Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-10-19

near Caloocan. With our column
stretching out for about 5000 yards.
we we're making swinging movement,
with the line as the radius of semi
circle we had been driving the in
surgents all day, from 5 o'clock in the
morning, and had engagements every
little while At first we found the
country in good condition, but as we
progressed II became very rugged, and
the tropical growth thickened and re-
tarded our progress considerably. We
at last found ourselves in quite
jungle. There were a series OF pell-
nell rushes in the forenoon. 1t was
undoubtedly one of the hardest days
in our experience as far as this move
ment was concerned. At point lit
tie over o mile before reaching Tuliban
river, in Manila province, we again en-
ccuntered the insurgents. They were
intrenched behind well constructed
earthworks, occupying a commanding
POSITION on a small ridge. They open
ed fire upon us before we were aware
of their presence. Colonel Barnett was
experimenting the disposition of the
First battalion of the Tenth Pennsyl-
vania. He was then temporarily in
command Of Company +. While the
firing was on | noticed Colonel Bar
nett put his hand to his breast. |
asked him If he was hit lie did not
answer me at once. but. removing
Testament from his breast pocket, he
found that it had been penetrated by
Mauser bullet. which, 1t was after
ward disclosed. had been diverted from
its course and striking Colonel Bar
netts silver watch was probably again
DETECTED 50 that he had most for
tunate escape.
Il have no doubt that had not the
Testament been i'm his pocket Colonel
Barnett would have received a serious
II not fatal wound. When he was hit
/ was within a few feet of him. After
making an examination and finding no
serious results from the shot he again
replaced the Testament and watch and
proceeded to direct the further move
ments Of the troops This, of course
is but one Of the many narrow escapes
experienced by our men while under
fire.
AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER
what is your opinion of Colonel
BaTnett's qualifications as an execu-
tive officer? was asked of Captain
Watson
As to that replied the captain
after some deibcration, II think there
can be no question of his entire fit
ness for any position requiring execu-
tive ability. He Is n man who has
demonstrated his coolness under ad-
verse conditions, and his courage Is
unquestioned. My experience has
taught me that before he ever made
Ia 4
points of detail. and having once de-
termincd his course. his subsequent ac-
tions were logical and effective. We
had frequent opportunities to gauge his
executive ability while he filled the
position of military commander of the
district of Cavite. In this district is
located the old Spanish naval station
and which is now used and operated
| by our naval forces. The city Of Ca
vitc adOins this station Lieutenant
| Colonel Barnett was In command of
| this district during the Illness OF the
| late Colonel Hawkins. who was at the
| time confined to the hospital at Cor
| regidor. Besides the Tenth Pennsyl-
| vania there was assigned to this dis
trict under Lieutenant Colonel Bar
nett two batteries of the California
| heavy artillery and the First Wyoming
| artillery
Colonel Barnett displayed conspic.
| uous ability as an executive officer In
| his management Of the affairs of this
| district, which. including the city and
| adjoining territory. had n population
composed almost entirely of natives.
| He maintained and directed an almost
| perfect system of sanitary conditions
| under very adverse circumstances The
| town was carefully polced. all the
| streets were thoroughly swept and
| cleaned every morning. and the in
| habitants were compelled to keep their
premises i'm healthful condition.
| Colonel Barnett directed that all the
| garbage and other refuse be taken In
! scows a considerable distance out into
| the bay thus removing one OF the
| greatest menaces to the health Of the
| community Under our control we
| had from 600 to 200 lnsurgent prls-
oners. and his treatment of these cap
| tives was considerate and charitable.
! When beri beri broke out among the
| prisoners. through Major Neff. our
| senior surgeon a hospital for these
| peculiar cases was established upon
| Sangley Point. thus removing them
| completely from the troops and the in
| habitants of the district city.
"In the handling of the troopsunder
J his command his careful and solicitous
| attention to the sick and wounded and
his untiring and unceasng labors in
| the cause Of the regiment Colonel Bar
nett has earned the regard and grati-
tude of his comrades
| W.