The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-03

Eighth Army Corps. on the day of the battle
of Manila, mention of which was made in
yesterdays dispatches, gives some very in
teresting details of the fight of the 18th of
August. Following are some extracts:
Several hours before the operations of the
day were intended to commence there was
considerable desuitory firing from the Span
ish line, both of cannon and small arms,
provoked no doubt by Filipino soldiers, who
insisted on maintaining a general fusillade
along their lines, with which the American
line connected just east of the Passic road.
The fire was not returned by our troops,
and when the formation of the day was
commenced things at the front were COM
paratively quiet. By o'clock the position
was occupied about 9:35 the naval attack
commenced and some twenty minutes there
after the guns of Battery B, Utah Artil-
lery, opened on Blockhouse IA, the guns of
the Astor battery having engaged an oppos-
ing battery some minutes after the open
ing of the naval attack. There was no re-
ply from the blockhouse or contiguous lines
either by guns or small arms. The opposi-
ton to the Astcr fire, however, was quite
energetic, but after a spirited contest the
opposition, consisting probably of two
pieces, was silenced.
1.-THE contest was the only notable feature
of the first stage of the action and was es-
pecially creditable to the organization en-
gagged. The position selected by Lieutenant
March after careful reconnaissance was per-
haps, the only one possible in the vicinity,
and il was occupied with great skill and
held with commendable firmness, the bat
terry losing three men wounded one of whom
has since died. The Utah gun on the road
fired fourteen shots at Blockhouse IA with
good effect as was subsequently ascertained
on inspection of the work. Lieutenant Grow
and detachment deserve great credit for the
commendable manner in which the piece was
served and pulled through the mud without
the assistance of horses.
Some time about II o'clock concentrated
infantry fire was heard in front of the Sec
ond Brigade, and not long thereafter an ex-
ultant shout indicated substantial success
for our-arms on the left 1t was therefore
assumed that the enemy had been so shaken
as to make the advance practicable without
serious disadvantage to our troops.
"At< about II 20 a United States flag was
placed on Blockhouse IA, thus concluding the
second stage of the action without OPPOSE
ton and without loss. The general advance
was soon resumed, the Thirteenth Mime
sofa l6dQlnS, WILL NOAnpdHy IA do duVdACC
guard, then the Aston battery, battalion
of the Twenty third Infantry, the battalion
of the Fourteenth Infantry and the North
Dakota regiment following in the order
named.
AT a point just south of Singalong a
blockhouse was found burning, causing a
continuous explosion OF small arms ammu-
milton, which, together with a scattering
fire from the enemy, retarded the advance
for time All difficulties were soon over
come, however, including the passage of the
Astor battery, by the determined efforts of
Lieutenant March and his men, assisted by
the infantry of the Minnesota regiment
over the gun emplacement which INSTRUCTED
the road In the village of Singalong the
advance fell under loose fire, the intensity
of which increased as the forward move
ment was pressed, and very soon the COM
mand was committed to a fierce combat
This strong opposition arose at Blockhouse
20 of the Spanish defenses, a detached work.
with emplacements for six guns, which,
fortunately. were not filled on the 18th inst.
but the work was occupied by a detachment
of infantry, probably strong rear guard.
THE advance party, consisting of men of
the Minnesota regiment, reinforced by vol
unteers from the Aston battery, led by
Lieutenant March and Captain Sawtelle,
of the brigade staff, as individual volun-
teer, reached point within less than eighty
yards Of the blockhouse, but was obliged
to retire to the intersecting road in the viii
lage, at which point hasty work was i'm
provised and occupied by a firing line of
about fifteen men. Aside from conspicuous
individual actions in the first rush, the we'll
regulated conduct of this firing line was
the marked feature of the contest and it
is proposed, if possible, to ascertain the
names of the men engaged, with a view to
recommend them for special distinction.
AT about 1870 p. m. all firing had ceased
and two scouting parties, voluntarily led by
Captain Sawtelle and Lieutenant March,
soon thereafter reported the retreat of the
adversary. The city was entered without
further incident through the Pacos district
The contact was made about II o'clock, and
the contest continued with great ferocity
until 1:35 o'clock-that is to say, about an
hour and half. The loss in the combat
was three officers wounded four enlisted
men killed and thirty-three wounded"
General Macarthur takes occasion to COM
mend in strong terms the gallantry of
Colonies Ovenshine and Reeve, Captains
Sawtelle, Bjornstad and Seebach and of
Lieutenants March, Herman and Whitworth.