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GLORIOUS VICTORY FOR
AMERICAN ARMS AT MANILA.
IN TWO TERRIBLE NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS DEWEY UTTERLY ROUTS
THE SPANISH FLEET.
The Spaniards’ Flagship Completely Wrecked.
American Commander’s Withering Fire Mows Down the Enemy’s Forces—
Spaniard’s Loss Was Very Heavy—Exact Amount of Damage Not
Known.—Nothing Official Heard up Till Noon on
Thursday.
Commander Dewey, of the United States Asiatic squadron, arrived off Manila, capital
of the Philippine Islands, Saturday night after dark, and forcing a passage early Sunday
morning, he took up positions and opened up a strong fire on Fort Cavite and the
arsenel.
The forts from shore answered with their batteries, while outside the bay the Spanish
fleet stole up on the attacking force and opened fire.
There was a terrific interchange of shots, but it soon became evident that the Spanish
admiral, Montejo, was coping with a superior enemy, and the Americans’ well-directed
shots soon began to tell on his ships and men.
The Spaniards seemed paralyzed with excitement and fear, their projectiles fell wide
of the mark, there was confusion on board, orders were misunderstood and at every
point there was half-hearted work.
Against them was an enemy fighting for their lives.
The neutrality decree of Great
Britain had driven Commander Dewey and his seven vessels out of Hong Kong ; he had
sailed over 600 miles from that port to Manila ; Japan hal in the meantime closed her
ports to the fleet by a neutrality decree ; homeless and friendless, without a port of
shelter to the right or to the left, with only the sky above and the water beneath, Com-
mander Dewey had the alternative of wasting his coal and supplies, and drifting, drift-
ing, perhaps to become prey to the Spaniards, or of seizing the enemy’s stronghold and
using it as a base of supplies and for future operations.
the watchword, ‘Remember the Maine.”’
Dewey chose the latter alternative.
the spirit of every man in his fleet.
His was the spirit to door die.
And over and above it all was
And this was
When the American vessels sighted Manila the command was given, ‘‘Strip for ac-
tion.”” No excitement, no confusion.
Coolly and carefully the final preparations were
made, and though there was evident prospect of action, no demonstration was made,
no unnecessary word was spoken.
There was intense but subdued excitement.
As the ports of Manila and Cavite hove into sight the guns of the two advance cruisers
were trained on the battery of Manila and fired an eight-inch prejectile each. The first
two shots fell short of the mark. Not so, however, the next two.
The American gun-
ners’ aim sent them with unerring accuracy against the works, and there was a crumb-
ling of old stones and mortar and a great cloud of dust.
The shore batteries returned fire, but their aim was inaccurate, and their projectile
simply whizzed through the rigging.
In the meantime the rear vessels of the squadron were made the target of the guns of
the Spanish squadron which, hitherto in hiding, had sailed into sight around the upper
end of the bay.
Commander Dewey, standing on the bridge of his flagship, the Olympia, directed his
efforts to the Spanish flagship, the Renia Maria Christiana, carrying the Spanish Admir-
al Montejo.
He opened a whithering fire upon her.
His six-inch and eight-inch guns
did the most awful work. His rapid fire guns describing a semi-circle crashed through
the Christiana’s rigging and swept the Spaniards completely off their feet. Finally a
great shell was hurled against the ironclad, which landed squarely on the deck, scatter-
ing death on every hand. The Spaniards’ fire grew weaker and weaker, and their shots
became more and more scattered.
Suddenly a great tongue of flame burst out of the
Christiana’s vitals ; her commander, Captain Codaiso, already lay stretched upon the
deck a corpse. Admiral Mentejo, seeing all hope gone, and desiring to escape the cap-
tain’s fate, hurriedly gave orders to quit the ship, and boarding his launch, he transfer-
red his flag to the Isle de Cuba, while the Christiana was left to her fate.
The Spanish squadron now withdrew and Commander Dewey, though not suffering
serious damage to his ships, had a number of wounded men, whom he desired to land
on the west side of the bay. While he was trying to effect a landing the Spanish fleet,
which had apparently withdrawn, again moved up and opened fire.
