Lot 905
Guam Eyewitness account of the capture of Guam, four page letter from a soldier aboard the S.S. Australia, to his family in Portland Ore. The Australia was one of three troop transports accompanying the U.S.S. Charleston on her voyage from Honolulu to the Philippines. The letter, which is headed "Off the coast of Phillipine [sic] Ils, June 29, 1898", recounts in part "After about two weeks out from Honolulu we came in sight of the Ladrone Islands [another name for Mariana Islands, of which Guam is the largest] and after sailing along its coast for an hour or so we came to its principle city which is called Guam. The Charleston entered the bay and after firing 13 shots at the fort and getting no reply she sailed in and found that she had been firing at an abandoned fort. The people were surprised when they saw her begin firing. They did not know that there was a war between U.S. & F. [sic]" The soldier goes on to detail troop movements and the surrender of the island by the Spanish governor. The Australia arrived at the Philippines on Thursday, June 30 and the soldier mentions "Dewey has been on board our ship already."
The letter was taken by mail boat to the "U.S. Consulate, Hong Kong (magenta oval on reverse), franked with a 10¢ Hong Kong stamp and sent to Portland, Ore. via Seattle (backstamped Aug 10-12).
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
A MARVELOUS HISTORICAL DOCUMENT RECOUNTING THE ACQUISITION OF THE FIRST U.S. POSSESSION IN THE PACIFIC.
Guam was captured from Spain without resistance. In fact, the residents were not even aware that the U.S was at war with Spain. After the shelling of Ft. Santa Cruz, a small vessel flying the Spanish flag approached the Charleston and told Captain Glass, her commander, that they would gladly reply to the Charleston's "salute" if they could borrow some powder for the fort's cannons!
The writer, Edward H. Hampton, was killed in action on February 27, 1899 at San Pedro de Mascati, Philippines.
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| Realized $1,200 |
