The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-05
SWEEP PENINSULA.
Americans to Clear
Morong Of All
Rebels.
| LAYTON is INDEFATIGABLE.
Small Skirmishes and Fir
ing All Along the
Line.
LAYTON is INDEFATIGABLE.

Manila, June 4, p. m.-The position
of the American troops tonight indi-
Gates that they will tomorrow sweep
the peninsula. of Morong, the land pro-
3ecting to the south into Laguna de
Bay, where the insurgents are supposed
to have large force near the town of
Morong, as well as the battery on the
western end of the peninsula which re-
Gently smashed the propeller of the
gunboat Napidan.
Gen. Hall is marching from Antipolo,
about six and half miles northwest of
Morong, toward the peninsula, with his
forces spread out to cover a large sec
ton. Col. Truman, with the first
North Dakota regiment and the
Twelfth infantry is advancing along
the coast of the lake from Taytay, in
cidentally clearing several small towns.
While Col Wholley, with the First
Washington regiment has landed on
the peninsula above the town Of Mo
rong. The army gunboats Napidan,
Covadonga and Oeste are in position
to cooperate.
The original plan was to surround the
forces of Gen. Pho del Pillar so that he
must retreat to the Morong peninsula,
where capture would have been ineVita-
BILE. This was not a complete success
because Ger. Halls column found the
country full of handicaps to marching.
There were several streams to be
bridged or forded, and the troops ire
quently fioUrdered through morasses,
waist deer in mud, an experience
which, under the terrific sun, exhaust
ed the Americans quite beyond endur-
ance. Most of Cen Pho del Pillars
followers are supposed to have escaped
northward, probably reaching Boso-
boso. a stronghold in the mountains
Col. Wholley having successfully com
pleted his movement, brought the
Washington regiment to the river Pa
sig, where last night, about midnight,
the men embarked upon cascoes ana
started for their destination under the
convoy of the gunboats. They encoun-
tered a repetition of the experiences
undergone by almost every expedition
on attempting to enter Laguna de Bay,
as the boats went aground in the shall
lows at the mouth of the river and were
detained there several hours.
Mai. Gen Lawton, in the meantime,
was indefatigable, riding from one force
to the other, and supervising the load
ing of the Cascoes without sleep for two
nights.
Gen. Halls column, which assembled
at the water works, or pumping sta
ton, late Friday night, under cover OF
a moonless sky, consists OF the SECOND
Oregon volunteers, who marched to the
point of rendezvous from the city par
racks, a battalion of the Second wy
oming regiment, four troops OF the
Fourth cavalry, one mounted on the big
American horses which so impressed the
natives. the others unmounted, two pat
talions of the Fourth infantry, one bat
talon of the Ninth infantry, the hrSl
six companies of the First COLORADO
regiment and two mounted guns. Inc
men rolled themselves in their blankets
and Law upon the wet grass for rev
hours under a drizzling rain
At 4 o'clock Saturday they began TO
cross the San Mateo river and about
noon easily repulsed a large band OF
Filipinos, about twelve miles east OF
Manila, between MariCuina and Anti
polo. The Oregon regiment the caVal-
ry, the artillery and the Fourth In
fantry accomplished this task. driving
the insurgents from the hills, the other
troops being held in reserve, but after
ward Joining the main column in the
pursuit toward the sea.
A running fight was in progress all
the afternoon. a Filipino outpost hrst
attacked a few American scouts,
Whereupon the Fourth cavalry formed
a long skirmish line and easily drove
the insurgents into the hills. Then the
Oregon regiment moved across a wet
soggy rice field in extended order To-
ward the hills, where it was believed a
large force of the enemy had conceh-
trated. When the Oregonians were
within about a mile of the position the
Filipinos opened a heavy fire, the
Americans replying and pressing Ior-
ward more rapidly
After a few volleys the insurgents
were seen scattering over the crest OF
the hills in every direction, ana lhelf
panic was increased when the artll-
lery opened upon them and the sleIiS
began to explode all around thehn' IN
doubtedlv causing great loss OF Ire.
The bonbardment' of the batteries and
the musketry was maintained for near
" half an hour after which not a FIN
pino could be seen on the hills and not
d shot came from the position.
The heat was intense and the troops
suffered greatly. but they continued on
the trail taken by the tieenS enemy III
the hone of driving them toward the
lake. Col. WolIey. with two battalions
Of the First Washington regiment d
battalion Of the Twelfth infantry, two
guns of SCOTS battery and party OF
scouts under Maj. Eisenberger, leII
San Pedro Macati yesterday morning
and after fording the River Paslg ad-
vanced northeast upon the CalnIa'
While Gen. Hall approached the town
from the opposite direction, the gun
boats Napidan, Covadonga and Oeste
cooperating in the river.
This important movement was kept
so secret that the public thought the
Dlan was to send Gen. Ovenshine
lines forward against the insurgents
who are intrenched south of the city
The signal corps displayed admirable
enterprise in laying wires with the
troops, but the native sympathiZers cut
them behind the army, even within the
American lines.
Gen. Halls column, in the NOV
upon the MOrong peninsula, com
circuit of twenty miles, over
and mountainous country, having
engagements with the insurgents
them severe. and keeping up an
constant fire against scattered ban
rebels for nearly twenty-four
from o'clock Saturday morning
the column left the pumping stati
The Filipinos were driven IN
direction and the country thrO
which Gen. Hall passed was pr
thoroughly cleared. At 10 O'Clock
morning the column reached p,
a few miles from Taytay, where 1
"