Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-30
TROOPS TRUE TO THEIR TRUST
Courage and Patience Shown in Trying Days
Before Ho,tilties Began,
PRoVoCATloN WAS ALMOST INToLERABLE
Insursents' Efforts to Provoke Attack
Called ont Rare scIf-ControI and
observation-disclosures Men Mem
TONED by Name.

WASHINGTON, June 2o.-The report Of
Major General Thomas NJ Anderson. COM
manding the First division of the Eighth
army corps during the first battles with the
insurgents in the Philippines, was made
public at the War department today. 1t Is
dated February 16 and relates mainly TO
the operations of February 3. The report
in part is as follows:
4 line OF deimitation had been agreed
upon between the department commander
and the insurgent Filipino authorities. Find
ing that we did not hold our line Of de.
limitation the Filipino military forces ad
vanced beyond this line and began to throw
up formidable line of entertainments They
also constructed other Notifications
As the insurgents saw their formidable
works approaching completion they became
more insolent day by day and finally did
everything they could in nsolencc and in
suits to provoke us to begin the conflict.
AS they were permitted to go and come
through our lines at will, they knew Gust
what troops we had, where they were To-
Gated and that we were making no visible
preparations for defense. 1t seems proper TO
make these statements in order to justify
the assertion that no troops ever behaved
better under intense provocation showing
excellent discipline and self-control. The
First brigade of this division was under
Brigadier General Charles King. The Sec
ond brigade was under Brigadier General
Samuel Ovenshine.
The only preparations which could be
made for battle, in view OF orders to stand
on the defensive, was the assignment of the
different organizations on the fighting line,
and in securing positions for artillery. Moth
ing more apparently could be dcne, as our
government had to preserve a waiting policy
until the treaty of peace with Spain was
signed. Nevertheless, as an attack from the
front might be followed by an uprising in
the city, this procrastination placed the
army under a great disadvantage.
Insurgents Begin Hostilitics.
At $40 o'clock on the morning OF Febru-
airy the insurgents opened fire on Block
house No. IL with Mauser rifles. / had just
ridden up TO my headquarters in the city,
from which l had telegraphic communica
tions with every part of my command.
first telegraphed corps headquarters for per-
mission to take the offensive when it be-
came light enough to do so.
At o'clock directed General Ovenshine
to open artillery fire on Blockhouse No. II
and the wood nearby and to be prepared to
drive the enemy from the Malate front and
If he yielded easily to turn to the left with
part Of his command and sweep the enemy
from his entire front II successful. to be
ready to reinforce Kings right and turn the
left OF the insurgent force operating from
Santa Ana. This project was not carried out
until later in the day, as permission was not
given to assume the offensive until o'clock.
In the meantime, the fighting on Kings
line became heavier as the day advanced
At last at o'clock, telegram came
from Major General Otis, authorizing an ad-
vance IL not made too far. l went at once
to Battery knoll, taking with me the Wyo-
ming battalion. Finding there three COM
panies of Caifornians placed these seven
companies under the command of Colonel
Smith Of the First California and directed
him to deploy and advance in line with the
rest of Kings brigade, substituting this for
the intended cooperation of Ovenshine.
General King was present and was ordered
to advance as soon as Smith deployed
These officers received this order with de-
light and their troops with enthusiasm. The
movement began at $50 a. M, with rush
over the creek in our front; a cheer and
rafting volleys as the whole line advanced,
not by rushes, but with a rush. The insur-
gent line foil back before our advance,
Californians' Gallant Assault.
At the same time the California battalion
charged and drove the enemy out of Santa
Ana, driving them from stone walls and con-
vents, churches and houses and fighting
their way through blazing bamboo huts from
which the natives were firing.
Brigadier General OvenshIne, commanding
the Seccnd brigade, had the North Dakota
rap iout roI IT.,
occupying the other Spanish trenches from
Fort Malate on the bay to an almost i'm
passable swamp which divided his line into
two sections. At about 10 o'clock Ovenshine
ordered an advance. The North Dakotas
drove the enemy from their frcnt back to the
Carmelite convent. Major Potter with
Matile's battalion, Fourteenth infantry ad-
Vanced through the woods. After a desperate
hight the enemy was driven out, but not with
out infieting serious loss upon us.
Hearing of the successful advance of the
North Dakotas | telegraphed General Oven
shine to carry out the project had arranged
with him and attempt to roll up the enemy
by movement from right to left IS there
was long delay in carrying out this order
repeated severaf 1t times by telegraph and
aides were sent with oral orders. 1t was at
last found that he was under false i'm
PiessioH lhdl ne ndu received other orders
from the corps commander. When this mis-
apprehension was removed he made the
movement with complete success
The 2oolness. energy and bravery of the
officers and men of this division are WORTHY
OF highest consideration. Beginning on the
lett the Idaho regiment under Major Fig
gins did splendid service. Major Macon
vile, who served under my command in the
war OF the rebellicn, was killed leading his
battalion, like the brave and faithful officer
that he was. Captain Wilmington is espe-
cially commended by his brigade commander
Recruits Fight Like Veterans.
The Washington regiment, under Colonel
Wholley, received its baptism of fire. Its
men fought like veterans. From the Cali
tornia regiment / expected excellent sery-
ice. Colonel James f. Smith showed the
! very best quality of a volunteer officer
His services in every position in which he
has been placed have been most valuable
and efficient. | cordially recommend him
| as brigadier general Of volunteers Major
Slime of the same regiment proved he is a
natural born soldier He Is not only brave,
but cool and discreet.
| Captain Haan, lieutenant third artillery.
in command of the engineer company,
/ II