The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-14

CERvANTES. Lsixon. Dec. 8, via Mariia,
Dec. 1s.-Through splendid gencralship,
Maj. March's battalion which left Candon
November 50 bound for this place has taken
q second Thermopylae and destroyed seven
ty-fve OF the 100 picked men, commanded
by Gen. Gregorio del Pillar. who were sent
to hold at any cost a pass above the clouds
In Telad mountains.
Guides piloted the battalion to salcedc.
which place was reached on tho night Of
November 80. Here It was found that the
Americans were on the right track Of
Aguinaldo. he having gone this way instead
OF along the coast road. as reported Aguin-
aldo was accompanied by his wife. baby,
mother ana two sisters, Gen. Conception
and Gen. Del Pillar and $50 men.
Well Constructed Barricades.
On December 1 Maj. March's men pro-
ceeded in single fle through the forest.
They found numerous remarkably we'll
constructed barricades. which were capable
of defying strong force. but all the posi-
tions had been deserted by the enemy.
The First Insursent Attack.
The command reached Conception with
out meeting with any resistance, thence
they proceeded to Lngai, where Capt.
Davis, while accommodating, was attacked
by insurgents under Gen. Gregorio Del
Pillar. who were posted in the hills above
him.
The First Charge DISASTROUS.
Capt. Jenkinson's company, which was on
the hillside to the right, discovered the
enemy's position and charged It, Ftlipinos
delivered a volley and Lieut.. McClelland
and two men were instantly killed and six
men wounded.
The Insurgents Trapped.
Maj. March ordered halt sent ten
sharpshooters under Sergt. Mai McDougall
to hill on the left, commanding the
enemy's works. This little party made
fierce attack and held the attention Of the
insurgents while Capt Tompkins and COM
pany climbed for three hours through the
brush and circling to the right. finally got
above and behind the rebels thus holding
thu key Of the position. They charged the
insurgents and the others. hearing the
cheering joined the attack.
Finding the Americans advancing on
theru frcm three sides, trapped and be-
wildered. the rebels attempted to scatter.
hecc:ess Of Del Pillars entreaties to them
to hold the works. His commands could be
plainly heard by the Americans
All But Twenty-Five Killed.
Only twenty-five of the rebels survived
the attack. 1t Is known there were hum
dred rebels holding the position, the re-
mainder of the force having either accom-
panied Aguinaldo or deserted.
How Del Pillar Fell.
The last body passed by the victorious
American troops as they rushed successive
works was that of Gen. Del Pillar who had
been shot In the head. On his body was
found diary dedicated to the generals
sweetheart
Captured the Encmy's Food.
The top of the pass where the battle was
fought s 1900 feet above the sea level.
The exhausted and famished troops found
quantity OF rice belonging to the rebels
and this was quickly cooked and eaten.
Tho Americans killed were inferred in
graves dug with bayonets, where they fell.
The wounded were taken to Angaqua.
Aguinaldo Takes up His Flight.
BY forced marching the battalion reached
Cervantes q hours behind Aguinaldo. who,
hearing of Del Pilars defeat, had escaped
with a small escort and signal corps cor
poral, a prisoner, in the direction of Bon
toc 1t is probable he was later reinforced.