The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-02
THE PHILIPPINES ROUTED
Victory Over Best of
Aguinaldo's Troops.
FOUGHT In AN OPEN FIELD

Three InOus8n0 1nsuISentS .Iet on a
C~haTge-Our Fire Breaks Their Line
and They Flee I'm Confusion-Enemy
Fighung-The Kansas Boys Again TO
the Front-PhiIippinO Peace Commit
tee Afraid 10 Enter Agufnaldo,s Lines.
Manila, April 27.-6:10 p. m.-General
Lawton's advance has been remark-
ably demonstrative Of the resistless En-
ergy which characterizes all his under
takings. The last troops forming his
column only reached Norzagaray to-
dayl. The men were badly played out,
as during the past w days they have
dragged bullock carts over roadless
jungles and through swamps, cutting
their way for miles. They will rest
three days and then, with Colonel Sum-
mers' command, consisting of the Ore
gon and the Minnesota regiments, the
troops will resume the march westward
cooperating with General MacArthur's
forces in the important enterprise.
The ambulances today, with a strong
escort, are bringing General Lawton's
wounded and a few Of those who have
beer Frustrated by the heat across the
country TO the railroad.
A report has gained wide currency
among the volunteers that the gov
eminent intends to ask that there be
no fighting after Calumpit is captured
and that it is the intention to replace
them at the front with regulars, which
are being brought here on board the
transports.
A committee Of Philippines, organized
to mediate between the Americans and
Aguinaldo, fear to approach the rebels
after the refusal of the latter to receive
the Spanish commissioners who were
bearing a white flag. The committee.
after consulting with the American
commissioners, propose to tell Aguinal-
do that While no terms except uncondi-
tiOnal surrender could be Offered af-
ter the lengths to which the war had
been carried, they could assure the
rebels thaat they would be treated ac-
cording to the American tradition Of
leniency to the conquered and that
there would be no punishment or con-
fiscations Of property if they lay down
their arms.
The leaders of the committee told
United States Consul Williams hat
they would go if he would accompany
them, believing the rebels trusted Mr..
Williams. The latter, however, refus-
ed, having no authority in the matter.
He said: Il do not believe the Philip
pinos would harm me, but they might
detain nj for months"
The American commission is hamper
ed in it's work of enlisting the support
Of friendly Philippines by the ear ex-
pressed by many of the latter that the
"anti-eXpansionists' may obtain con-
troll Of the American government n
cause the withdrawal of the American
troops from the Philippine islands,
thus, they claim, leaving the natives
who have assisted the Americans TO
the mercy of Aguinaldo's followers.
Under those circumstances, men Of
property are reluctant to risk the re-
suits of becoming identified with the
American regime.
THE INSURGENTS DEFEATED AT
APALIT.:
General MacArthur's division cross
ed the Rio Grande today and advanced
on Apalit, completely routing the flow
er of the rebe army. Most of the
rebels fled to Apalit station, where two
trains were awaiting them. They left
hurriedly, presumably for San Fernan-
do. The towns of San Vincente and
pau y c44AA Wa S4AA
evacuated by the natives. Twenty
prisoners were captured including a
Spaniard. The American troops also
captured a brass cannon and a guam
tity of arms and ammunition and the
same evening they captured a Maxim
gun on the railroad. The fighting last
ed from noon until 4 o'clock. The
American loss is one man of the Mon
tana regiment killed and three officers
and six men wounded.
BOLD VENTURE BY KANSAS
TROOPS.
The enemy were very strongly en-
trenched on the river bank, near both
sides of the railroad bridge. General
Wheaton sent Colonel Funston across,
with two companies of the Twentieth
Kansas regiment, a couple Of privates
swimming the swift stream with a
rope, under a calling fire, for the pur-
pose of guiding the raft.
The men crossed in squads of twenty
and attacked the left flank of the
rebels, who scuttled like rabbits into
covered ways and trenches.
The rest of the regiment was COM
PEELED to cross the bridge in single file
along the stringers. All the woodwork
and much of the iron work had been
removed.
The First Montana regiment follow
ed the Kansans across the bridge.
The First Nebraska regiment, acting
as a reserve, attacked the rebels II
three lines of trenches, driving them
out, killing sixteen and wounding
many.
In the meantime a large body OF
Philippines, estimated at no fewer
than 5000, led by General Antonio Lu-
ma, on a black charger, that was evil
IDENTIFY coming TO reinforce the rebels
who were engaged with the Nebras-
kans, appeared in the open field abou
w miles to the left. Emerging from
the jungle, the enemy formed in open
skirmish line nearly two miles in
| length, with very thick reserves be-
hind. The men advanced at double
quick until they were about 200 yards
from the American line, when General
| Wheaton ordered his troops TO fire.
The rebels, who were evidently IN
aware hat the Americans had crossed
the river. broke and ran in the deric-
! ton of Macabele. The other Philippines
fled toward Apalit station.
The heat in the early part of tht
afternoon was terrific huT a drapobino