the history of the utah batteries should be a plain tale, for deeds of valor cannot be garnished by the flower of rhetoric or the pomp of oratory. this is a simple story of brave deeds. the stern browed heracles standing unarmed in the midst of his countrymen was a frank, common figure, but when he dashed like ares upon the lerneaen hydra he became majestic, and no mere pen picture could augment his greatness. so we shall paint a picture of the achievements of the cannoneers and gunners of utah while withstanding the onslaughts of the dusky warriors of aguinaldo, and no greater compliment can be paid them than a clear true narrative of their exploits.
utah was early distinguished in the furious fights of luzon. even before the soldiers of "uncle sam" had felt their way into the defenses of manila, her guns had awaked the long-sleeping sentries of the dons and torn holes into the bulwarks of spanish oppression and tyranny. her later accomplishments against the fierce tagalan braves have only served to increase the homage and admiration of the world, yet, in the dark days of the conflict, as veterans know, are performed many daring acts and feats of human strength, which are never recorded in the chronicles of fame, or proclaimed by the bugle's blare. there were those who knew what it was to feel the pangs of hunger and the ravages of disease, those who experienced the racking pains occasioned by fatiguing marches, and long, weary tramps through the unbroken wilderness of the tropics; and there were belated ones who hid in the[pg 14] swamps anxiously watching for the first beams of dawn to reveal the lurking foe.
an account of the actions of the men of utah is not a recital of the performances of one man; neither is it a description of the doings of a particular section of men. it is the story of brave men fighting under competent chiefs. their history is exceptional. in every engagement against the insurrectionists, on land and river, the unceasing fire of the guns of utah was heard. while major young, major grant, captain critchlow and lieutenant seaman battered down the enemy's breastworks at caloocan and san lazerus cemetery, the cannon under captain wedgewood hurled fiery wrath into the terrified foe at sampaloe, and lieutenant webb's death-dealing monsters flung destruction into the ranks of the filipino hordes at santa mesa. while the land batteries, with the infantry, worked their way through the tropical forests in that campaign which drove the natives out of calumpit and san fernando and sent aguinaldo flying into the mountains beyond, major grant, lieutenant naylor and lieutenant webb, with their fire-spitting dragons, the river gunboats, bore down upon the insurgents at morong and santa cruz and disturbed the silence of the primitive woods at san luiz and candaba.
the country was not slow in recognizing utah. almost as soon as hostilities commenced major young was elevated to a position on general macarthur's staff, and when the river gunboats were put into commission in anticipation of a tagalan outbreak lieutenant r.c. naylor was placed second in command. later when the river fleet was enlarged major grant took command and lieutenant william c. webb assumed control of the "covadonga," positions which both held till utah's fighting days were over.
the utah cannoneers were not only exceptional as fighters, but they did things before unheard of in artillery annals. they pushed along in line with the infantry in many a hard-fought encounter in the vanguard; during the early days of the conflict, when the rival force first turned its weapons upon the walls of manila, they hauled their pieces after them in grim pursuit of the fleeing foe.[pg 15] they stood comparison with the well-drilled regulars, and in many instances surpassed them; the bark of their iron-tongued guns never failed to strike terror into the hearts of the dusky braves of luzon, while it ever sounded as a note of cheer to the infantrymen on the straggling skirmish line.
there is santa mesa, malabon, quingua, bag bag, san fernando—words hollow sounding to the ordinary ear; but when named to the stalwart veteran they touch a chord which quickens the pulse and sets every nerve fiber vibrating with emotion. to him each tells a tale of noble achievements wrought beneath the broiling sun of the tropics; to him each whispers an assurance that his duty was bravely done in the blasting fires of the east.
the warriors of utah have listened to their last reveille and their last retreat. when they withdrew from the orient they left the scenes of carnage behind and returned to loved ones and to peace. may that peace be lasting and happy.
