The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-25
OUR SOLDIERS DROWNED
Swollen Streams More Dangerous
Than the Enemys Bullets.
BrIgadfer General Funston and His Men
Receive a Generous Welcome on
Arriving at San Francisco.

San Francisco, Cal. (SpeciaD Tint
transport Tartar arrived few days age
with BrIgadIer- General Funston, the
Twentieth Kansas Volunteer Regiment,
and $50 discharged men. Governor Stanley
and party OF officials, with number sl
relatives OF the Kansas troops, steamed up
the bay on tug and gave the boys
hearty welcome home.
From February 4, when they were before
Caloocau to May "a, which found them ut
Santa Rita, the Kansas Regiment lost fifty
five men killed and one hundred wounded
Ten others died from smallpox. On Jul!
1, Just before leaving the front, they hac
less than four hundred and llfty inen IL: foi
duty.
Army officers who returned on the trans.
port PENNSYLVANIA from Manila say that
nine charges AMI twelve specific ations
have been filed with General Otis, accus
ing General Wholley, Of the First Wash
lngton Regiment, OF cowardice, incompe-
tency, looting and responsibility for Cap
tain George 81. Forston's death.
Lieut. ant Colonel McCaskey, OF the
Twenty-first Infantry, and General Hughes
Provost Marshal OF Manila, preferred the
charges OF looting, which embrace the pill
laying OF the houses OF natives and the
selling Of furniture, pianos, dishes, etc..
which he had boxed mp and labelled as the
property OF the First Washington Regiment
Oif1cers Of the regiment, in conversation
quite generally sustain the charges, while
many OF the enlisted men stand by Colonel
Wholley and say his bravery cannot be
questioned. Those who made the charges
declare they will press them, and hint at
sensational developments.
According to Information which has Just
been received here, the army In Luzon ha.
lost more men in the two weeks ending
September by drowning than by bullets
Ali the little streams which in dry weather
were mere creeks have become swift wide
rivers, with unexpected treacherous cur
rents and eddIes. Ten colored soldiers o.
the Twenty-fourth Infantry were drownec
at the Mariqulna River. Soldier:
boo RATS, whose motive power IS
rope stretched between tho banks. The
ropes broke, the RATS were overturned, and
the soldiers, Weighted down with guns,
haversacks and heavy ammunition belts
were unable to reach the shore. Private
j. E. Poole, OF the Twenty eighth, lost hi:
.life In attempting to rescue bis comrades.
Four men OF the Third Infantry, sta.
toned at Quingun, were drowned IN the
Bagbag River, when the regiment was
starting against the forces OF Pillar, which
we're threatening tho railroad near Malo-
los. Corporal Peter Larson was the hero
OF this accident. He was drowned in brave
effort to save others. Lieutenant Chaun-
cey B. Humphreys rescued several OF his
men by great efforts, and was nearly
drowned. The regiment started from Quin.
qua at 8 O'Clock IN the morning, and the
men swan the Bagbag River, carrying
guns, 140 rounds OF ammunition and haver-
sacks. The river is wide and shallow,
and most OF the distance was fordabie
but the current had become so swift that
many were carried off their feet. Sevea-
teen we're compelled to drop their guns to
get across. Corporal Larson had reached
the further shore when he heard the cries
Of the drowning men, and plunged in with
his gun strapped to his hack. He carried
one man Of his company to safety, aud
turned back second time. He was heard
to say: 81 don't think can make 1t, but
will try" He reached midstream, and was
struggling to bring out another helpless
private when both sank. and were lost.
Most OF tue men took off their shoes before
crossing, and marched and fought all day
In their socks, a most uncomfortable ex.
perience In the jungle country.