and forty-four wounded. The
Spaniards had 350 killed and over 900 wounded.
On August 5 the Spaniards again attacked the American outworks.
The trenches were occupied by a battalion each of the 14th and
23rd regulars and Nebraska volunteers, the latter holding the
extreme right and a company of regulars the extreme left. They
returned the Spanish fire and the battle lasted for a half an
hour. Three Americans were killed, and eleven wounded, four of
them seriously.
THE CITY SURRENDERS.
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt sent an ultimatum to the authorities
in Manila on Monday, August 8, notifying them that at the expiration of
forty-eight hours the land and naval forces of the American army would
attack the city, unless they surrendered before that time. When this
time had expired the Spaniards asked an extension of one day more, in
order that they might remove their sick and wounded and the women and
children and non-combatants. This request was granted.
The foreign warships in the bay were notified of the attack, all of them
withdrawing out of range. The English and Japanese warships joined the
American fleet off Cavite, and the French and German warships steamed to
the north of the city, where they were out of range.
The attack was arranged for the 9th inst, but at the last minute
General Merritt requested that the fleet postpone the bombardment
until his lines could be extended farther around the city. Then
Admiral Dewey informed the Spaniards that the attack would be made
on Saturday; that he would destroy Fort Malate and shell the
trenches, thus destroying the opposition to the land forces
entering the city; that he would not fire on Manila unless their
guns opened on his ships, in which case he would destroy the city.
At 9 o'clock on the morning of Saturday the American fleet, with
battle flags flying at every masthead, left Cavite, the band on
the British warship Immortalite playing "El Capitan" at the
departure.
The agreement between Dewey and Merritt was to get under way with
the fleet standing toward the city at the same time the troops
pressed forward ready to force an entrance when the ships had
destroyed the forts.
With the fleet the Olympia led the way, attended by the Raleigh
and the Petrel, while the Calloa under Lieutenant Tappan and the
launch Barcolo crept close inshore in the heavy breakers.
Perfect quiet prevailed in the lines on both sides as the great
ships, cleared for action, silently advanced, sometimes hidden by
rain squalls. The Monterey, with the Baltimore, Charleston and
Boston, formed the reserve.
At 9:35 a sudden cloud of smoke, green and white against the
stormy sky, completely hid the Olympia, a shell screamed across
two miles of turbulent water and burst near the Spanish fort at
Milate San Antonio de Abad. Then the Petrel and Raleigh and the
active little Calloa opened a rapid fire directed toward the shore
end of the intrenchments. In the heavy rain it was difficult to
judge the range, and the shots at first fell short, but the fire
soon became accurate and shells rendered the fort untenable, while
the four guns of the Utah battery made excellent practice of the
earthworks and swamp to the east of the fort. The Spaniards
replied with a few shells.
Less than half an hour after the bombardment began General Greene
decided that it was possible to advance, although the signals to
cease firing were disregarded by the fleet, being invisible on
account of the rain. Thereupon six companies of the Colorado
regiment leaped over their breastworks, dashed into the swamp and
began volley firing from the partial shelter of low hedges within
300 yards of the Spanish lines. A few moments later the remaining
six companies moved along the seashore, somewhat covered by a sand
ridge formed by an inlet under the outworks of the fort, and at 11
o'clock occupied this formidable stronghold without loss.
Meanwhile the fleet, observing the movement of the troops along
the beach, withheld its fire. The bombardment had lasted exactly
an hour and a half. An hour later General Greene and his staff
proceeded along the beach, still under a hot infantry fire from
the right, where the Eighteenth regulars and the Third regular
artillery were engaging the enemy, and directed the movement for
an advance into Malate. The vicinity of the fort was uncomfortable
on account of numbers of sharpshooters in the buildings on both
sides, 200 yards distant. The forward movement was therefore
hastened, and in a few minutes the outskirts of the suburb were
well occupied and the sharpshooters were driven away.
As the Californians under Colonel Smith came up the beach their
band played the national air, accompanied by the whistling of
Mauser bullets, and during the sharpshooting continued to
encourage the men with inspiring music. Each regiment carried its
colors into action. There was considerable street fighting in the
suburbs of Malate and Ermita, but the battalion of Californians
pushed into the Luneta, a popular promenade within two hundred
yards of the moat of the citadel. Then the white flag was hoisted
at the southwest corner of the walled town. General Greene, with a
few members of his staff, galloped along the Luneta, under a sharp
scattering fire from the houses near the beach, and parleyed with
an officer who directed him along to the gate, further east.
