The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-21
speclal Corresnonienee.


of the battle is at this time impossible
and fair one exceedingly difficult The
more comprehensive story leave 10 abler
pens than mine. shall attempt to reeise
only the part played oy the Washington
regiment. which was a most important
one.
Conditions We're TAreatening.
( For several days the state OF the re-
lations between the two armies had been
threatening. and the strain had become In
tense. Gen. Otis knowledge OF the situ-
alton must have been very complete. be-
cause for nearly week he had skir-
mish lire sleeping on their guns before
the enemy every night. On Saturday
night, February 1, every available regi-
ment was ordered cut 10 support the out.
posts. This before the firing was begun.
WashinGton Rexfment Stationed.
The Washington regiment was a part OF
the first brigade (Gen. King of the First
division Gen. Anderson. The First divi-
sion was on the south side OF the river,
the Second on the north. The First brigade
was assigned to defend that part OF the
line extending from the point OF Pandacan
island, opposite Santa Mesa. south and
west to blockhouse No. L. The Second
brigade had the part OF the line in front
OF Malate from blockhouse u TO the shore.
on the shore was anchored the Monad-
mock. with her guns and her searchiights
trained on the situation. The First bri-
gade included the First Washington (Col.
Whoiley). the First California tCol. SMITH
and the First Idaho tMaj McConvilie}.
Col Smith was on duty commanding tha
interior guards in New Manila. across the
river so the regiment was In command of
its lieutenant colonel. and Col. WholleY
was senior officer in the brigade. This en-
titled his command to the most important
position. the assignment to the center Of
the firing line. which was consequently
given to him.
Col. Wholley's Good JudGment.
Col Whoiiey's arrangement OF his COM
mand showed in the light OF subsequent
developments his knowledge OF the situa-
ton. the grounds and the regiment. 1t all
proved him 10 be noble soldier and an
able tacticlan.
Faced . FiIipino battery.
There were two important points. One
was the center. on the Santa Ana road
in front of which were the insurgena
trenches, a battery OF two Krupp guns
and the village OF Santa Ana, with i5.ol
inhabitants. one-third soldiers The other
was an elevation on the extreme right
where II had been planned TO plant a bat
terry of three guns of the Third artillery.
A small stream about twenty Ave feet
wide and three feet deep extended along
the entire front OF over a mile.
The Deployment Of the Troops.
The depioyment was follows:
On the left wing on the island OF Pam
dacan. Companies Fl fCapt Scudder).
u.ieut Hart) and G. Capt Elirich) the
three under command OF Capt. Fertson.
On the left center, Companies c Capt
Sturgesl II dieut. Southern, and n
UIeu,. GormIeyl. under the immediate
command OF Col. wholsey
On the right center. Companies Capt.
O,isl. NJ r.!eut. Dreherl and r U.ieus.
Borker) under the command of Mai. Wei
ssenberger.
On the extreme right. Companies u
uieut. EgelD and I. Capt Moore). under
the command OF Capt. Adams
Farther TO the right acting at first with
the Fourteenth infantry in the Second bri-
gade, and afserward Independently Com
pany X tCart Smith.
How the Companies Took Position.
These positions were ali planned. but
the companies did not occupy them until
IN the early morning. Those In the CEN
ter came up shortly after dusk and were
placed follows: In the blockhouse and
on It's immediate front. 10 the left OF the
road Company b: on it's left. Company
II. ard beyond. Company H. These conn
panies were on reasonably dry ground
and had a slight shelter on their front n
bank or rice field dixie ahou, ter inches
high, except Company (. which was In a
ditea three feet d.ep. TO the left OF ths
road extended Companies A. VI and r.
tying on the sloping hank without pro-
lection and in six inches OF water and mud
in a rice swamp.
Opening of the Rattle.
A; o'clock all was onlnosisiv quiet ara
peaceful. ard the worn-out r9sen had be-
suD IN whisper 10 each other vrg-nhing
complaints ~ their snlstsea;nent In being
ordered 10 srsena a nighs Ira such n posi-
tion unnecessarily. Tsnt shortly after
that hour several shots were aF,d on the
left across The river. about hag mile
away There was a telegraph station in
'he block house. and y seon spread along
the tne that she Insurgents had made
an zdvancs on flse Ssarassz's cut.n@ts
IN Santa Ma. Soon nsore shots sere
hsasi-as first scattering. then by ocea-
ssonal. followed by continuous geileys
Easitisd- for m Hour.
!. sssar Developed iato perfect fgs;llaie
which lastesi for an, hour. during wsich
tiFn~ fully siass. shots mus, have bsea
fre3. Probably twenty ef these ~egc
vn tns srurz az cur less wing bas no reply
waS xtx@r. After the Hr.og r red rocks;
vas sesr. oar signal Tor. ATTACKED by
the enemy an1 reyussss1 This was en-
eowfazfu1 bsat ne silence soon becauta
assce@Aragiag- Three times during the
nlgas the enemy trte~i - force ms Me-
ssraSka's position. ara three times TIE
Washington regiment listened f9 e In
s4ksnce an4 eong~asgaatAng themselves
eaeh tire they @s sae red rocket