The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-14
STORMING A BARRICADED
BRIDGE

Infantry UdtLdiioHs, dpprodcneo a mar
row iron bridge across a creek on the
south border of the town. Here a COM
pany OF Philippines was intrenched
across the stream and behind a stone
barricade at the entrance to the bridge.
The Americans rushed forward in sin
gle file, in the fac of a CALLING fire,
demolished the barricade with their
hands and drove the enemy from the
trenches, killing a Dozen.
A HOUSE TO HOUSE FIGHT.
The Philippine soldiers in the town,
secreted IN various buildings and firing
from the Window, gave the invaders
an interesting hour. There was a regu-
lar nest OF them in the stone Jail which
IS edged in by a wall. This was a
veritable pepper pot. The Americans,
s1ngly or in pairs, entered the houses,
and many warriors were taken prison.
erS.
A considerable body of Philippines
fed northward, crossing the open
marshes, but the Cuttings poured upon
them a deadly hail, until they disap-
peared in the woods, Staying dozens.
Major Weisenberger deployed the
~sharpshooters along h shore and they
crept steadily forward, aiding the Cat
lings. Finally a large body was sent
against the enemy in the woods, driv-
ing them toward the mountains.
General Lawton established head
quarters at the elegant palace Of the
governor, and a guard was Immediate
1y placed in the church, as the sacred
edifices are always the first objective
of looters. Within an hour the town
was patrolled and all looting rigidly
prevented.
Almost all the inhabitants had fled
during the two preceding nights, and
only a few Chinese shopkeepers have
emerged from hiding and resumed bust
ness.
On the marshes, north of the city,
were forty dead Philippinos-some ter
ribly torn by shells-and many others
wounded, to whom the Americans Of
fered their ~canteens, as though they
were comrades. A surgeon who ira
versed the field counted eighty killed.
One Philippine, attempting to make
his escape, slashed ~viciously at Major
Weisenberger, who shot and killed him.
Yesterday the insurgents captured
two men of the Fourteenth infantry,
while unarmed, but the Americans
stole the guns Of their captors, dubbed
them, hid in the trees over night ana
returned this morning.
The %gunboats his afternoon have
been searching the Santa Cruz river
for shipping.
Tomorrow the expedition will push
forward, the Americans having de-
stroyed miles of telegraph lines, cut
III Ol lISuIStII COMMUNICATION east
and west.
SCOUTING PARTY FIRED ON.
The rebels along the railroad fired at
a scouting party near Malalos today,
wounding two members of the Kansas
regiment. The United States gunboat
Bennington has gone to Baler, on the
east coast, in order to relieve a Spanish
garrison of forty-seven men, VINO have
been beleagured there since May.
1t is considered significant that the
Oceanic Espanola, formerly rabidly in
favor of the Philippine government, is
now cOunSeling disarmament, advising
the Philippines to accept the inevitable.
1t has carefully analysed the proc'ama-
ton of the United States-Philippine
commission, pointing out the advap-
tages of the definit policy determined
upon.
THE WAR BY NO MEANS OVER.
Manila, April Via Hong Kong,
April 10.-Though hundreds Of Philip
pinos are daily returning to their homes
and are DESTROYS of resuming peaceful
pursuits, and though the proclamation
issued by the United States-Philippine
commission has given an impetus to
this movement, the var is far from
ended. One Of the foremost American
generals said recently: w will see
100, 900 soldiers in the Philippines be-
fore the Americans control the islands,"
and a majority of the army are CT his
opinion.
1t is generally considered that grea1
reinforcements are necessary, there
not being a sufficient number Of Amer
lean troops in the archipelago to make
conquest Of the island of Luzon and
hold the posts occupied; and it is
thought that it would be cheaper in the
long run to nave a better effect Upon
h natives to establish American SUI
premacy effectually n quickly han
to temporiZe with a score of reDeilions.
All the stories told by prisoners and
friendly natives agree that a majority
of the insurgents would be glad to
quit, but that there are enough profess
sional revolutiOnistS left to infest the
country with bands of hundreds Of men
to demoralize business for years to
come.
Some high officials believe that the
government would wisely expend mon
ey in buying off Aguinaldo and his
clique of influential Philippines.
Foreigners in Manila think the Amer
leans are too optimistic as to the effects
: of the proclamation. They say that the
| weakness Of the proclamation lies in
the fact that the natives have so long
dealt with the ~Spaniards that hey are
unable to realize what it's words mean
and that the purport of its promises is
anything but a snare.
| A majority of the United States vol
unteerS are eager to return home, and
! 1--WE did not enlist to fight niggers," IS
a remark hat is constantly heard.
While drawer work than they are do
ing is impossible to find, they consider
that there is small glory in guerrilla
| warfare, the dangers and hardships Of
| which canno be appreciated at home.
The volunteers construe their enlist
| ment ito the close of the war" to ap-
| ply to the war with Spain, and wish
| to be relieved by regulars.
The Spanish system Of defending Ma
| Mia by a line of blockhouses may be
| adopted by the American authorities
| here during the wet season, as it re-
| ouires fewer men than the trenches
| and lessons the chances Of sickness
| among the defenders.
Lieutenant Stuenenberg, of the Idaho
| regiment, a brother of the governor of
| Idaho, has been placed on trial by
court-martial for calling Major Fig
| gins a coward in the presence of his
Company. 1t is expected that he will
| be dismissed from the service.