The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-02-09
Fighting FilipinoS.
MANILA AGAIN TIE SCENE OF WAR.
A Clash at Arms Between AguinaldO's
Forces and the American Troops
The Insurgents Suffer Terrible Pun
ishment and Defeat-War Ships
Shell the Enemy Inflicting Great
Loss of Life

The lOng-eXpected rupture between
the Americans and the Pilipinos has
come at last. The former are now
engaged in solving the Philippine
problem with the utmost expedition
possible.
The clash came at $40 yesterday
evening, when three daring Filipinos
dashed past the Nebraska regi-
ment's pickets at Santa Mesa, but
retired when challenged. They re-
peated the experiment without
drawing the sentries' fire. But the
third time Corporal Greedy challeng-
ed the Filipinos and then fired,
killing one of them and wounding
another.
Almost Immediately afterwards
the FiIipinos' line, from Caloocan to
Santa Mesa, commenced a fusilade
which was Intellectual. The Ne
braska, Montana and North Dakota
outposts replied vigorously, and
held their ground until re-enforce-
ments arrived. The Filipinos in the
meantime concentrated at three
points -Caloocan, Gagalangin and
Santa Mesa.
At about l o'clock the Filipinos
opened hot fire from all three
places simultaneously. This was
supplemented by the fire of two
siege guns, at Balik-Balik. and by
advancing their skirmishers at Paco
and Pandacan. The Americans re-
sponded with 4 terrific fire, but
owing to the darkness they were
| unable to determine its effect. The
Utah light artillery finally succeeded
in silcncing the native battery. The
Third artillery also did good work on
the extreme left. The engagement
lasted over an hour.
The United States cruiser Charles
ton and the gunboat Concord, station
ed off Malabona, opened fire from
their secondary batteries on the
Filipinos' position at Caloocan, and
kept it up vigorously.
At 2:45 there was another fusilade
along the entire line, and the United
Stated sea-going double-turreted
monitor Monadnock opened fire on
the enemy from off Malate.
With daylight, the Americans ad-
vanced. The California and Washing
ton regiments made splendid
charge and drove the Fill pinos from
the village of Pace and Santa Mesa.
The Nebraska regiment also dis
tinguished itself, capturing several
prisoners and one howitzer and a
very strong position at the reservoir,
which is connected with the water
| ho Nal TO
regiments compelled the ~enemy's
right flank to retire to Caloocan.
There was intermittent firing at
various points all day long.
The losses Of the Filipinos cannot
be estimated at present, but they are
known to be considerable.
The American losses are estimated
at twenty killed and 125 wounded.
The Ygorates, armed with bows and
arrows, made very determined
stand in the face of hot artillery
| fire anl loft many mon doad tho
field.
Several attempts were made in this
city yesterday evening to assassinate
American officers.
LATER REPORT OF LOSSES.
MANILA, Feb. 6.-Careful estimate
place, the Filipino losses up to date
at 1000 dead, $500 wounded and
5000 taken prisoners.
AN ENGLISH ACCOUNT.
LONDON, Feb. 6.-The Morning Post
publishes the following details of the
fighting at Manila:
Sotnr,lo,-'.- onJ Cuplo,--r o,,roro
ments have proved slaughter for
the Filipinos, their killed being re-
ported as amounting to thousands.
The American forces could scarcely
have been better disposed. 1t is now
known that the attack was fully eX-
pectcd, and that every precaution
had been made to meet the con-
tingency.
OTIS ESTIMATES LOSSES
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The War
Department to-day received the fol-
lowing dispatch from General Otis:
MANILA. Feb. 7.
Adjutant- Geneaal, Washington:
The insurgent army concentrated
around Manila from LuZon provinces,
numbering over 100000, possessing
several quick-fring and Krupp field
guns. Good portion of enemy armed
with Mausers of latest pattern.
Two krupp guns and great many
rifles captured. Insurgents fired
great quantity of ammunition. A
number of Spanish soldiers in in
surgent service who served artillery.
Insurgents constructed strong in
trenchments near our lines, mostly
in bamboo thickets. These our men
charged, killing or capturing many
of the enemy.
Our casualties proably aggregate
2Jo. Full reports soon. Casualties
of insurgents very heavy. Have
buried some 500 of their dead and
hold 500 prisoners. Their loss,
killed, wounded and prisoners, prob
bly, 1000.
Troops in excellent spirit. Quiet
prevails. OTIS.
Press reports from Manila have
indicated that Otis has captured
5000 prisoners. The estimate of SOC
given in his cablegram may be due
to an error in transmission.
FILIPINO ARMY SHATTERED
MANILA. Feb. The Americans.
as this dispatch is sent. are in COM
plete control of the situation within
a radius of nine miles of Manila.
Their lines extend to Mala bon. on
the North. and to Paranaque, on the
South, and are fully TWENTY-FIVE
miles long.
While few detached sections of
the Filipinos still offer opposition the
main body of them is in full retreat
and utterly routed after fighting
bravelv.
OF the hordes Of troops originally
drawn " in battle array against the
Americans fullv one-third are already
incapacitated and the others are scat
tered in every direction.