Rear Admiral George Dewey, Commander, Asiatic Squadron, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
From...COM’D’R-IN-CHIEF
To...Secretary of Navy
Date...Manila,Aug.13,1898.
Subject...Capture of Manila.
Sent to Honkong by Zafiro Aug.14.
Manila surrendered today to our land and naval forces after a short combined attack. A division of the squadron shelled the fort and intrenchments at Malate on the south side of the city driving back enemy our army advancing on that side at the same time.1
City surrendered about 5 p.m. the United States flag being hoisted by Lieutenant Brumby2 of my staff.
About 7000 prisoners of war were taken. The squadron had no casualties no vessel injured.
On August 7th General Merritt3 and I jointly formally demanded surrender of city which the Spanish governor general refused.4
Source Note: Cy, DLC-MSS, PGD.
Footnote 1: For description of operation, see: Dewey to Long, 18 August 1898.
Footnote 2: Lt. Thomas M. Brumby.
Footnote 3: Maj. Gen. Wesley Merritt.
Footnote 4: Governor General Fermín Jáudines y Álvarez. Jáudines corresponded with Dewey and Merritt in the days leading up to the attack arrange a quick bombardment before he surrendered to preserve Spanish honor. See: Dewey to Long, 16 August 1898.
Footnote 5: The monitor, Monadnock, arrived at Manila on 16 August. See: Dewey to Long, 19 September 1898.
