The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-28

WASHINGTON, March 27.-Maior
Simpson, chief OF the military informa-
ton bureau, was again busy to-day as
scmbling the latest information from
the scene Of battle and so arranging 1t
on the military map as to show the pro-
gress OF the engagement. 1t disclosed
n complete change in the movement
since Saturday. Then the essential
feature Of Gen Otis plan was to enclose
the insurgents between two parallel
lines Of the American forces and thus
entrap them to be crushed or captured.
Now this strategic move has given way
to a combined forward movement OF the
entire American forces under Major
General Macarthur. The change of OPP
erations was due to the escape OF the
insurgent forces from Malabon, where
the original purpose was to take the .'ln
reverse" Macarthur has under his
command the brigudes OF Wheaton,
Hale and Harrison Gray Otis. They
are sweeping straight toward Malolos.
IheTe is no strategy or surprise in this
movement. unless something uneXpcct-
ed develops 1t Is simply slow and
logged retreat OF the insurgents toward
alaiolos. and the straight advance OF
the walls OF American troops toward
the retreating insurgents.
ne great changes wrought since Sat
urday were shown on the military maps
with Its new arrangement OF forces. In
Two days the insurgent base, which was
at'Malabon. five miles north Of Manila.
has fallen back to Malolos, about 20
miles north OF Manila. At the same
time the American lines have moved
forward from Cafoocan, about four
miles from Manila. until. Gen. Otis re-
ports to-day. Gen. Macarthur holds
Marion. twelve miles north OF Manila.
Thus the insurgent retreat covers about
{ hfteen miles and the american advance
covers about eight miles. This ad-
vance. however. has been circuitous,
first eastward towards Novaliches, and
then westward to Mariloa.
The entire movement Is now proceed
Ing along the lines OF the railroad.
which Is presumed to be level stretch
all the way between the two opposing
forces. There are no less than ten
small streams crossing the railroad be-
tween the two forces. These are the
streams to which General Otis refers In
reporting the insurgents to have de-
stroyed bridges which impede the pro-
gress OF our supply trains and artillery.
Major Simpson, who was on the staff
OF Gen. Greene at Manila, and Is per-
sonally familiar with the surrounding
country, says that besides the difficulty
OF burned bridges. the roads at their
best are almost impossible for light
artillery and the quick manoeuvers OF
cavalry. Our light field guns can be
moved forward slowly but IL Is limos
sible to SO manipulate them as to take
advantage OF every crest and rise OF
ground. The only horses available for
the cavalry and artillery are the small
native ponies.
The interest of to-day centers In the
stand to be made by AguinaIdo with his
insurGent forces. There is hope that
he will rick a final stand at Malolos. In
that event the next As hours should de-
termine the final issue, as the American
forces at Mariloa are not more than ten
miles from Malolos. Between these
places the scattered forces are engaged,
the extreme rear OF the insurgent
troops and the extreme front of the
Americans bearing the brunt.
While this Is going on fifteen or TWEEN.
ty miles north OF Manila, Gen. Otis dis
patches show that the insurgents are
again active souIn Of Manila. where
Major General Lawton's division Is in
reserve. Gen. Otis report shows no
concern as to this southern movement
as he remarks that "Lawtou viii look
out for them The Lawton forces conf
prise the brigades o: Generals Over
shine and King. Originally 1t includ-
ed Wheaton's brigade. but now Wheat
on is operating under Macarthur at the
. north