Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-28
THE FAMOUS UTAH ARTILLERY.
The Constant and Effective Work II
Has Done In LuzOn.

WASHINGTON, May 21.-NeXt In the
series of reports of the operations near
Manila, which the War Department is
making public in connection with that
Of Major Macarthur, is that Of
Major Richard w. Young of the famous
Utah Light Artillery.
Major Young's report is accompanied
by a report from his subordinate officers.
Captain and Brevet-Major f. Grant,
Captain A. Z. Wedgwood, First Lieute-
nant Gibbs and Second Lieutenants
George A. Seaman, A. S. Fleming, and
w. c. Webb. All of these are in large
part purely technical, and give detailed
accounts Of the various movements made
by the component parts of this oragniZa-
ton. which appears to have participated
at an important point in every engage
ment which has taken place in Luzon.
In his report, which tells the story of
the operations from February 4th to Feb
ruary 18th. Major Young, after describ-
ing the advance on Caloocan, says:
II am satisfied that no troops during
this advance have performed more dam
gerous service than the detachment under
Lieutenant seaman in their perilous pro-
gress up tie Caloocan road. Too much
therefore. in my judgment. cannot be said
in praise OF their intrepidity and eff
cheney"
Major Young also mentions the good
work Of two guns of the Sixth Artillery,
under Lieutenant A. S. Fleming, which
were assigned to his division in this ac-
ton. He says: During the advance on
Caloocap this platoon did very accurate
and effective work, under a heavy small
arm fire from the enemy"
He also speaks of Grants and Critch-
lows guns. which took part in the move
ment, as follows: Extremely accurate
work was done. One of the best shots of
the campaign was at party throwing
up earthworks at the cemetery gate the
left side OF the gate being destroyed, at
an estimated range of $500 yards, by the
first shell. Sharpnel fire proved to be very
efficient. at 1900 yards. in driving party
which advanced fearlessly from the right
| to take q fanking party under command
of Major Bell. United States Volunteer
| Engineers"
WEDGEWOOD'S BATTERY.
compliment is also paid to Wedge
woods Battery the men of which drag
ged their guns on the night Of February
4th for three miles without assistance.
and driving the enemy back in great num-
bers, paved the way for the infantry ad-
vance These guns were served under
heavy cross-ire, the cannoneers having
little or no protection Webb's two guns
are described as siencing the enemy's
fire in almost every instance, over an arc
of nearly $50 degrees.
The two Nordenfeldts under Lieutenant
Gibbs are said TO have been handled with
skill and efficiency. In one case the guns
were brought down ar double time on a
5OO-yard slope in the face OF a heavy fire.
| This was in open view of the enemy,
| under close range, and was one of the
| boldest and most commendable acts of
the campaign, says Major Young
| 1n conclusion, he says: II desire 10
commend most heartily and without dis
! tinction the officers and men in the or
| ganization under my command The
amount OF labor done by them in drag
| ging guns and constructing earthwoyks
has been prodigious, and it has always
been done cheerfuliy. All have been fear
less. Compelled to advance along open
roads, usually In plain view Of the enemy,
without the opportunity OF conceal
! mcnt, they have unshrInkingly served
their guns. 1t has, too. been feature
OF these operations that In every advance
the guns have gore forward. practically
on the line OF skirmishers. Their will
ingness TO work and their intrepldity have
not been more conspicuous than the skill
with which they have handled their guns
and their accuracy OF aim"