Catching Com-
mander Dewey unawares, their first shots caused loss of life and some injury to the
Americans.
But Dewey’s recovery was instant. A broadside was now poured into Montejo’s fleet,
and rapid fire guns fairly swept everything in range. Another shell and the Don Juan
de Austria’s commander fell mortally wounded, while with a thunderous roar his ves-
sel was blown into the air.
Meantime the batteries at Cavite were not silent. They poured a steady storm of
shot and shell into the attacking fleet.
Some fell wide, some struck.
The battle now became a desperate one. Commander Dewey had not only the Span-
ish squadron’s fire to contend with, but that of the forts of Manila and Cavite.
‘‘fire, fire, fire.”” And there was fire.
It was
The Spanish vessels Mindoro and Velasco re-
ceived a broadside, and were so badly damaged they withdrew.
Flames burst out of the Spanish cruiser Castilla, and the other ships withdrew from
the battle, but not until a number of the smaller ones were sunk rather than to fall into
the enemy's hands.
The extent of the damage cannot at this writing be obtained. One thing, however, 1s
certain that the Spaniards loss both as to men and ships is very large.
So far as can be learned none of the American vessels were sunk, and they are all able
to proceed.
THE CABLE CUT AND NO OFFICIAL NEWS HAS YET BEEN RECEIVED.
Commodore Dewey had orders from Washington to seize Manila if necessry and it it
supposed that the stars and stripes are now waving over the Philippines. No word
has come from the commander since the engagement because the cable at Manila that
connects with Hong Kong was in the hands of the Spanish and has been cut about 50
miles from Manila at a point on the coast where it enters the water.
mation that is had comes from Spanish sources, but that was suffisient to insure us th
The only infor-
at
Dewey had a glorious victory, though the country will not be at ease until it knows
what loss he suffered in the engagement.
A special cablegram to the WATCHMAN from Hong Kong on Wednesd
ay announced
that Dewey’s dispatch boat, the Hugh McCullogh, had been sighted entering Muirs
bay, 20 miles below that city in the morning, but there must have heen a mistake in
the boat as a message from Washington, at noon yesterday—Thursday—stated that no
word had been received from Dewey at the department up to that hour.
THE SHIPS THAT WERE ENGAGED.
Following is a description of the Ameri-
can ships, exclusive of their secondary bat-
teries :
CRUISER OLYMPIA—Built in 1892, steel,
5,800 tons, 21.6 knots; protected by a steel
deck 2 to 4.7 inches in thickness, 4-inch ar-
mor on barbettes and bands, 5 inches on
two conning towers, 5-inch gun shields,
and a cellulose belt, in addition to coal pro-
tection ; four 8-inch breech and 10 5-inch
quick-fire rifles in main battery.
CRUISER RALEIGH—Built in 1889, steel,
3,183 tons, 19 knots; protected deck, pro-
tected on conning tower and sponsors, and
a cellulose belt ; one 6-inch and 10 5-inch
rifles, all quick fire, in main battery.
CRUISER BALTIMORE — Built in 1888,
steel, 4,000 tons, 20 knots ; deck and coal
protection, three inches of steel in conning
tower, and shield on all guns; four 8-inch
and six 6-inch breech-loading rifles in main
battery.
CRUISER BOSTON—Built in 1884, steel,
3,189 toms, 15 knots; partial steel deck;
two 8-inch and six 6-inch rifles in main
battery.
GUNBOAT CONCORD—Built in 1890, steel,
1,700 tons, 17 knots ; protected steel deck
and coal proteciion; six 6-inch rifles in
main battery.
GUNBOAT PETREL—Built in 1888, steel,
800 toms, 13 knots; protection deck and
Fun shields : four 6-inch rifles in main bat-
ry.
The Hugh McCulloch is a dispatch bo;
whose description corresponds = that he
large modern gunboat. The Nanshan is a
store ship and the Zafiro a collier.
THE SPANISH BOATS.
