Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-04-29
CALUMPIT DEFENDED
The Filipinos Making a Desperate
Stand at the Place.
THE REBELS ARE USING ARTILLERY.
A Dispatch from Gen. Otis States That Gen.
Macarthur Has Taken Part Of Calum-
pit-Gen. Lawton Drives the Enemy
North and wess.

Manila, April az.-Aguinaldo's army
yesterday defended Calumpit energetic
cally, 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 ut
Malolos. For the first time the Fill
pinos are employing artillery. They
brought two guns into action in the
trenches to-day before Calumpit, firing
modern shrapnel which burst over the
heads Of Gen. Wheaton's men without
effect.
The fighting was resumed at six
o'clock this morning. During the
night the American engineers repaired
the Bagbag bridge, thus enabling our
troops to cross the river. Gen. Wheat
on's brigade advanced in extended or
der, with the Kansas regiment to the
west of the railroad and the Montana
regiment to the east of II and took up a
position covering ~ miles on the south
bank of the Rio Grande. On the oppo-
site bank were fortified trenches, from
which few American soldiers would
have been able to defy thousands, so
strongly 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 on each side Of the rail-
road track showed they were using
cannon, which was genuine surprise
to the Americans. Several shells burst
close to Wheaton's staff, but II seemed
that the Filipinos failed to master the
machinery OF modern arms as they
were unable TO get the right range.
Young's Utah battery was ordered into
position in the center of the Kansas
regiment TO silence the rebel guns and
at IL o'clock the rapid fire guns had
been fcrricd across the river and came
into line. At noon the rebels were still
pouring heavy fire in the direction OF
the Americans who returned 1t spirit
eddy. Two Americans were killed and
seven wounded.
At about this time Gen. Hale's bri-
gade was advancing east of the line, ap-
parently to cross the river and attack
the rebel trenches in the flank, as the
Americans did yesterday. Gen. Law
ton is meeting with greater obstacles
in the character of the country. His
troops have only had a few Skin
mishes thus far, resulting in
five Of his men being wound
ed. But he was 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 to 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 to their huts as
soon as the American troops have
passed. A few Filipino sharpshooters
are harassing the American TANKS.
DISPATCH FROM GEN. OTIS.
Washington, April 27.-The follow
ing cablegram was received at the war
department late yesterday evening:
Manila. April s6.-Adjutant General WASH
lngton: Lawton ut Norzagaray and Angat. His
two columns united have driven the enemy TO the
north and west. Slight casualties; names not
reported. Only means OF communication, cou-
riers. Macarthur has taken portion OF Calum-
pit south OF river. Movement attended with
difficulties on account OF jungle, heat and strong
ntrenchments. His casualties yesterday. three
killed, II wounded Developments thus fur sat- |
isfnctory.-Otis.