The San Francisco call., 1899-04-28

betrayed American activity. heavy
fire followed from the insurgent artil-
lery, and that attempt to cross was
necessarily abandoned.
Undaunted by two previous fail
ures, Colonel Funston persevered in
his enterprise and succeeded in tax
ing the Rio Grande defenses opposite
Calumpit. It was one of the most
daring and dangerous achievements
of the present war.
The insurgents, numbering several
thousand, occupied almost impregnable
earthWorks on the north bank of the
river, with the bridge so stripped of its
flooring that passage across under fire
was impossible. The insurgents earth
works were so constructed as to be
bomb-proof and the American artillery
was consequently less effective than
usual.
At 10 o'clock this morning Colonel
Funston determined TO endeavor to
cross the stream in the face of the
enemy's fire, land west of the insurgent
trenches and by an enfilading fire dis
lodge them.
With 100 Of the Kansas men he
went to point on the river several
hundred yards from the bridge, where
two privates, White and Trembley,
swan with a rope to the opposite
shore. They landed and attached the
rope to a portion of the insurgent
trench.
In the meantime the remainder of the
detachment kept up a vigorous fire,
which was directed toward the insur-
gent trenches, While the artillery main
tanned a tremendous bOmbardment.
White and Trembley were thus partly
protected from the insurgents fire.
Several insurgents were in the trenches
at the point where the daring men
landed, but they were terror stricken
and fled when the two Americans be-
gan yelling.
Colonel Funston then sent two men
across the river in a boat with the
clothes and rifles of White and Trem-
bley, but the boat was capsized and the
men swan ashore, losing all the con-
tents Of the boat.
Three rafts loaded with fifty men
then crossed the river under a heavy
but inaccurate insurgent fire and i'm
mediately advanced upon the trenches,
vi illS lLlt lILS vi ems Ibl W al u tllilit
interrupted by a small but deep stream
flowing into the Rio Grande 200 yards
west Of the railway, where the heaviest
trenches are located. Here the insur-
gents attempted TO check the Ameri-
cans. using Maxim guns, which obliged
Colonel Funston's small force to re-
tire.
Immediately afterward. however
Colonel Funston, with Captain Orig
and eight men, crossed the small
stream in a boat. They charged upon
the trenches where an immense force
Of insurgents, completely terrified, be
gan to retreat. Colonel Funston. yell
ing and shouting, dashed up to the rail
way, and the Montana and Kansas
troops at once began crossing the
bridge with General Wheaton, the
bridge being no longer protected by the
insurgents fire. The insurgents re-
treated in several directions.
1t was assumed that they had all fed
but soon it was observed that their Off
GERS were endeavOring to line them up
on a broad field with the intention to
advance and retake the trenches.
The insurgents appeared wholly de-
mOralized, their ranks breaking re-
peatedly although their generals on
horses frantically ordered them for
ward.
Then was started an effective fire
LlOlI the NdllSdS ana Montana hGSl-
ments, which wrecked all discipline
The rebel line crumbled. : and the enemy
fed. Many retTeated to a train which
was waiting at the next station, and
the train Immediately left for the
nOrthWard. Others surrendered. thirty
seven being captured. Many others
fled TO the woods to the eastward, prob
ably going to the mountains, or to the
great swamp several miles away.
Apalit the next town from Calumpit,
was burned, the Americans. the re-
mainder Of Wheaton's and Hale's brig
ades advancing and occupying the rail
way station
During the engagement the Utah
Battery, the Sixth Artillery and the
Montana and Kansas Regiments diG
most effective work, and in pursuing
the retreating insurgents the South
Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa vOlun-
teers moved across the river and per-
formed excellent service. The insur-
gents lost between thirty and fifty
killed, as nearly as l can Judge The
Americans lost two killed. one being
killed early in the morning, and several
wounded.
Many cases of heat prOstratiOn oc-
CURED. but the entire operation had
been completed by midday. A quantity
of insurgents arms and ammunition
was captured.
This evening the American troops re-
main on the north bank of the Rio
Grande, with their oUtpOsts reaching
To Apalit.
A fearful thunder storm occurred at
o'clock.
General Macarthur is greatly pleased
with the result of the operation, giving
high praise to Colonel Funston. While
not a bloody enga cement General Mac
Arthur considers it one of the most
brilliant and daShng in history
The nature of future operations is
unknown. For the present, it is as
sumed, the troops Will remain in the
Rio Grande trenches until the bridge
is repaired.