Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-19
famous newspaper correspondent, in
his book. "On to Manila.n He saws.

famous newspaper correspondent, in
his book, ION to Manila" He says:
When, on February l. Aguinaldo's dusky SOL
diers started the game of war Kansas was one
Of the first regiments thrown to the front at
the north Of Manila. The line Of the Fighting
Twentieth" was furi0usly attacked by the con-
tdent Filipinos, but these rebels were not pre-
pared for the reception which was given them.
The Tagalos expected to make easy work OF
those brown lines before Caloocan, but they
met with grevous disappointment finding that
not only were the Kansas lads prepared for de-
tense, but when at daybreak an order came
turning them loose to move against the enemy,
F, their advance meant simply defeat and destruc-
tion for the outnumbering md well-protected
enemy The first engagement OF the Filipino
war was magnificent demonstration Of the
Fighting Twentieths' utter disregardfo dan
ger. From its colonel 10 the lowest private in
the ranks there was not man who did not
seem to find delight in battle 1t was even
with difficulty that the command was held back
in Its position on the American firing line.
Having won its first victory and made Its
mark as one Of Americas historic fighting reg
iments, the Fighting Twentieth" was left
little rest, for on the night Of February Funs-
toms command was ordered to attack the
enemys position before Its front. The work
demanded an advance against strongly pro-
tected rebel position, located In dense Jungle
1t was brilliant charge the enemy being
driven like chaiY, and the Kansans penetrating
the very heart Of Caloocan before they could be
recalled. In this attack Kansas lost its first
commissioned officer Lieut.. A. c. Afford, who
I fell while bravely leading his company.
1t was discovered on February that the
enemy was massing in front OF MacArthur's
line, and on the afternoon of February ~ or
ders were issued for the dislodgement of the ma
tive forces, The advance commenced at $40 p
m. with Kansas in the lead, Across the open
swept Funston's boys, driving the natives from
| their earthworks, and at six o'clock the insur
gent position, with the railroad line, was in the
hands of the Americans, That night the line OF
the Fighting Twentieth" was established ut
Caloocan, amidst the ruins OF the town, which
the insurgents had fired before their retreat
At this point the Kansas boys proceeded to in
trench themselves, and there awaited orders for
a further advance. Here, before Caloocan,
Kansas was several times attacked an excep-
tionally strong effort being made by the natives
on the night Of February q. This attack was
intended to break the American line so that the
Taealos might enter the city Of Manila and
there cooperate with the natives, who were
attempting to carry out Aguinaldo's nefarious
plot for destruction OF the town and the mur-
der OF all white residents. As the force Of the
attack was principally directed against that
portion Of the American lines where Kansas
was stationed, the regiment was called into de-
fensive action at the first alarm. 1t did not
take long to drive back the massed Filipinos,
who relreated after severe loss Hardly day
passed without its attendant skrmish. and
Kansas was continually exposed to the fire OF
the enemy's sharpshooters During one OF
these slight engagements on February 25, Kan
sas lost another Of its best officers, Capt Dav d
Elliott.