The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1899-06-16
In A 4IGHR PLACE.
The Americans Troops Are
Ambuscaded.
THE AMERICANS LOSE SIXTY MEN.
Filipinos Driven Across Zapote.
Lying for Hours With the
Musketry One Pro-
longed Roar.
The AMERICANS LOSE SIXTY MEN.

Manila, June I3-6:o5p p. m-Genera
Lawton unexpectedly stirred up one
OF the liveliest engagements of the
war, south of Las Pinas this morning
upon which occasion American field
guns were engaged in the first artillery
duel against Filipino battery, con-
cealed in the jungle.
Companies F and I, of the Twenty
first Infantry were nearly surrounded
by large body of insurgents, but the
Americans cut their way out with
heavy loss.
The United States turret ship Mon
adnock and the gunboats Helena and
Zafro trained their batteries on Bakoor
and the rebel trenches near Las Plnas
all morning. Bakoor was once on fire,
and the natives stopped the spread of
the flames.
During the night an insurgent can
non was fired three times at the
Americans on the outskirts of Las
Pinas.
General Lawton this morning took
battalion Of the Fourteenth regiment
and two companies of the Twenty first
regiment to locate the rebel battery,
and then two guns ofthe Sixth artillery
and four mounted guns were planted
against it at 600 yards distance. The
rebels had a large gun from which they
were firing homemade canister loaded
with nails, and two smaller guns. Their
shooting was most accurate. The first
lot of canisters burst directly in front
of Scott's guns, and another shattered
the legs of private of the Fourteenth
infantry. Several shots struck the edge
of town. The country traversed was
as bad as it is possible to be, mainly
lagoons, mud and water fringed with
bamboos.
AS soon as the fighting opened the
Americans were attacked by hidden
riAemen on all sides, even the amigos,
Or "friendly' natives in the houses of
the town shooting into their rear.
The companies of the Twenty. first
'egiment, skirmishing along the beach,
With amigo guides found, apparently,
handful of rebels, who retreated.
The men Of the Twenty first followed
ind suddenly the rebels opened ter
ific fire on the troops from the sides
ind rear. The soldiers withdrew to
he waters edge, finding what shelter
hey could, and were picked off rapid
y. After their ammunition was near.
y exhausted the companies of the
Ewenty.first retreated, but General
Iawton dashed down and rallied the
nen.
A little group made a desperate .
tand, General Lawton, Major Starr :
nd Lieutenants Donovan and Don.
ely taking rifles from the wounded
len aud firing at the enemy, bringing
own some ofthe rebel sharpshoo ers ,
'om tree. Finally their cartridges ,
'ere all gone and they were forced to .
reak through the enemy's flank, car :
wing the wounded to the main body of !,
ne troops. :.
Lieut.. Donovan, whose leg was bro. .
en-, foundered for a mile through
og, after landing his men in the face .
f a greatly superior force. =
General Lawton ceased fighting until
endorsements could be brought up.
wo battalions of the Fourth regiment
nd one battalion of the Ninih regl-
lent were then hurried to the front, |,
nd in the afternoon the battle was re u
lmed. q
The Monadnock anchored close to #
le shore, and her heavy guns pounded a
,e rebels continuously, While the n
ma Ter warships, steami,g along the b