Young Peoples' History of the War with Spain

countries. If you look on a map of Asia, you will find a large group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, east of the China Sea. They ar

n, till he came to the islands east of the China Sea. Magellan took possession of them in the name of the King of Spain; for, though not a Spaniard, he was working in the interests of Spain. He gave the islands a name, but the name did not cling to them; and some time after, they were named Islas Filipinas-or, as we say in English, Philippine Islands in

, still living in many places. The Filipinos had often tried to gain their independence, but had not been successful. When they heard of the rebellion in Cuba, they thoug

mmodore Dewey, to turn his attention to the Philippine Islands. So Commodore Dewey prepared his fle

e, each ship has its own captain and other officers. Would you like to know the names of the ships that won such fame in Manila Bay? The "flagship" was the Olympia; then there were five other cruisers: the Baltimore, the Boston

hing made of wood that might be shot and splintered, was thrown overboard; for flying splinters are very dangerous on shipboard. Tables, benches, chests, and rails were thrown into

ss, with their lights covered, so that the Spaniards might not see them. Our men were doing a daring deed. They were entering a strange bay, by night, where not one of them had ever been before; they did not know the soundings, they had no h

" Admiral Dew

hem, having had notice of their approach. The Spanish ships, under Admiral Montojo, were waiting at a place called Cavité, seven miles from Manila. They were protected by batteries on the sh

of Mani

as the Spaniards began to fire, our fighting ships started forward. They did not answer the Spanish fire at first, but steamed up the bay, in a wide circle, toward the city of

al Mo

ack the Olympia. The Olympia poured such a storm of shot at her that she was compelled to turn back toward the harbor. But the Reina Christina had met her doom. As she turned, a huge shell from the Olympia struck her, set her on fire, and killed her captain and many of her men. Admiral Montojo changed his flag to another ship and came forward again, but soon had to turn back. But a moment of great peril came to the Olympia. Two fierce littl

ia" Leadin

ad done great damage to the Spaniards, and were eager to finish the battle at once. In fact, no one really knew then how much damage had been done to the Spanish fleet. The results were not known till afterward. Though the men were hopeful and in good spirits, Commodore Dewey and his staff thought the situation serious. Three of

e, that the Americans had been overcome and were leaving in o

Soon several of the Spanish ships were on fire, and some of them sank. After the Spanish fleet had been destroyed, some of our shi

ksmen. They did not aim their guns well. They lost eleven ships, and had many men killed and wou

heir feelings. Some of them cried like little children. But such tears are not childish. It is said that when the Spanish forts gave the signal of surrender, Comm

oyed Span

battle. We shall see later about its surrender. But the battle of M

called, was lying in the harbor of Hong Kong, which is an English port. After the blowing up of the Maine, which occurred in February, you will remember, he began to put his ships in

ewey's ships could not stay at Hong Kong more than twenty-four hours, so he moved

George

s to naval officers for three hundred years. He also spoke of his acquaintance with Dewey during the Civil War, and upon long cru

ean." He did not know what he was to meet in the way of resistance, but there was not a man in the fleet that doubted the outcome of the encounter. He found the Spanish fleet, fought it

y. Once a shell screamed over the Raleigh, followed by another; but the Raleigh, the Concord and the Boston answered the chal

the Fria

he men of Dewey's fleet. Before them lay the metropolis of the Philippines, walled in part like a medi?val town; the jangle of

on the

ving their distances as though performing evolutions in time of peace, the Olympia in the van, drawing nearer and nearer to the ships that flew the red and yellow flag of Spain. The shore batteries again roared defiance to the invaders, but Dewey stood quietly on the bridge of the Olympia, surrounded by the members of h

may fire when

owed her example. During the five times they passed and repassed the

ight hand side of the bay and is called Cavité. The word means a fishhook, and the promontory looks something like one. Behind Cavité and in

e Marines

rom Manila to Spain saying that they had won a great victory over the Americans; but when Dewey made the second attack, after breakfast, there was not much more for him to

nal

oys on the flagship wrote a very inte

before this letter reaches you, you will read full accounts of the battle-a battle that was hard fought and b

Boston and the Concord were sent ahead of the fleet as scouts. We expected to find the Spanish fleet and have our first engagem

trusted to luck. I was on signal watch on the aft bridge and could see everything. Not a sound was heard. At twelve o'clock we were under t

r to steady our nerves. When we were well under the guns a rocket was fired, and every man braced himself

miles to go yet, and God and the Spaniards alone knew how many ba

there was a flash and I heard the shriek of the first shell. Then almost before the shell struck, there was a spout of flame from the Raleigh, and h

-fire

hts were flashing the order to close up. At four o'clock I

sixteen minutes past five. The Spanish fleet was in sight off the navy yard. Then the fight started in earnest. For a while I thought my time had come.

iads Mili

short time, not knowing we had them whipped. As we were leaving, three ships were burning. At nine-twenty

s something wonderful when you consider the advantage they had over us. They had eleven ships to our six. Their ships could run behind a neck of land near the navy yard. The shore batteries were firing on us from three points. But

souvenirs. Two torpedo boats attempted to blow us up, but one was sunk and one

d luck as us. I wrote this on capture

ing outfit on board, and issues, at intervals, a very creditable shee

ouple of three-pounder shells, wounding six men, then across the deck, striking the cylinder of a gun, making it temporarily useless, then runni

rse of a Sp

sented with medals of honor made expressly for the purpose. The raising of Admiral Dewey's new flag on the Olympia was an interesting ceremony. As the blue bunting with its four white stars fluttered to the peak of the flagship, the crews of all the vessels in the fleet were at quarters; the officers in full dress for the occ

y Medal