The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-10

some sharp volley firing to the right Of
us. and knew that the boys of the Nlnth:
| had got mixed up with them Keeping
sharp lookout, we advanced across a
rice field about a thousand yards ard
came 20 small stream lined on either
side With thick growth OF BAMBOO In
crossing this field we were compelled TO
wade through water nearly waist deem,
and loaded down with a DAYS rattons.
ammunition, csnteen, your blouse but-
toned up 10 your chin and beited around
with 100 rounds OF ammunition in Il, made
heavy load compared % the insurgents
dress. a thin pair Of pants and shirt
worn on the outside OF the pants. bare
looted. and a small canvas bag for their
cartridges makes them as light-footsd as
JACK rabbit In getting away.
Flashed the Insnrcents
We saw no sign Of insurgents. and aft
ef Few minutes rest started 10 cross the
stream. Company II Of the Twelfth had
crossed with about a dozen OF Company
men. and were deplOying as skirmish-
ers, about 30 yards from another row Of
bamboo. when that unpleasant greeting.
the singing Of Aauser bullet, sounGed
N close proximity 70 cur heads IL did
not require any order. Tor We all raade a
1ucK behind a rice patty and commenced
the return compliment. In the mean time
the rest Of Company G and Company /
were exposed 70 their fire, while crossing
and getting into line, but this only reauir-
90 Few minutes and then commenced
what causes the Filipino to turn q few
shades whiter-the voliey firing OF Kraes:
and when the three companies. as one
man sent their lead on i,s errand the
sound resounding through the bamboo was
enough 10 make the stoutest heart wish
tnat such thing as guns and bullets
were never heard OF, and that we were
all members of the peace congress. I
know / would prefer a ride in one of the
Enacostia Railroad cars as they were
years ago. to this mode Of rapid transit
but am happy 10 say this did not last
long.
The American Charge.
After few volleys. with q veil we
charged their breastworks. and Mr.. Fiji
pino disappeared through a cane field.
We found Two dead in the trenches aud
two more badly wounded. who were cared
Tor by the hospital corps, after about an
hours rest, for the men were nearly ex-
hausted from their charge across the
field, as every step was TO sink over shoe
tops in sand and water above your knees.
There were several dead or wounded
taken away by their comrades, as trails
OF blood could be seen leading through
the cane field. We did not give them pur-
suit. and after rest We moved forward
Cautiously to join the line OF the Ninth |
before Sindelon. where we could hear
some sharp fighting going on. But before
our arrival they had entered the town, |
where we Joined them about o'clock in |
the afternoon. and proceeded to make |
comfortable, Soon coulu be |
seen little fires here and there, and the |
boys with Tin cups preparing a cup Of |
coffee and with hard tack and canned |
salmon We had a very enjoyable meal |
mat was relished by all hands. That ev-
-nlng our bull carts arrived from San
fernando, and we were enabled to have
1 square meal of corn beef sium, hard |
-ack, and coffee. All hands were early
n bed and enjoying sound sleep. When
say IN bed l mean wrapped up in a
'heIter halt tent and grassy spot on the
ground. After several days spent in re-
operating and getting rid of sand and
mud we were in 1alr condition for an
'ther movement.
An Unexpected Battle.
On Monday morning, August II, a part
Il the Seventeenth Infantry and Fifty
irst Iowa went out on a scouting trip, 10
iain knowledge Of the lay of the land in
ur front, and met large party of insur-
'ents some distance from Angeles, and
bout two miles from Sindelon. After
Ia vi =Ii !
ack to Sindelon, having ACCOMPLISHED
heir Reconnaissance. Tuesday night orders
anne that ten companies of the Twelfth
under command of Col. Smith.
would be ready TO move at daybreak to
make reconnaissance in force. There was
10 thought of an engagement, and we
we're expected in Sindelon for supper that
vening. BY o'clock next morning, We'd
esday, August 16, we were in line. and
marching up the railroad track We COW
red about three miles in this position,
7hen halt was made and the companies
ivided up, the first battalion went TO the
ignt, the second was to continue I'D the
rack, and the third to go off TO the left.
n this position we advanced a mile or |
lore without seeing any sign Of insur-
ents, when the third battalion, the one 1
ccompanied, came to one of those fire.
Uent streams, lined with bamboo trees |
iere We deployed as skirmishers, as the
ONE and steeple of the church could be |
een in cluster of trees. Hardly had |
he advance been made beyond the shelter
the trees when the singing of Mauser |
UlletS could be heard, though we were
DO Tar Off for them to do any damage. I
he first volley fired by our boys was at 7
700 yards, so We must have been 1000 | /
ards on when they opened up, but as we |
ontlnued to advance the firing became [
l7re deadly, and We protected ourselves | '
ehind those saViOrs of American soldiers. | {
rice patty, which has been the means {
saving many life. BY means of these
ce patties you can fire a volley and then z
dvance TO the next one, distance of c
bout 100 to $50 feet. Just before our ad- j
ance and while waiting for developments, i
oil. Smith rode up and hating, said: 3
Well, boys, We will eat our dinner IN /
ngeles to-day"
The Capture of Angeles, r
His words came true, for after one of
he hottest fights and the most stubborn c
and yet taken by the insurgent army. b
c finally drove them from their trenches y
nd scattered them in every direction. 2
en-. Miscardo, who commanded the army
Angeles has been several DAYS trying |
gather his forces, and what started our |
reconnaissance in force wound up in |
lie capture OF enc OF the largest towns |
inside of Manila; also two locomotives
nd several cars, several tons of rice, the
'ntrol of twelve miles more OF railroad.
Id the best accommodations for a large |
Imber of troops during the rainy sea-
N. The soil is sandy and soon absorbs |
e surplus water, and the air and water
Irer than at san Fernando.
Though three Of the boys were killed and
veral wounded, 1t seems miraculous that
ore were not hit by the enemy's bullets.