The Monticellonian., 1899-11-24
AOUR OFFICIAL DISPATCHES
Gen. MacArthur Has Occupied Dag. upan, Thus Holding all
 the Railroad.
BRILLIANT DASH BY CAPT. LEONHEUSeR,
An Insurgent Force Surprised and Captured. Together with Arms Ammunition and Suppiies-Insur- gents south of Manila Getting Rsstless-Zamb Occupied.

Ammunition and SuppIies-Insur-
 gents south of Manila Getting
 RsstIess-Zamboan Occupied.
 Washington, Nov. 21.-Three cable dispatches were received at the war department from Gen. Otis. They are all dated the goth, but were received at different times. The first, received at 2:15 a. m. says:
 The First Dispatch.
 "MacArthur's advance is within five miles of Dagnpan, to which point the railroad is intact from Bamban, ex cepting the Tarlac break. The north. ern tiNe miles was destroyed, but the rails recovered. A large quantity oi rolling stock has been destroyed along the line. Probably either Lawton's or Wheaton's men are in Dagupan. No report from those officers since the 17th; should hear to-day. Roads are becoming practicable for transporta- tion, and troops are moving from San Jose 10 Lawton's front Leonhauser with three companies of the Twenty, fifth infantry, by night march, sur p1ised and captured, without casual ties, an insurgent force at O'Donnell, seven miles from the railroad station at Bamban or Capas. One insurgent killed. The force consisted of four of fieers and POO men. Their rifles. 10000 ron1ids of ammunition, transportation, four tons of subsistence, official rec ords, and considerable clothing was secured.
 The insurgents south of Manila are somewhat restless, and have again been driven back from linus; six men lightly wounded"
 The Second Dispatch.
 The second dispatch relates to af- fairs in the southern islands and was received at 3:50 a. m. It follows:
 One of the contending insurgent factions at Zamboanga secured the city and turned same over to Capt. Very, of United States war vessel in harbor; another insurgents faction made demonstration against the city and Very called on Jolo for troops. One company was sent. The com manding officer asked permission to send three additional, leaving two there; two companies will be dis patched from Jolo. Both Jolo and Zamboanga must be reinforced as soon as practicable. It will require several days; It was not intended to take pos session of Zamboanga until later: no provisions were made. In the latter part of September members of the in- sdrgents government in the Cottabao district, in southern Mindanoa, were beheaded. \ new government was formed which calls for United States troops. The cities of Cottabao Duvao. Snriago. at the northeastern point Mindanao, are of importance Troops will be sent to these points when available. Hughes is moving in Panay with two columns; the insurgents have retreated from southeastern portion of the island"
 The Third Dispatch.
 The following relates to movements farther north:
 "MacArthur's advance entered Dagu- pan to-day. and ascertained that Whea- onss troops had been there yesterday, and were withdrawn last evening. It It believed that many insurgent detach- ments are west of the railroad in prov inee of Zambales, meditating concen- tration and future demonstrations. They will be looked after. Nothing yet received from either Lawton or Wheaton"
 The navy department also received report of the acquisition of Zambo- anga, which differs in some respects from the story of that event told in Gen. Otis cablegram. The naval ae- count is contained in the following cablegram from Rear Admiral Wat son, dated at Manila, to-day:
 Renr-AdmirnI Watson's DiSpntcb
 Commander Very of the Castine, with friendly natives and Moros com bined captured Zamboanga on the 16th inst No casualties. Landing parties from the Castine and the Manila hold the tcwn with Fort Nazro. command ing it, pending arri4al of troops from Jolo. There is a considerable force of insurgents at Mercedes, four miles away"
 The acquisition of Zamboanga atthis time is of great importance from military point of view. It is the prin- cipal city of Mindanao, and dominates the entire southern half of that island. which is second in importance only to Iuzen. Ii has a population of nearly 22,000 people, and is well fortified, so that small garrison of troops could hold it indefinitely against native att taels. In addition, it is naval sta tion, where the Spaniards used to rem dezvous their ships in the southern archipelago.
 Gen. Otis dispatch intimates that he Is somewhat embarrassed by the uneX- pected necessity of providing garri- son speedily for Zamboango It has been suggested that the difficulty might be met by garrisoning Zanbo- anga with battalion of marines, one Of which is understood now to be avail able in this country and ready to sail at short notice for Manila.