Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-23
THE REBELS ACTIVE.
The Filipinos Harassing the Troops
Near Manila.
AMERICANS SUFFERING FROM HEAT.
The Transport Sheridan Pulls Out from
New York with Nearly 1000 Reg
ulars on Board Bound for the
Philipplne islands.

Manila, Feb. 20. The California vol
unteers abandoned Guadalupe church
at five o'clock yesterday morning,
which has since been set on fire, and
retired to San Pedro Macati. The
rebels still hold the country in the
vicinity of Guadalupe, Pasig and Pa
tero, despite the efforts of the gun
boats to dislodge them from the Jungle
on both sides of the river. The enemy
have apparently realized the hopeless
ness of attacking the American posi-.
tion and are occupied chiefly by occa-
sional sharpshooting from the jungle
whenever feasible. Fortunately their
ignorance of the use of sights mini
mics the effect of their guerrilla tao.
tics.
The retirement of Gen. Kings ad-
vance posts upon San Pedro Macati
has evidently been construed by the
rebels as sign of weakness, as they
pressed forward along both sides of
the river persistently harassing the
occupants Of the town. Saturday
night the rebels poured volley after
volley into San Pedro Macati from the
brush on the djacent ridge, but, for
tunately, without effect. Gen. Kings
headquarters, in the center of the
town, was the target of Remington
and Mauser bullets. The rebels are
using smokeless powder and it is ex.
tremely difficult to locate Individual
marksmen.
The heat is intense, and is increas-
ing perceptibly daily. Under present
conditions, it is impossible to provide
shade for the troops in certain parts
of the line, particularly MacArthur's
division, Kings bsigade is also ex.
posed from San Pedro Macati to Gull
cult, where it joins Ovenshine's bril-
gade.
In view of the fact that the enemy
was concentrating on the American
right flank, preparations were made
Saturday night to give them warm
reception in the event Of attack. Gen.
Ovenshne's line, consisting originally
of the North Dakota volunteers, Four
teenth infantry and two troops Of the
Fourth cavalry, stretching from the
beach at Camp Dewey to Gen.
Kings right, was reinforced by
two battalions of Oregon volun-
teers and three troops Of the Fourth
cavalry as infantry. The Buffalo's
searchlight discovering the rebels un-
usually active about ten o'clock in the
evening, signaled the flagship for per-
mission to fire upon them, and, this
being granted, bombarded the enemy's
trenches for 20 minutes. The only
effect of the fire was apparently to
drive the rebels farther inland. Be-
yond few Intellectual yolleys from
the trenches, which were returned
with interest, the enemy made no
demonstration and all is quiet along
the rest Of the line.
Scouts claim to have seen Gen. Pho
del Pillar, who commanded the rebels
at Pace, with his arm in sling directing
the troops. Gen. Montenegro, the in
surgent commander-in.chief, is report
ed to be personally conducting the
movements in front of Gen, Kings line
at San Pedro Macati. The signal
corps is arranging signals for the navy
for future operations on the left With
the exception of the port of lloilo,
trade with the Philippine ports is still
blockaded
THE SHERIDAN STARTS FOR MANILA
New York, Feb, 20.--The United
States army transport Sheridan pulled
out from her>pier in Brooklyn at $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon on her
way to Manila, by way of the Suez
canal, with l,sS5 enlisted men and Off
GERS and their wives and families ia
the number of 30 persons The Sheri-
dan is considered the best appointed
of the three army transports which
have sailed from Brooklyn, This lat
ter expedition is commanded by Lieut.
Jacob H. Smith, of the Twelfth United
States infantry, all Of which is on
board. Four companies from the Sew
enteenth United States infantry and
about % men left behind from the
Sherman expedition complete the mil
itary complement Without accident