The Holly chieftain., 1899-06-23
Three Hundred United States Sol
diers Fight Their Way Through
Large Rebel Force.
GEN. OTIS REPORT OF THE sKIRhIsH.
The Commanding General Commends Gen.
wheaton-tsen. Miles Believes the Sit
uation In the Philippines TO BE Very
Serions-Rexr Admiral Watson Raises
His Flag on the Baltimore.

Manila. June 2l.-Betore the p4ttie
near Perez das Marinas, while the
American troops were in sunken
road. force of insurgents attacked
them on the flank. The Americans re-
treated in good order for several miles
Finally. reinforced by RGbinson's bat
TALON of the Fourth infantry. they ad-
vanced upon the foe. Surrounded by
LOCO of the enemy, six miles from re-
Inducements, and with thousand
more insurgents moving rapidly down
on their flank to make their annihila-
tion complete, the First battalion of
the Fourth infantry. Maj Budd COM
manding, in all 500 Americans, fought
their way back from Perez das Marinas.
They fought for three miles toward
their military base at linus. where the
rest of the Fourth came to their sup
port
In explanation of the dangerous sit
nation of the battalion it is said that
reports were received that Das Marinas
had been deserted by the insurgents
The alcade of the place came to linus
and formally surrendered the town.
The houses along the roadside were
filed with amigos" and the battalion
advanced confidently until within
three-quarters of mile of Das
Marinas when they discovered the
enemy. paralleling the road at
long distance on both sides and prac-
tically surrounding the little force.
Natives began firing from the houses
in the rear and natives with white
cloths We're captured with guns in hand.
All had contended that they were
friendly. The whole scheme was to
wipe out the small body of American
cept for the marvellous courage of the
troops and officers
The skirmish lines crowded the Fill
pinos back toward linus, while out
fiankers We're upon the right and left
Under thanking fire the rear guard
was desperately holding the enemy's
fire poured upon the main road and
men were falling everywhere The
ambulance was filed and carts were
pressed into service, loaded with the
wounded and dragged by the hand by
the prisoners Two of our dead were
left behind. Only the arrival of
Wheaton with reinforcements saved
the battalion from humiliation.
To-day the troops commanded by
Gen. Wheaton entered Perez das Ma
rinas without opposition except upon
the part of small bodies of rebels. who
inflicted no losses upon the Americans
The town is an unimportant place sur
rounded by swamps and Gen. Wheaton
viii probably return to linus
Otis Report the skirmish.
Washington June al.-Gen. Otis for
wards the following dispatch:
Manila. June sn.-Aiiutant General, Wash
!nrton: Wheaton IS at linus Csviie province
with four guns, four bst;alions- Fourth and
Fourteenth infantry. Nevada troop cavalry: he
sent battalion south on reconnaissance in the
direction Of Das Marinas yesterday morning
where enemy reported concentrat-
ing scattered forces: battalion eneoun-
tered enemy's force Of eooo marching
TO attack linus; successful in impeding its pro-
gress- Wheaton with two guns and two haitai-
ions. hurried forward. repulsed en,.ny with
heavy loss; enemy leaving 100 dead on the field;
our loss FIVE killed y wounded. Wheaton re-
inforeed las. night by battalion Ninth infantry;
is driving the enemy beyond Mariras. now in
his possession Casualties to-day not reported
Wheaton's qualities for bold and successful at
tack unsurTassed--otis-
Scn- Miles View OF the Situation.
New York. June al.-..The situation
IN the Philippines is very serious, = said
Nelson A Miles yesterday. 4 know
nothing concerning the story that the
war department is supprrssing the
news from Manila But every body
knows that things are very serious
there. / do not care to discuss the
Philippine matter. am here on
private business"
Rear Admiral Watson Raises His Flag.
Manila, June sl--Rear Admiral John
c. Watson arrived here to-day on board
the United States transport Zafro,
from Hong Kong. and raised his flag
on the cruiser Baltimore. The com
manders of all the warships called up
on the admiral during the course of the
Gay.