The record-union., 1899-06-15

tillery we have in. the main taken, and
the coast towns between Cavite viejo
and Manila we now control, including
Bacoor.
That the Tagals were reinforced by
Aguinaldo with troops sent from the
north and across Laguna de Bay is
believed, for communication between
the northern and southern bodies of
the insurgents by passage across this
large sheet of water, has not been
more than temporarily interrupted.
The battle began south of Lass Pinas
and near the mouth of the Zapote. The
appears to have been entrenched and
fortified by The insurgents who have
had plenty Of time for the work Here,
too, they seem to have gathered the
together In the campaign.
They had planned their work we'll, it
being the scheme evidently to draw
the Americans into an engagement ON
defeated the Spanish army, and then
flank their foes on both sides from the
shores of the bay to the river. In
this however, they failed as they were
driven over the Zapote and back with
heavy losses. We crossed the Zapote,
a thing the rebels believed we could
not do, carried their first line of
trenches, and forced the enemy back
for a mile or more into the interior.
They appear, however. to be still in
force at and about Cavite Viejo which
lies at the heel Of the peninsula on
which Cavdte arsenal is situated. From
that point they sent shell into the
navy yard, doing little damage. and
at last accounts that was the closing
shot of the battle, though the outposts
appear to be engaged still from time to
time. Our troops have returned north
ward over the Zapote-leaving force
sufficient to hold Zapote brfdge-to
their quarters near Las Pinas and Par
anaque. There is every reason to be-
lieve that as the attempt to hold the
shore towns has failed the insurgents,
and as we have proved to them hat we
cannot be driven from the waist of land
between Cavite and Manila. they will
abandon further operations in that
quarter. Certain it is that we have
met and defeated the hardest fighters
the rebels have, the Tagals, the most
desperate and untamable Of the lot, and
that we have gained decided victory,
and convinced the enemy that Manila
cannot be taken from us by assault
from that direction.
The latest advfceS at this writin are
that Generals Lawton, Wheaton and
Overshine now occupy the whole coun-
try between Laguna de Bay and the
Bay of Manila south from Manila City
to Bacoor, and well westward along
the Zapote River and Bacoor road, the
enemy having retired upon linus which
lies directly south of Bacoor some two
miles. We have, say the advices, COM
pletely driven the enemy from their
heavy and well constructed entrench-
ments, and their losses are known to
have been several hundred, while ours.
including thirty wounded, do not ex-
ceed sixty.
General Otis cables that he does not
believe that the insurgents will now
make any determined stand in the
southern provinces. 1t seems that the
navy rendered especially valuable SER
vice in the hattie, landing forces to keep
the insurgent advance at bay, until
the reinforcements of the army came
up from Las Pinas and Paranaque. The
army recognizes this important aid,
and it is stated that official recog-
nition will be duly and gratefully
made. We have, therefore, in review
ing these operations, the heaviest of
the campaign, every thing to encourage
US, and nothing upon which she pessi-
mists and anti-expansionists can
ground new woes.