The Spanish boats near Manila are de-
scribed as follows :
CRUISER REINA CHRISTIINA—Built i
It rags 3090 ons, 14 to 17.5 knots, a
ording to drau : i i
i Jn 4 ght ; main battery of six
CRUISER CASTILLA—Built in 1881, wood
3,342 tons, 14 knots; four 5.9-inch i
nd two 4.7-inch Krupps in her main bat-
ery.
CRUISER VELASCO—Built in 1881, iron
1,139 tons ; three 6-inch A i r
aj ( rmstrengs in her
CRUISER DON JUAN DE AUSTRIA—Fin-
ished in 1887, iron, 1,152 tons, 13 to 14
knots ; four 4.7-inch rifles in her main bat-
tery.
GUNBOATS PARAGUA, CALLAO, SA-
MAR, PAMPAGNA and ARAYAT-Built
in the ’80s, steel, 137 tons, 10 knots; each
mounting two quick-fire guns, caliber un-
known.
GUNBOATS MARIVELES and MINDO-
RO—Built in 1886 and 1885, iron, 142 YDo:
10 knots ; each mounting one 2.7-inch rifle
and four machine guns.
GUNBOAT MANILENO—Built in 1887,
Pood, 142 tons, 9 knots; mounting 3.5 inch
rifles.
GUNBOATS EL CANO and GENERAL
LEZO—Built in 1885, iron, 528 tons, 10 to
nearly 12 knots ; each mounting three 4.7-
inch rifles.
GUNBOAT MARQUIS DEL DUERO—Built
in 1875, iron, 500 tons, 10 knots ; mounting
one 6.2-inch and two 4.7-inch rifles.
Commodore Dewey's flagship, the Olym-
pia, is one of the fleetest and most formida-
ble cruisers in the American navy. She
ranks next to the Minneapolis and Colum-
bia, and is equipped with half a dozen tor-
pedo tubes. >
The American commander was peculiar-
ly fit for the emergency. For some time
previons to being assigned to the Asiatic
squadron he was president of the naval
construction board and conducted the trial
of a number of warships. He had super-
vision of the deep sea or final trials. He
saw their batteries and engines tested and
knows every detail of a battleship thor-
oughly.
The question is already being discussed
as to what shall be done with the Philip-
pines. The suggestion is frequently made
that they be sold to. partially reimburse
the United States for the expenses or the
war, but it is not probable the government
has even considered that problem.
It is believed Germany would like ex-
ceedingly to own the Philippines for a base
of operations in the Orient, and it is
thought Great Britain would trade valua-
ble possessions nearer the United States for
the Spanish islands to prevent an European
rival from gaining possession of them. It
is not likely the administration would en-
tertain a proposition to retain them perma-
nently.
Anxious for Details of the Great Battle.
Commodore's Dispatch Boat Expected Momentarily
at Hong Kong.—Philippine Cable is Cut.—Madrid
Officials Notified of the Bombardment of Manila.
Portion of the Town was Burning.—British Praise
the Consummate Skill of the U. 8. Commander,
Hoxé KoxG, May 3.—The dispatch
boat from Commodore Dewey’s fleet is
expected here now at any moment, and
there is intense anxiety to learn direct from
the gallant commander the details of his
engagement with the Spanish squadron off
Manila.
Inquiries show that the cable from Ma-
nila was cut at 10 o’clock yesterday morn-
ing, and it has therefore been impossible
to get informatian from the Philippines
since that time. The officials of the cable
company say that according to their tests
from this place, the cable was cut 50 miles
from Manila. They think that a week or
even a fortnight . may elapse before it
can be repaired, as there are no facilities
there to repair the cable, and that in any
event it will be a difficult task to pick up
the cable in deep water.
LoNDON, May 3.—A special dispatch
from Madrid says that the Spanish colonial
office had advices of the beginning of the
bombardment of Manila before the cable
was cut, and that they said :
“Thus far the American shells have not
reached the town proper, which is strongly
protected. Only the outlaying native
quarters have suffered. They are now in
flames. Occasionally a shell fell into the
European town, where a few houses were
struck. The batteries of the citadel, es-
pecially the six guns, are vigorously reply-
ing to the American fire and have inflicted
considerable damage on the fleet.”
