Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-01


TOWN-WERE ORDERED TO BE
SHOT BY GENERAL LUNA, AND
WOULD HAVE BEEN kXECUT-
ED BUT FOR THE INTERFER-
ENCE OF AGUINALDO - PRIS-
ONERS ALLOWED FIVE CENTS
A DAY FOR RATIONS.
MANILA, December 1.-12:50 a. NJ
When the landing party from the
United States battleship Oregon, under
Lieutenant Commander McCracken,
took the town of Vigan, province of
South Ilolos last Sunday, they found
there an escaped prisoner, A L. Son
nenshein, who furnished the first au-
thentic account of the experience of
Lieut.. James c. Gilmore, of the United
States gunboat Yorktown, who, with
party of the Yorktown, was captured
by the insurgents near Baler, on the
east coast of Luzon last April while
making an examination of the mouth of
C1G I1fcl Ill oil dIlutu DOdI.
Mr.. Sonnenshein was imprisoned at
Abra for long time with Lieut.. Gill
more and seven sailors, but contriyed
to escape, carrying a concealed note,
written in naval cipher, dated Abra,
November IS, addressed to ANY Naval
Officer" and saying:
''You may have perfect confidence in
anything the bearer says"
The note was signed Gilmore"
According to Mr.. Sonnenshein, when
Lieut.. Gillmore's launch entered the
river, from Baler harbor, under cover
of Ensign w. H. Standley's gun, the
landing was received with three vol
leys. Two of the Americans were kill
ed and two mortally wounded. Every
man was hit, Lieut.. Gilmore receiving
flesh wound in the leg. His foot
stuck fast in the mud and it was
choice between surrender and being
slaughtered.
Lieut.. Gilmore asked the terms Of
release. The insurgents proposed that
he should procure the delivery to them
of the arms and munitions of the Span
ish garrisons, undertaking if this were
accomplished, to send the SpaniardS
and Americans to the Yorktown.
A sailor of Lieut.. Gillmore's party
carried this proposition to the garri-
som The Spanish commandant replied
hot mn ho Snau,ieI
and expelled the sailor, a Spanish SOL
der firing upon him as he went.
The Americans were then bound
hand and foot and taken to San Isidro,
where Gen. Luna ordered their execu-
ton. They were marched to the
Plaza and, in the presence of a great
crowd, were aligned to be executed.
Lieut.. Gilmore said:
CAS- an American officer and gentle
man, protest against being shot with
my hands tied"
Aguinaldo interfered and prevented
the execution. When Gen. Lawton ap-
preached San Isidro last June the
Americans were removed to Abra,
where they were kept confined in cells
for two months.
Subsequently they were allowed
greater liberty but the report that
Lieut.. Gilmore was given a house and
servant is untrue. He had the same
quarters as the men and the same al
lowance as the Spanish prisoners-fve
cents day with which to buy rice and
bananas, virtually the only rations.
Gen. Macarthur is now in Bayam-
bang Cor Bayamban), preparing to
sweep the country on both sides of the
railroad. Gen. Whea-
ton is at San Fabian and Gen. Lawton
at Tayug.
The Gordon from San Fabian to San
Isidro covers all the roads and occu-
pies all the towns on the line. The
policy is to prevent any more
escaping to the north and to
force them toward the country west
of the railroad.
Major March with a battalion of the
33d infantry occupies Vigan having
made a forced march from San Fa-
bian. The remainder Of the regiment
is on the way.
Gen. Young, with a handful Of cavalry
and the Macabebes, is in Vigan. and Lieut.
Col. Howsee, with four decimated COM
paries of the Thirty fourth infantry, bare
footed and tagged. is struggling toward
Vigan from Aliga (AuagaO
When last reported ne was within fifty
miles of his destination. There are so
Spanish prisoners in Abra province whose
release through the military operations is
expected soon. II is learned that Aguin-
aldo had a large amount of stores at Bay
province of Neuva Vizeaya, which
Gen. Lawton's troops have probably cap
tured. Many of the American troops are
suffering from exhaustion, fever or dys-
EMERY, and are in need Of hospital treat
ment.
Capt. Fowler's march after Gen. Alejan-
drinos brigade, with one company OF the
Thirty-thira regiment, was one Of the
bravest incidents of the war. The company
left Dagupan alone, under orders TO To-
cate the enemy. Captain Fowler had been
warned by the natives that ne and his men
would be exterrninated The guides de-
serted them before Mangatarom Cor Man
galaron) was reached. Alejandrino's ar
tillery was focused upon the main street,
along which the Americans advanced. The
guns were manned by Spantards who sad
afterward that they had fired over the
heads of the Americans. as they desired
that the latter should win, hoping thus
to gain their own freedom
In the terrified temper Of the insurgents
who run at the sight of an American, q
single company might go anywhere IN the
north now.
REPORT FROM WATSON