Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-10-19


CAPTAIN WATSON,
OF the Fighting Tenth.
near Caloocan. With our column
stretching out for about 5000 yards,
we were making a swinging movement,
with the line as the radius of semi
circle. We had been driving the in-
surgents all day, from 5 o'clock in the
morning, and had engagements every
little while. At first we found the
country in good condition, but as we
progressed it became very rugged, and
the tropical growth thickened and re-
tarded our progress considerably. We
at last found ourselves in quite a
Jungle. There were a series of pell-
nell rusheS in the forenoon. 1t was
undoubtedly one of the hardest days
in our experience as far as mis- move
ment was concerned. At q point lit
tie over mile before reaching Tuliban
river, in Manila province, we again en-
countered the insurgents. They were
intrenched behind we'll constructed
earthworks, occupying a commanding
POSITION on small ridge. They open
ed fire upon us before we were aware
of their presence. Colonel Barnett was
experimenting the disposition of the
First battalion of the Tenth PennSyl
vania. He was then temporarily in
command of Company f. While the
firing was on | noticed Colonel Bar
nett put his hand to his breast. |
asked him if he was hit. He did not
answer me at once. but, removing a
Testament from his breast pocket, he
found that it had been penetrated by
Mauser bullet. which, it was after
ward disclosed, had been diverted from
its course, and striking Colonel Bar
nett's silver watch was probably again
DETECTED, so that he had a most for
tunate escape.
i have no doubt that had not the
Testament been in his pocket Colonel
Barnett would have received a serious
If not fatal wound. When he was hit
l was within few feet of him. After
making an examination and finding no
serious results from the shot he again
replaced the Testament and watch and
proceeded to direct the further move
mentS of the troops. This, of course,
is but one of the many narrow escapes
experienced by our men while under
fire.
AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
"'What is your opinion of Colonel
Barnett's qualifications as an execu-
tive ofticer?' was asked of Captain
Watson.
CAS- to that replied the captain,
after some deliberation, Il think there
can be no question of his entire fit
ness for any position requiring execu-
tive ability. He is a man who has
demonstrated his GOODNESS under ad-
verse conditions, and his courage is
unquestioned. My experience has
taught me that before he ever made
move he carefully considered all
points of detail, and having once de-
termined his course, his subsequent ac-
tions were logical and effective. We
had frequent opportunities to gauge his
executive ability while he filled the
position of military commander of the
district of Cavite. In this district is
located the old Spanish naval station
and which is now used and operated
by our naval forces. The city of Ca
vite adoins this station. Lieutenant
Colonel Barnett was in command of
this district during the illness of the
late Colonel Hawkins, who was at the
time confined to the hospital at Cor
regdor. Besides the Tenth Pennsyl-
vania there was assigned to this dis
trict under Lieutenant Colonel Bar
nett two batteries of the California
heavy artillery and the First Wyoming
artillery.
Colonel Barnett displayed conspic.
uous ability as an executive officer in
his management of the affairs of this
district, which, including the city and
adjoining territory, had a population
nJ,
He maintained and directed an almost
perfect system of sanitary conditions
under very adverse circumstances. The
town was carefully policed, all the
streets were thoroughly swept and
cleaned every morning, and the in
habitants were compelled TO keep their
premises in a healthful condition.
Colonel Barnett directed that all the
garbage and other refuse be taken in
scows a considerable distance out into
the bay, thus removing one of the
greatest menaces to the health of the
community. Under our control We
had from LOCO to 1,200 insurgent pris-
Cners, and his treatment of these cap
tiVes was cOnsiderate and charitable.
Wken beri beri broke out among the
prisoners, through Major Neff, our
senior surgeon a hospital for these
peculiar cases was established upon
Sangley Point, thus removing them
completely from the troops and the in
habitants of the district city.
In the handling of the troops under
his command his careful and solicitous
attention to the sick and wounded anc
his untiring and unceasing labors i'll
the cause of the regiment Colonel Bar
nett has earned the regard and graII-
tude of his comrades"