Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-18
Ed LITTLE LED THEM.
Manila Editor Tells Of a Charge Of
the Twentieth.


the brilliant charges Of the Twentieth
Kan sas at Manila has reached Abilene.
1t was printed March 2S in The Free
dom, published at Manila, and was
written by the editor. who, standing
behind tree, was an eye witness to
to the engagement.
One Of the most interesting feat
ures Of the account Is that it gives Of
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Little.
After somewhat lengthy descrip-
ton Of the Twentieth Kansas, in
which it was stated that Colonel Lit
tie gave the order "iorward, march"
at $50 in the morning, the editor Of
The Freedom continues:
every man was ready. For
ward!' came the order, and every
man stepped out; there was no hesi-
fancy; no Struggling; not one more
eager than his comrade. Each one
seemed, not willing, but eager. The
advance began.
Il, white and trembling, and with
out an idea in my head, followed. |
was impressed with three things:
The spirit and eagerness with which
D company moved; the beautiful,
grand, inspiring sight Of that line Of
blue and brown, reaching as far as
the eye could see; the third was the
captains face. 1t bore a slight pal.
lor, but ever determination was pic
tured in a mans face it was in his.
"Soon the firing began, and our
first volley was sent into the Jungle.
Then came the order to halt; then to
lie down, and then for the first time !
heard the enemy's bullets.
I'VE stood behind the breastworks
watching the advance till the sup
porting battalion with colors flying
came marching proudly up, Lieuten-
ant Colonel Little, blue-shirted and
impctuous, in command. Soon, we
advanced again. We passed through
the woods ard into mother
1t was in this opening that our first
man fell. By this time excitement
had conquered my fears. One mans
bravery and solicitude for Others here
impressed me. He had received a se-
we're wound. We passed him but a
few feet and halted, Then came the
hospital corps and stretcher bearers.
His wound received full care and he
was placed on the stretcher. just as
they moved to the rear, two men
about twenty or thirty feet to the
right, fell. He saw them and stopped
the litter. He insisted that he be left
where he was and that the others be
taken first. The surgeon refused, but
he persisted. A superior officer set
tied the question by sending The first
man back.
"Now it was that men began to fall
all around us. On through brush and
over cleared fields and on to deep
ravine, and then on to the river they
went; men were falling everywhere.
Here it was that the blue-shirted
Lieutenant Colonel Little illustrated
to me true bravery.
'"He had ordered bis men to lie
down. The bullets were whistline
and cracking overhead ant all around
us, finding here and there a victim
The men were uneasy, restless; want
ed to be up and doing. They woult
rise to their knees, always looking
forward. Il was behind tree.
Their actions seemed to anger thu
lieutenant colonel and he repeated
time and time again the order to lii
down. He strobe back and forth ant
exclaimed:
".Soldiers, il you don't lie dowl
I'll bit you clip with this sword, ant
see II you'll then lie down.
"The order was obeyed. noticed
however, that the lieutenant colone
did not lie down. He strobe up AM
, down in front Of his men, unconcernet
for himself, but solicitous for hi
men. That think is good soldering.
The Freedom contains no mention
or reference to any other officer Of tn
Twentieth Kansas.