The first lord of the admirality, George
Goshen, answering a question to-day in the
house of commons on the subject, said the
government had no information regarding
the reported hombardment and destruction
of Manila. He added that full arrange-
ments had been made to protect British
interests there, and to force neutrality in
Cuban waters, and that men-of-war would
be sent to the Canary islands.”
The majority of the important British
provincial papers to-day pay warm tribute
to the conduct of Commore Dewey and the
United States fleet at Manila. The Leeds
Mercury says: ‘‘The operations of the United
States squadron were skillfully planned
and courageously executed. It was a dar-
ing operation, entering the bay under cover
of darkess.’’
The Bradford Observer says: ‘It was a
singularly daring exploit, and it will rank
high in naval annals, not in America mere-
ly, but throughout the world.’’
Bayamo Evacuated.
As General Pando Moved Out of the Important
Cuban Town Garcia Went in,
MoONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, via Kingston,
Jamaica, May 3.—General Pando, com-
mander of the Spanish forces in the field,
withdrew the Spanish garrison from Baya-
mo, one of. the most important towns of
the province of Santiago de Cuba, April
25th, and refugees from Manzanillio, the
port Bayamo, say that General Calixto
Garcia, the insurgent command, occupied
the town the next day. Bayamo, or San
Salvador, is situated about 60 miles north-
west of the city of Santiago de Cuba. It
has a population of about 7,000.
Death Blow to Spain.
Italian Admiral’s View of the Loss of Philippines.—
Austrian Emperor Pleading Again.
RoME, May 3.—The overwhelming and
crushing defeat of the Spanish fleet at Man-
ila is being most actively discussed here,
especially in official circles. Admiral
Amezaya says the loss of the Philippine
islands will be a mortal blow to Spain.
The Austria emperor has again written
the allied sovereigns, for intervention on
behalf of Spain. The Italian government
is not at all disposed to interfere, and the
other powers have taken no action what-
ever.
Turkey Stands Neutral.
So Informs United States Minister James B. Angell.
Greeks Eager to Enlist for America.
CONSTANTINOPLE, May 3rd.—The porte
has notified United States Minister J. B.
Angell that Turkey will remain strictly neu-
tral in the war between Spain and the
United States.
The American legation has received more
than 2,000 offers of volunteers for the
American navy, chiefly of Greeks, some of
whom declare themselves ready to pay
their fare to the United States in greatful
remembrance of America’s aid in the
Greek war of independence.
The Capture a Daring One.
KEY WEsT, May 2.—One of the most
important captures made since the out-
break of hostilities was that of the Spanish
steamer Argunauta by the gunboat Nash-
ville last Friday, news of which reached
here to-night when the warship arrived.
The Argunauta had on board Colonel Cori-
jo, of the Third Spanish cavalry, his first
lieutenant surgeon major, seven other lieu-
tenants and ten privates and non-commis-
sioned officers. All were held as prisoners
of war.
The steamer also carried a large cargo of
arms and Mauser ammunition. She was
bound from Banabano, Spain, for Cien-
fuegos. ;
Nominations of Generals.
The Ones Taken from Civil Life are Wilson, Lee,
Sewell and Wheeler.
WASHINGTON, May.—The Senate in ex-
ecutive session to-day confirmed all the
nominations of Major Generals which had
been sent in earlier in the day by the Pres-
ident. In the case of Senator Sewell the
confirmation was immediate, the Senate
following its usual custom of acting upon
the nomination of a fellow member without
any reference to the committee. The other
names were referred to the committee on
military affairs, and were almost immedi-
ately afterwards favorably reported, the
committee’s vote being taken in the Senate
chamber. Confirmation followed in all
cases, except in that of General Wilson.
Senators Bacon and Lindsay took occasion
to speak of him in complimentary terms,
Senator Bacon relating that, during the
war of the rebellion, he had been captured
by General Wilson, who was at that time
an officer in the Federal army, while Mr.
Bacon was a Confederate. He said he was,
therefore, able to speak from experience
when he testified to General Wilson’s capa-
city as a soldier and character as a man.
The four Major Generals appointed from
civil life are James H. Wilson, of Delaware ;
Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia; William, J.
