The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-05-03
Tae Rebels Easily Routed.
Gen. Macarthur Division Crosses
Rio Grande Safely.


Men Had to Drag Bullock Carts
Through R,saless Jupgles. Wi
Rest Three Days at Norzagaray
Aguinaldo is Unapproachable.
Manila, April 27-9:45 p. m.-Gsn
MaeArthur's division crossed the Rio
Gcande today and advanced on
Apalit, completely routing the flower
I of the rebel army.
The enemy were very strongly en-,
trenched on the river bank, near
both sides of the railroad bridge.
Gen. Wheaton sent Col. Funston
across with two companies of the
Twentieth Kansas regiment, cou-
pie of privates swimming the swift
stream with ropo, under a CALLING
fire, for the purpose of guiding the
raft.
The men crossed In squads OF 70
and attacked the left flank Of the
rebels, who scattled like rabbits into
co7ered ways and trenches.
The rest of the regiment was COM
PEELED to cross the bridge in single
file along the stripgers. All the
wood work and much of Tne iron
work had been removed. The First
Montana regiment fvllowed the Kan
sas ACROSS the bridge.
The First Nebraska regiment, act.
ing as a reserve, attacked the rebels
in three lines of trenches, driving
them out, killing Is and wound
ing many.
Ia the meantime large body Of
Filipinos, estimated at no fewer than
5000, led by Gen. Antonio Luna on
black charger, that was evidently
coming to reinforce the rebels who
were engaged with the Nebraskans,
appeared in the open field about two
miles to the left.
Emerg rging from the jungle the
enemy formed an open skirmish line
nearly two miles in length, with very
thick re serves behind. The men ad-
vanced at double quick until they
were about 200 yards from the
American line when Gen. Wheaton
ordered his troops to fire.
The rebels. who were evidently un-
aware that the Americans crossed
the river, broke and ran in the direc-
ton of Macabele. The other Filip!
nos few toward Apalit station.
The heat in the early part of the
afternoon was terrific, but a drench
ing thunderstorm which came later,
greatly refreshed the Americans.
Most Of the rebels fed to Apalit
station, where two trains were wait
ing them. They left hurriedly, pre-
sumable for San Fernando.
The towns Of San Vincentic and
Apalit were simultaneously burned
and evacuated by the natives.
Twenty prisoners were captured,
including Spaniard.
The American troops also captured
brass cannon and aquantity of arms
and ammunition and the same evening
they charged a Maxim gun on the
railroad.
The fighting lasted from noon
until 4 o'clock.
The American loss is one man of
the Montana regiment killed and
three officers and six men wounded.
Gen. Lawton's advance has been
remarkably demonstrative Of the re-
sistless energy which characterizes
all his undertakings. The last
troops forming his column only
reached Norzagaray today. The
men were badly played out, as dur
ing the past two days they have
dragged bullock carts over roadless
jungles and through swamps, GU
ting their way for miles. They will
rest three days and then, with Col.
Summers command, consisting of the
Oregon and Minnesota regiments,
the troops will resume the n,arch
westward, CO operating with Gen
MacArthut's forces in the important
enterprise.
The ambulances today, with q
strong escort, are bringing Gen.
I Lawton's wounded and a few Ct
those who have been prostrated by
the heat across the country to The
railroad.
A report has gained vide currency
among the volunteers that the goT.
ernment intends to ask that there be
10 fighting after Calumpit IS cap
tured, and that it is toe intention t
replace them a: the frout with re5u
lars which are being brought here OF
board transports.
A committee Of F.lipinos organ
szl ,,oI;,to 1,afuooIo tho Amer