Hemmed in 'twixt foe and wreck,
Blood soaks each slippery deck,
Still madly racing,
Till their ships burn and reel,
Crushed by our bolts of steel,
Firing and chasing.
Driven to the rocks at last,
Now heels each shattered mast,
Flames the blood drinking,
Each with her load of dead,
Wrapped in that shroud of red,
Silenced and sinking.
Vanquished! but not in vain:
Ancient renown of Spain,
Coming upon her.
Once again lives in thee,
All her old chivalry,
All her old honor.
Ever her past avers,
When wealth and lands were hers,
Though she might love them,
Die for their keeping, yet
Spain, in her pride, has set
Honor above them.
Bertrand Shadwell.
Santiago surrendered a few days later and an army of occupation, under General Nelson A. Miles, landed at Porto Rico and took possession of the island, after a few sharp skirmishes. In the Philippines, operations against Manila were pushed vigorously forward, and on August 13, after sharp actions at Malate, Singalon, and Ermita, the city was captured. Among the killed at Malate was Sergeant J. A. McIlrath, Battery H, Third Artillery Regulars.
McILRATH OF MALATE
[August 13, 1898]
Yes, yes, my boy, there's no mistake,
You put the contract through!
You lads with Shafter, I'll allow,
Were heroes tried and true;
But don't forget the men who fought
About Manila Bay,
And don't forget brave McIlrath
Who died at Malate.