Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-20


The deeds of the First, Minnesotas and
Twenty fourth Michigan at Gettysburg
and Of the Second Wisconsin in its
three years career have never been
eclipsed by any regiment known TO his.
tory.
The Thirteenth Minnesota of the
Spanish war,quota takes its number on
the list Of volunteers from that state
where the civil war left it, and al.
though it is the unlucky one. according
to the superstitious, that fact has been
a source of levity rather than anxiety
among the Minnesotans now in the
Philippines.
The Thirteenth dates its war exploits
from Aug. 13, 1893. when Manila was
captured from the Spaniards but that
is not the red letter day in its calendar
now. When the Filipinos broke loose
on the 4th Of February, the Mime
sotans were doing provost guard duty
in the city of Manila. A long expected
crisis had come for the Filipinos had
no love to waste on American soldiers
after they had disposed of the lordly
dons of CASTLE, and they never hest
|
the 4th of February they threw down
the gauge Of battle, and so anxious
were some of the Minnesotans to have
hand in the fighting that they left
their quarters in the city without or
ders or permission to join the fighting
line In a charge forward on the 9th,
which carried the Americans into the
Filipino works, one band Of 80 con-
tanned IA Minnesotans; seven from one
company
But at last war was brought home to
the camps of the Thirteenth. The night
of Feb. 90 fires were started in differ
ent parts of Manila the American
policed districts especially. The soldiery
and European residents turned out to
fight the flames and soon there were
scattering rife shots heard in different
quarters and red rocket signals seen
mounting into the skies These last
were signals for native uprising in
the streets of Manila. In spite of the
impending danger the soldiers con-
tinued to fight fire. Filipinos piled
their rifles from every concealed corner
upon the firefghters and twice attack
ed the Minnesota guard around the
burning district The posts of Com.
panies G and NJ were finally surrounded
by smoking ruins and seemed to be cut
off from all help. Company M was in
cathedral protected by stone wall.
The Filipinos fired at the building, but
made no Roadway in crossing the wall.
The men of other companies became
anxious for their comrades in the
cathedral, but ceased to worry over
them when they saw brave trio from
the fire and bullet beleagured citadel
dashing through the flames after am
munition with which to hold the fort.
And they did hold it,
Company G had to fight in the open.
When the flames appeared in its dis
trict, two platoons set out for the scene
and We're fired on in the street as they
split up into squads Three were hit at
the first volley, and the Filipinos paid
no mere attention to them for time,
but, supposing that they had abandoned
their quarters in panic, made a rush
for them, probably bent on plumber.
Lieutenant Snow was yet at the quar-
tiers with 10 men under him, He re-
pulsed the attack and saved the quar-
ters and baggage Next day the two
companies joined with other troops in
rounding up Filipnos who were plum
dering the burned districts and taking
pot shots at the American firemen and
guards The natives defended them
selves behind street barricades and in
buildings which they had loopholed. In
some cases their lairs had to be set on
fire to bring them out. In one open
, space, 80 feet square. surrounded by
stone walls, there We're a score of dead
Filipinos after the Minnesotans got
done with them. During the night and
day fighting the Thirteenth lost Is
wounded.
Before the determined fighting of the
, campaign. when Otis began to drive
things, the Minhesotans were relieved
from police duty, much to the JOY of
the rank and file, and sent to the front.
On the Goth Of March the regiment. as
such, had its first encounter with the
insurgent troops. This was in the at
tack from along the Marqueta road
upon a position known as San Juan
hill. A st. Paul boy, Private John F..
Pewters Of Company G., thus describes
in private letter the experiences of
the regiment. Says he GAS gray dawn
broke we made left flank movement,
and line of skirmishers seven miles
long began to move toward the enemy.
y, After advancing about 1900 yards or
SO the enemy discovered us and opened
fire on our line. We halted and re-
sponded with cheer Then the battle
ragged.
1.-THE enemy began retreating, hut
rather slowly at first, taking advantage
of every rock and bush to send us a vol
ley before giving way. They were soor
on the run, however, and we kept them
going several miles, when General Hale
ordered a. flank movement and the
j. Thirteenth swept around the left t
t; support the troops who were fighting
o before fMalabon.
IS sin the meantime the entire north
r line was attacking the enemy, and &
hardtime-they had before the enemy
gave way. which was not before noon
" The Thirteenth was fighting alone ant
independently, headed by General Hale
and, as before. our skirmish line wal
r about seven miles long, long'interva
hot M aap aach man and mn raSapva I,