The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-11-25
THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER.
One Case in Which His Pluck and
Endurance Won IN Illogical
Victory.

Washington, Nov. 21.-The war de-
partment has made public a report Of
Capt. 5. T. Byrne, Sixth infantry, Civ.
ing an account of the attack on andde-
, struction of a bandit village in the La
Carlotta district, Island of Negroes, last
July. The account is a very interest
ing chaper of the American occupation
of the Philippines. This band of ma
| RAIDERS was i~ntrenched in the fast
nesses Of the mountains. They were
well organized and armed. All pre-
cautions had been made against at
tack. On all sides which it was sup
POSED could he reached by troops the
camp was guarded by blockhouses.
Necessary to Surprise the Enemy.
Capt. Byrne, with something over
100 men, went out to destroy this
bandit camp. He IA aware that it was
necessary to surprise them, and this
could only be accomplished by APP
preaching the camp from the side
which was deemed impossible of as
cent.
The march was difficult and the ap-
rroach to the camp was performed in
the night. 1t was reached in the early
morning. and at once attacked.
Killed More Than Their Own Number.
The bandits largelyoutnumbered the
Americans and were fighting from be-
hind cover. For two hours there was
a ~ 1ec,an,nYa nnrnnnrr,ant and nn1v
the pluck and valor of the American
soldiers enabled them to secure the vic
tory.
The number of bandits killed largely
exceeded the American force. while
there was no means of ascertaining the
number of wounded.
Finally those who could get away es-
capped, leaving all their property be-
hind them. The village was destroyed
as was the property that could not be
carried away
Tired and Hungry, but InvincibIe.
The men had climbed a mountain
side at night; they fought without
their breakfasts against superior odds
and upon almost unknown ground. In
closing his report Capt. Byrne says:
Honor to Whom Honor is Due.
"In looking for a reason for the per.
feet success of this expedition toe
much credit can not be given to the of.
ficers under my command; each and
every n of them acted as though he
was personally responsible for the sue.
cess of the whole affair.""
Lieut.-tCol. VIM, commanding the
Sixth infantry, made the following in
dorsement of the report, which is con-
CURED in by Generals Smith, Hughes
and Otis:
4 Remarkable Performance.
Il consider it q remarkable performs.
lnce on his part and that of his com.
mand in the way of endurance, persc.
,erance and cool courage under most
trying circumstances. For Capt. Byrne
| strongly recommend. for distin.
yuished gallantry and rallying the men
on the bridge, n medal of honor: for
Lieut.. Nesbitt a brevet of captain for
GOODNESS and courage displayed; and
1pi 'NiSNdht hilildit % = NiuCh diiu
Corporal Frank S. Swan certificates Of
merit.
Gen. Otis Endorsement.
Gen. Otis says:
This report contains a graphic de-
scription of a perilous undertaking
as successfully executed, emitting
those participating to all the honors
herein recommended"
In recognition of his services, Capt.
Byrne was made lieutenant colonel
Of the Fortieth regiment, L. S. V.
HE HELD THE GIFT LIGHTLY.