The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-06-17

my kguns. the Americans. wading waist
deep In the mud Of the salt flats and
pouring steady volleys OF musketry at
the rebels, slowly drove their opponents
beyond the river. Then the two armies
lay facing each other across the deep
stream, the enemy practically out OF
sight. while the men in blue and khaki
lay in the main bushes, many Of them
without any shelter. for three hours,
without a moments cessation In the
firing. pouring bullets at the enemy as
fast as they could load. The thousand
rifles blended into continuous roar
was vastly different from the intermit-
tent skirmishlike rattle of most OF the
engagements.
One battalion after another. Gen.
Gen. Lawton summoned the reserves
from Las Pinas until only enough
troops were left in the town TO prevent
the Filipinos from attacking the Amer
leans in the rear--which was feared, as
they were creeping around our left
through the woods, delivering flank
ing fire which put a great strain upon
the endurance OF the Americans, who
were floundering in the mud across the
river.
The Fourteenth regiment lay to the
right OF the bridge. and in front of
them was the Twelfth regiment. with
the Ninth on the right and the Twenty
first up the road, facing the bridge,
which was the key 10 the situation.
On the bridge were the bodies of two
Americans who had attempted 10 rush
across, and many wounded men were
carried from the open ground before
the bridge.
Every Man for Himself.
After firing in volleys for a short
time the Americans were ordered TO
fire when and where they could see the
enemy. Ii was every man for himself,
and the best our men could do was to
aim at the faint mists arising from the
rebels smolxeless powder.
Gen. Lawton. though exhausted by
the mornings fight, rallied by sheer
will power and was the commanding
figure in the battle. He went along the
lines directing and encouraging the
troops.
Gen. Wheaton and Gen. Ovenshine
were equally courageous. In fact. the
generals were among the few men on
the battlefield who refused TO take
shelter under the hottest fire
At four o'clock there was an hours
lull in the fighting, and an artillery
sergeant galloped back 20 where two
guns of the mountain battery were
waiting in reserve and shouted: Bring
up those guns" The sergeant then
tumbled exhausted from his horse.
American Bravery Wins.
Manila, June 14-s:15 a. M Before
dark last night, the Fourteenth infan-
try swan the Zapote river, charged and
carried the trenches, heavy fusillade
Of artillery preparing the way and COW
cring the crossing. The insurgents
broke for the woods before the Four
teenth reached them. Almost az the
same time the Ninth and the Twelfth
crossed bar of the sea and came upon
their left flank at a point where body
of marines with Maxim guns landed un-
der protection of the ships batteries
and fired upon the enemy's left rear
with a demoralizing effect. The TWEEN
ty-flrst crossed the river by n bridge
as soon as IL could be mended. Sixty
five dead Filpinos were found in the
trenches, most OF them shot through
the head. Several fve-inch smooth
bore guns were captured with ammuni-
ton marked 'U. S. navy yard"
Another Attack Repealed.
After crossing the river the troops
were Withdrawn, with the exception OF
the Ninth and Twenty-frst, these regi-
ments being left with four guns to
guard the bridge. As they were being
formed into companies the insurgents
commenced to fire volleys from the
bamboo Jungle 300 yards away. The
regiments formed into line rapidly
and coolly. though under fire, and,
cheering, rushed to the woods, driving
the enemy mile away, the Filipinos
disputing every foot. The Fourteenth
encamped across the river, the men
caring for many OF the Filipinos'
wounded. Eight prisoners were cap
tured. The majority of the Filipinos
wore red uniforms.
Oregon Troops Sail.
Manila, June Is, l1:45 a. m.-The
first volunteers started home to-day
on the transport Newport, the trans
port Ohio carrying the Oregon First
volunteer signal company, sailing for
San Francisco via Nagasal<i, They arc
expected TO arrive July l2. The out
going Oregon troops left &c dead from
battle and disease. the result of the
years campaign. The vessels were
cheered as they steamed out Of the har-
| Dor.
Got Them ON the Run.
Washington. June IA. 49, The follow
ing cablegram has been received from
Gen. Otis:
Manila. June r. Adiutant General.
\ Washington; Lawtona troops had severe
engagement to-day with enemy In strong
entertainments at crossing Zapote river