The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1899-12-16
FIRM SERGEANT CARHAKT.

FIRM SERGEANT CARHAKT.
An Interesting Account of Filipino
Attack on Fort Balluag.
The following extract from letters from
Sergeant E. G.. Carhart, who is at
Baliuag, P. l., may be of interest:
Fort Baliuag, P. T., Aug. II, 1899.
Since I wrote you last the monotaney
of which I wrote has been broken by q
series of events which has left us nothing
to complain of so far as duty is concerned.
I was on guard the 18th, as sergeant of
the guard, and had my attention called
to the action of the natives about town.
Those in the market was very much
interested in something, and in the after
noon some began to pack their goods
and leave for their homes, and then out
of town. The streets began to appear
deserted, and when questioned as to the
cause of the commotion, they said: "Pvco
tempo insurrects vamose acce, mucho
oombate", (pretty soon the insurgents
will come here and then there will be
much fightin- }. There had been heavy
fighting at and beyond San Fernando
for several days previous to this, and it
began to look as though the enemy as
they were driven back, were coming our
way and might give us call.
Outposts increased their vigilance,
and two companies escorted the wagon
train instead of one az usual. Tho wire
was also cut, about 100 yards of wire be-
ing removed. When the train reached
the ferry at Inpigua they received word
that scouting party which had gone
out in the morning had been driven back,
and Capt. Williams, who had gone out
with another party, was still out. One
nf the companies on escort went across
the river and was sent out to look for
him, rs fears were entertained that he
might have been attacked by a strong
force. They were not out long, az the
party was met coming in, having had
sk;rmlsh. The next day, the 14th, my
company went on outpost, and I had
charge eff the first four posts on the
north end of town. No. l is located on
the bank overlooking the river, No. 2 on
the main road leading to San Raphael
and San Megiud, Nos. 8 and further to
the left. The first three are stationed
10 the trenches with heavy growth of
tropical vegetation directly ip front and
extending across the front, at some points
coming within twenty five yards of the
breastworks, the country in front Of No.
4 being open. I have explained the
positions OF the posts and the surround.
ings that You may understand the events
which follow. One hundred yards in
front of No. 2 the road turns, and then
runs straight for five hundred yards
During the day I watched an outpost of
'gogoos"at the second bend, sit tin Z iu the
bushes at the first bend myself, and
through field glass could see DISTINCTLY
everything that TRANSFERRED. during the
half hour watched them. On each of
our posi- f was corporal and four privets,
aud at meal times half went to quarters
! at time, leaving two on each post. At
! 1850 P. M. he hret relief had gone to sup.
per, and I WAS standing on the breast
work at No. 2, looking across the open
field, where some natives cou u be seen
and trying to make cut their character
| The sentry VAS ten yards down he roxu
in front of the bre,astwork. OF course we
were expecting an attack, but when twc
shots were suddenly followed by the
swhlzing of two bullets past our ears the
sentry and myself were somewhat start.
led. The fact that the men who tried lC
pick US off were only QUE hundred yards
away, being in the bushes at the first
oend in the road, shows how little, danger
there is in their fire when directed at
man, still they came close enough tt
cause us both to disappear suddenly anc
almost simultaneously behind the breast
work. The first two shots We're followed
by fusiade, aud it SEEMED as though
determined attack was being made
Not native could be Seen as the cover
was perfect, but their fire came from
every direction almost, their line evi.
IDENTIFY extending across the front Of
three hundred yards. The way we be- gan
to expend amuniation would soun braeh
the government if kept up long, but
the better the alarm VI gave, the quicker
reinforcements would reach us. From
the first two shots until the companies
were in position WAS only twenty three
minutes, but it seemed long time to us
as We expected a rush every minute
After few volieys from the companies
the enemy retired, and the outposts wer,
soon left to themselves again. Th,
Lieut.. in charge of the outposts stait