Sewell, of New Jersey, and John Wheeler,
of Alabama.
Those promoted to be Major Generals
from the military are : Brigadier General
Joseph C. Breckenridge, Inspector General;
Brigadier General Elwell S. Otis, Brigadier
General John J. Coppinger, Brigadier
General William R. Shafter, Brigadier Gen-
eral William M. Graham, Brigadier Gen-
eral James F. Wade and Brigadier General
Henry C. Merriam.
Mail for the Soldiers.
Postoffice Department Will See that they are Serv-
ed Promptly.
WASHINGTON, May 2.—The soldier boys
in the field are not going to be cut off from
communication with their mothers, sisters,
wives and sweethearts at home if postmas-
ter general Smith can help it. The post-
master general to-day completed arrange-
ments by which mail will be distributed
regularly to all the troops in camp, and
those that form the army of invasion in
Cuba will be looked after. Mail for the
boys at the different camps of concentra-
tion will be forwarded to the postoffice
nearest those camps, to which it will be
conveyed in ambulance wagons and dis-
tributed to the troops under the supervis-
ion of two postoffice inspectors stationed
there for that purpose.
The army of invasion in Cuba will have
along with it a special agent of the post-
office department, who will see to the mail
for the troops. William A. Gaitree, of
Ohio, who has been for several months one
of the inspectors in charge of free rural de-
livery works, has been appointed special
agent to accompany the troops to Cuba.
Mr. Gaitree is a friend of the President,
and held office at Columbus while major
McKinley was Governor of Ohio.
Honor for Dewey.
Joint Resolution to Make Him a Full-Fledged Admiral.
WASHINGTON, May 3.—Representative
Grout, of Vermont, to-day introduced the
following joint resolution :
‘‘ Resolved, Whereas the intrepidity and
skill displayed by Commodore George
Dewey in his daring attack upon the Span-
ish fleet in Manila harbor and its total de-
struction, covered as it was by the protect-
ing guns of surrounding forts, marks him
as the possessor of high qualities as a naval
commander ; therefore,
‘Resolved, That he ought to be promoted
to the rank of admiral, and the President
is hereby authorized to nominate him for
that rank to the Senate, which body is
hereby authorized to confirm him, the gen-
eral laws regulating promotions in the
navy to the contrary notwithstanding.”
Cienfuegos Bombarded.
Marblehead Silenced the Batteries and Shelled the
Town.
NEW YORK, May 5.—A special to the
Press from Key West says : Cienfuegos has
been hombarded. Not only did the Mar-
blehead silence the batteries of the town on
the afternoon of April 29th, but shelled
the town itself, playing havoc with the
buildings and driving thousands of the in-
habitants to the interior.
The shooting at the forts was at 4,000
yards. As soon as the forts were disabled
Captain McCalla ordered that the five-inch
guns be given an elevation to reach the
8,000 yards.
The firing began with the starboard bhat-
teries, followed by the ports.
Will Go to Sea Soon.
OLD POINT COMFORT, Va., May 4.—(On
hoard the flagship Brooklyn, off Fort Mon-
roe.)—It is the general expectation here
that the flying squadron will go to sea
within twenty-four hours, or as soon as the
cruiser New Orleans arrives. Commodore
Schley has been notified that the cruiser
Columbia has heen detached from the
squadron and that the New Orleans will
take her place. The Minneapolis has not
yet been officially detached and she may
yet join the squadron. On the ships to-
day fire and collision drills were gone
through with in remarkable shape.
Supplies to Dewey.
Ships With Coal and Ammunition Will Sail at Once.
WASHINGTON, May 3.—At the cabinet
meeting to-day it was decided that the gov-
ernment will take steps at once to supply
Commodore Dewey’s fleet with provisions,
ammunition and coal, and will dispatch at
the earliest possible moment a sufficient
number of ships to supply all possible
needs of the Asiatic squadron. One ship
has. been secured already as a collier. It
will take her about three weeks to reach
Manila.
Martial Law in Madrid.
