Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-01
Lieut.. Gilmore and Men We're Or
dered by Luna to be Shot,
ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT.
Heroic Conduct Of Americans Fillpi-
no Prisoners Taken-Batue
at Payia.

Manila, Dec, 1.-When the landing
party Of the United States battleship
Oregon, under Lieutenant Commander
McCrackn, took the town Of Vlgan,
province Of South locus, last Sunday,
they found there an escaped prisoner.
A. L. Sonnenshein. who furnished the
FIRST authentic account OF the experl-
ence OF Lieut.. James G. Gilmore Of the
United states gunboat Yorktown,
captured by the insurgents near Baler,
on the east coast Of Luzon, last April.
while making an examination OF the
mouth Of the river in an armed boat
Mr.. sonnenshein was imprisoned at
Abra for long time with Lieut. Gil
more and several sailors. but contriyed
TO escape, carrying a concealed note,
written in naval cipher, dated Abra,
November 18th, addressed to amy ma
val officer and saying you may
have perfect confidence In anything the
bearer says The note was signed
Gilmore"
According to Mr. SonnGnshein. when
Lieut. GrmOre's launch entered the
river from Baler harbor under cover
Of Ensign W. II. Standleys gun, the
landing party was received with three
volleys Two OF the Americans were
Killed and two mOrtally wounded.
Every man was hit. Lieut. Gilmore re-
ceived flesh wound In the leg, and
both his feet stuck fast In the mud.
IL was choice between surrender and
being slaughtered.
Lieut.. Gilmore asked the terms Of
release. The insurgents proposed that
he should procure the delivery 10 them
Of the arms and munitions Of the Span
ish garrlsons, undertaking, II this were
accomplished, to send the Spaniards
and Americans TO the Yorktown.
\ sailor Of Lieut.. Gllm0re's party
carried this proposition TO the garrison.
The Spanish c0mmandant replied that
It was an insult 10 Spanish arms and
expelled the sailor a Spanish soldier
firing on him rs he went.
The Americans were then bound hand
and foot and taken 10 San lsldrO, when
Cen Luna ordered their execution.
They were marched TO the plaza, and
In the presence Of great crowd were
aligned to be executed,
Lieut.. Gilmore said; "As an AmeH-
can officer and gentleman l protest
against being shot with my hands tied
AguinaldO interfered aud prevented
the execution. When Gen. LaWtOn APP
preached San Isidro last June the
Americans were removed 10 Abr,
where they were Kept confined In cells
for two months Subsequently they
were allowed greater liberty, but the
report that Lieut. Gilmore was given
a house and a servant Is untrue. He
had the same quarters as the men, and
the Americans were given the same al
lOwance as the Spanish prisoners-iive
cents a day with which 10 buy rice and
bananas. virtually the only rations.
Gen. Macarthur is now IN Bayam-
bang Cor Bayamban), preparing TO
sweep the country on both sides % the
Manila agupan railroad Gen. Whea-
ton Is at San Fabian and Gen. Lawton
at Tayug.
The Gordon from San Fabian to San
lsldro covers all the road and occu-
pies all the towns on the line. The
American policy Is 70 prevent any more
insurgents escaping 10 the north, and
to force them toward the country west
Of the railroad.
Mai. March with a battalion Of the
Thrty-third infantry, occupies Vigan,
having made a forced march from San
Fabian. The remainder u the regiment
Is on the way.
Capt Fowler's march after Gen. Ale
janAlno's brigade, with one company Of
the Thrty-third regiment. was one Of
the bravest incidents Of the war, The
company left Dagupan alone, under or
ders 10 locate the enemy, Capt. Fowler
had been warned by the natives that he
and his men would be eXterminated.
The guides deserted them before Man
galaren was reached.
All Aleiandrino's artillery was TO-
cused upon the main street, along
which the Americans advanced. The
guns were manned by Spanlards who
said afterward that they had fired over
the heads Of the Americans, as they de-
sired that the latter should win, hoping
thus 10 gain their own freedom.
In the terrified temper Of the insur-
gents, who run at the sight Of Ameri-
cans. a single company might go any
where In the north now. according 10
Capt. Fowler No prisoners except Off
GERS and civil leaders are retained by