The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-27
MAKING THEIR FINAL STAND.
Filfpinos vigorously Defending CAL
umpit Against Macarthur.

MANILA, April 26. 6:1o p. m.-Aguinaldo' s
army to-day Is defending Calumpit ener-
getically. which is said to indicate that the
rebels are finally making that place their
last ditch, or stand. which the Americans
expected them to make at Malolos- For
the first time the Filipinos are employing
artillery They brought two guns into ac-
tion in the trenches to-day before Calum-
pit. firing modern shrapnel. which burst
over the heads of General Wheaton's men
without effect.
The lighting was resumed at o'clock this
morning. During the night the American
engineers repaired the Bagbag bridge, thus
enabling our troops 10 cross the river.
General Wheaton's brigade advanced in
extended order, with the Kansas regiment
TO the west OF the railroad and the Mon
tana regiment to the east of it, and took
up a position covering one and half miles
on the south bank of the Rio Grande- On
the opposite bank were fortified trenches.
from which few American soldiers would
ave been able to defy thousands. so strong
iy were they constructed.
The Americans found the trenches on the
south bank of the river deserted, which
furnished them with cover. from which they
could pick off Filipinos whenever one of
them showed his head.
When the rebels began firing two puffs of
smoke. simultaneously. from the trenches
each side of the railroad track, showed
they were using cannon, which was a gen.
uine surprise 10 the Americans. Several
shells burst close to General wheaton's
stan. but 1t seemed the F1lipinos failed TO
master the machinery OF the modern gun.
as they were unable 10 get the right range.
Young's Utah Battery was ordered into
position in the center of the Kansas regi-
ment to silence the rebel guns, and at IL
o'clock the rapid-fire guns had been ferried
across the river and came into line.
At noon the rebels were still pouring a
heavy fire into the direction of the Amer
leans. who returned it spiritedly. Two
Americans were killed and seven were
wounded. At about this time General Hale's
brigade was advancing east of the line, ap-
parently TO cross the river and attack the
leans did yesterday.
General Macarthur has secured an order
issued by Aguinaldo to the rebel command
ers. telling them TO instruct their men TO
economize their fire. save the empty shells
and not 10 fire at the enemy when the lat
ter is under cover. The Filipinos are also
instructed never TO fire at a longer range
than $50 meters, and. when they have other
distractions in front. TO hold their fire till
within eighty meters. This order was is
sued after the recent encounters between
the Filiplnos and the Americans.
General Lawton is meeting with the great
est obstacles IN the character OF the coun-
try. His troops have only had a few skirm-
ishes thus far. resulting in five OF his men
teing wounded, but he has been forced to
put his men at work building roads and the
transport service is giving much trouble,
bullocks dying OF the heat and exhaustion
and Cinnamon having 10 be employed in
pulling some OF the carts Therefore the
general has been unable to cover the ground
he hoped TO cover. The natives flee before
the expedition. but they swarm back 10
their huts soon the American troops
have passed. A few Filipino sharpshooters
are harassing the American TANKS
The commissary department is preparing
20 send more rations. under strong escort
70 the front
The United States transport ZelandIa
from San Francisco March 2s having on
board several companies OF the Ninth In
fantry and u large quantity OF supplies. ar
rived here to-day after an uneyentgul yoy-