The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-22
Loss of the Enemy Estimated mt 200
Killed and 300 WOuEded, Many of
Whom Were Carried Away.
AMERICAN CASUALTIES LIGHT
ONE PRIVATE KILLED AND SMALL
NUMBER WOUNDED.
Ammunition That Came from Ger
many Captured-Dihicult Under
Which the Troops Fought.

NEW YORK, March PA dispatch to the
Herald from Iloilo, Island of Panay, says:
A battalion of the Eighteenth Infantry, a
platoon OF the Sixth Artillery and the ma
chine gun battery made a reconnaissance
in the direction of Mandurriao and Santa
Barbara Thursday. While they were re-
turning the insurgents attacked the outposts
on the right. Although fatigued from march
ing in the broiling for two hours, the
entire command proceeded to the assistance
of their comrades, the artillery pouring she'll
and shrapnel upon the insurgents, who were
strongly intrenched in large numbers. Com
panies C, II and K of the Eighteenth de-
ployed to the right, driving the insurgents
back, and then wheeling to the left, made
junction with companies 3 and i. A heavy
engagement ensued. Companies B, c. NJ and
of the Tennessee Volunteers, Major
Cheatham commanding, arrived later and
formed on the left, and two more companies
of the Eighteenth marched from Iloilo TO
act as support to the other troops. Colonel
Van Valza and Major Keller commanded
the battalions of the Eighteenth Regiment.
General Miller was on the scene early
and directed the operations from imme-
diately behind the fighting line. He had
several narrow escapes. The line advanced
by rushes 5000 yards under hot fire. pour
ing in deliberate volleys upon the enemy's
position, the artillery making good practice.
By the time the forces were within three
hundred yards of the enemy's final position
darkness fell, preventing the charge for
which the Tennessee men and the companies
of the Eighteenth on the right had already
prepared by fixing bayonets. The retire
ment upon Jaro was accomplished in good
order.
The engagement was brought on by the
persistent attacks upon the outpost at Jaro
bridge. Nothing could be gained by forcing
the enemy further back as it was impossible
with the limited number of troops to hold
the position. The American troops were ex-
hausted by the fighting and having to wade
knee deep through the rice fields and sugar
cane. There was several cases Of prostra-
ton by the heat.
The only man killed was Private Louis
Riehl, of Company B. Eighteenth Infantry.
The wounded of the Eighteenth were:
Privates Joseph Daily, knee and thigh; Theo-
dcre Burr, arm and chest; Preston Savage
forearm; William Bruschke, chest, all of
Company b; Max Holmes, forearm, Com
pany l.; Joseph r. McCrary. hand William
Loremann, leg and thigh; William Trix-
man, leg, all of Company c; Riley Gala
CHAN, scalp: William Rovenberger, wrist
both of Company Ii; William Ruster. finger,
Company Z; William hardwood, leg, Com
pany K; Corporal G. f. Bates, foot Com
rany L; Private I. A. Marlowe, OF Company
l., First California, serving with the artil-
lery, was wounded in the side and back
and Private Samuels. of Company F, Ten
nesSee Volunteers, was slightly wounded in
the face. bullet passed through Private
Rovenberger's wrist and entered his mouth,
between the gum and cheek, without in
juring his head. There were other mracu-
loUs escapes. as the men advanced amid a
perfect hail of bullets.
The severity of the engagement may be
judged by the fact that the Eighteenth
estimated that the insurgents, with their
more than 1900 rifles, fired more than double
brought in DAILY. wounded. and gave warn
iEg TO hurry up some ammunition, as most
of the men were short: He then returned
10 the fighting line and was struck in the
chest. He fell, saying: I'm done for"
and died in ten minutes
1t is impossible to tell accurately. the in
surgents losses. as the American troops
ccnverged at a given point, without travers-
ing the ground shot over, but the day
the enemy carting away the dead The
minimum estimate of their losses is 900
killed and 300 wounded.
The evolutions were prettily executed and
the highest credit is due the battalion and
company commanders. The men are chat
ing at being robbed of the fruits of their
victory. A charge would probably have re-
suited in the capture of the enemy's arms
and ammunition but from the configuration
of the ground and the position OF our troops
it was impossible 10 allow an advance in
the darkness The behavior of the troops
was admirable. There has been only des-
ultory outpost shooting since this engage
ment.
The instructions printed on the captured
cases of ammunition were in German and
showed that the cartridges came from the
artillery depot at Mayence Ii is suspected
that the ammunition and arms have been
supplied to the insurgents from German and
Japanese sources and from the French col
onies.
The city is quiet and business Is reviving
Private Walter Parrish, OF Company G.,