arely able to
return to the shelter of the point. The fires started in her by our
shells at the time were not extinguished until she sank. The three
batteries at Manila had kept up a continuous fire from the beginning
of the engagement, which fire was not returned by my squadron. The
first of these batteries was situated on the south mole-head at the
entrance of the Pasig River, the second on the south position of the
walled city of Manila, and the third at Molate, about one-half mile
further south. At this point I sent a message to the Governor-General
to the effect that if the batteries did not cease firing the city
would be shelled. This had the effect of silencing them.

"At 7:35 A.M. I ceased firing and withdrew the squadron for
breakfast. At 11:16 I returned to the attack. By this time the
Spanish flagship and almost all the Spanish fleet were in flames. At
12:30 the squadron ceased firing, the batteries being silenced and
the ships sunk, burned, and deserted.

"At 12:40 the squadron returned and anchored off Manila, the Petrel
being left behind to complete the destruction of the smaller
gunboats, which were behind the point of Cavite. This duty was
performed by Commander E.P. Wood in the most expeditious and complete
manner possible. The Spanish lost the following vessels: Sunk, Reina
Cristina, Castilla, Don Antonio de Ulloa; burned, Don Juan de
Austria, Isla de Luzon, Isla de Cuba, General Lezo, Marquia del
Duero, El Correo, Velasco, and Isla de Mindanao (transport);
captured, Rapido and Hercules (tugs), and several small launches.

"I am unable to obtain complete accounts of the enemy's killed and
wounded, but believe their losses to be very heavy. The Reina
Cristina alone had 150 killed, including the captain, and ninety
wounded. I am happy to report that the damage done to the squadron
under my command was inconsiderable. There were none killed and only
seven men in the squadron were slightly wounded. Several of the
vessels were struck and even penetrated, but the damage was of the
slightest, and the squadron is in as good condition now as before the
battle.

"I beg to state to the department that I doubt if any
commander-in-chief was ever served by more loyal, efficient, and
gallant-captains than those of the squadron now under my command.
Captain Frank Wildes, commanding the Boston, volunteered