Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-08
In Pursuit of the Fiifpiuos.

Without rest Funston and his Kansans
pushed on in the wake OF the fleeing
Filipinos, hoping to overtake them and
destroy a large portion of their force.
But still another stream lay between
the Kansas soldiers and the rebel
earthwOrks. At its crossing Funston and
his brave lads were destined to again make
record for heroiSm by overcoming one
of the most serious obstacles which had
Yet faced MacArthur's advance. II was on
the morning Of April y. when the lines
reached the south bank of the Rio Grande.
Just across the stream lay Apalit, and be-
tween the river ard town there was a net
work OF rebel intrenchments occupied by
the flower of Aguinaldo'S army, led by
General Luna. Under their leaders direc-
ton the kausans constructed RATS capable
OF carrying ten soldiers each. for the
bridge had been almost totally DESTROYED
by the insurgents. During this work heir
position had been constantly aSsail5d by
sharpshoOters from the trenches on the
opposite bluff. At last the time came for
what VIII stand as one of the most daring
escapades of the Philippine campaigns.
Under Colonel funstons direction. Pri-
Yates White and Trcmbley bravely faced
the rushing current. carrying line with
which to draw a raft across. The FHipinos
saw the movement, and every rife spoke
as the two brave lads carried the line
across, and then dragged over a raft con-
tanning Colonel Funston and a detachment
of kansans Other RATS followed, ard
with their leader at the front the Kansas
line was reformed and a bold flank move
ment executed, before which the Fiipinos
fed. pell nell leaving many dead in the
trenches. Thus, again, by the exceptional
daring of Funston and his Kansans, lad
the rebels been routed from one, Of their
strongest positions.
Funston Made n Brfgndier.
'As a result Of his exceptional bravery,
the army leaders in Luzon especially in
dorsed Colonel Funston for promotion,
with the result that on May he became a
briSadier general Of volunteers by special
Wilder S Metcalf was Immediately ad-
y,anced TO the colonelcy OF the Fighting
Twentieth
"On May Generals Wheaton and Fun
ston. with a flying column, led by the
Fighting Twentieth. advanced against
San Tomas. Their movements were des5-
perately resisted. but Kansas again routed
the rebels, driving them through and be-
yOnd the town. In this engagement Kan
sas lost another of its brave officers. Lieu
tenant William +. McTaggart. who fell at
the very moment when his men were ac-
complishing one Of the most decisive vic
tories of the campaign. The following day
Kansas line advanced to San Fernando.
from which Aguinaldo hurriedly removed
his capital.
Until its final recall to Manila the
. Fighting Twentieth maintained it's posi-
ton as q portion of General FuHston's hri-
gade, being repeatedly engaged with bands
"
futile attempts to break through the in
vincible line formed by these men in brown
from our Kansas prairies Every Skin
mish told some new story of Kansas bray
cry, until now these gallant lads are re-
turning with the greatest laurels that the
Philippine campaign could bestow.
Fighters, Not Takers.
The brown ranks of Kansas were made
up OF men who went to the Philippines to
! act and not TO talk. No finer examples of
American snldiery ever peeped over a gun
/ sight. and in addition to this high quality
| of its men the Kansas Twentieth was for
J tunate in being exceptionally well COM
I manded. General Funston has by those
deeds of daring. in which he was SO well
supported by his men. gained not only mil
/ itary advancement. but reputation Tor
personal bravery which renders him easily
A shining. central figure of the entire war.
/ In Colonel Metca!f was found fitting sue
1 cessOr to lead the Kansans. Both OF these
colonies have been ably supported by Lieu
| tenant Colonel Little, and In fact by every
| officer OF the regiment In n short time
| these gallant volunteers will once more
become citizens instead of soldiers. Every
| individual in the regiment is entitled 10
/ the thanks of grateful people for the
/ honor he has brought to the state which
( sent him forth to battle.
The glorious welcome which Kansas
/ will give to her returning heroes will be
more particularly appreciated because ii
/ Is So we'll deserved.
| While Mr.. White tells In a general way
/ of the brilliant achievements of the TWEEN
tieth Kansas, he does not go into detail
| concerning the various engagements. That
! Information. however. Is contained in the
monthly reports made over the signatures
| of Colonel Funston and Colonel Metcalf to
| the adiutant general OF the Kansas nation
| al guard. These reports are concise and
| the most remarka bic thing about them is
| the modesty displayed by the colonies who
! prepared them. There Is nothing boastful
| In any Of them.
! beginning with the report for February
| 1Sg9-the month when the rebellion opened
and ending with the report for July 1886
the last one received by Adjutant Cen
eral S. NJ Fox up 10 date-the colonies
| say:
Official Report for February.
sbruary-"About 1000 p m, February 4
orders were received for the regiment &c
take the field in accordance with a pre-
viOusly arranged plan. and the Second and
| commander. at once proceeded to the scene
| of hostilities at the Kansas outposts al
| the extreme left OF the American lines
| where the enemy were held in check by
| the outpost guard OF two officers and sixty
| men. Line was quickly formed and fire
| opened upon the insurgents. The fire was
| returned. and a heavy exchange of rifle
| shots maintained until daylight and in.
| termittently until noon of the 9TH inst
| when an advance of the entire brigade Iine
was ordered and Immediately executed the
! First battalion having meanwhile Joined