Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-30
PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION
Difficulties Encountered by American Troops,
as Narrated by Participant.
From Manila to San Francisco de
MalabOn Over Horrible Roads
Fights With Enemy.


ton from Manila under date of October Il,
narrating his experiences while on an ex-
petition to San Francisco de Malabon,
which was commanded by General Schwan.
Mr.. Moulton was. during the early part of
the Spanish war, engaged in the muster
ing in of volunteer troops, and was there
after connected with a military commission
which visited several of the southern states,
and upon General Schwan being ordered to
Manila Mr.. Moulton was detailed to accom-
pany him as his secretary. He sailed from
San Francisco July 13. Mr.. Moulton says:
"On October General Schwan directed
me to report to him at the Palacio Mala-
canaan, in the afternoon, where I learned
that he was to start the following morning
at Z O'Clock in command of an expedition,
and that i was to accompany him. l found
that Mr.. Burrell a photographer. wanted
to procure some war pictures, and we
planned to go together. Then l bought a
khaki suit leggins and poncho rubber
coat, got my military accouterments and
generally fitted myself for the fray.
AT o'clock we started, Burrell in car
romata with most of my trappings and L
on horseback. When we reached Para
naque, about seven miles south of Manila,
on the bay front. l had to take my horse
across the river in banca sort of dug
out canoe. Burrell had to get another rig
on the other side. 1t had now commenced
to rain. but We proceeded on our way, for
we hdd considerable distance 10 go
through what was very uncertain country,
so far as the insurgents were concerned.
A Fearful jam.
I'VE passed through Las Pinas and
reached Bacoor at dark This is where
expected to find the general, but upon in
quiry l learned that he had left during the
afternoon for Binacayan, about three miles
farther on a place lately burned and at
tackled by the insurrectos. We rode on in
the dark until we came to point where
the wagon train of the expedition was try
ing to cross an improvised ferry over the
linus river, thus securing a short cut to
Binacayan. 1t was fearful jam / got into
mules, caribaos, horses wagons. mud, all
combining to make things delightful. in
addition all seemed to be confusion, men
swearing, everybody excited, etc. l went
ahead a bit to reconnoter. and when l re-
turned Burrell told me that he was going
back to Bacoor to spend the night l had
telegraphed that l was coming, so l deter
mined to see it through
Mr.. Moulton then details the difficulties
he encountered in crossing the stream and
in getting to the point he had stared for,
and says:
THE morning of the Sth 1 accompanied
the general and his staff on a reconnais-
sance beyond Cavite Viejo CAguinaldos ma
tive town. We went out in sight of the
enemy's outpostS. Here | heard a MauSer
shot for the first time Just before we got
back to the town the enemy opened up in
their entire force. They were intrenched
between the two roads we had just been
over, and might have 'gobbed us up at
any time had they chosen. Bullets became
plentiful. and as We're crossing a little
bridge just at the entrance to the town we
We're brought to short halt by the hail OF
bullets whizzing by. In addition to this the
navy opened up with their guns, but they
misconceived the location of the enemy,
for the shrapnel screamed over our heads
and one burst right over US, but without
doing any damage.
The Attack Ordered.
"Our troops were at once ordered to the
attack and after about half an hours fight
ing they drove the enemy off We lost one
man Capt. McGrath) killed, and twelve
wounded, including two officers The enc
my's loss was unknown, of course, as they
carry as far as possible, their dead and
wounded away with them, to keep from
knowing their casualties. The next day,
however, burial party of our men in
tered over twenty of their dead, includ-
rg a colonel and a captain.
About noon we proceeded in pursuit of
the enemy toward Noveleta. The roads
were something frlghtful, but we managed
by 3 o'clock to reach the latter town, after
fighting off the enemy constantly, who kept
up a flank fire from iungles and trees. We
established our headquarters at the south
end of the town. Later in the evening
they commenced harassing US by firing at
The bullets came all around US, and once
while l was out in the yard looking about
several came right by my head in rapid
succession.
The morning of the 9th the army started
in the direction of Rosario The roads we
had to travel over were worse than those OF
the day before. although we neared Ro-
sario they began to improve. Two miles of
these roads out here are equalto tenat home
H. the states 1t was Q o. clock in the morn
ing when we reached Rosario, where we
remained until about 2:30. Large GGaEti-
ties of money were found in different places
about the town, and | was directed by
the general TO take a soldier as guard and
convey the money to the steam launch for
shipment to Manila. II was in such Guam
titles that it took big feed sack to hold
ii. l was to turn it over to an officer at
the beach, who was to have it taken out
to the launch, but when l reached the
water there no officer there and I had
to impress a 'casco' and take i. out myself
leaving the guard behind to take care of
my horse "