Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-24
FIGHTING IN LUZON.
Incidents Of the Campaign to the
North OF Manila
PAY a VISIT TO THE ENEMY.
The spanish Garrison or lsaler Cheered
by the Esoys In Blos-Depot
Battalion system
S Wanted.

San Fernando, Luzon, P. l., July s.
From this town to Bacolor and beyond
to the southwest there runs broad,
well-made highway, surfaced with riv-
.er gravel and raised well above the
surrounding rice-fields; it is always
free from mud-even in the heaviest
downpour of rain. just one mile from
where it energies from the town it
crosses by a bridge of white stones
great irrigation ditch. The country
beyond that point is concealed from
the view of our outposts by the high
wall of the ditch.
On the afternoon of July 6 there APP
peared on the white stone bridge, com
ing toward our line under ffuttering
flag of white--afterward discovered to
be woman's petticoat--a little COM
pany of about hundred souls. 1t
was the late Spanish garrison of the
town of Baler, with their wives, chill
dren and servants and meager lot of
belongings. For months past, in their
isolated position on the east coast, they
have held out against the insurgent
bands that have surrounded them with
a valor and fidelity worthy of ALI
praise. Originally of an aggregate
strength of 100 there were but three
officers and thirty-three enlisted men
that anarched down the Bacolor road
to our railway station.
They had evidently been able to
make fairly favorable terms with the
rebels for the men We're in possession
of uniforms in good condition and
new blankets of brightest red, while
the little comandante or major, in
command, with an eye so queerly
cooked, was immaculate in his blue
a4ld white uniform, white cap and
sash of light blue silk knotted about
his waist.
They were hurried on the train. SO
it was impossible to hear any details
of their months long devotion to-
trust and king; but one may easily
imagine that the little major bore a
crushing burden during the days and
nights that his handful of soldiers
watched harbor and land approach,
waiting for relief. And then the BIT
terness< of final surrender, the long,
long march to this place, heartened
only by the thought Of hone. made
finale tragic in every detail. Their
hearts must have throbbed bit faster
when our men cut loose in three ring
ing cheers as the train pulled away
cheers that meant but one thing-ad-
mlration for sacrifices made; duty well
done.
One thing about the affair vitality,
affe ing the American troops is the
fac that the garrison came in I'M
ARP .. 1t means that the insurgents
hal thus added to their stores, more
rif Is, cartridges, and possibly one or
nj te pieces of artillery. An additions
al thought is that in treating with the
Y Argents concerning the surrender
q this garrison understand that a
SPANISH commission arranged the de-
tails Spain has virtually acknowledge
ed the insurgent government, and that
is what General Otis has steadfastiy
refused to do and has sought to pre-
vent others from so doing.
The reported death of General Luna,
now thoroughly established as fact,
removes from the list of leaders the
one man that was most to be dreaded.
He was the most aggressive officer hav-
ing high command, and withal most
virulent in opposition to any peace
plans. His was the fate common to
strong men among lily disciplined
forces. A personal quarrel: "a dubi-
GUS hand;" finale.
1t will be remembered that when. our
troops reached Apalit a cessation of
hostilities was requested by the insur-
gents. The representatives who pre-
ferred the request having decided to
go on to Manila from Gen. MacAr-
thurs headquarters, it was deemed
best to notify their commanding off
Ger of that fact, so Gen. Macarthur
sent Lieut.. Col. Wallace, First Montana
Volunteers, with the message. Two
surgeons, Mai. +. j. Adams and Brig
ade Surgeon Geo. F. Shields, learning
of Col. VILLAGES intended trip, request
ed permission to accompany him, aud
their request was granted. Equipped
with, a flag of truce and guided by a
trumpeter of the Filipino army, who
had accompanied his officers as an or
derby, they left our lines on their real
ly dangerous mission. Night overlook
them before half of the six miles to go
had been covered. Outpost after out
post was encountered. Challenge fol-
lowed challenge at each point. first
with his voice and afterward with call
on his higb7keyed b.lgle. "Repnblica
Filipino!" followed by curious call,
were both required before ''Mabootey'
(good) was shouted from out the
darkness by the sentry, and they We're
permitted to pass. Reaching Santo
Tomas, the party was conducted to the
house occupied by Gen. Luna. Luna's
reception was a curious mixture of for
mality and keen anxiety as to the re-
suit of his commissioners visit. Time
after time he inquired "Will your gen
eral grant the armistice?" and Col.
Wallace could but answer, "We do not
know" After half an hour Luna d.
rected that the American officers be ta-
ken for the night to a point some two
miles in the rear, their arms returned
to them, and that special guard be es-
tablished around their sleeping quar-
tiers.
Some of his numerous staff spoke eN-