The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-26
FlRNOS DITCH A TRAM
Driven Off by a Band of
American Scouts.
YORKTOWN PRISONERS.

News from Lieutenant Gilmore and
His Companfons-Their Condition
Distressing-Naked aud Half Starved.
obs Reply to Inquiry as TO Use OF
church Property by Army-Phiiip-
pines to be Made a Military Division
, with Four Departments.
/, Manila, September "a party Of in
surgents ditched a railroad train a mile
and a half south of Angeles this morn
ing and then opened fire upon the de-
rallied cars from a bambo thicket close
to the track, killing two Americans and
wounding five Others. Lieutenant LONE
and five of his scouts, who We're on the
train, made a vigorous defense and
caused the enemy to flee. Six cad
rebels were afterward found in the
thicket from which the rebel fire came.
General Wheaton with six companies,
proceeded from Calumet to the relief of
the train, but his services were not
needed.
NEWS FROM THE YORKTOWN
PRISONERS.
Boston, September PA naval officer
on one of the ships at Cavite, says in
a private letter written to relatives
here, under date of August 18th:
"ftoday made a trip to Manila pur-
posely to see and interview a Spaniard
who claims to lave seen Lieutenant
Gilmore and his men. The Spaniard ar
rived in Manila on the 18th, coming
Through the %outposts at San Fernando
de la Pampanga. His name is Felipa
Gala n he is a planter by occupa-
ton.
ION the 1st of February last he was
on his plantation when he was sur
rounded by a crowd of natives, who
made him a prisoner. He was forced
10 follow the movements made by the
so-called Filipino republic and tramp
through mud and water and over
mountains, in their wanderings. Two
weeks before the arrival at Manila he
saw ait Bigan, Lieutenant Commander
Gilmore and his fourteen fellow pris-
oners.
From his report it is judged that
they have Jared badly at the hands
Of their captors and, although their
courage was undaunted, they were in
bad shape physically, in reality being
half starved. Gilmore himself, he
said, was in better health than some
OF the others, being a man of strong
physique and strong determination. The
whole party was entirely destitute Of
clothes and all the necessities of life.
The failure of the United States to
ransom them, as expected, had so en-
ragged the insurgents that their treat
ment, which for some time had been
most kind, had since become the re-
verse. The members of the party, how
ever. were not discouraged and fully
expected to return to their friends.
Gala thought that by proper methods
employed by the United States gov
eminent there would be no trouble in
effecting the speedy release of Gilmore
and the Yorktown's men,"
USE OF CHURCH PROPERTY BY
SOLDIERS.
Washington, September 22.-The war
department has received the following
cablegram from General Otis regarding
the military use of church property in
the Philippines:
referring to your cablegram of Sep
TENDER 18th, sixteen churches in differ
emit localities nave been occupied by
United States troops; four only partial
ly occupied and religious services not
interfered with. Also three converts
have been occupied. These three and ten
Of the sixteen churches formerly were
occupied by insurgents. Church prop
erty was respected and protected by
our troops"
IPPINES.
A plan is under consideration at the
war. department to create ar army di-
, vision of the Philippines and divide the
division into departments ON a basis
t similar to that in Cuba. The idea is
i to create four departments in the Phil
2 ippines, at least three of which will be
commanded by major generals. The
Philippines have, heretofore, beer
known as the department of the Pa
T. cific. 1t is expected that one depart
ment of the proposed new division viii
consist of General McArthur's com
f mand, north of Manila. Another viii
y be General Lawton's command, south
Of Manila, and a third will be a new
o command to operate from Lingayen O.
Ii Dugupen. The fourth department prob
IS ably will consist of the troops in tn
n islands south of Manila, which includ
1t the commands now at Iloilo, Cebu ans
5 other points.
l. The scheme has not yet taken sue
le definite form as to determine the com
s. mand of the division and departments
j. There is little doubt, however, tina
i Lawton and Macarthur will renal
a | where the now are, and probably tn
e command in the islands south will b
under a brigadier general. Another OF
ficer will have to be selected for tf
department in the far northern pa
- of the island at the terminus of TT
III Dugupen railroad.
The plan is to give each departmeI
commander all the troops that can |
~ successfully operated and which W.
l. insure sufficient garrison for all poin
u taken. Protection to the peaceab
tribes is one of the chief objects, f
the representations which have be-
ie made to the war department indica
that many of the inhabitants do n
want to fight, and, if unmolested al
relieved of the fear of attack from q
Tagals, they will assist in supportil
the authority OF the United States al
: make it impossible for the followers
lal Aguinaldo to subSist.
Ii
go -. -.