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

est engagements of the war south of
Las Pinas Tuesday morning, upon
which occasion American field guns were
engaged in the first artillery duel
against a Filipino battery concealed in
the jungle.
Companies 4 and / of the Twenty
first infantry, were nearly surrounded
by large body Of insurgents, but the
Americans cut their way out with
heavy loss.
warships I'm Action.
The United States turretship Monad-
mock and the gunboats Helena and Ia
fro trained their batteries on Bacoor
and the rebel trenches near Las Pinas
all the morning. Bacoor was once on
fire, but the natives stopped the spread
of the flames.
During the night an insurgent cannon
was fired three times at the Americans
on the outskirts of Las Pinas.
Gen. Lawton Tuesday morning took
a battalion OF the Fourteenth regiment
and two companies of the Twenty-frst
regiment TO locate the rebel battery,
and two guns OF the Sixth artillery and
four mountain guns were planted
against IL at 600 yards distance. The
rebels had large gun from which they
were firing homemade canister, loaded
with nails, and smaller guns.
shooting Most Accurate.
Their shooting was most accurate.
The first lot Of canister burst directly
in front Of SCOTS guns and another
shattered the legs of private in the
Fourteenth infantry. Several shots
struck the edge Of the town.
The country traversed was as bad as
II is possible TO imagine, being main
ly lagoons, mud and water fringed
with bamboos. AS soon as the fighting
opened the Americans were attacked
by hidden rifemen on all sides. even
the Amigos, or friendly natives. in
the houses of the town shooting into
their rear.
Caught I'm Trap.
A company of the Twenty-first regi-
ment, diminishing along the beach with
Amigo guides, found, apparently, n
handful of rebels, who retreated. The
men Of the Twenty-first followed and,
suddenly, the rebels opened a terrific
fire on the troops from the sides and
rear. The soldiers withdrew TO the
waters edge, finding what shelter they
could, and were picked off rapidly.
After their ammunition was nearly
exhausted, the companies of the Twen-
ty-first retreated, but Gen. Lawton
dashed down and rallied the men.
Desperate stand.
A little group made adesperate stand,
Gen. Lawton, Maj. Starr and Lieuts.
Donovan and Sonnelly taking rifles
from the wounded men and firing at
the enemy, bringing down some of the
rebel sharpshooters from tree. Final
ly their cartridges were all gone and
they were forced TO break through the
enemy's flank, carrying the wounded
to the main body of the troops.
Lieut.. Donovan, whose leg was
broken, foundered for mile through
a bog after leading his men in the face
OF n greatly superior force.
wait for Reenforccments.
Gen. Lawton ceased fighting until re-
endorsements could be brought mp.
Two batfalions Of the Fourteenth regl-
ment and one battalion of the Ninth
regiment were hurried TO the front,
and in the afternoon the battle was re-
sumeu.
The Monaunock anchored close 10 the
shore and her heavy guns pounded the
rebels continuously, while the smaller
warships, steaming along the shore,
poured bullets from their rapd-fire
guns at the enemy.
The Filipino force engaged apepars
20 have been the largest and best or
ganizcd body Of men which has met our
troops.
Gunbonts In Action.
Manila, June 14.-~-At daylight to-day
the rebels at Cayite Viejo dropped two
shells from a big smooth-bore gun
mounted in front of the church In the
navy yard. The only damage done was
splintering the top Of the huge shears
on the mole. The gunboats CaIlao.
Manila and Moquito then proceeded TO
dismount the gun.
After breakfast the rebels opened fire
along the beach to Bacoor.
After silencing the big gun at Cayite
Nicio the gunboats ran close along the
shore. bombarding the rebel position.
The rebels replied with rifle fire and
with the fire Of some small pieces OF
artillery. So vigorous was the cnemy's
fire that at 0:20 n. IN. the gunboat He-
lena joined the small gunboats already
named and the Princeton. Monterey
and Monndnock. from their anchor
ages, dropped occasional big shells
among the rebels. This. apparently,
only served 10 incite the rebels, as they
kept up an incessant fire OF musketry
and artillery near the mouth OF the
Zapote river, two miles north of Ia.
coor.
Concentrate the Fire.
The fire OF all seven warships was
concentrated on this point shortly
after noon, when the upper bay pre-.
sented the appearance OF being the
scene of n great naval battle. The In.
.drgents were eventually forced 70
abandon their guns after holding out
for about four hours, only 20 be con.