The Portland daily press., 1899-06-05
In RndeayOr to Surround Del PiIa's
Followers.
Many Skirmishes With
the Filipino Rebels.
Peninsular of Morong to be
Swept by Gen. Lawton's Men.

Manila, June As p. m.-The position
OF the American troops tonight indicates
that they win tomorrow sweep the
Peninsuiar of Morong, the land project
Ing to the south In Laguna de Bay, where
the Insurgents are supposed to have large
forces, near the town of Morong. as well
as the battery in the western shore of the
peninsula which recently smashed the
propeller of the gun boat Napidan.
Gen. Hall is marching from Anti polo
about six ana @ half miles northwest of
Morcng, toward the peninsula, with his
forces spread out to cover large section.
CoL Truman, with the First North .Da-
kota regiment and the 18th infantry, is
IAdYsncing along the coast Of the lake
from Tay Tay. incidentally clearing
several snaliItowns, while Col whoiley,
Iwith the First Washington regiment. has
landed on the peninsula above the town
Of Morong. The army gunboats Napidan,
Coyadonga and Oesto, are in position to
cooperate.
The original plan was to surround the
forces OF Gen. Pho Del Pila, SO that he
must retreat to the Morong peninsula,
whsre capture would have been inevi-
table. This was not complete success
because Gen. Halls column found the
country full of handicaps to marching.
There were several streams to be bridged
or forded, and the troops frequently
Numbered tbrough7morasses, waist deep in
mud, an experience which under the
| terrific sun, exhausted the Americans
quite beyond endurance. Most of Gen!
Pi3 Del Pilar,s followers are supposed to
have escaped northward, probably reach
ing Boso Boso, a stronghold In the noun
tains. Col. Wholly, having successfully
completed his share OF the movement
brought the Washington regiment to the
river Pasig where last night. about mid
night, the men embarked upon csscoes
and started for their destination under
the convoy of the gunhoats.
They encountered a repetition of the ex
perience undergone cy almost every sx-
petition ON attempting to enter Laguna
| de- Bay, as the boats went aground In the
shadows at the mouth of he river and
were detained there several hours Major
General Lawton, in the meantime, was
indefatigable, riding from one force to
the other, and supervising the loading of
the cascoes, without sleep for two nights
Gen. Halls column, which assembled ct
the waterworks. or pumping station. late
Friday night, under cover of mooniess
sky, consists of the Second Oregon volun-
teers, q battalion of the Second Wyoming
regiment, four troops of the Fourth
cavalry, two battalions of the Fourth in
fantry, one battal ion of the Ninth in
fantry. the first six companies of the
First Colorado regiment and two noun
tain guns At o'clock yesterday morn
ing Saturday, they began to cross the
San Mateo river and about noon readily
repulssd large band Of Filipinos, about
10 miles east OF Manila.
The Oregon regiment, the cavalry. the
artillery and the Fourth infantry, ac-
compiished this task, driving the insur.
ing held In reserve. but afterward Joined
the main column in the pursuit toward
the sea.
running fight was in progress all the
afternoon. A Filipino outpost first at
taoked few American scouts, whsreup-
on the Fourth cavalry formed a long
skirmish line and easily drove the insur.
gents into the hills. Then the Oregon
regiment moved across wet, boggy rice
field in extended order toward the hills,
where it was believed q large force Of the
enemy had concentrated.
When the Oregonians were within about
mile of the position, the Filipinos
opened heavy fire, the Americans reply
ing and pressing forward more repidly.
After a few volleys the insurgents were
seen scattering over the crest of the hills
In every direction and their panic was In
creased when the artillery opened upon
them and the shells began to explode all
around them undoubtedly causing great
loss Of life. The bombardment by the
batteries ana the musketry was main
tained for nearly half an hour after which
| not Filipino could be seen on the hills
| and not shot came from the position.
The heat was intense and the troops
suffered greatly. but they continued on
the trail taken by the fleeing enemy, In
the hope Of driving them toward the lake
Col. Wholly, with two battalions of
the First Washington regimenE, tat
talon Of the 18th infantry, two guns of
Sooet's battery and party Of scouts nm
der Major Jeisenberger, left San Pedro
Masati yesterday morning and after ford
ing the river Pasig advanced northeast
upon Cainta, while Gen. Hall approached
the town from the opposite direction. the