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Beginning of the War.-On April 24 Congress adopted a formal declaration of war with Spain, stating that war had existed since April 21. The President had already proclaimed (April 22) the blockade of Cuban ports and ordered Admiral Sampson's squadron to enforce it. A call had been issued (April 23) for 125,000 volunteers. To meet the war expenditures a bill was passed (June) providing for the levy of stamp taxes, an inheritance tax, and a special duty on tea; for the coining of silver at the rate of $1,500,000 a month; for the issue of $400,000,000 in 3 per cent. bonds; * and for a temporary loan amounting to $100,000,000.

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REAR-ADMIRAL SAMPSON.

Progress of the War.-It was evident from the outset that the war was to be carried on mainly by naval conflicts, although Spain had a very large army in Cuba. In a naval campaign the advantage is generally with the attacking party. The Spanish fleet, on its way to the West Indies, had already gathered (April 2) at the Cape Verde Islands, where it was thoroughly equipped for active service. For what point it was heading was a question of much anxiety. It might descend upon the North Atlantic cities; and to provide against such an event Commodore Schley was ordered to patrol the coast, while the blockading squadron was to prevent the Spanish Admiral Cervera from entering the harbor of Havana. Admiral Sampson's squadron later went to keep watch in the eastern West Indies.

* Of the war bonds $200,000,000 were offered for popular subscription, but the whole issue was subscribed for in sums less than $5,000.

A part of the Pacific squadron, under Commodore (later Admiral) Dewey, lay off the coast of China. To this squadron belonged also the great battle-ship Oregon, which, against the popular judgment, was ordered to sail (March 12) from San Francisco and to join the fleet in the West Indies.

Later on, Cervera's fleet was reported (May 12) off Martinique, and it was feared that Cervera was heading to intercept the Oregon, then off the eastern coast of South America.

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The First Decisive Battle. After the search for Cervera had begun, Commodore Dewey's fleet of six warships sailed (April 27) from near Hongkong for the Philip

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pine Islands. Before daybreak on Sunday, May 1, Dewey passed quietly into the harbor and by the defenses of Manila Bay, and at sunrise opened fire upon the Spanish

war-vessels commanded by Admiral Montojo. By noon the entire Spanish squadron of ten vessels was sunk or

ADMIRAL DEWEY.

destroyed, with a loss of over 600 men killed and wounded. None of Dewey's men was killed, and but seven were wounded. This, the most remarkable naval victory on record, was followed by the promotion of Dewey to the rank of RearAdmiral, and finally to that of Admiral, of the navy.

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Destruction of Cervera's Ships. - From Martinique Cervera sailed for Cuba and quietly entered the harbor of Santiago (May 19). Schley had gone in pursuit and was soon guarding the entrance to this harbor. Sampson, after a slight bombardment of the defenses of San Juan in Puerto Rico, hurried away and joined Schley (May 30), after which the combined fleets, under the command of Sampson, bombarded without effect the defenses of Santiago Bay. It was impossible for our fleet to move into the landlocked harbor, on account of the narrowness of the channel and the existence of mines.

At this point occurred one of the most courageous and brilliant exploits of the war. Cervera's fleet was indeed "bottled up," but was not secured against a possible escape by night or during a storm. The idea was conceived of sinking the collier Merrimac to "cork" the entrance, and Naval-Constructor Hobson, with seven men, conducted the ship (June 3), under a terrific fire, to the narrowest place in the channel, where they blew a hole in her hull and sank the ship. The men were unharmed, but were captured, and soon after were exchanged.

Meanwhile there was great activity in recruiting, equipping, and moving the army. The President had called (May 25) for 75,000 additional volunteers. General Shafter's army of 18,000 was transported to a point near Santiago, where it was landed

June 20-22. On July 1 the outer defenses of Santiago, including the earth-works of El Caney and San Juan Hill, were assaulted and captured,* and after more fighting on July 2 the fall of Santiago seemed certain.

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GENERAL SHAFTER.

The doom of Santiago carried with it the fate of the Spanish fleet in the harbor. Hence Cervera was ordered to break out of the inclosure. In obedience to this order he passed through the channel imperfectly blocked by the Merrimac on Sunday morning, July 3. The fire of our war-ships was opened upon Cervera's vessels as they filed out, and within a few hours all the Spanish ships were destroyed, over 600 of the Spaniards were killed, and 1,800 were captured, including Admiral Cervera himself. The loss to the Americans was one killed and one wounded. Although the entire fleet was under the command of Sampson, it happened that when this battle began he was a few miles away, going to a conference with General Shafter. Schley, however, was in the thickest of the fight.

The Surrender of Santiago was compelled by the valor and courageous fighting of our soldiers, and in no small

* In this action "Roosevelt's Rough Riders" figured conspicuously. The Rough Riders were a regiment of volunteer cavalry recruited largely from Western cowboys and Eastern athletes.

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degree by the destruction of the Spanish war fleet. On the morning of July 3, General Shafter sent to the Spanish commander a demand for the surrender of his army and the city, and this demand was complied with on July 17. Our losses in the different engagements were 22 officers and 208 men killed; 81 officers and 1,203 men wounded; and 79 missing. The Spanish losses were estimated at 1,500 killed and wounded.

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GENERAL MILES.

The Closing Campaign in the West Indies was the expedition to Puerto Rico under General Miles, the commanding general of the army. With great skill and strategy General Miles concealed his movements and destination, and landed (July 25)

at Guanica, though he was expected to disembark near San Juan. Two minor engagements took place (Aug. 9, 10),

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