Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-05
allegiance to the instruction and are
likely To assume neutral attitude.
IJ'NA'S FORCES DOOMED.


LUNA'S FORCES DOOMED.
II seems as though General Antonio I.u-
mas forces are destined to destruction
within a few da.'s unless they surrender
or scatter.
The American army has been skilfully
posted ut points OF immense strategic
advantage. The insurgents expected them
TO advance on Balnag by way OF Quin-
qua and had furrowed the entire country
beyond Quingua with the strongest en-
trenchmenis. Instead Of taking this
course General Macarthur swung toward
San Tomas. the route 10 which was al
most unprotected General Iawton
brought his brigade Ia against Balsuam
from the southeast. covering the line Oh
retreat OF the rebels toward the noun
tains. and deTriying them Of a refuge
upon which they had always counted.
General I.awton captured 5000 bushels
OF rice, an important part OF the stores
established by the rebels.
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
The Spanish commissioners have made
another futile attempt for the relief OF
the Spaniards held as prisoners by the
Filipinos Their vessel steamed to the
port nearest Dagupan. Fearing TO lahu'
they sent n letter TO Aguinaldo, saying
that they were authorized to exchange
1900 Filipinos, now I'm the hands OF the
Americans, for the Spanish prisoners.
reply was received from Senior MaDnl.
Aguinaldo's prime minister. which was
dated April 18th. and which stated that
Aguinaldo was negotiating for peace,
pending which negotiations he could nor
discuss the question Of the exchange OF
prisoners.
FILIPINos FIGHT DESPERATELY.
MANILA. May g. S:25 a. MIN spite
~ the peaceful overtures Of their COM
missioners the Fiipinos vigorously re-
sisted the advance Of General MacAr-
thurs division from Apalit toward san
Fernando fighting desperately at long
range. after running from trench 10
trench when driven out by the American
THO movement commenced at $50 In the
morning. General Hale's brigade, CONSIST
ing of FIVE Gatlings. under the commahd
of Major Young, Of the sixth ArtlleIy'
two battalions OF the flfty-nrst Io"a
Regiment. the First Nebraska Regiment
and tho First South Dakota Regiment
advanced along the road few miles west
of the railway.
General Wheaton with Hotchkiss ana
Calling guns. under the command Of Lieu
tenant Naylor OF the Utah Light Artil-
Ierr mounted on hand-cars, pushed
ahead. the Twentieth Kansas and FIRST
Montana regiments deploying to the right
ana left when feasible. The country ira
yersed proved the worst yet encountefed'
miles of marshes and many unfordable
streams delaying the advance materlaily'
STUBBORN RESISTANCE.
Roth brigades met with resistance SIM
ultaneOusly on approaching the wv
near San Tomas. which is about eight
kilometres about four and half miles)
from Apalit. The centre span of the rail-
road bridge had dropped into the river,
and the rebels had only left small force
to check General Wheaton, their main
body lining the strong trenches In front
of General Hale
Although the attacking force poured
very heavy artillery and musketry nre
across the river. the enemy stubborniy
resisted for over an hour, ultimately
breaking when Major Young shelled their
left flank. and then retreating along the
river bank under cover
General Wheaton. in the mean time
tried Intellectually to draw the fire OF the
Filipnos I'm the trenches east OF the track.
So soon as they discovered tina the ma
tire of the country would permit only a
few skirmishers on each side of the en-
bankment. the rebels reganed their cour-
age and fought desperately for three
quarters Of an hour. I'm the face Of Amer
can yolleys and a rapid-fire fusillade
until nanked by the Montana regiment.
Then a general scramble ensued, most OF
the enemy boarding trains that were in
readiness. and the oGfrrs taking the road
to San Fernando. after burning the VII
lagos of San Tomas and Minaln.
About noon General Wheaton crossed
the broken bridge. cleared the stragglets
out OF the villages. and advanced to-
ward San Fernando General Hale ef-
fected a crossing simultaneously, after a
slight delay necessary TO repair stone
bridge. -...
OUR LOSSES.
our loss up to that hour noon) was
two members of the Nebraska regiment
and one Of the Montana regiment killed:
and Captain Brecht three members OF
the Montana two OF the Nebraska. ana
one OF the South Dakota regiment wound
ed The enemy's loss was slight.
After a short rest the advance was
continued General Wheaton encounter
ing the first series Of entertainments near
SAN Fernando The rebels now opened
a hot fire. 100 ~.
Colone, Funston. Of the Twentieth Kan
sas. was wounded; one lieutenant was
killed and four were wounded while lead
ing four companies OF the h"i'S'S iesi-
ment 10 outflank the enemy.
General Hale pushed along the iodu'
thanking the trenches. .,,-,.,r>
MANY SICK AND WOUNDED.
More than hundred sick and wouhueu
mon from General Lawton's Brigade were
brought TO Manila from Malolos by last
800. ,,oip H. heat is uuDeafIole.