Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-06-10
ENSIGN DAVIS GOOD WORK.
General Otis Recommends Him foi
Promotion.


Washington, June 6.-The navy de.
partment has made public a report
from Admiral Dewey, recommending
the advancement of Ensign Cleland
Davis ten numbers above his present
rank for strikingly gallant services
made in connection with General Mac'
Arthur's division I'm engagements
ashore near Malolos and Caloocan.
The report presents the peculiar sit.
uation of q naval officer being recon
mended for promotion by the com
mander Of an army corps, and this
recommendation being approved by
the admiral of the feet. Ensign Da;
Wis explorations consisted in voluns
teering to take ashore a colt automa-
tic gun from the Helena and cooper
ate with Major Young, of the Utah
battery, in MacArthur's advance on
Caloocan.
lie reported on February q with
three marines, the regular gun crew,
and remained ashore Until April 4,
During this time his gun and detach-
ment accompanied the artillery in the
forward movement and in the attack
on Caballion he practically saved a
detachment Of the Fourth cavalry
from being wiped out in attacking an
insurgent entertainment. The cavalry
had suffered severely in attacking d
very elaborate redoubt, losing 35 per
cent. Of their men In killed and wound-
ed. At this time n gun of the Utah
battery and Ensign Davis, with his
colt gun, were brought forward under
cover TO within l25 yards of the i'm
surgent trench. The combined fire of
these two pieces absolutely silenced
the redoubt. On March 81 Ensign Da-
Wis, at his " request, advanced to
the bank Of the Marilas river, within
twenty-five yards of an insurgent
trench on the opposite side. Here, az
in the preceding case, he was under n
vicious fire, but again he succeeded in
absolutely clearing the trench and
forcing the surrender of about twcn-
,ty men who remained in it alive. On
March 20 he again went into service
on u railroad bridge at G%arquinto un-
der a dangerous cross-fire, and on
March 80 again co-operatcd in the ar
tiIlery attack on Ponta Ayalalos. On
April 4 he went forward to the Quin-
qua river and pushed the automatic
gun into a position on the opposite
bank, within $50 yards of the enemy's
trenches. Here he was temporarily in
command of one of Lieutenant Stem
ming's guns in the l%attcr'S absence,
and here, as in the other places, was
under a vicious fire. On finishing his
short service he was recommended for
promotion by Major Young, with
warm Endorsements from General Mac
Arthur and Major General Otis.
Ensign Davis, in his W report,
makes some pertinent comment ON the
probable value of light automatic guns
in operating with field artillery. He
suggests the feasibility Of each bat
terry carrying at least one of these
guns on the Timber of the larger
pieces, saying that it gives to the bat
terry all the support of a company of
infantry, and that it has the advantage
of being able to fire over the heads of
advancing troops with perfect safety,
as was done at Guinganto. lie refers
to the fact that in looking over ono
trench Colonel Funston and Sergeant
Smith found one insurgcnt dead with
five holes in his body in a space that
could be covered by a mans hand, all
of them the work of the automatic
gun.
Admiral Dewey, in transmitting his
report on Ensign Davis expedition,
says:
Ensign Davis was a volunteer for
this duty ashore with the army. He
was engaged in all actions against the
insurgents that took place on the
northern front of the army between
February 27 and April 4 and per-
formed valiant service and rendered
valuable aid to our troops. ! there
fore commend him to the department.
and recommend that he be advanced
ten numbers in his grade. &
"The crew of the colt gun crew con-
sisted of Corporal Thomas +. Prcnder-
gast and PrivatcS Howard NJ. buckley
and Joseph Calvin, United States ma
rinc corps. These men performed
their duty under most trying condi-
tions in the most exemplary manner
and deserve praise. hope the depart
ment will reward in a suitable manner
their services. Very respectfully,
George Dewey,
uA1pnfrol Irnitn1 States NnyVp