LoNDoN, May 3.—A special dispatch
from Madrid says that martial law has
been proclaimed there. The customary
proclamation was posted at midnight. A
dispatch from Madrid, dated midnight,
says the military patrols just appeared in
Puerto Del Sol, the principal square of
Madrid. The proclamation of martial law
in Madrid is due to the attitude of certain
political parties since the news from Ma-
nos The whole garrison is ready in bar-
racks.
Will Leave for Madrid To-morrow.
ToroNTO, Ont., May 4.—Senor Polo y
Bernabe, former minister of Spain to the
United States, expects to leave for Madrid
Friday. He denies that Senor Angulo is
in constant communication with General
Blanco in Cuba, by way of Toronto, and
the Spanish legation here denies the state-
ment that he furnishes the home govern-
ment with information of movements of
American warships and troops.
War Measures Were Passed.
By the Senate Yesterday Without the Slightest De-
bate.—An Emergency Deficiency Bill.—It Carries
$35,720,945—Not More Than Ten Minutes Wer
Consumed in Passing It.
WASHINGTON, May 2.— Several war
measures were passed by the Senate to-day,
and, notwithstanding their importance,
not one of them elicited the slightest de-
bate. Probably the most important meas-
ure passed by the Senate was the emergency
war deficiency bill, carrying $35,720,945.
Not more than ten minutes were consumed
in passing it, that time being occupied in
reading the measure. Mr. Hawley, chair-
man of the military affairs committee,
secured the passage of a bill providing for
the enlistment of a volunteer brigade of
engineers and of 10,000 men in the South
who are immune to yellow fever, these en-
listments to be in addition to those provided
for in the President’s call for 125,000 vol-
unteers. The men will enlist ‘“‘for the
war.”’ :
Two other war measures were passed,
one suspending for the duration of the war
the restrictions placed by existing laws
upon the quartermaster’s department of
the army, in order that supplies may be pur-
chased without the present formalities, and
the other providing that owners of mining
claims shall not forfeit them for not per-
forming assessment work upon them, pro-
vided they enlist for the war. The war
revenue measure passed by the House of
Representatives last Friday was received
by the Senate and referred to the finance
committee for consideration.
National Debt Grows.
Net Increase for the Month of Nearly Ten Million
Dollars.
WASHINGTON, May 2.—The monthly
statement of the public debt issued to-day
shows that at the close of business April
30th, 1898, the debt, less cash in the treas-
ury, amounted to $1,018,432,652, an in-
crease for the month of $9,716,301. This
increase in the debt is accounted for by a
corresponding decrease in the cash on hand,
and the decrease in the cash is due to war
expenditures. The debt is recapitulated
as follows :
Interest bearing debt, $847,367,010).
Debt on which interest has ceased since
maturity, $1,280,680.
Debt bearing no interest, $385,595,584.
Total, $1,234,243,274.
This amount, however, does not include
$564,306,933 in certificates and treasury
notes outstanding, offset by an equal
amount of cash on hand.
The cash in the treasury is recapitulated
as follows :
Gold, $217,190,135.
Silver, $512,694,282.
Paper, $70,526,048.
Bonds, disbursing officers’ balances, ete.,
$30,507,395. ;
Total, $831,117,862, against which there
are outstanding demand liabilities amount-
ing to $615,307,240, leaving the net cash
balance in the treasury $215,810,622.
K. G. E, Parade Day, Scranton.
Reduced Rates Via Pennsylvania Railroad.
For the benefit of persons desiring to wit-
ness the K. G. E. parade at Scranton, May
10th, 1898, the Pennsylvania railroad com-
pany will sell excursion tickets from sta-
tions on its line (except Pittsburg, and
Erie stations east of Trenton, Bordentown
and Mt. Holly), to Scranton and return at
rate of single fare for the round trip.
These tickets will be sold May 9th and 10th,
good to return May 11th. i :
ADDITIONAL LOCALS.
CENTRE COUNTY SONS IN THE FEDERAL
SERVICE.—The war with Spain has de-
veloped the fact that Centre county has more |
soldiers and sailors in the federal service
than any one had an idea of. To start with
there are the fifty-five men and three officers
of Co. B, who enlisted at Mt. Gretna, on
Tuesday. Then there is Roland I. Curtin,
on the ‘““Wasp,”” who was promoted to the
rank of ensign by an order promulgated
from the navy department on Wednesday.
