The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-21
IT WAS A -PLUCKY FIGHT
Destruction of Bandit Village
in Negros.
AND AGAINST GREAT ODDS
American Troops Were Outnumber ad
but the Surprise Was Perfect
Operations North of
Manila

! Washington, Nov. 2O.-The war de
partment has made public a report o
Capt. B. F. Byrne, 9Th infantry, givin
an account of the attack and destruc
ton of a bandit village in the La Car
lotta district, island of Negros, las
July. The account is very interesting
chapter of the American occupation O
the Philippines. .".
This band of n1arauders was en-.
trenched In the Businesses of the noun.
tains. They were we'll organized and
armed. On all sides which it was sup.
| posed could be reached by troops the
camp was guarded by block houses
| Captain Byrne, with something over 10C
men. went out to destroy this bandit
camp. He was aware that it was nee
| essary to surprise them and this could
| only be accomplished by approaching
from the side which seemed impossible
of ascent The march was difficult and
the approach to the Camp was per-
! formed in the night. 1t was reached
| in the morning and at once attacked.
| The bandits largely outnumbered the
Americans and were fighting from be-
| hind cover For two hours there was
a very desperate engagement and only
the pluck and valor of the American
| soldiers enabled them to secure the vic
, tory The number Of bandits killed
| largely exceeded the American force,
while there was no means of ascertain
ing the number Of wounded. Finally
those who could get away escaped,
leaving all their property behind them
The village was destroyed, as was the
property that could not be carried
away. The men had climbed a noun
a r1,t. {11rv rl~A
their breakfasts against superior odds,
and upon an almost unknown ground
In closing his report Captain Byrne
says:
I'm looking for a reason for the ap-
parent success of this expedition too
much credit cannot be givenaso the Off
GERS and men under my command and
every one of them acted as though he
was personally responsible for the sue
cess Of the whole affair" -
Lieutenant Colonel Winn. command
ing the 9Th infantry, made the follow
ing Endorsement of the report, which
is concurred in by. Generals Smith,
Hughes and OTIS
II consider it a remarkable perform
ance on his part, and that of his COM
mand in the way of endurance perse-
Verance and cool courage under most
trying circumstances. For Captain
Byrne l strongly recommend for his
gallantry and rallying the men on the
bridge, medal of honor: for Lieuten-
ant Nesbitt a brevet of captain for
courage displayed and for Sergeant
William j. Chuck and Corporal Frank
S: Swan certificates of meritorious SER
vice"
This report contains a graphic de-
scription of perilous undertaking most
successfully executed, emitting those
participating. to all the honors herein
recommended
In recognition Of his services Captain
Byrne was made lieutenant colonel of
the 10th regiment, U. S. v
1:3O p. m.--There has been a revival
of insurgent activity south of Manila,
particularly in Cavite province. At
linus yesterday the Filipnos fired a
smooth bore cannon, but this was soon
silenced by the American artillery.
In the course of the morning Major
CoWles, with battalion Of the 4th in
fantry and two guns scattered the
enemy from the districts around linus
and in the direction of Eres das Mar
mas. The Americans could not pursue
the retreating insurgents because their
ammunition was exhausted. The Fill
ipnos were under the command Of
General Mariana Trias.
Spies report that the insurgents are
coming into Cavite province from CAL
amba, in Laguna province and the
other southern provinces. The insur-
gents have smooth bores and two
mounted cannon.
1890 p. m.-General MacArthur's re-
connoissance entered Dagupan this
afternoon. The Americans found that
no insurgents had been there for four
days. The 33d infantry was probably
in Dagupan yesterday. leaving last
night. No insurgents have been seen
anywhere near the railroad. 1t is believed
the only armed force of any size is in
the mountains of the province of Zam-
bales. to the west, although there are
reports of insurgents concentrating at |
San Miguel de Carnilang, vast of PAN |
lque and at Manga tarom Cor Mangala- |
ron), west of Bayagan. General Mac |
Arthur is prepared for the attack. his |
eorces being disposed between Dugban,
province of Tarlac, and Dugapan. The
18th infantry, a battalion of the 18th
md two troops of cavalry are with Cen
.ral Macarthur below Dagupan.
General WHEELER has decided not to
'eturn for congress. He is writing a |
etter to President Mckinley with a
'equest that it be forwarded to the
house of representatives. In the course
If an interview with a correspondent of
he associated press. he said:
Congress, if it occupies the first day
# the session in passing a resolution
declaring in unmistakable terms that
he sovereignty of the United States
$ to be maintained in the Philippines. |
hus dispellins Aguinaldo's delusion
hat the anti-imperialists can assist
lin. will be performing a sacred duty.
such a resolution would save the lives
# many American soldiers and of thou
ands of deluded Filipinos, would avert
anime. suffering and desoation from
hese islands and would render unnec-
ssary the expenditure of hundreds of |
nillions of dollars"
The people of Gotta Bato, on the south
Western coast of the island of Min
anao, desire the establishment of
american government there and have
ddressed a petition to General Otis
skiing him to send troops. In rela ting
ow they had appealed to the dato to
rotect them against the Attempts of
,guinaldos officials to collect excessive
axes they say in the petition that the