483 Fall of Manila

483. Fall of Manila 

When the news of Dewey ＇ s victory ( p .390) reached the United States , soldiers were sent to his aid . But this took time , for it was a very long way from San Francisco to the Philippines and vessels suit - able for transports were not easily procured on the Pacific coast . General Wesley Merritt was given command of the land forces . Meantime , for months Dewey with his fleet blockaded Manila from the water side , while Philippine insurgents blockaded it from the land side Foreign vessels , especialy the German vessels , jealously watched the operations of the Amer - ican fleet and severely taxed Dewey ’ s patience . On August 17 Merritt felt strong enough to at - tack the city . It was at once surrendered to him .