Capture of Guam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capture of Guam |
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| Part of the Spanish–American War | |||||||
 USS Charleston entering Agana, circa 1898 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Henry Glass | Juan Marina  |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1 protected cruiser 3 transports |
54 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | 54 captured | ||||||
The Capture of Guam was a quick event during the Spanish–American War in 1898. It happened between the United States and Spain. The U.S. Navy sent a ship called the USS Charleston to take control of Guam. At that time, Guam was ruled by Spain.
However, the Spanish soldiers on the island did not even know that a war had started! They also had no way to fight back against the American forces. So, they gave up without any fighting. This meant Guam became controlled by the United States. This event was the only conflict of the Spanish–American War that happened on Guam.
Why the US took Guam
Guam had been under Spanish rule since 1668. But by 1898, Spain had mostly forgotten about the island. There were only a few Spanish soldiers there. The last message the leaders on Guam got from Spain was from April 14, 1898. This was a whole month before the war officially began.
Captain Henry Glass was in charge of the USS Charleston. His ship was sailing from California to Manila in the Philippines. In Honolulu, Hawaii, three more ships joined him. These were the City of Peking, City of Sydney, and Australia. These ships were carrying American soldiers.
After leaving Honolulu, Captain Glass opened his secret orders. These orders told him to stop at the Spanish island of Guam. He was told to use force if needed to capture Guam's port. He also had to make the governor and soldiers prisoners. His orders said to destroy any forts or Spanish ships there. The mission was supposed to be very quick, lasting only a day or two.
This secret message made the American sailors very excited! Many of them rushed to the ship's library. They wanted to learn everything they could about Guam. They looked at maps, history books, and encyclopedias.
Captain Glass changed the ship's direction towards Guam. The soldiers on the other ships noticed this change. Rumors quickly spread. Some thought they were going to another island. Others believed Charleston was heading to a mysterious Spanish island. They imagined strong forts and many Spanish soldiers. The next day, the real plan was shared with all the ships.
Captain Glass's orders also warned about possible Spanish warships. They were told that Guam's main port, San Luis d'Apra, had strong guns. Travelers who had visited Guam in 1895 or 1896 confirmed these defenses. No one knew exactly how many Spanish soldiers were on the island. So, Captain Glass had to assume there might be over a thousand.
Glass held a meeting on the Australia. He invited other important officers. A former whaling captain named T. A. Hallet was also there. Hallet had visited the Mariana Islands many times. He told them that San Luis d'Apra was well-fortified. He said Fort Santa Cruz had good soldiers and equipment. After discussing everything, the officers planned their attack on Guam.
The American troops soon realized the Charleston expected a fight. The ship began practicing its shooting. They fired at targets floating in the water. The gun crews were mostly new recruits. But they were shooting well enough to make Captain Glass happy. By the time they crossed the 180th meridian, everyone felt ready for the enemy.
Taking control of Guam
On June 20, Captain Glass arrived near Guam's shore. He saw that the only ship in the harbor was a Japanese trading ship. Many American sailors were disappointed. They had hoped to fight Spanish ships.
As the Charleston moved closer, a small group of people gathered on the shore of Piti. Piti was a landing spot in the bay. These locals knew the American ships were there. All the important people of Guam were present, except for the governor, Don Juan Marina.
The main officials included a navy commander, a naval doctor, and a marine captain. Important civilians like Francisco Portusach, a leading merchant, were also there. While they watched, the Charleston fired 13 shots at an old Spanish fort. There was no return fire, and the fort seemed unharmed.
One Spanish officer thought the ship was giving a salute. He quickly sent a messenger to Agana, the capital. Agana was about 6 km (4 mi) away. He asked the governor to send artillery to return the salute.
The captain of the port, the naval doctor, and a local Chamorro man named José Paloma got into a boat. They went out to welcome the American visitors. José Portusach went along to help translate. When they got on board the Charleston, Captain Glass immediately told them the news. He said that war had been declared between the U.S. and Spain.
The Spanish officials were shocked! They had not received any news or mail since April 9. They were even more surprised to learn they were now prisoners of war. Captain Glass let them go for the day. They promised to return to Agana. They would tell the governor about the war and ask him to come to the American ship right away. Then, the group went to the captain's cabin to talk about Guam surrendering.
As they went below deck, Francisco Portusach sailed by the Charleston. He was in a small boat with the American flag flying high. Someone from the ship called out, "Frank, come on board." Portusach saw Captain Hallett, someone he knew from years ago.
Portusach climbed onto the ship. He was surprised to find a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle there. While they talked, Lieutenant William Braunersreuther, the ship's navigator, asked Portusach why he was flying the American flag. Portusach just smiled. He showed his American citizenship papers.
