The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-11
KANSANS HAVE COME.
Continued from First Page.1


esrthWOrSs were manned. The finish was
ors were borne through and in many
cases far beyond the Tagalo lines, and
a death marked trail to tel of how the
kansans fought when they once started
when at last on February T. Aguin-
aldo.s dusky soldiers started the game OF
ments thrown to the front at the north Of
Manila The line of the Fighting Twen-
ueLh was furiCuSly attacked by the con-
hdent FIlipinOs but these rebels were not
prepared for the reception which was
pected to make easy work of those brown
A-ievous disappointment, finding that not
only were the Kansas lads prepared Tor
defense, but when at daybreak an order
came turning them loose to move against
the enemy, their advance meant simply
bering and well protected enemy This
nrst engagement of the Filipino war was
Fighting Twentteth's' utter disregard for
danger. From its colonel to the lowest
private IN the ranks there was not a man
who did not seem to hnd delight IN bat
command was held back in its position
on the American firing lines
its mark as one of America.s historic
fighting regiments, the Fighting Twen-
of February FunstOn's command was
ordered to attack the enemy's position be-
advance against a strongly protected
rebel position in a dense jungle It was
4he 1-erI bs9T+ of CaioC~a1 Fefore tbe592
could be recalled. In this attack Kansas
list its first commissioned officer. Lieut.
Sns,hl a 4; AFFORD, VINO zen Whlle DraNe-
" leading his company. His death was
serious Glow, as he was not only a pOpu-
lar officer but also possessed military
knoWledge Tar In advance OF the ordinary
citizen soldier.
1T was discovered on February 9 that
the enemy was massing in front of Mac
February 10. orders were issued for the
o forces.
advance commenced at 3-40 p m, with
Kansas in the lead Across the open
swept Funston's boys. driving the natives
from their earthworks, and at o'clock
line was in the hands of the Americans.
That night the line Of the Fighting
1Wentleth was established at Caloocan,
aInldst The , ruins Of the town which the
At tills point Ihe Kansas boys prOceeded
TO intrench themselves and there awaited
fore CalOocan Kansas was several times
attacked, an exceptionally strong effort
February p. This attack was intended
to break the American lines so that the
Tagalos might enter the city of Manila
and there Cooperate with the natives,
who were attempting to carry out Aguin-
town and the murder of all white resi-
dents As the force of the attack was
Stationed the regiment was caIIed info
defensive action at the first alarm. It did
F'fIiDinos who retreated after severe loss
Hardly day passed without its attend
ant sAirmish. and Kansas was continually
exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharp
shooters. During one of these slight en-
gagements on February 25, Kansas lost
another of its best Officers Captain Da-
vid Elliott. Captain Elliott was one of
Kansas best company commanders. and
in the three weeks of fighting had gained
an enviable reputation as a leader. His
loss vas severe blow to his command,
and the entire regiment sincerely mourn
ed his death
Until Saturday, March, .. the 'Twen-
Ileth remained 1ntrenched before CaloO-
can For several days prior to that date
1t was known that some decisive move
ment was about to be made. and in all
the line which formed MacArthur's front
there was no regiment that displayed a
5IeateE QeSlre TO be on the move than
Kansas Occupying most exposed posi-
s4lLdliy ~ u Is DraVe men and every soldier
IN tne regiment was aching for an oppOr-
skullzing minions of Aguinaido At last
Ine advance commenced and long before
volunteers led the movement against the
wsa lintrenehed Filipinos Against a
from the prairie charged the first line
of fntrenchments driving the enemy from
earthworks were stormed, the Fighting
under a severe fire from a rebel block
ahan river. The river must be crossed
and the blOckhOuse taken. No bridges were
at hand. but that did not deter the brave
lads from Kansas. for with bullets cut
ting the limbs of trees above them, Fun
ston's brave band crossed the stream
sometimes swimming, so deep was the
water, and upon the opposite bank re-
forming the dripping lines dashed at the
blockhOuse andits accompanying trenches.
1t was such a charge as the Filipinos
enemy broke and ran. This daring charge
OF the Aansans was the eliminating point
oL the DAY action Its bravery and dash
seemingly broke the rebel spirit. which
up to that time had caused the natives
persistency.
This first days work of the Fighting
twentieth was the beginning of the ad-
vance against the rebel capital at Ma
4q2los and every point along the way where
by some conspicuous act of bravery on
the part of the members of the regiment
1S ~ AistIcn % az dallnta and Meycuayan,
kansas was hOtly engaged. the result be
ing thaU when night fell the regiment
4Ssesu N tne very trencheS from which
that afternoon they had driven the enc
alone fIe 1iTs - +t- ,.fit12S7 151StuS ~ -
pinos had realized the necessity of hold
either side of the track had c0nsfri1etei eli
lines of tntrenchments. the principal no
works topped with stones and provided
with Ioopholes Through this nest the
way, fighting at almost every step, chare-
4sns3 ea9T Ie open against bands of in
the enemy through almost impassabIe
3ungles.
AT Maralao the Filipinos made deter
mined stand on the north bank of the rfv-
er, delivering an effective fire as the Kan
to ford and the artillery was sheIlfns the
enemy 8 position Kansas was chatting at
daring heroes from the regiment proved
that no river could keep them from the
enemy.
These brave Kansans led by Colonel
t'unston, boldly swan the river under a
heaVy hre landing almost under the shad-
oW OF the Filipino earthworks With a
wild dash up the bank Colonel Funston
his brave lads captured the position.
Logether with eighty prisoners and ali |
Sneir arms once again had Kansas dar-
Ing methods demora1ized the enemy who
broke ana ran when they saw that their |
comrades had fallen such easy prev TO |
Funston and his dashing followers. That
night the Fighting Twentieth rested in
AaraIaO after one OF the most severe (
Gay work that had ever come to a reg |