Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-08
THE PHILIPPINE War.
The American Troops to Sweep the
Peninsula Of Norong.
SEVERAL SKIRNISHES TAKE PLACE.

SEVERAL SklRNlShES lane PLACE
Ths Filipino Rebels Dispersed In Ever,
Engsgsmsnt-A suffer from
the Intense Hsst-A strong Re-
slsjancs Expsctsdst Antipolo.
Manila, June 5.-The position Of thu
American troops last night indicated
that they will to-day sweep the PENN
sula Of Morong, the land projecting to
the south into Lsguna De Bay, where
the insurgents are supposed to have a
large force, near the town Of Morong,
as well as the battery on the western
shore Of the peninsula, which recently
smashed the propeller Of the gunboat
Napidan. Gen. Hall is marching from
Antipolo, about 81 miles northeast Of
Morong, toward the peninsula, with
his forces spread out to cover large
section. Col. Truman, with the First
North Dakota regiment and the
Twelfth infantry, is advancing along
the coast of the lake from Taytay, in
cidentally clearing several small towns.
Col Wholley, with the First Washing
ton regiment, has landed on the PENN
sula above the town Of Morong. The
army gunboats Napidan, Covadonga
and Ceste are in a position to cooperate
The original plan was to surround
the forces of Gen. Pic del Pillar so that
he must retreat to the Morong PENN
sula, where capture would have been
inevitable This was not complete
success because Gen. Halls column
found the country full of handicaps to
marching. There were several streams
to be brdged or forded, and the troops
frequently foundered through mo-
raises, waist deep in mud, an expert
ence, which, under the terrific sun, ex-
hausted the Americans quite beyond
endurance. Most of Gen. Pho del Pr
lars followers are supposed to have es-
capped northward, probably reaching
Bosonloso, a stronghold in the noun
tains.
Col Wholley, having successfully
completed his share of the movement,
brought the Washington regiment to
the river, where Saturday night about
midnight the men embarked upon cas-
Goes and started for their destination
under the convoy of the gunboats.
They encountered repetition Of the
experience undergone by almost every
expedition on attempting to enter
Laguna de Bay, as the boats were
aground in the shadows at the mouth
Of the river and were detained there
several hours. Maj. Gen. Lawton, in
the meantime, was indefatigable, rid
ing from one force to the other and
supervising the loading Of the cascoes,
without sleep for two nights.
Gen. Halls column, which assembled
at the waterworks, or pumping station,
late Friday night, under cover of a
moonless sky, consists of the Second
Oregon volunteers, who marched to the
point of rendezvous from the city bar
racks, a battalion of the Second Wyo,
ming regiment, four troops of th<
Fourth cavalry -one mounted on the
big American horses which so impressed
the natives, the Others unmounted-
two battalions of the Fourth infantry,
one battalion of the Ninth infantry,
the first six companies of the First Col
orado regiment and two mountain
guns. The men rolled themselves in
their blankets and lay upon the wet
grass for few hours under drizzling
rain.
At four o'clock Saturday morning
they began to cross the San Mateo
river, and about noon easily repulsed a
large band of Filipinos, about II miles
east of Manila, between Mariquina
and Antipolo. The Oregon regiment,
the cavalry, the artillery and the
Fourth infantry accomplished this
task, driving the insurgents from the
hills, the other troops being held in
reserve, but afterward joining the
main column in the pursuit toward the
sea.
A running fight was in progress all
the afternoon. A Filipino outpost
first attacked few American scouts,
whereupon the Fourth cavalry formed
a long skirmish line and easily drove
the insurgents into the hills. Then
the Oregon regiment moved across a
wet, soggy rice field, in extended order,
toward the hills, where y was believed
a large force of the enemy had con
centrated. When the Oregonians were
within about mile of the position
the Filipinos opened heavy fire, tho
Americans replying and pressing for
ward more rapidly.
After a few volleys the insurgents
were seen scattering over the crest of
the hills in every direction and their
panic was increased when the artillery
opened upon them and the shells began
to explode all around them, undoubted.
ly causing great loss of life. The BON.
bardment by the batteries and the
musketry was maintained for nearly
half an hour, after which not Filipino
could be seen on the hills and not q
shot came from the position.
Gen. Halls column, in the movement
upon the Morong peninsula, completed
a circuit of 20 miles over rough and
mountainous country, having two en-
gagements with the insurgents, one Of
them severe, and keeping up an almost
constant fire against scattered bands
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