The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-11

ashore on a dangerous marshy point di-
rectly south of the city under fire from
the enemy's trenches. while in the town
itself there was utter silence and not
sign of life General Iawton, desiring
to make an inspection and 10 give the in
hahitants an opportunity 10 surrender,
Went on board the Laguna de Bay. and
accompanied by the Associated Press
launch, steamed slowly to the dock. the
whole fleet watching anxiously. When
it was discovered by the glasses that the
trenches and stone buildings We're
swarming with white clad soldiers, the
two boats withdrew. receiving yolleys
from the trenches thrown up on the
marslly plain north of the city.
The fotilla anchored in compact for
nation for the night, ready TO resist
any surprises from the rebel Gunhoats
supposed to be in the lake. At sunrise
to-day (Monday) the assault commenced.
The American line south of the city
stretched two miles INLAND. and, with
its left sweeping the shore. 1t moved
north, while the Fourth cavalryman on
the point advanced toward rhe city,
pouring volleys into the trenches. Simul-
taneously the gunboats hoverad Along the
shore, shelling the woods ahead of the
troops and driving the Eilipinos inland.
The Gatlings cleared several trenches.
The whole brigade was divided INTO
squads of twelve, and the sighting was
carried on in the old time frontier fash
ion, from behind trees, crawling through
bushes, or rushing across the open. The
trenches that We're not cleared by the
gunlboats gave considerable resistance
when the line was nearing the city, and
the Laguna de Bay and Oeste bonn
barded them for an hour in the hope of
making them too warm for occupancy.
but did not succeed in clearing them en-
tirely
General Lawton, with the Fourteenth
infantry battalions, approached 4 mar
row iron bridge across a creek ON the
south border of the town. Here a com
pany of Filipinos was intrenched across
the stream and behind a stone barricade
at the entrance to the bridge. The
Americans rushed forward in single
file, in the face of a CALLING fire, demol-
ished the barricade with their hands and
drove the enemy from the trenches, kill
ing a dozen.
The Filipino soldiers in the town. Sc
creted in various buildings and firing
from the windows gave the invaders an
interesting hour. There was regular
nest of them in the stone Jail. which is
edged i'll by a wall. This was n verita-
bic pepperpot. The Americans singly
or in pairs, entered the houses, and
many warriors wsre taken prisoners.
a considerable body of F'ilipinos fed
northwaId, crossing the open marshes,
but the Gatlings poured upon them i
deadly hail until they disappeared in the
woods Staying dozens.
| Major Wesenberger deployed the
Sharpshooters along the shore, and they
erept steadily forward, aiding the CAT
lings.
/ Finally a large body was sent against
the enemy in the woods, driving them
toward the mountains
GFDeral Iawton established headouar-
ters at the elegant palace of the Cover
nor and guard was Immediately placed
IN the church, as the sacred edifices are
always the first objects of looters. With
IN an hour the town was patrolled and
all iooting rigidly prevented.
Almost all the inhabitants had fed dur
ing the two preceding nights and only
few Chinese shop Keepers nave emerged
from hiding and resumed business.
Cn the marshes north of The city were
found forty dead Filipinos-some terri
by torn by sbells-and many others
wounded. to whom the Americans offered
their canteens. as though they Were
comrades. A surgeon who traversed the
heid countfd eighty killed, and General
Lawton will report Mt least 6S.
One Filipino, attempting to make his
a Slo .itnH
Weisenberger. who shot and killed him
Yesterday the insurgents captured two
men Of the Fourteenth infantry. while
unarnled buf the Americans stole the
guns of their captors, dubbed them. hid
In the trses over night and returned
this morning.
The gunboats thi safteInoon have been
searchinog the Santa Cruz river for ship
ping.
Tomorrow the expedition Will push
forward, the Americans having destroyed
miles of telegraph lines. cutting off in
communion finn aosf a1,I