At this moment the Spanish forces, retreating from Santa Ana, came
into view, fully 2,000 strong, followed by insurgents who had
eluded General McArthur's troops, and now opened fire for a brief
period. The situation was awkward if not critical, both sides
being slightly suspicious of treachery. The Spanish troops lining
the citadel ramparts, observing the insurgents' action, opened
fire on the Californians, killing one and wounding three. The
confusion, however, soon ceased by the advance of the retreating
Spaniards to the esplanade, when General Greene ordered them to
enter the citadel.
Soon a letter was brought from the captain general requesting the
commander of the troops to meet him for consultation.
General Greene immediately entered with Adjutant General Bates.
Meanwhile, according to arrangement, the moment the white flag was
shown, General Merritt, who occupied the steamer Zafiro as
temporary corps headquarters, sent General Whittier, with Flag
Lieutenant Brumby, ashore to meet the captain general and discuss
first a plan of capitulation. General Whittier found the officials
much startled by the news that the attack was still vigorously
continuing along the whole line, the American troops even
threatening the citadel.
SPANISH TROOPS MASSED.
All available Spanish troops were immediately massed in the
vicinity of the palace, awaiting the succession of events,
concerning which a certain degree of anxiety was evident.
General Merritt entered with his staff at 3 o'clock. The situation
was then better understood, and a conference with General Jaudenes
was held. The terms agreed on were as follows:
An agreement for the capitulation of the Philippines.
A provision for disarming the men who remain organized under the
command of their officers, no parole being exacted.
Necessary supplies to be furnished from the captured treasury
funds, any possible deficiency being made good by the Americans.
The safety of life and property of the Spanish soldiers and
citizens to be guaranteed as far as possible.
The question of transporting the troops to Spain to be referred to
the decision of the Washington government, and that of returning
their arms to the soldiers to be left to the discretion of General
Merritt.
Banks and similar institutions to continue operations under
existing regulations, unless these are changed by the United
States authorities.
Lieutenant Brumby, immediately after the terms of capitulation had
been signed, hurried off to lower the Spanish flag--in reality to
lower all Spain's flags in the Philippines by taking down one. He
was accompanied by two signal men from the Olympia.
This little party found its way after great difficulty into Fort
Santiago in the northern portion of the walled city.
There a large Spanish flag was flying. Grouped about it were many
Spanish officers. Brumby's presence there in the victorious
uniform attracted a crowd from the streets.
RAISES THE STARS AND STRIPES.
They hissed as he approached to haul down the flag. Then the stars
and stripes rose in place of the other.
Many of those present wept bitterly as the flag of the victorious
stranger climbed into place above the fort.
Fearing that the crowd might lower "old glory," Lieutenant Brumby
asked an American infantry officer to move up a detachment to
guard it. Fortunately, he met a company coming up with a band.
The infantrymen presented arms and the band played "The Star-Spangled
Banner," accompanied by the cheers of the soldiers, in which many of the
residents of the city joined.
The total American loss in the day's battle was eight killed and
thirty-four wounded. The Spaniards had 150 killed and over 300
wounded.
The Americans took 11,000 prisoners, 7,000 being Spanish regulars;
20,000 Mauser rifles, 3,000 Remingtons, eighteen modern cannon and
many of the obsolete pattern.
Great credit was given to General Merritt for his plan of attack,
which was successfully carried out in every detail under unusually
complicated conditions. Nor was commendation withheld from Chief
of Staff General Babcock for his expert co-operation in the
admirably conceived strategy. Prompt action and strictly following
fully detailed orders resulted in every case in the immediate
settlement of every difficulty, however threatening. The conduct
of the Spanish was in a few cases reprehensible, such as their
setting fire to the gunboat Cebu and the destruction of several
armed launches and boats after the capitulation had been agreed
upon.
It fell to the lot of Admiral Dewey to open and to close the
active operations of the war. His destruction of the Spanish fleet
was the first engagement of the war. After fighting had ceased in
the western hemisphere, under instructions from the President in
accordance with the peace agreement, Admiral Dewey forced Manila
to surrender under fire of the guns of his fleet.