The lieutenant looked at the papers carefully. He then asked Portusach to come with him to see Captain Glass. The "welcoming party" had just left for shore. So, the two men went into the captain's cabin. Glass had already heard that Francisco had some small boats. He asked if Portusach could help move coal from the City of Peking to the Charleston. Glass offered to pay for the help. Portusach agreed to provide the boats for free. He felt it was his duty as the only U.S. citizen on the island to help his country.
Francisco Portusach went back to Piti. His brother told him that the Spanish officers were arrested. But they were allowed to go for now. They had promised to return to the Charleston to be taken to Manila as prisoners. Francisco then told his boatmen to deliver the boats to the Charleston early the next morning.
The two brothers rode their buggy to Agana. On the way, they saw soldiers struggling with two small cannons. Captain Duarte had sent them back because they were not needed to salute the American ship.
When they got home, a letter from Governor Marina was waiting for Francisco. It said: "If you help the American warships, you will be executed tomorrow morning at the beach." Francisco laughed after reading the note. His American wife became worried when he told her. His brother warned him to be careful. But Francisco said the boats would be delivered no matter what.
Later that afternoon, Francisco Portusach was worried despite his brave words. He went back to the Charleston and showed Glass the threatening note. They had been talking for less than half an hour when the governor's secretary returned. He brought another letter for Captain Glass.
The letter from Governor Marina said he was asked to meet Glass. He understood that war had been declared and that the Americans wanted to take Guam. He said he would be happy to meet Glass in person. But his country's laws stopped him from going on a foreign ship. So, he asked Glass to come ashore instead. He promised Glass would be safe.
By this time, Glass thought the governor might be trying a trick. He prepared a final demand for the governor of Guam. Arrangements were made to deliver it the next morning. At 8:00 AM, Lieutenant Braunersreuther was ready. He was to lead a landing party of Marines and soldiers. Their job was to go ashore and capture the governor and any Spanish forces.
The men had trouble getting the boats ready. So, the lieutenant left without them in a small boat. He took only Ensign Waldo Evans, four sailors, and two newspaper reporters. He landed at Piti harbor with a white flag, which meant he came in peace. Governor Marina and his staff met him there.
After introductions, Braunersreuther gave the governor Captain Glass's demand. It said that the U.S. government ordered the immediate surrender of Guam's defenses. This included all weapons, officials, and Spanish military personnel. The letter also said the officer would wait only 30 minutes for a reply.
Braunersreuther reminded the governor about the 30-minute limit. He also mentioned the three ships full of troops and the powerful warship in the harbor. Marina and his advisors went into a nearby boathouse to talk. Twenty-nine minutes later, they came out. They gave the lieutenant a sealed envelope for the Charleston commander.
The captain's messenger, despite the governor's protests, opened the letter. It said that the island of Guam was surrendering. Braunersreuther then told them, "Gentlemen, you are now my prisoners." He said they would have to come aboard the Charleston with him.
The governor protested. He claimed he did not expect this. He accused the lieutenant of trickery. He said the Americans came ashore under a flag of truce before making them prisoners. Braunersreuther replied that he was only told to deliver a letter. Since he now had an offer of surrender, the Americans could make any demands they wished.
The Spanish officials were allowed to write letters to their families. Afterward, Marina and his staff were taken to the City of Sydney. He sent an order to Agana for the Spanish soldiers and local militia. They were to be at Piti landing by four o'clock that afternoon.
Braunersreuther then went back to the ships. He got the Marine guard and returned to shore. There, as agreed, the Spanish soldiers were lined up to surrender. Lieutenant John Twiggs Myers led the Marines. They lined up so the Spanish and local troops were between the Americans and the ocean. The 54 Spanish soldiers and two lieutenants were disarmed. They were put in a small boat and taken to the City of Sydney.
What happened next
Captain Glass went ashore and raised an American flag over the forts. Bands on the Australia and City of Peking played "The Star-Spangled Banner". Glass's orders included destroying the island's forts. But he decided they were in such bad shape that he left them as they were.
Francisco Portusach and his workers finished moving coal on June 22. Afterward, Glass took Portusach to his cabin. He appointed Portusach as the Governor of Guam. This was until a proper American authority arrived. After saying goodbye to the locals, the Charleston and the three transport ships left the harbor at 4:00 PM. They later joined George Dewey's fleet in Manila.
Images for kids
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City of Peking, City of Sydney, and Australia passing through the Golden Gate
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The village of Piti
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In Spanish: Toma de Guam para niños
