Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
INSURGENTS ROUTED
MacArthur's Division Defeats the
Flower Of the Filipino Army.
LAWION'S MEN have A HARD TINE.
They Drag Their Carts Over ROadless
Jnngles and Through swamps The Fill
IpinO Mediation Committee Fears
to Approach the Rebels.

u +uat-hi thui .
division crossed the Rio Grande yester-
day and advanced on Apalit, com
pletely routing the flower of the rebel
army. Most of the rebels fled to Apalit
station, where two trains were await
ing them. They left hurriedly, pre-
sumably for San Fernando. The towns
of San Vincente and Apalit were stimuli
taneously burned and evacuated by the
natives. Twenty prisoners were cap
tured, including Spaniard. The
American troops also captured a brass
cannon and a quantity Of arms and
ammunition, and the same evening
they captured Maxim gun on the rail
road. The fighting lasted from noon
until four o'clock. The American loss
is one man of the Montana regiment
killed and three officers and six men
wounded.
The enemy was very strongly in
trenched on the river bank, near both
sides of the railroad bridge. Gen.
Wheaton sent Col. Funston across with
two companies of the Twentieth Kan
sas regiment, a couple Of privates swim
ming the swift stream with rope,
under CALLING fire, for the purpose of
guiding the raft. The men crossed in
squads of 20 and attacked the left flank
Of the rebels, who scuttled like rab-
bits into covered ways and trenches.
The rest of the regiment was compelled
to cross the bridge in single file along
the stringers. All the woodwork and
much of the ironwork had been re-
moved. The First Montana regiment
followed the kansans across the
bridge. The First Nebraska regiment
acting as reserve, attacked the rebels
in three lines of trenches, driving them
out, killing Is and wounding many.
In the meantime large body of Fill
pinos, estimated at 5000, led by Gen.
Antonio Luna on a black charger, that
was evidently coming to reinforce the
rebels who were engaged with the Ne
braskans, appeared in the open field
about two miles to the left. Emerging
from the jungle, the enemy formed an
open skirmish line nearly two miles in
length, with veiy thick reserves be-
hind. Then they advanced at double
quick until they were'about 1000 yards
from the American line, when Gen.
Wheaton ordered his troops to fire.
The rebels who We're evidently una
ware that the Americans had crossed
the river. broke and ran in the drec-
ton of Macabele. The other Eilipinos
fled toward Apalit station.
Gen. Lawton's advance has been
remarkable demonstration of the re-
sistless energy which characterizes all
his undertakings. The last troops
forming his column only reached Nor
zagaray yesterday. The men were
badly played out. as during the past
two days they have dragged bullock
carts over roadless iungles and through
swamps, cutting their own way for
miles. They will rest three days and
then, with Col. Summers command
consisting of the Oregon and Minnesota
regiments. the troops will resume the
march westward, cooperating with
Gen. MacArthurs forces in the impor-
tant enterprise.
FILIPINO MEDIATION COMMITTEE.
Manila, April lS.-'l'he committee of
Filipinos organized to mediate be-
tween the Americans and Aguinaldo
fears to approach the rebels, after the
refusal of the latter to receive the
Spanish commissioners who were
bearing white flag. The committee.
after consulting with the American
commissioners proposes TO tell Aguin-
aldo that while no terms except uncon-
dtional surrender could be offered after
the length to which the war had been
carried, they could assure the
rebels that they would be treated ac-
cording to the American traditions of
leniency to the conquered and that
there would be no punishments or con-
tscations of property if they laid down
their arms. The leaders of the com
mittee told United States Consul viii
liams that they would go if he would
accompany them, believing the rebels
trusted Mr.. Williams. The latter, how
ever, refused, having no authority in
the matter. He said II do not be-
lieve the Filipinos would harm me, but
they might detain me for MONTHS
THE CASUALTIES AMONG THE KANsANs.
Washington, April as.-Gen. Otis re-
ports the following casualties, among
others; Killed Twentieth Kansas,
company A, Private Resil Manahan.
Wounded Twentieth Kansas, com
pany Il, Second Lieut.. Cotton II. Ball,
jaw, severe: A, Private James W.
Korahner, axilla, severe; |, Private Jo'
seph Scott, side, moderate; |, Lyle L
Knox, shoulder, slight; X, Edward L
Harris, thigh, severe These casual
ties occurred in Wednesdays Hphtinp