The city fell to the Americans on August 13 during the Battle of Manila and Merritt became the first American military governor of the Philippines, until being relieved on August 29 to advise the U.S. delegation in the peace negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris.
The city fell to the Americans on August 13,1898, and Merritt became the first American military governor of the Philippines. Merritt was relieved by Major General Elwell Stephen Otis on August 30 to advise the United States delegation in the peace negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris.