Capture of Guam
Template:Battlebox The Battle of Guam was a bloodless conflict between the United States and Spain during the Spanish-American War. The capture of Guam gave the United States its first possesion in the Pacific Ocean. For the World War II battle, see: Battle of Guam.
Background
Guam had been under Spanish control since 1668. The last message the Spanish authorities on Guam had recieved from Spain was dated April 14, 1898 a month before war was declared. Henry Glass, captain of the USS Charleston, was enroute to Manila when he opened sealed orders notifying him to proceed to Guam and capture it.
The Capture of Guam
Glass drilled his untested crew during the voyage to the island. On June 20, Glass arrived off the shore of Guam. He noticed a Japanese ship anchored in the harbor. The USS Charleston fired upon the island from three of it's cannon. The barrage apparently did no harm, since a ship flying the Spanish flag soon appeared and the Spanish officer climbed aboard the USS Charleston and asked to borrow some powder from the Americans to return their salute. Obviously unaware that war had been declared between the two nations, Glass informed the officer that he was a prisoner of war as the two countries were at war. The two were parroled and sent back to the island with the message to surrender the island. The Spanish Governer, Juan Marina responded to Glass saying the the Spanish law forbade him to board an American vessel and Glass notified him that an officer would be sent to the island the next day to discuss the surrender terms. The next moring the USS Charleston's navigator went ashore with a message from Glass regarding the island's surrender. In the meantime landing parties were formed and also began to row ashore. Being that the Spanish had no adequate defenses and were without powder for their cannon, Governor Marina surrendered, despite his protests of being attacked without any knowledge of the declaration of war.
Surrender
The same day, the Spanish garrison and Governor Marina marched out and boarded the USS Charleston. Glass went ashore and raised an American flag over the fortifications. His orders included that the island's forts be destroyed, but Glass decided that they were in such disrepair that he left them as they were.
Aftermath
Guam was now under U.S. control. The nation's first possesion in the Pacific Ocean. Glass continued on his way to Manila. The Philippines, Wake Island and Hawaii were all to become U.S. possesions in the Pacific by the end of the war. Guam remained under U.S. control until briefly captured by the Japanese during World War II.