The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-16


Gen. Lawton unexpectedly stirred up
ono Of tho liveliest engagements of
tho war south Of Las Pinas this
morning, upon which occasion Ameri-
can field gnns were engaged in the
first artillery duel against a Filipino
battory, concealed in the junglos
Companies e and [, Of the 2lst in.
fantry, were nearly surrounded by Il
large body Of insurgents, but the
Americans cut their way out with
heavy loss. The United States tur-
rot ship Monadnock and the gun
boats Heleua and Iatiro trained their
batteries on Bakoor and the rebel
treuches near Las Pinas all morning.
Bakoor was once on fire, but the
natives stopped the spread of the
flames.
During the night an insurgent
cannon was fired three timos at the
]h'iSl lShho ol luc OUlSklIlS OI lIuS
Plnas.
Gen. Lawton this morning took
battalion Of tho l4th regiment aud
two companies of tho 2lst regiment
to locate the rebel battery, and then
two guns of the 9th artillery and
fonr mountain guns were planted
against it at 600 yards distance.
The rebels had large gun from
which they were firing homo made
canister loaded with nails, and two
smaller guns. Their shooting was
most accurate. The first lot Of can
istors burst directly in front of Scots
guns, and another shattered the legs
Of Il private Of the l4th infantry.
Several shots struck the edge of the
town. The country traversed was as
bad as it is possible to imagine, be-
ing mainly lagoons, mud and water,
frlnged with bamboos.
SllRRED UP HORNET NEST.
AS soon as the fighting opened the
Americans were attacked by hidden
rillemeI on all sides, even the amigos,
or "friondly," natives in the houses
of the town shooting into their rear.
The companies of tho 2lst regiment,
ekirmishing along the beach with
amigo guides, found apparently,
handful of rebels, who retreated.
The men Of the 21st followed, and
suddenly the reools opened terri
bic fire on tho troops from the sides
and rear. The soldiers withdrew to
the wntor's edge, finding what shell
ter they could, and were picked
off rapidly. After their ammunition
was nearl y exhausted the companies
of the 2lst retrcated, but Gen. Law
ton dashed down and rallied the
men.
A little group made a desperate
stand, Gen. Lawton, Major Starr and
Lleuts. Donovan and Donnelly tax
ing rifles from the wounded mon and
firing at the enemy, bringing down
some Of the rebel sharp shooters
from tree Finally their cartridges
were all gone and they were forced
to break through the enemy's flank,
carrying the wounded to the main
body of the troops.
lIi"nt. Donovan, whose leg was
bnke'', houndered for mile through
Il bog after leading his men in the
lace OF " greatly superior force.
REINFORCEMENTs ORDERED UP.
Grn. Lawton ceased firing until
re'nforcements could be brought up.
Two battaiions Of the 4th regiment
and one battalion of tho 9th regi-
ment were hurried to tho front,
and in the afternoon tho battle was
resumed.
The Monadnock anchored close to
the shore and her heavy guns pound
cd the rebels continually, while tho
smaller war ships, steaming along
the shore, poured bullets from the
rapid fire guns at the enemy. The
Filipino force engagod appears to
havo been tho largest and best or
ganiz."i body of men which has met
our troops.
= The Americans are compelled to