John Schromb is one of the crew of the
‘“Terror’’ and will participate in the prize
money won by that monitor by the capture
of several Spanish boats. George Runkle
is on the new auxiliary cruiser St. Paul
commanded by Capt. Sigsbee, of the ill-
fated ‘‘Maine.’”’ David Potter, of Bridgeton,
N. J., 18a boy who has many relatives in
Centre county, and he has lately been
made paymaster on the ram ‘‘Katahdin.”’
Dale Musser, son of W. H. Musser, of
this place, enlisted last Friday and was
assigned to the auxiliary cruiser ‘‘San
Francisco’”” now being fitted up in the
Brooklyn navy yard.
Probably the Centre countian who has
attracted most attention lately is Lieut.
H. W. Whitney, of the 4th U. 8. artillery,
who succeeded in reaching the camp of
Gen. Gomez on the evening of April 28th.
He carried letters to the insurgent com-
mander, and instructions from General
Miles of the United States army. The
final object is to get the insurgent forces
massed at some point on the coast, and
effect a junction with the American army
that will be landed there in afew days.
Lieut. Whitney 1s a son of Rev. W. P.
Whitney, who formerly was the Methodist
minister on the Half Moon circuit. He
went to West Point from this congressional
district and his sister is now employed in
the Philipsburg telephone exchange.
Lieut. Whitney’s trip was an exciting
one. A torpedo boat from the cruiser
Marblehead landed him on Monday night
in a small bay to the west of Caibarien.
No Cuban guides were there to receive
him. They hid their saddles and equip-
ments and started inland on foot. They
had proceeded about five miles, when they
were challenged by a man who belonged
to Col. Bermudez’s column of Cuban pa-
triots. The colonel embraced the lieuten-
ant, and his staff could not do too much
for him. The colonel provided an escort,
under whose guidance Lieut. Whitney that
evening reached the insurgent camp of
Gen. Carillo, where he was enthusiastic-
ally received. At sunset the party went
into Las Ventas, a little town which has
been twice burned by the Spaniards. The
women lifted up their children to be kissed
by the American, and that Pennsylvania
boy got more things to eat than one would
dream could be gathered in a famine
stricken village.
The Spaniards had learned of his land-
ing and were on the lookout for him.
South of Placetas 200 Spanish guerillas
saw the lieutenant and his escort, and gave
chase but did not succeed in overtaking
them. That night they camped in a grove
of ceiba trees, and the next day went in
the direction of Sancti Spiritus as far as
Santa Cruze—they turned eastward, and
as they were crossing the Zaza they were
fired on by some Spanish cavalry. The
fire was returned, but the cavalry did not
follow them across the river. There was
rough, hard riding through the hills be-
fore Lieutenant Whitney and his escort
reached Managuato, where they expected
to find General Gomez—the latter had
gone to La Reforma. After partaking of a
camp banquet, the wholé party turned
northward past Taguasco and the old bat-
tlefield of Aroya Grande, where they
found General Gomez waiting for the
American. The general, as he swung off
his horse, grasped Lieut. Whitney’s hand
and exclaimed : ‘Thank God, at last!”
The ragged Cuban soldiers took the cue,
and the old sugar plantation rang with
cries of ‘Vive Cuba Libre, via las Ameri-
eans.
‘With the Soldier Boys in Camp.
Editor of WATCHMAN :
The demonstration in Bellefonte when
our company left home last weeek was
appreciated by every member of com-
pany B. It encouraged every man to
know that he had the good wishes and sup-
port of the citizens. The trip all along the
route was one continuous ovation. The
booming of cannon on every hill top, blow-
ing of whistles, ringing of bells and shouts of
the populace announced our arrival in
Tyrone, and from there until we landed at
the camping ground, thousands of people
gathered at every station and cheered the
5th Regt., on to victory and success. It was
a grand sight, only seen once during a gener-
ation and never to be forgotten.
