The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-04-27
ARMY DISASTER.
An Engagement at quengua In Which
Seven Americans Were Killed.
nebeis Subsequently Attacked and Driven
From Their Trench to the Second
Trench Mile eAway-Ncbraska
Regiment the Loser.


Regiment the Loser.
4 MANILA, April 24.-Four men of tn
d Nebraska regiment, including Col
Stetsenberg, Lieut.. Sisson and thre
= men of the fourth cavalry we're kiile,
e and "A wounded in an engagement a
Quengua. The Filipinos retreate,
q with small loss. The engagement de
= veloped into disastrous, though sue
, cessful fight. The insurgents had
. horseshoe trench about mile long en-
circiing rice field onfthe edge of l
wood.
The following were killed:
Col. John NJ Stetsenberg, of the Isl
|, Nebraska regiment, formerly Of the
9th cavalry.
Lieut. Sisson perhaps Lieut.. August
{. Nisson), of the same reg ment
Two privates of the Nebraska rcgi-
ment
Three privates of the 4th cavalry.
Most of the wounded belong to the
lst Nebraska regiment.
Maj. Bell, with 40 .cavalrymen, en-
countered strong outpost. One of his
men was killed and five were wounded
by a volley.
The Americans re ired, carrying their
wounded under fire and with great
difficulty, being closely pursued a fog
enabling the enemy to creep up to
them.
Two men who were carrying a COM
rade were shot in the arms. but they
continued with their burden.
Maj Bell sent for reinforcements to
rescue the body of the killed cavalry
men, and, battalion Of the Nebraska
regiment, under Maj. Milford, arrived
and advanced until checked by volleys
from the enemy's trenches.
The Americans lay about 500 yards
from the trenches, behind rice burrows
under fire. for two hours.
Several men were sunstruck, one dy-
ing from the effects of the heat. as
they lay there waiting for the artillery
to come up.
Finally the second battalion arrived. /
and then Col. Stetsenberg. who had |
spent the night with his father at Ma
Mia. came upon the field. The men
Immediately recognized him and raised
a cheer. Col. Stetsenberg, deciding to
charge as the cheapest way out of the
difficulty, led the attack at the head of
his regiment. lie fell with "A bullet in
the breast, dying instantly about 200
yards from the breastworks.
Lieut.. Sisson fell with bullet in his
heart, the bullet striking him near the
picture Of girl suspended by ribbon
from his neck.
In the meantime the artillery had
arrived and shellcd the trenches.
The Filipinos stood until the Ne
braska troops were right on the
trenches and then they botcd to the
second line of intrenchmcnts mile
pack. ,
The Nebraska regiment lost two pri-
rates and had many wounded, includ- ,
ng two lieutennts. !
The Iowa regiment had several p
!
The Utah regiment had one officer j
nd three men wounded. ;
Thirteen dead Filipinos were found
n the trenches. Their loss was com l.
aratively small on account of their ;,
afe shelter. :
The Americans carried the second \
rench with small loss and are holding >,
he town Sunday night. =
Col. Stetsenburg has won "A reputa =
on as one Of the bravest fighters in
ne army. He always led his regiment e.,
nd had achieved remarkable popular =,
y with his men since the war began. =
Though during his first colonelcy the :.
olunteers, who were not used 10 the >,
gid discipline Of the regular troops,
bought him a hard officer. :.
The loss of the Nebraska regiment
the campaign IS the greatest sus-
lined by any regiment, and Sundays
saster has greatly saddened officers
Id men. who promise 10 take fierce IL
'ngeance in the next fight G,
WASHINGTON, April 24-The follow H'
6 message regarding the fight at
iengua, was received at the war de- ~
rtment Sunday: Fl
MANILA, April go. Adjutant Gener-
Washington: A reconnaissance on
lengua place, six miles northeast of
alolos made by Maj Bell and Pi
pop Of cavalry this morning resulted -,
contact and battle, in which four
ttalions of infantry and four pieces 81 81
artillery became engaged. Enemy
wen from intrenchments at Quengua III
tn considerable loss; our casualties
lite severe. Col. Stetsenberg and ~
cut Sissons, 1st Nebraska. killed. ! Pc
o several enlisted men. Consider 10
Ie numbers wounded, not yet re- FL
tied. WI
(Signed) OTIs."" RI