Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-04-05

boats, drove the enemy out of their
trenches around Polo, although they held
strong positions and the advance upon
them was over a rough country. The
rebels could not withstand the impetuous
onset of our men and were driven back
like sheep, after firing single volley. Gen.
Wheaton's brigade, after a sharp engage
ment, took Malinta, but could not follow
up this advantage at once, owing to the
destruction of bridge by the rebels ana
the impossibility of fording the river. An
incident of Gen. Wheaton's advance was
the evacus ,:on of the city of Malabon and
its burnt, : by the rebels, which Gen.
Wheaton was unable to prevent owing to
the natural obstacles in his front.
1t is grateful feature of the days cp-
erations that our casualties were light,
SO far as the number of killed is concern
ed. Among these was Col. Egbert of the
Twenty-second infantry, one of the most
gallant officers in the army, who was shot
in the thickest of the fighting, the place
where be was most likely to be found. He
had proved his gallantry in the civil war
and he was wounded at San Juan. He
died shortly after receiving the praises Of
Gen. Wheaton for his splendid couraee
and fine work. In his death the army has
lost one of its best soldiers. The total
number of Americans killed in the en-
gagement of Saturday, Sunday and Mon
day is 40 and We wounded 200.
Severe fighting continued Monday and
oaY casualties were about forty. The in
surgents destroyed bridges, which imped-
ed progress of train and artillery. Our
troops met the concentrated insurgent
forces on northern line, commanded by
Aguinaldo in person, and drove then with
considerable slaughter. They left nearly
100 dead on field, and many prisoners and
small arms were captured.
At every railroad station circulars were
posted, signed by the Filipino command
er-in-chef, Antonio Luna, ordering all
spies and bearers of news to the enemy to
be shot without trial, and instructing that
all looters be treated in the same manner.
Further, all towns abandoned by the Fill
pino troops are first to be burned. While
deploring the existence Of war, the circu-
lar maintains the undeniable right of the
Filipinos to defend the homes, lives and
lands against ''would-be dominators who
would kill them, their wives and children, -
adding that this motive ought to impel all
Filipinos to sacrifice everything.
The army has forced its way through an
almost impossible country, while suffer
ing from the intense heat and having to
engage an enemy who will not fight in
the open, but retreats from one internch-
ment to another behind which they are
concealed while our gallant troops are
exposed to their volley firing. Our troops
are gradually closing around them.
Opinions differ in Washington as to
what the effect upon the insurgents will
be in the event the American troops soon
capture Malolos, the headquarters of
Aguinaido. and drive the insurgents to the
jungles. By some it is thought that
would practically end the war, but others
hold that as long as the Filipinos can pro-
cure supplies they are apt to keep up a
guerrilla warfare, and that it may be
many months before they lay down their
arms and ask for terms. The conflict has
goEe so far that the authorities are deter
mined that the campaign must be waged
Gf~onIv