Expeditionary· Spanish-American War
Capture of Guam
Guam was a small Spanish island in the Pacific, far from the main fighting.
In 1898 the American cruiser USS Charleston was sent to take it. The capture became one of the most famous lighthearted moments of the war. The Spanish garrison had not yet learned that war had been declared. When Charleston fired on the old fort at Apra Harbor, the Spanish thought it was a salute and sent out word apologizing that they could not fire back, having no gunpowder for their own guns. The ship's captain landed Marines from Charleston's guard, formally accepted the Spanish surrender, and raised the American flag over the island. Not a shot was exchanged in anger and no one was hurt on either side. Guam became a U.S. possession and an important Pacific coaling station.
Podcast episodes on Spanish-American War
Record no. 526