New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-15
WITH THE ARMY IN LUZON.
THE FIGHTING NOT DESPERATE BUT
HARAssING TO THE TROOPS.

IATIoN IN TOWNS AND CHURCHES.
In the Trenches. Manila. April B.
The lighting around Manila since the arrival
~ the 4th has not been of desperate character,
hut has been harassing in its physical require
ments The general advance Ia the north that
began on February IS has -continued until now;
the affective point-Malolos-ha been reached
and Aguinaldo's forces are much scattered. This
IA, not been easily accomplished, but the coun-
try was nevertheless clean swept the move
ment being. in general terms a swinging TO the
northwest Of MacArthurs division. its left piv-
oted on Caloocan. Malabon fell on the second
days advance. It near this latter place
that the gallant Colonel Egbert, Of the 22d, was
killed. falling as did his predecessor Colonel
wikofY. at the very head Of his regiment The
operation covered on the right by flying
column under General Hall. the trenches va
Gated by MacArthur's troops being occupied as
the advance began by the Sd. 4th and two bat
talions OF the 18th. In addition to the capture
OF Malolos. the movement has effected the sepa-
ration OF the insurgents into two bodies
On the night of March 30 the Sd Battalion Of
the 9TH Infantry received orders to move to the
waterworks. there TO join battalion Of the LIST
Colorado and one OF the Odd. and take part In
a demonstration against Maraquina. a strong
hold occupied by one Of Aguinado's best regi-
Yn.nts We reached the waterworks at a. m.
law down for an hours rest the trumpets sound
ing reveille at 4 O'Clock. At the forward"
was given. and the march begun In the
ghostly dawn.
THE ADVANCE ON MARAQUINA.
Crossing the little stream three times In half
mile, each time by wading. we advanced on the
town al about $50 o'clock the battalion OF the
23d leading sharp but not hurtful fire was
opened on the Odd they forded the stream at
a point where IT waist deep. IT was hand
somely done. and the natives fed through the
town TO the protection OF the foothills.
Swinging to our left. swept up the valley.
the insurgents making final stand In the edge
of wood about seven miles from the water
works An hours hard lighting and advance
over a level field and we had scattered them. and
our demonstration was successful in that we
had contained" this body while Macarthur
had rushed Malolos Withdrawing we made our
return to this camp, reaching here at about
D. m. having marched over thirty miles through
two transforms and fought from $50 until IL
o'clock. all In about eighteen hours time.
In this fighting lost two men killed and
had twelve men wounded but the death OF one
4th. We had lost Lieutenant John c. Gregg, OF
ours. He was General Halls senior aid, and
was almost instantly killed by a sharpshooter
while carrying orders to the right Of our line.
Fatigue rain and our sense OF personal danger
were swallowed up by grief over the death OF a
good soldier and a CHEEKY companion. Three
weeks service in the Philippines in this civiliz-
ing war had concluded fifteen years Of prepare
. to ely C1a hut i, INN
LIFE IN THE TRENCHES.
Life In trenches has often been described. 1t
Is confirming wearisome, and but for occasional
alarms from the outposts deadly dull. We live,
eat and sleep in the narrow space but the men
are cheerful. even jolly. and every little indi-
vidual assignment has It's followed out recess
in the front wall wherein are stored the odds
and ends Of soldiers belongings. Many OF the
men have pet monkeys. / saw one man going
into the fight at Maraquina with monkey sit
ting on his shoulder chattering with rage or,
perhaps, fear.
Not far from the lines Of this command Is a
native cemetery. High walls OF stone with
deliberately carved archway form the Enclosure.
Within are parallel structures of Stone and
brick some ten feet in height wherein are rows
above OF narrow vaults opening on the
ter portion. the poorer ones being closed by a
stone. In these NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." they are
are placed the bodies there to remain until
those left behind to mourn forget. or neglect to
pay box rent. In either OF those cases out
comes the departed and his bones are added to
the CHASTITY heap in the rear Of the cemetery 1
saw such heap OF bones. II must have con-
tanned the skeletons Of scores of forgotten peo-
c 10 81
'Requiescat in pace provided your friends have
a paid-up ninety nine year lease on a box for
you"
SHOCKING FUNERAL CUSTOMS
Not less trying is the sight of the actual cere-
mony of interment We do not smoke long
cigars at funerals. nor do we chatter ceaselessly
thereat; both these things are done by Filipinos.
But then. they do many things that we do not
do. They wash rice in the dirty Pasig Girls
of ten and twelve years smoke cigars. Females.
old and young. wear the same dropping off the
shoulder cut Of corsage. That is. perhaps, an
advantage for a man OF family, since, in conse-
Quence. the style never changes.
Not less startling than the cemetery was my
first view Of the interior Of La Iona Church.
II had been made the headquarters in the field
OF a division commander. In the roof gaped
great holes made some days before by shells
from the feet firing on Caloocan. The altar rail
bore drapery Of officers saddles and equip
ments. Within the rail telegraph instrument
and typewriting machine clicked and clattered:
hunks lined the walls, from the great chande-
Tier was suspended mosquito canopy; a con-
fessional did duty as a cothespress. while in the
sacristy was a store OF grain for public animals.
and on the walls and altar the sacred images
and stations Of the Cross remained, looking
down on the havoc that hell in the guise OF war
had created in His temple 1t was awful 1t
war
DEsOLATION IN THE TOWNS
So. too. we wars footsteps in the de-
serted Nipa vages-a starved. wretched cat
mewing pteously, gaunt dog with down
dropping tail. flock OF frightened chickens
few DOOR pigs roofing In the ashes OF the h,lrned