The record-union., 1899-06-05
Our Troops Driving Them at Every
Point.
Partial Failure to Surround General
Pillars forcss.
Most Of T.. ,m Are Supposed to
Have Escaped to the Mountains
Through the Conditions OF
March That Handicapped Our
Men-Heat Was Intense and
Our Men Suffered Greatly, But
Pressed on and Achieved Vic
tory After Victory.

Pressed on and Achieved Vic
tory After Victory.
MANILA, June 4, s p. m.-The posi-
ton of the American troops tonight in
dieates that they will tomorrow sweep
the peninsula of Morong. the land pro-
jecting to the south into Laguna de
bay, where the insurgents are sup
posed TO have a large force, near the
town of Morong, as we'll as the battery
on the western shore of the peninsula
which recently smashed the propeller
of the gunboat Napidan. General Hall
is marching from Antipolo, about six
and half miles northwest of Morong,
toward the peninsula, with his forces
spread out to cover a large Secton
Colonel Truman, with the First North
Dakota Regiment and the Twelfth
Infantry, is advancing along the coast
of the lake from Taytay, incidentally
clearing several small towns. Colonel
Wholley with the First Washington
Regiment, has landed on the peninsula
above the town of Morong. The army
gunboatS Napidan, Covadon and CeSte
are in a position to cooperate.
The original plan was to surround the
forces of General Pillar SO that he must
retreat to the Morong peninsula, where
capture would have been inevitable.
This was not a complete success, be-
cause Halls column found the coun-
try full of handicaps to marching. The
troops frequently floundered through
morasses waist deep in mud, an expert
ence which, under the terrific sun, ex-
hausted the Americans quite beyond en-
durance Most of General Pillars follow
ers are supposed. to have escaped north
ward, probably reaching Bosoboso, a
stronghold in the mountains.
Colonel Wholley has completed his
share of the movement and brought the
Washington regiment to the Pasie
River, where last night about midnigh;
men embarked upon cascoes and start
ed for their destination under the con-
voy of the gunboats.
They encountered a repetition of the
experience undergone by almost every
expedition in attempting TO enter Lagu-
ma de Bay, as the boats went aground IT
the SHALLOW salt mouth of the river and
were detained there several hours.
Major General Lawton in the mean
time was indefatigable, riding from one
force to the other and supervising the
loading of the cascoes, without SLEEP
for two nights.
General Halls column. which assem-
hled at the water works, or pumping
station. late Friday night. under cover
of moonless sky, consists of the Sec
ond Oregon Volunteers, who marched
to the point Of rendezvous from the city
barracks; battal,o of me Second Wy.
oming Regiment, four. troops of cav
airy Zone mounted on big American
horses which SO impresses the natives
the others unmounted); two battalions
of the Fourth Infantry, one battalion oil
the Ninth Infantry and six companies
of the First Colorado Regiment and two
mountain guns. The men rolled them
selves in their blankets and lay upor
the wet grass for a few hours under G
driZzling rain.
AT 4 O'Clock yesterday morning (Sat-
urday) they began to cross the Sar
Mateo River, and about noon easily re-
pulsed large band of Filipinos abou
twelve miles east of Manila, between
Mariquina and Antipolo.
The Oregon regiment, the cavalry the
artillery and the Fourth Infantry &C
complished this task, driving the insur
gents from the hills, the other troop:
being held in reserve, but afterwart
joining the main column in the pursui
toward the sea.
A running fight was in progress al
the afternoon. Filipino outpost frs
attacked a few scouts. whereupon tn.
Fourth Cavalry formed long Skin
mish line and easily drove the insuc
gents into the hills. Then the Oregon
regiment moved across a wet. sogg,
rice field in extended order toward tn,
hills. where 1t was believed a larg,
force of the enemy had concentrated
When the Oregonians were within
about mile of the position, the Fill
pinos opened a heavy fire. the Ameri
cans replying and pressing forwart
more rapidly.
After few volleys the insurgents wer,
seen scattering over the crests of tn,
hills in every direction and their pani
was increased when the artillery open
ed upon them and the shells began I,
explode all around them. undoubtedl.
causing great loss of life. The bonn
bardment by the batteries and TIL
musketry was maintained for nearl,
half an hour, after which not Filipin,
could be seen on the hills and not sho
came from the position.
The heat was intense and the troop
suffered greatly, but they continued OF
the trail taken by the fleeing enemy il
the hope of driving them toward til
lake.
Colonel Wholley, with two battalion
OF the First Washington, a battalion o
the Twelfth Infantry, two wings 0
Scott's battery and party of scout
under Major Jeiselberger, left San Pc
dro Macate yesterday morning, and az
ter fording the Pasig River advanced
northeast upon Cainta, while Genera
Hall approached the town from the op
posite direction, the gunboats Napidan
Covadonga and Ceste cooperating il
the river.
This important movement was kept 8
secret that the public thought the plal
was to- send General Overshine's lin
forward against the insurgents, who ar
entrenched south of the city.
The Signal Corps displayed admirabl
enterprise in the laying of wires witt
the troops, but the native sympathizer
cut them behind the army, even within
the American lines.