Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-08-16
WHEATON'S BOLD DASH
Splendid Charge Led by the Gen
eral on the Filipinos.
ADVANCING ON SAN FERNANDO.

How Insurgents Were Driven From
Men-GeneraI Funston Receives a
wound-On a Scouting Trip with
Major Bell.
John 7. McCutcheon. the Chicago
Records Manila correspondent, writing
under date of May about our army's
advance an San Fernando, says:
Santo Tomas is peculiarly situated.
The town is at least mile in a wester-
ly direction from the railway, and the
river runs south of the town. Between
the railway and Santo Tomas is a
ground, which makes direct commu-
nication with the track impracticable.
In consequence of this the road reach
ing the railway runs off in a northerly
diagonal direction, intersecting the
railway about mile beyond the
bridge. At the intersection stands the
railway station and freighthouse, with
cluster Of nipa houses in the bamboo
woods just south Of the station, while
beyond for 1000 yards is broad, open
ricefield. San Fernando lies only three
miles northwest, along the railway,
from the Santo Tomas station, and as
1t was then the Filipino capital a hard
fight was confidently expected to await
our troops before taking it.
On the afternoon of May the troops
began advancing from the Santo To-
mas bridge toward the station. From
all Indications it might have been sup
posed that there was not an insurgent
within miles. A gigantic trench, very
recently built. was passed, and a huge
breastwork across the railway track
about 1000 yards south of the station
gave no hostile sound as the soldiers
advanced and peacefully climbed over
1t. Down in the depression on each side
ran long. serpentine rifle pits, admira-
bly, designed to defeat thanking fire.
1t must have taken days to dig them,
and yet there wasn't shot fired from
them.
MES Of Kansas men, were in advance,
and the rest of the brigade was cross
ing the bridge some distance below.
Funston pushed on through a strip of
bamboo trees and. keeping his men
down behind the high roadbed of the
railway on the left side. got the CON-
mand up by the freighthouse, where
his position covered low line of earth
works 600 yards off to the right. There
was no firing at the time. Some Of
the soldiers had come up the railway
from the rear and were hunting well
among the nipa houses where drinking
water could be had. They branched off
along the road running across the
track to the right and succeeded liz
finding n good well Mt the farther edge
of the trees. Ten or Is were clustered
there filling their canteens and drink
ing away the thirst that by this time
was nearly maddening. Caution and
fear of bullets were lost in their eager
ness to quench their thirst, and the
group carelessly exposed at the well
drew q sudden and totally unexpected
fire from the trenches in the field near
by.
At the first indication that the trench
was occupied Colonel Funston began
firing steady volleys along it's shallow
rim. Several Of the men near the well
edged over and joined the firing party
at the freighthouse, but 1t was re-
markable to see that even under the
fierce fire of the insurgents other SOL
the drink of water that they craved so
keenly. For nearly half an hour the
fight ragged savagely. General MacAr-
thur was moving up more troops as
quickly as possible, and General
Wheaton and his staff had reached the
position held by Funston. There was
no way Of knowing how many insur-
gents were behind the trench or what
forces the woods beyond might con-
ceal. Colonel Funston was shot
through the left hand at this time and
was suffering much from the wound.
Then in the heat of the action occurred
one Of those picturesque charges which
are rarely seen outside of paintings-a
gallant rush, which proved to be one
Of the most dashing and thrilling Incl
dents Of the campaign.
General Wheaton whipped out his
revolver. and. waving it above his
head, yelled in that thunderous voice
Of his, Come on, boys; follow me"
and away he went in mad rush out
into the bullet swept field. Hot after
him, racing In frenzy Of enthusiasm.
came his staff and Colonel Funston
and every one of the men within four
Kansas companies. Out from the well
ran the soldiers who had been crouch.
ing behind the little protected places.
and the field was Il wild confusion Of
flying figures. The men We're shooting
as they ran and cheering as they shot.
Down across the plowed field they
charged. yelling lie demons. with
Wheaton on ahead and Funston. with
his hand ip rough sling. coming hot
behind.
1t appeared that the insurgents would
never begin to run. for as the line OF
yelling Kansans came down on them
they stuck to their trench with the des-
perate courage of men who fight with
certain death coming like whirlwlnd