The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1899-10-18
in force. There was no thought of an
engagement, and We wero oxpooted in

August 16, wo woro in limo, and maroh-
ing up tho railroad track. We covered
about three miles in this position, whom
q halt was made and the companies di-
vidod up; the 1st battalion wont to tho
right, tho second was to continue up
the track and tho third TO go of to the
loft. In this position wc advanced a
milo or moro without seoing any sign of
insurgents, when tho Sd battalion tho
one accompanied came to ono those fro
quont streams, lined with brmbao treos.
Here we dcploycd rs skirmishers, as tho
domo and stceplo Of the church could
be seen in a cluster of trees. Hardly
had tho advance been mado beyond the
sholter of the troes whom the singing Of
Mausor bullets could be hoard, though
we were too far off for thom to do any
damage. Tho first volley frod by our
boys was at 300 yards, so We must
havo bcon 1000 yards off whom thcy
opened up, but as we continued to ad-
vanco the firing became more deadly,
and We protected ourselves behind those
sayiors of American soldiers, rice pat
ty, which has been tho means Of saving
many q life. BY means Of these rice
patties you can fire vollcy and thon
advance to tho next one, distance of
about Que hundred to ono hundred and
fifty feet. Just before our advance,
and while waiting for developments,
Col. Smith rode up aud, halting, said:
well, boys, wo will cat our dinner in
Angeles to-day"
His words camo truo, for after one of
the hottest fights and tho most stub
born stand yet taken by the insurgont
army we finally drove them from their
trenches and scattered them in every
direction. Con. Miscardo, who com
mandcd tho army in Angeles, has been
several days trying to gather his forces,
and what started out as reconnaissance
in forco wound up in the capture of one
Of the largest towns outside of Manila;
also Two locomotives and several cars,
several tons Of rice, the control Of
twelve milos moro Of railroad and the
best accommodations for largo nun
Der Of troops during the rainy season.
The soil is sandy, and soon absorbs
tho surplus water, and the air and
water purcr than at San Fernando.
Though three of tho boys wcrc killed
and several wounded, 1T seems miracul-
ouo ouaU HOlo WoIo uUG llt Ny Cuo
enemys bullots, as they showed in their
firing moro ordor than any encountered
as yot. But thoy cannot stand the vol
ley firing and yell of tho Americana.
The skirmish line Of tho Sd battalion
as it advanced across tho rice field made
a beautiful picture not break in it,
and every man moving forward and fir.
ing as it by machinery. But nothing
loss could be expected with suoh eflioi-
ent oflioors, and under tho guidance Of
such a cool and collected officer as Capt.
Wood, who commanded the battalion.
Always with tho mon, never hurry
ing them, but directing their fire where
the enemy wss the strongest, and hus-
banding thcir strength for a final
charge, if mod be, has instilled that
firmnoss in the mon that suro to win
tho day. At ono time tho insurgents
tried a flank movement, and for few
moments the bullets were flying entire
| ly too close to mako it comfortable,
but their move was discovered by Lieut..
Cochcn, commanding Company G., Of
tho 18th, who ordered platoon to
check their move, and after few vol
leys thoir line disappeared. In short
timo we advanced over thoir trenches
and were in possession Of their city,
while they were flying in all directions.
Ii there had been a large forcc or q
troop OF cavalry 80 as to pursue them
valuable pack train could havo boen
captured; but the men who had taken
part in the engagement were complete
ly exhausted frcm the effects Of the
nnG Tho mi f1,,xy
to march through. The loss Of tho in
surgcnts must have been heavy, as
trails Of blood could be seen whore they
had carried off thcir dead and wounded.
The dead found in the trenches showed
that they wore not rowing squads, but
organized and equipped regiments, and
from the statement Of a native hotel
keeper who remained thore were 1890
mon, Of which at least 1900 men were
armed, under Gen. Mescardo. He said
that the day before they were entirely
out of ammunition, but q large supply
arrived that morning, largo quantity
OF which was captured. 1t was new and
had no indication Of rust on tho shells,
proving that they have steady supply
station. Aftor two days rest, with
only aslight skirmish at times, Com
panics Ii and [ went out to large
sugar mill to burn it, MS a number Of
insurgents could be seen lowering
around it. After burning the mill
they decided to proceed about 1900
yards farther on and burn small set
tlomcnt Of bamboo shacks, situated in
a bamboo thicket.
This turned out a disastrous move
Tor the insurgents waited until the first
company was about one hundred yards
off, when they opened murdcrous fire,
killing ono of tho most popular officers
in the regiment, Lieut.. Albert Drew,
Of Texas, an officer loved by his ontiro
company. It must have been thoir
aim was directed at the officers, for in
advancing to the relief Of company,
Lieut.. Ulino, Of Company II, was seri-
ously shotin the head, BUTT is thought
not necessarily dangerous. After re-
covering tho bodies Of thcir dead and
wounded commanders the companies
fell back in order with no other casual
tics.
We expect to remain in Angeles for
somo tImo, we hope until tho rainy sea.
snn is over and wo can be reinforced,
for such weather as wo arc now having
takes all tho health and vitality out Of a
person. There is moi man in tho
company or rogimont that can truthful
ly say after few months active service
at tho front that he is near the man he
was before no camc to these islands.
Il. In oono1uainn tbo a,,tn opd cuhotovoo