The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-31

and continued fire Of sharpshooters was
kept up and a slow but continued fire
from the 80 guns during the 26th. On
the night Of the 26th the railroad bridge
was found to be in such condition that
to rush it with men carrying arms
would be irnpracticable-
A reconnaissance at night by Colonel
Funston made it apparent that the en-
envy was intrenched in force at all
points for a considerable distance down
the river. The morning of the 9th
had a 80 gun brought to the brick
house near the bridge and opened fire
at short range upon the enemy's works.
Upon consultation with Colonel Fun
ston, a point about 900 yards below the
railroad bridge was selected as the
place that he would endeavOr to cross a
part of his regiment. The enemy'S en-
trenchments opposite this point were
screened by bamboo thickets, but I di-
rected a fire from the brick house near
the bridge to be kept up from the 80
gun and by two companies of infantry.
Colonel Funston also advanced to the
river bank strong parties that kept up
a fire of great volume. The effect of
the heavy and continued fire was to
drive part of the enemy'S force from
his works and Privates Edward White
and W. B. TWombly of company B,
twentieth Kansas volunteer infantry,
swan the river with a rope and fasten-
en- 1t to a stake on the enemy's in
trenchments while yet occupied. Rats
were pulled over by means of this rope
Colonel Funston going over on the first
raft.
Our artillery had during this time
kept up a heavy fire from positions Sc
lected by Major Richard Young, Utah
light artillery. Under direction of Lieu
tenant Colonel Wallace, First Montana
volunteer infantry, a heavy and contin-
uOus fire was directed upon the enemy
near the railroad bridge, the machine
guns also being directed toward the
same place. When Col. Funston had
crossed 40 officers and men he attacked
the enemy, turning him out of his works
near the bridge. I then crossed the
bridge with my staff, followed by the
Twentieth Kansas and First Montana
volunteer infantr1es, as fast as they
could pass over such framework as the
enemy had not destroyed. Upon reach
ing the north bank two bodies of the
enemy, each about 800 strong, We're
observed; one about one and a half
miles to our left, which had evidently
been guarding the river below.
KANSANS DRIVE THE ENEMY.
They moved in a deployed nne-ex-
tended order-advanced upon US, but,
after being subjected to fire about 20
minutes, they fell back in confusion and
retreated out of range. The other body
was in front and along the railroad.
deployed the Twentieth Kansas on the
lett OF the ratldoad and the First Mon
tana on the right and drove them be-
yond Apolite station in the direction of
st. Thomas. The whole force of the
enemy disappearing in that direction,
Inc nature OF the country being such
that they were compelled to march
along the EN- Dankment, estimated the
whole force visible at 1000.
The night of the 9th the Twentieth
Kansas and First Montana bivouacked
in the town north of the railroad bridge
The next morning two commissioned
officers came in from the rebels under
a flag of truce and asked for an armis-
tice, saying they wished to acknowl-
edge the valor of the American soldier
They were sent to the division COM
mander.
I respectfully invite attention to the
gallant conduct of Colonel Frederick
Funston, now brigadier general, United
States volunteers, during these opera
lions. Also the very efficient services
and mer1tor1ous conduct of Lieutenant
Colonel Robert B. Wallace, commanding
the First Montana volunteer infantry
and of Major Richard W. Young, Utah
light artillery, for the courage and skill
with which he directed the operation of
his guns The extraordinary and most
White, company b Twentieth Kansas
volunteer infantry, and that of w B.
Trombly, same company and regiment
in swimming the Rio Grande in face of
| the enemy'S fire and fastening a rope to
a stake in his occupied works is worthy
of high commentator and reward The
conduct of Lieutenant Q. H. Ball and of
SergeantS Emerson and BarshfieId and
Corporal A. NJ. Ferguson of company
Il, twentieth Kansas volunteer in
fantry, in swimming the Bagbag with
Colonel Funston under the fire of the
enemy is worthy of reward and of great
praise.