The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-19
DEWEYS MEN
AMBUSHED.
Fifteen Members of the York
towns Crew
Fall Into an Ambuscade and
Are Captured
BY THE INSURGENTS.
The Cruiser Was Sent to the
East Coast of LuzOn
To Rescue Spaniards Surround
ed by the Enemy.
THEIR FATE UNKNOWN
May Have Been Rescued by the
Spaniards.
Natives Refuse to Give Out Any
Information.
The Cruiser Was Sent to the
East Coast of LuZOn
To Rescue Spaniards Surround
ed by the Enemy.
FATE UNKNOWN
May Have Been Rescued by the
Spaniards.
Natives Refuse to Give Out Any
Information.

Manila. April 19-Admiral Dewey has
been notified of the strange disappear
ance, of ]. c. Gilmore and fourteen
members of the crew of the United
States gunboat Yorktown. On Satur-
day last the Yorktown anchored off
Baler, on the east coast of the island of
Luzon and about 200 miles from here,
where there was a Spanish garrison of
about fifty men, which had been de-
Tending itself against several hundred
FiIipinos for months past.
Lieut. Gilmore. Ensign W. H. Stand
ley, and a boats crew were sent up
the river from Baler bay to cOmmuni-
cate with the Spaniards. the town of
Baler being situated some distance in
land. Ensign Standley. who landed at
the mouth Of the river. reports that
he heard three vOlleys, a bugle call and
cheers from up the river, but that the
automatic gun which was part of the
equipment of the boat was not heard.
Standley later padded to the York
town in a canoe. A search was made
for the Yorktown's boat and her crew,
but no trace of them was found and the
Yorktown sailed for IloilO. from which
place her commander cabled to Admiral
Dewey his theories that the Filipinos
had captured or sunk the boat, or that
The Spaniards had rescued the Ameri-
can party.
A scouting party of American troops
today found a rebel skirmish line more
than a mile long, east of Malolos. a
sharp fusillade followed, but no losses
were sustained.
Brigadier General Charles King. who
has been taken suddenly i'll and who is
unable to continue in command of his
brigade, has been relieved of further
duty and has been ordered to return to
the United States on the first transport
sailing from here for home
DEWEY'S CABLEGRAM
Washington. April 19-The navy de-
partment having requested a correction
of portions of a dispatch received from
Admiral Dewey last night which were
not deciphera BILE was today able to fur
nish the full text of the dispatch which
is as follows:
Manila. April 1S-Secretarv of the
visited Baler, LuzOn, east coast of
Luzon, P. l., April p for the purpose
Of rescuing and bringing away the
Spanish forces consisting of so soldiers
three officers and two priests which
were surrounded by 400 Insurgents.
Sor.e Of the insurgents armed with
Mauser rifles are reported by natives
Lieut. J. c. Gilmore while making an
examination of the mouth of the river
In an armed boat, was ambushed fired
upon and ca ptured. Fate unknown as
terward- The following are missing:
The officer previously referred to.
Chief Quartermaster w. Walton. Cox
swain J. Ellsworth, Gunner's Mate II
j Hygard, Sailmaker's Mate Vendgit
Seamen w H. Rhynders and c. w
Woodbury., Apprentices D. w A Ven
Brisolese and o. B Mcdonald Hands
men L T. Edwards and E Anderson.
- Dillor and c. a. Morissey.
DEWEY.
THOUGHT TO BE SAFE.
Washington April 19-The officials Of
the navy department are confident that
such OF the men of the Yorktown as
escaped being killed outright in the
frst arnbusCade will be well treated by
the Insurgents. Some time ago the war
department. made inquiry as to the
number of American prisoners held bv
the F1ltpinOS- InrepIy Gen. Otis referred |
70 these soldiers and said that they |
were being fairly treated by the insur- |
gents, he supplying funds to defray the !
cost OF their food The reports made to /
the tne navy department by Paymaster |
w llcoN Of Dewey's officers who made a /
trip across the island of Luzon from
Manila to the north coast described tha
condition of the Spanish officials who |
We're the prisoners of the Insurgents as |
very comfOrta BILE.
In many cases. he said. the officials |
were only nominally in confinement be /
ing allowed the liberty Of the towns
The officials are hopeful thar C,iIr1ore
and his men who survived the anbus |
cade VIII some day regain their liberty 1
..e me department has sent no instruc- |
tions TO admiral Dewey as to the co1,rSa /
ne shaH pursue. believing that he is !
uIIy competent to deal with the sit1a-
i tion ana resting secure in the assurance |
Inat ne viii spare no efforts to rescue
GllInore and his men if they are alive.
LAWTON RETURNS.
Washington. April 19.-The following
cable has just been received from Gen
Otis: 4i-
Manila. April 19.-Adjutant General |
w ashlhSton; Lawton returned from
lake country 18th instant bringing can |
tured vessels Insurgents much scat
tered retreat before our forces av,-9i+ |
opportunity to attack kdetachments Fat
ter class Of people tired of war desire
peace Enemy builds hopes on return
OF our volunteers to United States IT'S
army much demOralized and IOSS Nv
desertlons and death large. VIII prob
ably prosecute guerilla warfare Ioo4 |
ing and burning country which il occn
pies Health and spirits of troops good !
Volunteers return Will commence ahont