Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-08


WORK OF THE CAMPAIGN.
WASHINGTON, December ITO the
relief of the War Department Gen.
Young has been heard from after a
weeks absence in the interior of Luz
zon. Gen. Otis cabled this morning as
follows:
MANILA, December Z, 1899.
Secretary of War. Washington:
Gen. Young reports his arrival at VII
gan on the evening OF the 9Th, having
encountered a force of the enemy at
Narbacan, IL miles south of the city,
whom he drove to the eastward of the
same into Santo Quentin canyon. His
troops are 0 pressing them back. The
country is extremely rough and strong
ly entrenched. About 600 prisoners
who escaped reported that the insurg-
ents allowed all but the American and
prominent prisoners to escape from
Bangued.
Later the insurgents were driven
back into the mountains. Will send
transportation with subsistence and
medical supplies to Vigan tomorrow
to bring the prisoners to Manila and to
supply Young's troops with necessary
quartermaster's stores. Our casualties
were one killed and u wounded;
wounds mostly slight. The enemy left
in trenches rs dead, a few rifles, sever
al thousands rounds of small am
munition and 40 %shrapnel. Young has
sufficient troops to meet all difficulties.
OTIS.
NEW YORK, December IA dis
patch to the Herald from Manila says:
Hope of ending the instruction and
halting military operations in the Phil
ippines, which seemed so bright a few
days ago, has again faded into the I'M
certain future. Much has been accom-
plished. During the last few weeks
the campaigning has been almost phen-
omenal.
In dreadful weather, through a de-
vastated country, across swollen rivers,
along roads that were impossible for
wagons, artillery and in some cases for
cavalry, the advances of the troops
have been so rapid and in so many
directions that they have often been be-
yond the military telegraph lines, and
pendently conducted by the field COM
manders. The army is rightfully
proud.
The insurgents have had a series of
routs and disasters. The slaughter has
been great. They have lost a large
quantity of supplies and munitions of
war, and more than 1000 of their armed
men have surrendered or been captured
during their retreat in the last two
weeks. Their government has been
scattered or captured. What of it is
at liberty is in fight. A portion Of Agu-
inaldo's family are in u lines. Agu-
inaldo himself is a fugitive.
Notwithstanding all these things
there is no reason for an extreme opti-
mistic view of the situation. Nothing
more is heard of having the rebellion
stamped out in the course Of a few
days. That sort of talk only lasted
while the insurgent leader was slipping
away last week. Field commanders
nov think that the end is still afar.
It is admitted that little is definitely
known of the present strength or
whereabouts of the insurgents.
Aguinaldo's entire army is estimated
at from $1,000 to 10000 armed men,
scattered throughout the islands. There
are 10000 American soldiers now in the
Philippines, So, 1000 being in Luzon.
These are already so greatly scattered
by the recent operations, with the ex-
ception of those in Manila, where H.
900 are concentrated, that they seem
like a mere handful. Still, We hold less
than one-third of the area of LuZon,
but what we have is the most desir-
able territory.
Indications are that Aguinaldo es-
capped to the north with a much larger
body of troops than was at first sup
posed. This force, reported at from
1000 to 5000 men, was originally re-
cruited in the northern provinces, and
the men are reputed to be good fight
ers.
Not one of our columns is in direct
contact with the enemy. 1t is a game
of hide and seek. and a weary game it
is. Here is a statement of the move
ments of the various field commanders:
Gen. Young, with the advance column
of Lawton's force, has reached Vigan,
after defeating an insurgent body IL
miles south Of that place.
Capt. James b. Erwin, with the
Fourth cavalry. IS supposed to be hold
ing Bayombong, in Nueva Vizcaya.
There is no information as to what in
surgents are in the northern valley.
Gen. Lawton is now coming south
toward San Isidro, whence he viii push
his column directly south on San Mig
uel and NOrzagony to meet the Amer
lean column moving eastward from
Bocad. 1t is his intention to drive the
rebel General Pillar into the region
north of the lake.
Gen. Wheaton is in Tayug. Most OF
his troops in the vicinity are garrison
ing nearby towns.
Gen. Macarthur is on the railroad at
BayOmbOng.