The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-04

CIeland Davis's Promotion Recon-
mended by Admiral Dewey.

CIeIand Davfs's Promotion Recon-
mended by Admiral Dewey.
WASHINGTON, June s.-The Navy De-
partment has made public report from
Admiral Dewey, recommending the ad-
vancement of Ensign Cleland Davis ten
Plumbers above his present rank for strik-
ingly gallant services rendered in connec-
ton with General MacArthur's division In
the engagements ashore near Malolos ana
caloocan The report presents the peculiar
situation of a naval officer being recon-
n,ended for promotion by the commander
of an army corps and this Recommendation
being approved by the admiral OF the neet-
Ensign Davis's exploit consisted in voiun-
teering to take ashore a colt automatic gun
from the Helena and cooperate with Major
Young. of the Utah Battery, in MacArtnurs
advance on Caloocan. He reported on Fen.
q, with three marines. the regular gun
crew. and remained ashore until April 4.
During this time his gun and detachment
accompanied the artillery in the forward
movement. and at the attack on Cabalahan
he practically saved a detachment OF the
Fourth Cavalry from being wiped out In
attacking an insurgent entrenchment The
cavalry had suffered severely in attacking
a very elaborate redoubt. losing IS per cent
| of their number in killed and wounded At
| this time a gun OF the Utah Battery ana
Ensign Davis. with his Colt gun, were
| brought forward under cover to within 13
wards of the insurgent trench. The COM
bined fire of these two pieces absolutely
| silenced the redoubt
On March q Ensign Davis, af his own re-
quest, advanced TO the bank of the Marilas
river, within seventy-fve yards OF an m
surgent trench on the opposite size. Here.
| as in the preceding case. he was under q
| vicious fire, but again he succeeded In ABB
| solutely clearing the trench and forcing the
| surrender of about twenty men VINO re-
| mained in IL alive. On March 2s he again
went into action the railroad bridge at
| Garquinto, under dangerous 'crossf1re, ana
| ON March 81 again co-operated in the artii-
| lery attack on Ponta Malolos. On April
! he went forward to the Quinga river ana
pushed the automatic gun forward to a po-
| sition on the opposite bank. within 80 yards
| of the enemy's trenches. Here he was tenn
| porarily in command of one Of Lieutenant
| Fleming's guns during the latter's absence,
| and here, as in other places, was under a
| vicious fire. On finishing his shore service
he was recommended for promotion BY
| Major Young. with warm Endorsements from
| General Macarthur and Major General Otis
| Ensign Davis, in his own report. makes
some pertinent comments on the probable
value of light automatic guns cooperating
with field artillery. He suggests the feasi-
bility OF each battery carrying at least one
| Of these guns on the timber of the larger
pieces, saying that IL gives TO the battery
| all the support of a company of infantry,
and with the advantage of being able to
| fire over the heads Of advancing troops with
perfect safety as was done at Guingto- He
| remarks on the fact that; in looking over
/ .ne trench, Colonel Funston and Sergeant
smith found one insurgent dead with i've
holes through his body In the space that
| could be covered by a mans hand. all OF
them the work of the automatic gun
Admiral Dewey. in transmitting his re-
port on Ensign Davis expedition. says:
Ensign Davis was a volunteer for this
duty ashore with the army He was en-
gagged in all actions against the insurgents
| that took place on the northern front OF the
army between Feb "a and April 4. and per-
formed valiant service and rendered valu-
| able aid to our troops. 1. therefore. COM
mend him 10 the department.; and recon-
mend that he be advanced ten numbers in
his grade. The crew for the Colt gun con-
sisted of Corporal Thomas f. Prendergast
and Privates Howard M. Buckley and
These men performed their duty under most
| trying conditions in the most exemplary
manner and deserve high praise. hope the
department will reward in . suitable man
ner their services"