Guam's Seizure by the United States in 1898

Abstract

THREE DAYS after the Spanish fleet was destroyed in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey and his victorious American squadron, amid the shattered hulks of the enemy vessels, were in complete control of the bay and in a position to take the city at any time. The United States commander, however, lacking a sufficient force to occupy the city effectively, decided to await the arrival of supporting troops before demanding the surrender of Manila. A cablegram was sent to the Secretary of the Navy, John D. Long, requesting the necessary reinforcements. Naturally, President William McKinley and Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War, were quite willing to co5iperate in following up the naval victory because they realized the magnitude of the results. The victorious commodore was promoted to rear admiral, and Major General Wesley Merritt was appointed commander of an American expeditionary force which was to go to the aid of Dewey. Troops destined for the Philippine expedition were sent to the newly established Camp Merritt near San Francisco, and that region was the scene of feverish training activity during the months of May, June, July, and August.' Three transports, the City of Pekin, the City of Sydney, and the Australia, finally cleared the port of San Francisco on May 25, carrying the Ist California and 2d Oregon regiments of volunteer infantry, five companies of the 14th United States Infantry, and a detachment of the Ist California Field Artillery. The force, commanded by Brigadier General Thomas M. Anderson, consisted of 115 officers and 2,386 enlisted men. Meanwhile the Charleston, which was being overhauled at the Mare Island