Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-14
A Big BATTLE FOUGHT.
Fiercest Conflict of the War
Near Manila.
GEN. LUNA WAS AssAssINATED.
Killed by the Members of Aguinaldo's
Guard-Believed to Have Been a Plot.
Some of Americans and a Number of
Filipinos Killed During the Fighting.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE follow
ing cablegram was received from Gen
eral Otis.
MANILA, June 13.
+ Adjutant General. Washington:
Iawton' s troops had severe engage
ment today with tine enemy in strong
entertainments at the crossing of the
Seapote river, near Bacoor, Cavite prov
jnce. He has driven the enemy with
heavy loss. Our casualties are some 30.
The insurgents in this southern section
We're not molested until they threatened
an attack in strong force ON Manila.
They are now scattered and in retreat.
1t is doubtful if they make further
stand. OTIS
MANILA, June 14.-General Lawton
unexpectedly stirred up one of the live
hest engagements of the war south of
Las Pinas Tuesday, upon which occa-
sion American field guns were engaged
in the first artillery duel against Fill
pino battery concealed in the jungle.
Companies F and l 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 Monad-
mock and the gunboats Helena and Ia
fro trained their batteries on Bakoor
and the rebel trenches near Las Pinas
Bakoor was once ON fire, but the natives
stopped the spread of the flames.
During the night an insurgent cannon
was fired three times at the Americans
nt, i,a ,tSt- 81
Lawton. Tuesday morning, took bat
TALON of the Fourteenth regiment and
two companies of the Twenty-tirst regi-
ment to locate the rebel battery and
then two guns of the Sixth artillery and
four mountain guns were planted
against it at 60J yards distance. The
rebels had a large gun from which they
were fl: ing home made canister loaded
with nails and two smaller guns.
Their shooting was most accurate
The first lot of canister burst directly
in front of Scott's guns and another
shattered the legs of "a private in the
Fourteenth infantry. Several shots
struck the edge of the town. The coun-
try traversed was bad place, being
mainly lagoons, mud and water fringed
with bamboos.
As soon as the fighting opened the
Americans were attacked by hidden
rif1emen 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
regiment, skirmishing along the beach
with Amigo guides, found apparently a
handful OF rebels, who retreated. The
men of the Twenty-first followed and
suddenly the rebels opened terrific fire
on the troops from the sides and rear.
The soldiers Withdrew to the waters
edge, finding what shelter they could
and We're picked off rapidly. After the
ammunition was nearly exhausted the
companies of the Twentry-frst re-
treated, but General Lawton dashed
down and rallied the men.
A little group made stand, General
Lawton, Major Starr and Lieutenants
Donovan and Sonnell taking rifles from
the wounded men and firing at the
enemy, bringing down some of the
rebel sharpshoOters from tree. Finally
their cartridges were all gone and they
were forced to break through the
eneny's flank, carrying the wounded to
the main body of the troops.
Lieutenant Donovan whose leg was
broken, foundered for mile through a
bog after leading his men i'll the face of
a greatly superior force.
General Eawton ceased fighting until
reinforcements could be brought up.
Two battalions of the Fourteenth
regiment and one battalion of the Ninth
regiment were hurried to the front and
in the afternoon the battle was resumed.
The Monadnock anchored close to the
shore and her heavy guns pounded the
rebels continuously, while the smaller
warships, steaming along the shore,
poured bullets from their rapid, fire guns
at the enemy.
The Filipino force engaged appeared