Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
.CALUMPTT DEFENDED
The Filipinos Making a Desperate
Stand at the Place.
The REBELS ARE USING ARTILLERY.
A Dispatch from Gen. Otis States That Gen.
Macarthur Has Taken u Part Of Calum-
pit Gen. LawtOn Drives the Enemy
North and Wess.

Manila, Aplil 27.-Aguinaldo's army
yesterday defended Calumpit energeti-
cally. which is said to indicate that the
rebels are finally making that place
their last ditch or stand, which the
Americans expected them to make at
Malolos. For the first time the Fill
pinos are employing artillery. They
brought two guns into action in the
trenches to-day before Calumpit, firing
modern shrapnel which burst over the
heads of Gen. Wheaton's men without
effect.
The fighting was resumed at six
o'clock this morning. During the
night the American engineers repaired
the Bagbag bridge, thus enabling our
troops to cross the river. ten. Wheat
on brigade advanced in extended or
der, with the Kansas regiment to the
west of the railroad and the Montana
regiment to the east Of II and took up a
position covering 4 miles on the south
bank of the Rio Grande. On the oppo-
site bank were fortified trenches, from
which few American soldiers would
have been able to defy thousands, 50
strongly were they constructed.
The Americans found the trenches on
the south bank Of the river deserted,
which furnished them with cover from
which they could pick off Filipinos
whenever one of them showed his head.
When the rebels began firing, two
putfs of smoke simultaneously from
the trenches on each side of the rail
road track showed they were using
cannon, which was genuine surprise
to the Americans. Several shells burst
close to Wheaton, staff, but it seemed
that the Filipinos failed to master the
machinery of modern arms as they
were unable to get the right range.
Youngs Utah battery was ordered into
position in the center of the Kansas
regiment to silence the rebel guns and
at II o'clock the rapid fire guns had
been fcrried across the river and came
into line, At noon the rebels were still
pouring a Ii, W fire in the direction OF
the Americans who returned it spirit
eddy. Two Americans were killed and
seven wounded.
AT about this time Gen. IIalc's bri.
gade was advancing east of the line, ap.
parently to cross the river and attack
the rebel trenches in the flank, AS the
Americans did yesterday, Gen. Law
ton is meeting with greater obstacles
in the character of the country. Iii,
troops have only had a few Skin
mishes thus far, resulting IN
five of his men being wound
ed. But he was forced to put
his men at work building roads and
the transport service is giving much
trouble, bullocks dying of the heat and
exhaustion and Cinnamon having to be
employed in pulling some of the carts.
Therefore the general has been unable
to cover the ground he hoped to cover.
The natives flee before the expedition
but they swarm back to their huts as
soon MS the American troops have
passed. A few Filipino sharpshooters
are harassing the American TANKS.
DISPATCH FROM GEN. OTIS.
Washington. April 21,-'rhe follow
ing cablegram was received at the wal
department late yesterday evening"
Manila April IS Adjutant General, Wash
lngton. Lawton at Norzag0ray and AnRat. lIl'
two columns united have driven the enemy To the
north and west Slight casualties; names moi
reported Only means Of communication, con-
riers Macarthur has taken portion Of Calum-
pIt south Of river Movement attended with
iifficultcs on account Of Jungle heat and strong
lntronchments His casualties yesterday, three
killed, II wounded Developments thus far sat
iSiactOry Otis
f,nnYUEr INN I'M