The evening times., 1899-11-22
CAPTAIN BYRNE's BRAVERY.
He Gives Details OF the Engagement
Mt RObOn.

af Bobon.
In the report which Capt B..
r. Byrne, of the Sixth Infantry.
under date of La Carlota. Island OF Negros.
P. l.. has submitted. through General Otis,
he tells Of the engagement between. the
forces zunder his command and about $50
bandits. at their stronghold. Bobon. about
twelve miles from La Carlota.
Capain Byrne says his orders from the
regimental commander were to attack and
destroy this robber band. After much diff
fieulty the band was located by means OF
spies. The march on the enemy WIS made
at night. inxa driving rain, through
swamps and Jungfes. causing much nard-
ship to officers and men. After tramp OF
eight hours the command reached the foot
of a high mountain; upon which the
enemy was located. Then came slow.
tortuCus climb. At the summit = cooking
party OF nine men was discovered. seven
of whom were killed. two escaping In The
bushes. Lieut.. w. F. Nesbitt. with twenty
men, rushed forward and took an advan-
tageous position to fire into the bandits
with terrible effect. and at the same time
cut off their escape to the town of Salu-
pitan. There were several blockhouses in
clearing. and the village about three
hundred yards distant.
Captain Byrne says he sent Sergeant
Bennett to the right to fire into the village
and at the same time post his men to pre-
vent the escape Of the enemy to the Hills
and cover the road to the valley. which
duty he well. performed. The American
fire was returned by about fifteen ritiemen
behind wood piles in the village, most of
the enemy rushing about in confusion.
Shortly after the fire opened the village
was deserted but the rifiemen screened
themselves in fraii houses The American
fire failed to dislodge them, and to pre-
vent oXhausting ammunition, an attack at
close quarters IVES made.
Captain Byrne states that the force un-
der his imme diaie command was small.
and he sent for Two detachments of fifteen
men each and charged down hill toward
the village under fire OF the enemy. After
firing for some time without effect. sharp
shooters snsaked up to the village and
poured shot into the rifiemen, which drew
them out. About 200 bandits rushed from
the houses and attacked them. killing PrI-
yate d. s. Anderson and wounding Pri-
vate A. C. jerks both OF Company X. FRS,
Sergeant Shuck and Corporal r. 5. Sevan
stood braveiy against the attack until help
arrived. The men were somewhat con-
fused. but were quickly rallied and thrown
out in skirmish line. Then a terrific fire
was sent into the enemy's ranks, and they
led 10 the woods. Lieutenant Nesbitt. who
had witnessed the fight from the hill pur-
sued them until they scattered cut of range,
his men killing number of them.
Captain Byrne says that notable Incl
dent CT the fight was the killing Of the
chief OF the band. man OF evident i'm
portancs and influence, who resembied a
Spaniard.
The fight lasted over Two hours. Dead
bodies OF bandits were lying everywhere.
Cattle. provisions. and needs of soldiers
were taken. and the town and outlying
houses burned.
The combat resulted in The killing of
I15 OF the bandits. according to low esti-
mate.
In conclusion, Captain Byrne says too
much credit cannot be given to the Of
ficers and men under him. Everyone act5d
as though he were personally responsible
for the success Of the whole affair.
Acting Assistant Surgeon William l.
Whittington and Battalion Sergeant Majo,
Benrstt are especially mentioned for theiI
services. ard Firft Sergeant William J
Shuck and Corporal Frank s Sevan, both
of Company h. Sixth Infantry, are recon-
men6sd for recognition for thzir brave con
duet. courage. and coOness. which did much
toward saving life while engaged with the
enemy.
Captain Byrne has been made lieutenan,
colonel OF the Fortisth Regiment United
States Volunteers, in recognition of his
services