The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-12-09
rHE REBELS had EVACUATED
FiItpinos Desert an ImpregnabIe Pssltion
on the Approach Of Amer.
lean Troops.

Manila, Dec. 5.-A press dispatch
rom Santa Cruz, Province of South
Ilocos, forwarded by courier to San
Fabian, says that Gen. Young, with
three troops of the Third cavalry, and
Maj. Peyton C.. March's battalion of the
Thirty-third infantry, arrived at Santa
Cruz yesterday.
Deserted An Improbable Position.
The Americans left Hamapacan,
Province of Union, yesterday morning,
expecting TO have a hard fight at Tagu-
din, in South Iloccs province, but they
found on arriving there that 600 rebels
under Gen. Tino, had evacuated SO
hours before, deserving an almost i'm
pregnable position. The insurgents
had been intrenched at Tagudin on the
north side of the river, where a hum
bred well-disciplined troops could have
slaughtered a whole brigade crossing
the river, with the men up to the arm
pit in water.
Received With q Brass Band.
The residents of Tagudin received
the Americans outside the town with q
brass band. They had been robbed Of
almost everything by the insurgents
and are glad to welcome friendly and
protecting troops.
A similar reception awaited Gen.
Young at Santa Cruz. Prominent citi-
zens. headed by q band, escorted the
American officers to houses where rest
and refreshment were offered.
A Poor Boardinsho7so.
Gen. Young's command was almost
without food. The men had been liv-
ing on the country, which affords but
little, and the horses r completely
worn out, most of them without shoes.
The inhabitants of Santa Cruz and Of
other towns through which the Ameri-
cans passed, say that Aguinaldo and
his entire refugee army have gone into
the mountains eastward since the Ore
gon, Samar and Callao attacked Vigac
and landed a force there.
Credentials from Lieut.. Gilmore.
In several towns Gen. Young was
shown letters written by Lieut.. Gil
more, showing that he had been kind
ly treated by the citizens, and had been
entertained by them when he passed
through last May.
American Prisoners.
Reports indicate that all the Ameri-
can prisoners, some Is or 80, were at .
one time at Benguet province, but it
is supposed now that they have been
removed into Pepanto province.
Gen. Young's desire is to pursue the
rebels into the mountains. There is
no communication between his small
command and any of the American col
ums, except indirectly perhaps, by
sighting and signalling United States
gunboats bound to or from Manila.
Routed Twice Their Number.
Capt. Rumbold with SIS men of Co.
6, Thirty-escond infantry, while es-
corting the signal corps, laying the
wire from Torac to Florida Blanca,
and routed 20 insurgents, kill
ing a captain and several privates. Tho
Americans found on the captain, the
sword and revolver hat were taken
from the body of Naval Cadet Melborn
C.. Wood, who was killed by the insur-
gents while in command of the gun
boat Undanetta, when that vessel was
captured in the Orani river.
Hopes to Capture Agufnald0.
Manila, Dec. 5.-A press dispatch
from Dagupan, containing advices later
than those from Santa Cruz says that
Gen. Young hopes to find Aguinaldo
n Beguet mountain pass and to cap
ture him there. Both entrances to
are fortified. Two troops Of
he Third cavalry will reinforce Gen.
foung in the pass.