Harold Willard ENNIS^[1]

1881 - 1899  (~ 18 years)

• Name	Harold Willard ENNIS
  Born	Jun 1881	Stowe, Lamoille, Vermont
  Gender	Male
  Military Event	Spanish-American War
  Married?	N
  Military Flag	Y
  Cause of Death	Mortally wounded in battle - Battle of Manila
  Died	26 Sep 1899	Manila, Phillipines
  Person ID	I992	Main
  Last Modified	17 Dec 2023

  
  

  Father	Willard ENNIS,   d. ?
  Mother	Sarah Ellen DAME,   b. 8 Feb 1844, Parkman, Piscataquis, Maine ,   d. 9 Apr 1887, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts  (Age 43 years)
  Married	Oct 1877  [2]
  Family ID	F341	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898), defeat of the Spanish Pacific fleet by the U.S. Navy, resulting in the fall of the Philippines and contributing to the final U.S. victory in the Spanish–American War. After the United States had declared war (April 25), its Asiatic squadron was ordered from Hong Kong to “capture or destroy the Spanish fleet” then in Philippine waters. The U.S. Navy was well trained and well supplied, largely through the energetic efforts of the young assistant secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, who had selected Commo. George Dewey for the command of the Asiatic squadron. In one morning’s engagement (May 1), the guns of Dewey’s squadron completely destroyed the Spanish ships anchored in Manila Bay. After the war, speculation and controversy arose when many believed the battle had been intended as a bloodless contest between the U.S. and Spain. Jaudenes had agreed to surrender the city but not without an American show of force, as the Spanish wanted to save themselves the humiliation of capitulating without the appearance of a battle. Another major reason why Jaudenes was anxious to surrender to the Americans was to prevent the city from falling to the Filipinos. Jaudenes feared that the Spanish populace would be dealt with mercilessly and knew that surrendering to the U.S. would provide him with the protection of a legitimate government. The U.S. was also anxious to keep the city from Aguinaldo's control. With a staged battle, both sides felt the city could change hands without the Filipinos being involved. However, by August 13 Aguinaldo was well aware of the secret deal between Jaudenes and Dewey, and on August 13 his Filipino troops attacked along their entire perimeter, not just in the American sector. He knew that only by participating in the attack and securing a place at the negotiating table would he be able to advance the cause of Filipino independence. In the end, the battle for Manila on August 13 was not bloodless; five Americans lost their lives and 43 were wounded. Spanish and Filipino casualties are unknown.

  
  

• Sources

  [S1] New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The, (NEHGS, Boston, MA), 92:362. [S1] New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The, (NEHGS, Boston, MA).