The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-21
By Our Occupation of
Pasig RIVER.
DESPERATE FIGHTING
Results I'm Capture Of Fortified Town
OF Cafnu-SpIendid Advance OF Our
Troops Under Heavy Fire-Enemy,s
Loss Four Hundred. Our Light-Lu.
zon Only Island I'm Control OF lnsur-
gents Philippine Republic on ia
Last Legs

Manila, March I6.-1:30 p.m.-The in
sargents at the outposts and in the
trenches beyond Caloacan fired several
volleys last night upon h Montana
and Kansas volunteers and a part OF
the Fourth regulars. desiring, ii is sup
posed, TO discover il the American line
mad been thinned by the movement OF
General Wheaton's command. Tbs
Americans in the trenches replied
warmly to the fire. y. Y. Becher, OF
Company A, Of the Montana regiment,
was killed in the engagement.
A battalion, of the Twentieth regulars
routed a small band of Philippines on
the Laguna road, and some sharpshoot-
ers who were firing from a house over
which a French flag was flying were
dislodged.
A gunboat entered the lake and ST.
fenced a one u battery in the foot
hills.
1856 p. m.-The strongly fortified vii
lage Of Cainti, northwest of Pasig, was
captured today, after a desperate fight
by the Twentieth regular infantry. The
troops first encountered the rebel out
posts in he dense jungle on the banks
Of the river. The enemy was d~islodged
after half an hours fighting. The
Americans advanced in splendid order
under a heavy fire until it was neces-
sary 10 volley the rebels from the
trenches. The latter had a great ad-
vantage and dropped a number of our
men. The Americans charged across
the rice fields, making four advances
on the enemy, who numbered 1000
men, 500 Of whom were entrenched,
n in the face of a cross fire. Our
troops, however, carried the town after
four hours fighting and burned the
outskirts, the rebels firing from the
windows and keeping up a running fire
withdrew in order to obtain more am
munition.
The rebels lost about 400 men and the
American loss was Corporal Johnson,
of Company c., and Private McAvoy,
of Company L., killed. In addition
the following Americans were wound
ed: Sergeant Check, Company l.; Cor
poral Households, Company NJ; Pri-
Yates Kelly, Kinney, Tinker, Company
G; Privates Gilley, Marley, Company CT;
Private Galley, Company F; Privates
Mahan, Griffiths, Lafayeth, Mcfarland.
Company l.. Artie Cluckmann, the
regimental mascot" carried a parrot
into action and was wounded in the
knee.
>OANI AAN
ED TO LUZON.
Washington, March 1S.-The follow
ing from Genera Otis reached the war
department today:
Manila, March 16.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Reports from Iloilo indicate improve
ment; less activity on the part Of in
surgents of the island. Reports from
Negros most encouraging; inhabitants
enthusiastic; quiet prevails throughout
island, and Colonel Smith directing af-
fairs in framing internal government.
Cebu quiet, business progressing under
United States protection. Reports from
Samar and Leyte indicate desire of in
habitants for United States troops;
these islands occupied; insurgents con-
troll confined to Luzon. The occupation
Of the Pasig river line with control of
Laguana de Bay has cut the ountry
occupied by the Tagalos in nearly two
equal parts.
OTIS"
PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC ABOUT TO
COLLAPSE.
Minneapolis, Mimi, March 16.-Unit-
ed States Senator Kyle, Of South Da-
kota, said here today While en- route
home that President Mckinley Lad
lately received private advices to the
effect that the Philippine republic was
on its last legs. The senator said he
had received this information from
sources very near to the president and
that the latter anticipated the final
collapse of Aguinaldo's government and
complete possession by General Otis
within a few days.