The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-15

! war was a magnificent demonstration OF the
Fighting Twentie this utter disregard for dan
/ ger From its colonel to the lowest private in
! the ranks there was not man who did not
F! seem TO find delight in battle. 1t even
| with difficulty that the command was held back
in its position on the American firing line.
| Having won its first victory and made its
mark as one of Americas historic fighting reg
iments, the Fighting Twentieth was left
little rest for on the night of February Funs-
tons command was ordered to attack the
enemy's position before It's front. The work
demanded an advance against a strongly pro-
tected rebel position, located in a dense jungle
It a brilliant charge, the enemy being
! driven like chaff, and the Kansans penetrating
the very heart OF Caloocan before they could be
recalled. In this attack Kansas lost its first
commissioned officer, Lieut.. a. c. Afford who
fell while braveIy leading his company.
1t was discovered on February that the
enemy was massing in front Of MacArthur's
line, and on the afternoon of February 10 or
ders were issued for the dislodgement of the ma
tive forces. The advance commenced at 8 40 p.
m with Kansas in the lead Across the open
swept Funston's boys, driving the natives from
their earthworks, and at six O'Clock the inSur-
gent position. with the railroad line, was in the
hands OF the Americans. That night the line of
the Fighting Twentieth" was established at
Caloocan, amidst the ruins Of the town. which
the insurgents had fired before their retreat.
At this point the Kansas boys proceeded to in
trench themselves, and there awaited orders for
a further advance. Here, before Caloocan,
Kansas was several times attacked, an excep-
tionally strong effort being made by the natives
on the night of February - This attack was
intended to break the American line so that the
TagalOs might enter the city Of Manila and
there cooperate with the natives, who were
attempting TO carry out AguinaldO'S nefariouS
plot for destruction of the town and the muir
der of all white residents. As the force of the
attack was principally directed against that
portion Of the American lines where Kansas
was stationed, the regiment was called into de-
fensve action at the first alarm. 1t did not
take long to drive back the massed Filipinos,
who retreated after severe loss. Hardly day
passed without its attendant skirmiSh, and
Kansas was continually exposed to the fire of
the enemy's sharpShooters. During one of
these slight engagements on February % Kan
sas lost another Of its best officers, Capt David
Elliott.
Until Saturday. March % the twentieth
remained intrenched before Caloocan. For sew
eral days prior to that date it was known that
some decisive movement was about to be made,
and IN all the line which formed MacArthur's
front there was no regiment that disp aged a
greater desire to be on the move than Kansas.
Occupying most exposed position, the Fight
ing Twentieth" had lost many Of its brave men,
for an opportunity to wreak vengeance upon the
sllulkiug minions of Agunaldo At last the
advance commenced, and long before break Of
day on March 25 the Kansas volunteers led the
movement against the well intrencdel Fuipi-
nos. Against whrlwind of bullets these brave
boys from the prairie charged the first line
Of intrenchments driving the enemy from
the position and piling up the trenches
with Filipino dead. Line after line
Of earthw0rIs were stormed, the Fight
ing Twentieth" at one point being brought
under a severe fire from q rebel block
house on the opposite side OF the Tuliahan river.
The river must be crossed and the blockhouse
taken. No bridges were at hand, but that did
not deter the brave lads from Kansas. for with
bullets cutting the leaves Of trees above them
FunstOns brave band crossed the stream some
times swimming. so deep was the water. and
upon the opposite bank reforming the dripping
lines dashed at the blockhouse and its accom-
panylng trenches 1t was such a charge as the
FilipinOs could make no stand against and the
enemy broke and ran. This daring charge of
the KanSans was the eliminating point of the
days action. Its bravery and dash seemingly