Description:

Spanish-American War

1pp mimeographed copy of February 14, 1899 dispatch originally issued from Admiral George Dewey (1837-1917) to U.S.S. Boston commander George Francis Faxon Wilde (1845-1911), with lengthy description and postscript in Wilde's hand at the bottom and right side. Wilde has also underlined certain words throughout Dewey's text. In very good to near fine condition with expected folds, two partly split along creases. Overall toning. Page measures 8" x 10.5".

 

Admiral Dewey's original dispatch No. 464-S congratulated his subordinate George F.F. Wilde for "the capture and occupation of Iloilo", a rebel-held city on Panay Island in the central Philippines. Dewey "desires to express his admiration for the skill, promptness and bravery displayed by the officers and men of the BOSTON, under your command, on that occasion, which has reflected so much credit upon the Naval service." The U.S.S. Boston was a protected cruiser commissioned in 1897.

 

Wilde forwarded this copy to one "Cedly", probably someone who worked in navy administration, adding his own rather boastful account of the city's take-over:

 

"My dear Cedly -

 

This is pretty fair for an 'old chap' like myself, and the splendid young fellows under my command. 2500 soldiers, under Gen. Miller had been here since Dec 28th 'dwadling' [sic] I came on Feb 8th With 80 men, I landed and took the town and held it, till the army landed. There's no use talking the Navy is 'right there' 'first, last and all the time'. Kindly regards to Mrs. C., Francis, and the good people in the office -

 

Sincerely - Wilde

 

P.S. There were 1500 insurgents in city around with Mauses + Explosive bullets, but 'Jackie' didn't 'care a cuss' … Wilde".

 

Wilde characterized the capture of Iliolo as highly heroic. As usual, the U.S. Army was upstaged by the U.S. Navy. Wilde accused "Gen. Miller" (referring to General Marcus P. Miller (1835-1906)) of loitering aimlessly outside the city until Wilde jumpstarted the action with only a fraction of the men. Iloilo insurgents were of a lesser number than U.S. forces, but were impressively equipped with the latest arms. Historian Brian McAllister Linn describes the capture of Iloilo in a much different light than Wilde's triumphant account, characterizing the take-over as a "combination of arson, naval bombardment, and street fighting".

 

Wilde was indeed an "old chap" in 1899. He had graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1864 and served in the Caribbean and Asia throughout his thirty-year-long career. After Iloilo, Wilde went on to secure Vigan in the northern Philippines in February 1900.

 

Ex-Charles Sigety


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