The Columbus journal., 1899-04-12
THE PHILIPPINES.
RECORD OF THE FIRST NEBRASKA
IN THE Philippine WAR.

RECORD OF The FIRST NEBRASKA
IN THE PHILIPPINE WAR.
The Regiment Credit to the State and the
Nation-COl. StOtse nburg an Efficient
Brave and Gallant Officer.
The First Nebraska has made a record
in the Philippine war, of which We all
can be proud. The regiment was or
dered to occupy McCloud's Hill, about
miles in southeasteriy direction from
the post-office in Manila.
The Second battalion, consisting oi
companies K, d, L and NJ, of.which
Capt. J. n. kilian of company K was
placed in command, moved on Monday,
Dec. 5, 1898, and pitched camp on the
brow of the hill, the First Battalion,
under Major Mulford, was to be on
the right, but on account of the rice
patches being full of water knee deep, it
was placed on the extreme left, the
Third Battalion, under Major Williams,
in the center.
BY hard work, the boys fixed up q
camp that was q model of military order
and cleanliness.
General Macarthur, who is no flatterer,
and weighs his words before he gives
them utterance, a week before the wal
commenced-after a regimental review
in addressing the officers in front Ofthe
regiment, said: Gentlemen, I con.
CRATE you on the progress you have
made; your regiment has no superior,
and very few equals. 1 want you to tell
your men, and must thank your colonel
for his efficient work."
Words we'll spoken and duly appreci-
ated as events will show.
The first shot OF the war was fired by
Private Grayson, Of Co. d, Second Bat
talon of this regiment. 1t may be in
teresting to The JOURNAL readers to
know the circumstances. 1t seems that
Lieutenant of the insurgents, opposite
outpost No. 2, on the edge of the vii
lage Polvonih, had been trying to pick a
quarrel for several days, and as it was
understood all along the line that the
trouble would soon commence, it was no
surprise it started there. On the night
of Feb. 2, when Field Officer of the Day
made the rounds, the Sergeant Of the
Nebraska outpost and this Lieutenant
ian over-bearing fellow, had trouble.
The night of the Bird, Col. Stotsenburg
of the Nebraska's had to adjust a diff
Guilty in person, when he was grossly in
suited. About 7:3O Saturday evening,
Feb. 4, Red Pants," Gas this officer was
called by the boys, on account Of the
color of his trousers and poltroon fash
ion), again started to move his outpost
up and across the line towards the Ne
braska sentinels. Private Grayson, who
is typical, unconcerned and cool
headed soldier, called loud and distinct
ly: Halt, who is there:" "Halt!' and
the third time "Halt," whilst loading
his piece. The Lieutenant kept on
coming, jabbering Spanish and degallo,
and a second after the third "Halt," a
shot rang out, clear and distinct; the
Lieutenant fell, shot through the body,
and the five or six insurgents who we're
with him, got scared and ran away; soon,
about 25 of them re appeared and opened
fire on the Nebraska sentinels, who re-
treated, firing to the outpost. The fire
then became general all around town.
The insurgents had planned a walk-into
town, but were kept at bay by the ''bark-
ing Long TOMS" along the line. The
Nebraska camp was attacked from three
sides, the First battalion, under Major
Milford, defending it; the Third bat
talon, under Capt. Eager, being station
ed between the San Juan bridge water
works road, to the pipe line at out post
No. 2, Co. H. holding the pipe line.
The Second battalion, under Capt.
Kilian, occupied the line from outpost
No. 2 to the Colorado's, Co. L in close
order, firing volleys and protecting the
road to block-houses 6 and z, Co. K on
the left (north) Of pipeline; next came
Co. NJ and Co. d, Capt. Herpoldsheimer,
on the extreme left, to the right of the
Colorado regiment.
About $50, the attack on the Nebras-
ka camp became SO furious that the
colonel ordered K and NJ of the Second,
and B and E of the Third battalion for
it's defense. The fighting lasted all
night, one section of Battery b, Utah
artillery, under command of Lieuten-
ant Webb, having previously reinforced
the regiment. During the night, four
men were killed and five or six wounded
in the defense of the camp; Colonel
was everywhere along the
line commanding, giving orders and in
spring his officers and men by his un-
demeanor and great personal
DAoNOIys poyAuS AO uAOAo oeScuUiVA w
the whizzing mausers than SO many mos
luitos. The attack was gallantly and
effectively repulsed, no ''nigger," las
hey are called here,) crossed the line,
but the bullets of their sharp shooters
along the edge of the river, shot many a
hole through the canvas, and the boys
1ad to ''duck" occasionally to avoid
7olleys, which came fast and furious. |
The boys we're not only proud of their
colonel, whom they know as most fear
ess and brave, but were also surprised
md inspired, when, after II O'Clock, our
General and staff-brigadier, General
Hale, commanding Second brigade,
,ame riding along in front of the firing
inc, encouraging, advising and giving
,rders. Men we'll disciplined, commanded
~ competent, fearless officers, can work
<--oklo.