Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-28
THE REBELS ROUTED.
FLOWER OF AGUINALDO's ARMY
PJT TO FLIGHT.
FORCE LED BY LUNA HIMSELF BEATEN
Men Composing IL Break and Run
Before American Fire-Enorts 10
Bring the War TO an End
Fears of "FriendIies."

Fears of "Friendiies.'
MANILA, April 27.-9:i5 Z. M.-General
MacArthur's Division crossed the Rio
Grande to-day and advanced on Apalit,
completely routing the flower of the rebel
army. Most of the rebels fed to Apalit
station, where two trains were awaiting
them. They left hurredly, presumably
for San Ferdinando.
The towns Of san Vicente and Apalit
were simultaneously burned and evacu-
ated by the natives.
Twenty prisoners were captured, in
Guiding a spanard.
The American troops also captured a
brass cannon and a quantity of arms and
| ammunition, and the same evening they
captured Maxim gun, on the railroad.
The fighting lasted from noon until 4
o'clock. The American loss is one man
Of the Montana regiment killed, and three
officers and six men wounded.
CROSSING THE RIVER.
The enemy was very strongly entrench-
ed on the river bank, near both sides Of
the railroad bridge. General Wheaton
sent Colonel Funston across, with two
companies Of the Twentieth Kansas regi-
ment a couple Of privates swimming the
swirt stream. with rope. under a calling
fire, for the purpose Of guiding the raft.
The men crossed in squads of twenty,
and attacked the left flank of the rebels,
who scuttled ike RABBITS into covered ways
and trenches. The rest Of the regiment
was compelled to cross the bridge in
single file along the stringers. All the
woodwork and much Of the irOnwOrk had
been removed The First Montana Regi-
ment followed the Kansas regiment across
the bridge.
The First Nebraska Regiment. acting
as a reserve, attacked the rebels in three
lines of trenches, driving them out, killing
sixteen and wounding many.
FORCE LED BY LUNA.
In the mean time, large body Of Fill
pinOs. estimated at no fewer than $780,
led by General Antonio Luna, on a black
charger. that was evidently coming 10
reinforce the rebels who were engaged
with the Nebraskans appeared in the
open field about two miles to the left
Emerging from the jungle. the enemy
formed an open skirmish line, nearly two
miles in length. with very thick reserves
behind. The men advanced at double
quick until they were about 200 yards
from the American line, when General
Wheaton ordered his troops to fire. The
rebels VINO were evidently unaware that
the Americans had crossed the river,
broke and ran in the direction of Maca-
belle. The other Filipinos fed toward
Apalit station.
The heat in the early part Of the after
noon was terrific, but d drenching thun-
der-storm, which came later, greatly re-
freshed the Americans.
LAWTONS MOVEMENTS.
6IO =. M.-General Lawtons advance
has been remarkably demonstratiye of the
energy which characterizes all his under
takings. The last troops forming his col
umn only reached Norzagaray to-day.
The men We're badly played out, as during
the past two days they have dragged
bulock-carts over roadiess jungles and
through swamps, cutting their way for
miles. They Will rest three days, and
then, with Colonel Summers command,
consisting Of the Oregon and Minnesota
regiments. will resume their march west
ward. cooperating with General Mac
Arthur's forces in the present important
enterprise.
The ambulances to-day. with a strong
escort, are bringing General Lawtons
wounded and a few of those who have
been Frustrated by the heat, across the
country to the railroad.
EFFORTS TOWARD PEACE.
A report has gained wide currency
among the volunteers that the govern
ment intends to ask that there be no
fighting after Calumpit is captured. and
that il is the intention TO replace them
at the front with regulars, which are
being brought here on board the trans
ports. The commission Of Filipinos, or
ganized to mediate between the Ameri-
cans and AguinalGo, fears TO approach the
rebels after the refusal Of the latter 10
receive the Spanish commissioners. who
were bearing a white flag. The commits
sioners. after consulting with the Amer
lean commanders propose 10 tell Agui-
naldo that while no terms except uncon-
ditional surrender can be offered after
the lengths TO which the war has been
carried. they can assure the rebels that
they will be treated according 10 the
American traditions OF leniency toward
the conquered, and that there will be no
punishment or confiscatiOn of property u
they lay down their arms.
The leaders of the commission told
United States Consul Williams that they
would go If he would accompany them,
believing the leDeis trusted MI. NllAdMs.
The latter. however refused, having no
authority in the matter. lie SAID; i DO
not believe the Filipinos would harm me,
but they might detain me for months"
FEAR OF "FRIENDLIEs."
The American commission IS hampered
Nm It's work Of enlisting the support OF
friendly Filipinos by the fear, expressed
by many of them. that the anti-expan-
s!onists may obtain control of the Ameri-
can Government. and cause the with
drawal Of the American troops from the
Philippine Islands. thus, they claim, leav-
ing the natives who have assisted the
Americans TO the mercy Of AgLinaldo's
followers. Under these circumstances,
men of property are reluctant TO risk the
result OF being identifed with the Amer
lean regime.