Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-04-22
A SAVAGE HORDE.
It's Members Capture 10 American
Sailors.
A Portion orthe Yoriktown's Crew Are
Surrounded by AN Overwhelming
Force of FilipInos - Admiral
Dewey Sends Rad News
TO Washington.

Washington, April 1o.-The navy de-
partment has given out the following
dispatch from Admiral Dewey:
''rhe Yorktown visited Baler, on the
east coast of Luzon, April IL, for the
purpose of rescuing and bringing away
the Spanish forces consisting of 80
soldiers, three officers and two priests,
who were surrounded by 400 insur-
gents. Some of the insurgents armed
with Mauser rifles y by ma
tives. Lieut.. j. C. Gilmore, while maxi
ing ambushed were fired
upon and captured Fate unknown,
as insurgents refused to communicate
afterward. The following are missing:
The officeri previously referred to
Chief Quartermaster w. Walton, Cox
swain j. Ellsworth, Gunner's Mate II.
j. Hygard, Sailmaller's Mate Vendet,
Seamen w. II. Rynders and c. w.
Woodbury., Apprentices d. w. Venville,
A. j. Peterson, Ordinary Seamen f. b.
Brisolese, o. b. Mcdonald, Landsmen
1. T. Edwards, f. Anderson, j. Dillon
and C. A. Morrissey."
The dispatch from Admiral Dewey
caused much excitement in naval cir
cles. 1t was received late in the day
and considerable delay was occasioned
by the blindness of some of the cipher
words. 1t was impossible to complete
ly decipher it, and the asterislis indi-
cate the unintelligible words.
Lieut.. j. c. Gilmore, the officer re-
ferred to as captured, is well known in
Washington, having been stationed
here for some time and his wife and
family living here. He was born in
Philadelphia. July 10, 1854 and was
appointed naval cadet from Arizona
in September, 1871. He reached his
present grade of lieutenant in 1891.
The capture of the Yorlltown's men
was discussed with much feeling in
naval circles. The misfortune was felt
with added keenness, as the navy has
prided itself thus far on immunity
from reverses. The admirars dispatch
was the first knowledge the depart
ment had that the Yorktown had gone
on this special mission to relieve the
Spanish garrison at Baler. That the
capture should have been effected
while the American forces were on a
mission of mercy toward the Spaniards,
rather than in the prosecution of a
campaign led to the belief that Spain
, would have no further ground for
questioning the good faith with which
. the Americans were seeking to relieve
: the condition of the Spanish prisoners
\ Although the dispatch gave no indi-
cation that Lieut.. Gilmore and his men
? had lost their lives, yet great anxiety
= was aroused by the mystery surround
ing their fate while in the hands ot
an uncivilized enemy. This is the
first capture of any Americans, mill
tary or naval, so that it is unknown
e how the insurgents will treat our men
: If civilized methods were pSrsued al
exchange could be quickly effected, al
. Gen. Otis has large number of Fill
A pino prisoners, but the insurgents hav'
8 been averse thus far to exchanging
: Spanish prisoners, and this raises |
a question as to what they will do will
8 the Yorlltown's men. The purpose o
3 officials here is to spare no effort t.
. secure the speedy release of our men.