The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-10-03
M'ARTHUR's REPORT
Interesting Details of the Battle on
the Thirteenth

Interesting Details of the Battle on
the Thirteenth
The report of Major General Macarthur,
who commanded the First brigade, Second
division, Eighth army corps, on the day
of the battle of Manila mention of which
was made in yesterdays dispatches, gives
some very interesting 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 desultory firing from the
Spanish line. both of cannon and small
arms, provoked no doubt by F'ilipinos, who
insisted upon maintaining a general fusi-
lade along their lines with which the
American line connected just east OF the
Paceo. Ths fire was not returned by our
troops and when the formation of the day
was commenced things at the front were
comparatively quiet BY o'clock the posi-
ton was occupied, about 9:35 the naval at
tack commenced and some twenty min
utes thereafter the gun of Battery B, Utah
artillery, opened on blockhouse No. IA, the
guns OF the Astor battery having engaged
an opposing battery some minutes after
the opening of the naval attack. There was
no reply from the blockhouse or cont1g-
uous lines. either by guns or small arms
The opposition to the Aston fire, however
was quite energetic but after spirited
contest the opposition, consisting probably
of two pieces, was silenced.
The Notable Feature
''Th.s contest was the only notable fea-
ture of the first stage Of the action, and
was especially cred!table to the organiza-
ton engaged. The position selected by
Lieutenant March, after careful recon-
no.ssance, was perhaps the only one pos
s;ble in the vicinity, and it was occupied
with great skill and held with commend
able firnlness, the battery losing three
men wounded, one of whom has since died.
The Utah gun on the road fired fourteen
shots at Blockhouse No. IA with good eff
feet, and, as was subsequently ascertained
upon 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 ct the
Second brigade, and not long thereafter an
exultant shout indicated substantial sue
cess for our arms on the left 1t was there
fore assumed that the enemy had been SO
shaken as to make the advance practicable
without serious disadvantage to cur
troops"
The First Flag Raised
At about 1:SO o'clock United States
flag was placed upon Blockhouse No. II,
thus concluding the second stage of the
viii CT nd v,it =, lego
1.-THE general advance was soon resumed,
the Thirteenth Minnesota leading, with
Company X as advance guard; then the
Astor battery, the battalion Of the Twenty
third infantry, the battalion Of the Four
teenth infantry and the North Dakota regi-
ment following in the order named. !
Eat point just south Of S.ngalong, a
was found burning, causing
continuous explosion Of small-arms ammu
milton. which, together with "a scattered
fire from the enemy retarded the advance
for time. All difficulties were soon
overcome, however, Including the passage
OF the Astor battery. by the determined eff
forts of Lieutenant March and his men, |
assisted by the infantry of the Minnesota |
regiment, over the gun emplacements |
which INSTRUCTED the road.
"In the village Of Sngalong the advance |
fell under a loose fire. the intensity of
which increased as the forward movement
was pressed, and very soon the comman nd |
was committed to fierce combat This |
strong opposition arose at Blockhouse No |
20 Of the Spanish defenses. detached W ork |
with emplacements for six guns, which |
were not filled ON the 18th INST.
but the work was occupied by a detach-
ment of infantry-probably a strong rear
guard.
The Astor Battery
1.-THE advance party, consisting Of men
Of the Minnesota regiment, reinforced by
volunteers from the Astor battery led by
Lieutenant March, and Captain Sawtalle
CT the brigade staff as an individual volIn-
teer, reached point within less than so
yards Of the blockhouse but was obliged to
retire to the Intersection Of the road in the
village, at which point hasty work was
mprovised and occupied by firing line Of
about fifteen men. Aside from consp,cu-
ous individual actions In the first rush the
we'll regulated conduct of this firing limo
was the marked feature Of the contest. and
t Is proposed, # possible. to ascertain the
names of the men engaged, with view to
|S'ii ANi 'PcVlati ulStlHctlOr.
AT ABOUT 1:3O p. M all the firing had
ceased, and two scouting parties. volun
'arily led by Captain sawtele and Lfeuten
ant March soon thereafter reported the re-
.reat OF the adversary. The City was en-
cred without further incident, through the
'aceo district. The contact was made
bout - o'clock, and the contest continued
With great ferocfty until 1875, that is 10
lay. about an hour and half
1.-THE loss in the combat was three officers