We landed at camp Thursday morning at
5 o'clock a. m. The ground was covered with
snow and it continued to rain and snow all
day. The men were compelled to build camp
fires to keep warm and company B captured
as much wood from a great pile just across
the hill as any other company in camp and
our fire burned as brightly. The canvas was
issued at 1 o’clock and in a few hours our
tents were up and all comfortably located.
Lumber was procured in Lebanon for laying
floors ia the tents, thereby adding to the
comfort of the men.
The camp is over 3 miles long and } a mile
wide, located in Lebanon valley and along
the Lebanon and Cornwall R. R. Company
B’s quarters are on a hill overlooking part of
the camp and giving a fine view of the sur-
rounding country. The Fifth regiment was
short only one man and he had leave of ab-
sence. The health of the men is remarkable
at the present writing ; not one having been
in the hospital.
Sunday evening the 2nd brigade formed a
line of battle. The 5th Regt. was first on the
line and our company, being the color com-
pany of the Regt. led the van. We lost
one man, Solt, of Bellefonte, he was carried
to quarters and recovered in a short time.
Lieutenants Jackson and Taylor have both
been on guard duty and more competent of-
ficers cannot be found in the Regt.
We have had many distinguished visitors :
Gov. Hastings, Col. W. F. Reynolds, Col. Co-
burn, Col. J. L. Spangler, Andrew Brocker-
hoff, S. M. Buck, Capt. W. F. Reber, Hon.
John Hamilton, Dr. Frear, of State College,
C. E. Dorworth, Steelle Crissman, of Philips-
burg, John Bower, of Franklin and Marshall
college and others. Col Spangler presented
the company with two boxes of ammunition
and the boys started immediately to burn
Havana.
The boys have performed every duty im-
posed upon them without grumbling. The
muster was made Tuesday at 12 o’clock,
when Gov. Hastings stepped before the of-
ficers of the company and asked them their
intention as to volunteering into the United
States service. They all answered that they
would, whereupon he said : ‘Iam pleased to
commission each one of you to your respec-
tive offices and your commission will be
forthcoming.”” Then the roll was called and
55 men answered ‘Yes ;”’ and 5, “No.”
Dr. Hayes has proven himself a thorough
soldier and he is keeping the camp in good
condition, in fact our regimental streets and
quarters are the best in the division, so they
are pronounced by the division officer of the
day.
Sam Graham and W. H. Hess, of Philips-
burg, are new recruits and members of Co. B
and are proving themselves very apt. Sergt.
Maj. Boyd A, Musser is very frequently seen
in B quarters and he‘is doing efficient work
and stands well in the regiment. The boys
are all well and have reported for every
drill. N. B. Spangler has been performing
duty at regimental headquarters for Col.
Burchfield at various times. He isan effi-
cient and competent clerk, receiving at the last
inspection on his books and papers for Co. B
100 per cent. which grade was not equaled in
the whole regiment.
Orders have been received to recruit the
company to the number of 80 men and offi-
cers and it will go into effect in a few days.
Col. Burchfield and Col. Elder were en-
tertained by the officers of Co. Bat their
headquarters Tuesday evening.
VOLUNTEER.
Mt. Gretna, May 4th, 1893.
Madisonburg.
Mr. Young and Miss Nestlerode, from Sa-
lona, were guests of Miss Alice Nestlerode
over Sunday.
It would be a great improvement to our
town if some of the side walks were improved
and at places rebuilt.
Mrs. Sadie Wolf has on hand a fine lot of
millinery goods which will be disposed of at
low prices. Any one in need in tbat line
will do well to call on her.
Mrs. John Bailey, aged eighty, was laid to
rest in the Union cemetery last week. She
leaves a husband and one son to mourn her
death. The death occurred at Wilson Ha-
zel’s.
Rev. Geo. W. Bosley, of Washington, D.
C., preached in the town hall on Sunday af-
ternoon and intended to lecture on Mon-
day evening, but on account of disagreeable
weather no lecture was given.
On Saturday our town was enlivened by
the hoisting of the banner of freedom oppo-
site the school-house. Every soul seems to
be animated by the spark of liberty and
ready to defend her honor.