The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-04-13
santa CRUZ CAPTURED.
Another Filipino Stronghold Under
the Stars and Stripes.
oun PLANS WORKED PERFECTLY


ON the Field.
Manila, April 11.-General Lawton
has captured Santa Cruz, at the ex-
,reme end of the lake. He drove the
rebels. who we're commanded by
chinaman named Pao-Wah. into the
maintains. The Americans had ono
man killed and six wounded.
Santa Cruz was the Filipinos' strong
hold on Lake Laguna de bay, and IT
fell into the hands of General Lawton's
eynedition after some sharp, quick
lighting, forming one Of the most in
,erestng and important battles Of the
war.
The plans of the American COM
manders worked perfectly, with the
exception that the progress of the ex
pedition was delayed by the difficult nav
igation Of the river. About $500 pick
Sd men composed the expedition,
which was under the personal COM
mand of General Lawton. on account
Of the illness Of General King.
The expedition started from San
Pedro Macati at dusk on Saturday, in
tending to capture Santa Cruz by as
sault at daybreak. But in navigating
the shallow, tortuous Pasig river,
perhaps through the cunning of the
native pilots, who were not anxious to
see the Americans successful, several
boats grounded, and 1t was nearly
dawn when the troops reached the
lake. The expedition then steamed
cautiously forward. the Napidan and
the Oeste mile ahead and the Laguna
de Bay guarding the rear.
A casco. with force of 200 picked
sharpshooters. under Major Meisen-
berger, mostly belonging to the First
Washington regiment. was run into Il
shallow inlet about five miles south
Of the city.
Then a few shells were sent toward
the entertainments OF the rebels at the
edge of the woods, sending the enemy
scampering inland.
Then a number Of Americans jump
ed into the water and, wading for
about hundred yards, crept forward
and formed in line, covering the land
ing of the remainder, which finished
about o'clock.
The three troops of the Fourth cav
airy, unmounted, were sent ashore on
dangerous marshy point, directly
south Of the city, under fire from the
enemy's trench.
Meanwhile in the town itself there
was utter silence, and not a sign OF
life. General Lawton, desiring to
make an inspection and to give the
inhabitants an opportunity to sur
render, went on board the Laguna de
Bay and. accompanied by the news
paper launch, steamed slowly to the
dock, the whole feet watching anx-
iously. When it was discovered by the
glasses that the trenches and stone
buildings were swarming with white
clad soldiers the two boats withdrew
receiving voIleys from the trenches
thrown up on the marshy plain north
Of the city.
The fiotilla anchored in compact for
nation for the night, ready to resist
any surprises from the rebel gunboats
supposed to be in the lake. At sun
rise yesterday the assault commenced
The American line south of the city
stretched two miles inland, and with
its left sweeping the shore 1t moved
north, while the cavalrymen on the
point advanced towards the city, pour.
ing volleys upon the trenches. Stimuli
taneously the gunboats hovered along
the Shore shelling the woods ahead Of
the troops and driving the Filipinos in
land. The gatlings cleared severa
trenches.
The whole brigade was divided into
squads of IL, and the fighting was car
ried on in the old time frontier fashion
from behind trees, crawling through
bushes or rushing across the open
The trenches that were not cleared b,
the gunboats gave considerable re
sistance when the line was nearing tn,
city, and the Laguna de Bay and tn,
Oeste bombarded for an hour in tn,
hope Of making them too warm for oc
cupancy, but did not succeed in clear
ing them entirely.
General Lawton, with the Fourteenth
infantry battalions, approached mar
row iron bridge across the creek on tn,
south border OF the town. Here I;
company of Filipinos was intrenchet
across the stream and behind ston'
barricade at the entrance to the bridge
uc hIucTlCdub TuSucu lOI WdIu III Bill
gle file, demolished the barricade will
their hands and drove the enem!
from the trenches, killing a dozen.
The Filipino soldiers In the town
secreted In various buildings and frin'
from the windows, gave the invader
an interesting hour. There was reg
ular nest Of them in the stone jail
which is edged in by a wall. This wa
veritable pepperpot.
The Americans, singly or In pairs
entered the houses, and many war
riors were taken prisoners.
A considerable body Of Filipinos fle'
northward, crossing the open marshes
but the gatlings poured upon them
deadly hail until they disappeared II
the woods. leaving dozens Of dead be
hind.
Major Weisenberger deployed tn
sharpshooters along the shore, ant
they crept steadily forward. aiding tn
gatlings. Finally large body wa
ient against the enemy in the woods
driving them toward the mountains
General Lawton established head
quarters at the elegant palace Of tn
governor and guard was immedi
ately placed in the church, as the sa
cred edifces are always the first oh