Manila is garrisoned by the Life Guard of the Governor-General of the Philippines, the 2nd Battalion of the King's regiment under Don Miguel de Valdez, Spanish marines, a corps of artillery under Lieutenant General Don Felix de Eguilux, seconded by Brigadier the Marquis de Villa Medina, a company of Pampangos, and a company of cadets.
Admiral Cornish's fleet, fourteen vessels, of which ten carried more than fifty guns, anchor in Manila Bay on September 23.
A landing is planned two miles south of the city, covered by HMS Argo, under Captain King, HMS Seahorse, under Captain Grant, and HMS Seaford under Captain Pelghin.
The three-pronged landing force of two hundred and seventy-four marines is led by Colonel Draper, center, Major More, right, and Cololnel Monson, left.
The next day, they are joined by six hundred and thirty-two seamen under Captains Collins, Pitchford and Ouvry.
Fort Polverina is captured on September 25.
Further reconnaissance reveals that the fortifications of Manila are not formidable, in fact they are incomplete.
On September 30, a British storeship arrives with entrenching tools, but is driven ashore by a gale.
Fortunately, she has run aground so that she screens the rear of Draper's camp from a large force of Filipinos.
Her stores are landed with greater speed and safety than would have been possible had she remained afloat for the gale continued for several days and forbids the passage of boats through the surf.