The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-02

attacked the natives and found that
they had their hands full. Two other
companies of the Washington regiment
and three of the Twelfth regulars rein
forced them and drove the enemy back,
who removed their dead and wounded
as they retired.
THE CAPTURE OF CALUMPIT.
At Calumpit, for the first time, a
large body Of Philippines attempted
to face the Americans in open ground.
The Philippines in the trenches were
dispersed after making a r~idicuously
feeble resistance, but General Lunas'
brigade came upon the field from Mac
abeles on the double quick, the two
regiments preserving a perfect forma-
ton.
The Americans from the south bank
of the river, which is higher than the
north bank, could see General Luna,
mounted on a black horse, galloping
frantically along the lines and ap-
parently exhorting his followers TO
make a stand. He finally succeeded in
getting them spread in an extended
line of battle which would have done
credit to a civilized army; but when
the American bullets showered thick
ly among them, stirring lou of ust
from h sandy soil, sthe Philippines
again Shove that no amount of drill
ing could fortify them sufficiently to
AoAN ~ Aa-S bAC LII 1SC4 11xkSSY
and their train pulled up the track,
with its load of dead and wounded in
plain sight of the Americans, who were
entering the town so closely that the
rebels barely slipped out of their VIC
tors hands The Montana regiment
made a rush to capture the train, run
ming up the track, yelling shriIIy and
even dropping their guns in pursuit,
but the engine backed off hastily, Ieav-
ing the bodies of six warriors to their
m
Twenty Philippines, who came to
meet the conquerors, bearing a white
flag, declared heartily that they were
sick of fighting, adding that food was
very short in their camps. They ate
the army rations given to, them with
an eagerness that testified to the truth
of the latter statement. One who had
been severely wounded dragged him
self after his comrades, showing re-
markable nerve.
Fifty Americans Were overcome by
the heat, and Colonel Funston dropped
utterly exhausted after the battle. The
men of the Kansas regiment cfeered
him crafty when he went among them.
Last night the flames of burning viii
lagos and scattered huts gave the
horizon a glow as of sunset and the
cracking of the bambooS as they
caught fire sounded like musketry in a
battle.
If the American troops were not
fighting the heat as we'll as the. rebels,
they might pursue the natives until
they compelled them to scatter into the
mountains, but the soldiers are so wilt
, ed that they must rest while. the in
surgents la time to ~reorganiZe, dig
new trenches and fortify San Fernan-
do, where it is expected they will at
tempt another battle. The matter of
the transportation of supplies also
ho mnarS Ganpro1 NTao A rfb Irr'c n1oro-
ments, since, with the railroad cut at
the bridge over the Bagbag it is diff
cult to supply so large an army in such
a rough country.
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
Washington, April 2S.-Today was
marked by developments of the great
est Importance and interest in ennec
ton with the campaign in the Philip
pines. The receipt Of the following "a
blegram from General Otis at the be-
ginning of the day gave the keenest
pleasure to all of the officials:
Manila, April %.
( "Adjutant General, Washington:
After taking Calumpit, MacArthur's
division crossed the Rio Grande river
in the face of great obstacles, driving
the concentrated forces of the enemy
j back on the railroad two miles. Mac
Arthur reports the passage of the river
a remarkable military achievement, the
oultCSS VI "AAAS4 was Lux Lax o1A "a
skill and determination of Colonel
Funston, under discriminating control
of General Wheaton. Casualties slight,
number not yet ascertained.
This morning the chief of staff from
: the commanding general of h insur-
gent forces entered our lines to
: press admiration of the wonderful fea1
; of the American army in forcing the
!, passage of the river, which was thought
Impossible. The staff officer report:
!, that the insurgent commanding gen
. eral has received from the insurgen'
: government directions to suspend hos
g tilities pending negotiations for TIL
. termination of the war. h staff OH
Ger. with party, is now en- route to Ma
:, nilt and will arrive soon. Lawtoni
:, forces Well in hand in the vicinity .
1 Angat. east of Calumpit, where he i
: waiting supplies to be sent tomorrow
Yesterday morning a force of 1,500 in
surgents attacked roo at Taguig
{ driven back by Washington regiment
= Our loss two killed twelve wounded.
5 CSigned) OTIS"
Secretary Alger said, as the depart
n ment closed that while it could not b
said that peace was assured, he re
, garded the prospects as of the bright
est and felt confident that the n Q
= the instruction was now in sight. L
his mind it woul be a repetition of tn
= negotiations which were had befor
Santiago. The secretary left Washing
ton tonight for a ten days trip in tn
1t west, n it gave him great satisfat
,r ton to leave affairs in such promisin
J shape.
il Everybody is praising the volunteer
h a marked change in the sentiment e.
j. pressed a few days ago., when it W.
asserted that the same men WEI
le pleading to be brought home. Colon
IN Funston came in for the most con
mendation-
1g General Corbin said that every vo
it unteer who participated in the figh
of ing in the Philippines since peace ".
I'd | declared should have a medal of homo
nd BY the terms of their enlistments tn.
to were entitled to withdraw from Il
ii service, but they had remained volu
&c tarily, performing more than was r
quired of them, which was more tn;
the ordinary duty of a soldier.
NJ 1t is expected that tomorrow the
mt will ce further negotiations with t