The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-09
q LATER ACCOUNT
Of the Brilliant Charge of the TWEEN
tieth Kansas.s

Tuesday evening, as the Filipinos at
CaloOcan were evidently massing for a
night attack upon the American left
wing, Companies B, G and I, of the
Twentieth Kansas infantry, were or
dered to attack and drive the sharp
shooters from a. bamboo jungle in front
of the firing line, where they had caused
considerable annoyance all the after
noon. The battalion charged brilliant
ly, driving the enemy like chaff, and
penetrating to the very heart of Cal
ocean.
First Lieut.. A. c. Afford, as previous
1y cabled, was killed while leading his
company. He was shot in the forehead.
Sergt. Jay Sheldon, Company l. was
seriously wounded. PriVates Daniel
Hewitt, Ernest Fritz, John Gillian and
two other members of Company B were
also slightly wounded.
Thirty dead Filipinos were counted
in the brush, and there were many more
wounded. The gunboats Concord and
Callao kept up an inceSsant fire from
the bay the Concord dropping many
shells into the town with telling effect.
In order to avoid accidents from this
source, General Otis was compelled to
recall the Kansas battalion, after burn
ing the outskirts of the town. Either
the shells of the American warShipS or
the natives themselves fired number
of buildings within the town limits.
Presumably this was the result of the
Smelling. No further attempt to attack
during the night was made by either
side.
The Spanish papers generally COM
ment in favorable terms upon the ad-
mirabIe order maintained in Manila
The Union Iberica says
1--WE are satisfied that the Americans
who are for the greater part volunteers,
fought cooI1y and with perfect discipline,
though without entertainments, at the
various points defended, and demon
strated the spirit which animates them
The Filipinos who are accustomed to
fight in trenches and with guerrilla
methods, also fought bravely, but with
less precision and regularity
The situation today is practically I'M
changed. The American line has not
been appreciably extended and the
troops generally taking much needed
rest. Reconnaissance show that the
FilipinOS are in force in the villages of
Pasig and Paranaque, probably 1000
men at the latter place, within strong
Notifications. All is quiet along the line.
SENDING SPANIARDS HOME:
Washington, Feb. 9.-The repatriation
of the Spanish troops in the Philippines
is now being prosecuted with energy.
General Otis has notified the depart
ment that he had in Manila recently
$500 prisoners to return to Spain. OF
these 1900 have already been shipped
and of the remaining $500 he proposes
to ship 120 officers and 1900 men on two
of the Spanish transportation company's
steamers now at Manila 1t is expected
that the vessels will start about the
18th.
There has been an almost complete re-
lease of the tension under which the
rapid occurrence of events in the Philip
pines has held the officials of the admin
istration since the first startling news from
Manila on Saturday night. This was
brought about through the report of
bulletin of General Otis. summing up the
latest results of the fighting he has had
with the natives The statement that
Aguina1do'S influence had been destroyed
and that the Filipino leader was seeking
for cessation of hostilities and for
conference was most acceptable and was
interpreted as an admission that he had
realized his terrible mistake. It is en-
tirely improbable that he will be able to
were possible last week. No one here
to impose in the way of terms. Secre-
tary Alger repeated his statement that he
had given the general instructions
since the battle and saw no reason for
giving any He realized; he said, that
having proved his fitness, was in better
position to deal with the situation than
eraI ask permission, therefore, to do any
thing, he would be granted permission i'm
mediately.
SHOULD he seek for instructions on any
point" said Secretary Alger, '-he will be
told to exercise his own discretion
In this view of the case, it will he seen
that no one here can at present tell how
General Otis will deal towards Aguinaldo's
application. But the opinion is expressed
perience with the Indians that he will
make the laying down of arms the condi-
ton of dealing with the insurgents at all,
and if that condition is met, of course it
viii mean a speedy termination of the
bellion.