Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-06
In IHlUk UF FlGHl
Rebraskans Do Most Valiant Work in III;
Advance on Malolos, n
WIN GLORY IN A VERY HARD CAMPAIGN
Impossible to Check Their Impetuous
Charges on the Enemy
HOW LEE FoRBY RECEIVED FATAL WOUND
Sergeant Poor Also Meets Death in the
Same Engagement
low LEE FoRBY RECEIVED FATAL WOUND
FINE WORK DONE BY THE SIGNAL CORPS
Chaplain Mailley Demonstrates that
He Can Fight as Well ns Preach
compliments from Com
mnndinR Generals.

mnndtnR generals.
MALOLOS, p. l., April 10.-(Specal Cor
respondence OF The Bee.)-For several days
preceding the morning Of March % there
was much activity along the line OF the
First Nebraska. Several mysterious orders
had been issued from headquarters that
gave the regiment an tnkling that a move
of some description was afoot One order
In particular called upon each company for
detail to break up camp at Santa Mesa.
When the regiment was suddenly called into
action on the night Of February 4, every
thing in camp was left standing undisturbed,
everybody expecting at no distant day to
again occupy the same.
Camp Santa Mesa has played an important
part in the present insurrcction, this camp
being the first point Of attack by the in
surgents, also where one of the hardest
fights was fought. Camp Santa Mesa is now
a thing Of the past, all the private boxes of
the men, tents, regimentaf and camping
property having been packed and stored in
the walled city until the regiment becomes
more settled.
Several rumors were aHoat as to what dis
posal would be made of the regiment. One
boy was even rash enough 20 wager that we
were going home on the next transport, but
the better informed ones stated we were to
be in the advance on Maoos. This was soon
found to be the fact when the order was is
sued to that effect.
The regiment spent the 23d and oath in
making preparations for the campaign.
Blankets and extra clothing, along with
cooking utensils, were stored in a church
close by. One blanket for every two men
was allowed, but they were carried ON the
caraboo carts, the men carrying their pom
phos thus making their load as Fight as
possible. Each man carried two days
travel ratlons in his haversack and $50
rounds of ammunition was issued to every
man. Toward evening of the Gath two bat
talions of the Seventeenth infantry arrived
from the city to hold the position that the
regiment was soon to vacate. The shelter
tents were left standing and are still being
used by the Seventeenth infantry.
Orders to Move.
At O'Clock the following morn
ing, Colonel Stotsenberg ordered the reg-
ment to move to the left and occupy the
trenches vacated by the South Dakotans.
This placed the entire second division in a
position ready to move forward. The First
Nebraska was on the extreme right of the
division with the South Dakotans on our
left. The twelve companies of Nebraska
were arranged as follows: First battalion
on the right, consisting of Companies c. l.,
E and II, under the command OF Major
Mulford. Captain Halderman acting
major, commanded the Second battalion,
composed of Companies A, G, and ID.
These two battalions were placed on the
firing line, with the Third battalion in re-
serve under the command of Acting Major
Captain Killean. 1t consisted OF Companies
3, l, NJ and K. After the regiment had
taken its position the men were allowed
to lie down to catch a short nap and gain
as much rest as possible before the hard
days work that was before them About
5:15 a. m. Colonel Stotsenberg sent his
mounted orderly with a message to General
Hale that the regiment was ready to move.
Promptly at 8: 30 a. m, the hour designated,
Colonel Stotsenberg gave the command for
ward" moving out in junction with the
South DalSotans. The village of San Fran
cisco del Monte was the first point of at
tack, where heavy resistance was expected
to be made, nor were we disappointed. In
about fifteen minutes after leaving our posi-
tion we met with a heavy fire from the
enemy, who appeared to be concealed in the
brush and bamboos about 400 yards distant.
We Immediately returned their fire with
effective volley firing, our lines in the mean
time continuing the advance in spite OF their
efforts to stop us. The insurgents were well
under cover in well-built trenches in front
of San Francisco del Monte, and put up a
very stubborn resistance. Our lines finally
made a charge upon the breastworks. This
was more than the insurgents could stand
and they were soon seen flying up small
hill in our front leaving a great number
of dead and wounded on the field to be
cared for by our men. Our hospital corps
alone counted fifty dead insurgents
Forby's Mortal Wound.
In this charge Captain Lee Forby, COM
manding Company G, and Sergeant Walter
Poor of Company A were mortally wounded
Captain Forby receiving a bullet through
the abdomen, which resulted in his death
three days later, Sergeant Poor being in
stantly killed, receiving shot through
the head,
In the meantime Companies C. L and p
on the right which had become detached
from the regiment, were having an eXcit-
ing experience near the San Francisco del
Monte church. Companies G and l. had
gradually forced their way through the
brush. thus far not meeting with much re-
slstance from the insurgents, when sud
denly there loomed up before them the most
formidable breastworks yet attacked II
was complete surprise to the insurgents
to see soldiers suddenly coming upon them
from this direction. their attention thus
far having been directed toward the firing
Captain Taylor soon saw that he had moi
moment TO lose and Immediately ordered
charge and before the insurgents coulC
recover from their surprise a portion o.
Company l. was around one end of this
trenches and the balance over the top ant
were into hand hand encounter with
the Filpinos One swarthy native, finding
himself quickly disarmed, brought his jaws
into play and attempted to bite off por'
tion of Private Mason's thumb and Private
Murray, the Honolulu boy. had to kill hin
before he succeeded in doing any materia
damage. Company C quickly followed
l. over the trenches and with its as
sistance the fight was Of short duration
completely annihilating the insurgent force
that had remained behind the breastworks
taking one prisoner, who played 'possuu
among the slain. and was discovered b!
Chaplain Mailley who can almost contin