The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-05
Fourth Cavalry and the Oregon Reg-
iment. Assisted by Gunboats,
Played n Conspicuous Part.
PLAN TO FORCE RETREAT ON MO-
RONG PENINSULA DID not WORK.
Insurgents Rained q Heavy Fire ON
Attacking Troops, Then Fled In
Disorder to the Valleys.

MANILA, June 4-The position OF Amer
lean troops Tonight indicates that they will
tomorrow sweep the peninsula of Morong.
the land projecting to the south into La
guna de Bay. where the insurgents are sup
posed 10 have a large force near the town
of Morong, as well the battery on the
western shore of the peninsula, which re-
Gently smashed the propeller of the gunboat
Napidan.
General Hall is marching from Antipolo.
about six and a half miles north west OF
Morong, toward the peninsula, with his
forces spread out to cover a large section.
Colonel Truman, with the First North De-
kota Regiment and the Twelfth Infantry. Is
advancing along the coast of the lake from
Taytay, incidentally clearing several small
towns Colonel wholley. with the First
Washington Regiment has landed on the
peninsula above thestown Of Morong. The
army gunboats Napidan. Covadonga and
Ceste are in position to cooperate.
The original plan was TO surround the
forces of Gen. Pho Del Pillar so that he
must retreat TO the Morong peninsula. where
capture would have been inevitable. This
was not a complete success. because Gen.
eral Halls column found the country fu!I
of handicaps to marching. There were sew
eral streams TO be bridged or forded, and
the troops frequently fioundered through
morasscs, waist deep in mud, an experience
which. under the terrific sun, exhausted
the Americans quite beyond endurance.
Most of General Pho Del Pillars followers
are supposed to have escaped northward,
probably reaching Rosoboso, stronghold
in the mountains.
Colonel Wholley. having successfully COM
pleted his share of the movement. brought
the Washington regiment to the River
Pasig. where last night about midnight the
men embarked on cascoes and started for
their destination under the convoy of the
gunboats. They encountered repetition OF
the experience undergone by almost every
expedition on attempting TO enter Laguna
de Bay. as the boats went aground In the
shadows at the mouth of the river and were
detained there several hours Major Gen.
eral Lawton, in the meantime, was inde-
fatigable. riding from one force to the other
and supervising the loading of the cascoes,
without sleep for two nights.
General Halls column, which assembled
at the water works. or pumping station.
late Friday night, under cover OF a moon
less sky. consists OF the Second Oregon Vol
unteers, who marched to the point of rem
devious from the city barracks; a battalion
of the Second Wyoming Regiment, four
troops of the Fourth Cavalry one mounted
on big American horses, which SO impressed
the natives, and others unmounted: two
battalions OF the Fourth Infantry, one bat
talon OF the Ninth Infantry. the first six
companies of the First Colorado Regiment
and two mountain guns. The men rolled
themselves in their blankets and lay on the
wet grass for few hours under a drizzlinr
rain.
A RUNNING FIGHT.
At o'clock yesterday morning Saturday
they began to cross the San Mateo river.
and about noon easily repulsed a large band
Of Filipinos about twelve miles east OF Ma
Mia. between Mariquina and Antipolo. The
oregon regiment, the cavalry ann artillery
and Fourth Infantry, accomplished this task.
driving the insurgents from the hills. the
other troops being held in reserve, bur
afterward joining the main column in the
pursuit toward the sea. A running fight was
In progress all the afternoon A Filipino
outpost nrst attacked few American
scouts. whereupon the Fourth Cavalry
formed long skirmish line and easily drove
the insurgents into the hills. Then the
Oregon regiment moved across wet sogey
rice field, in extended order. toward the
Of the enemy had concentrated.
When the Oregonians were within about
a mile Of the position the F1lpinos opened
a heavy fire. the Americans replying and
pressing forward more rapidly After few
volleys the insurgents were seen scattering
over the crest OF the hills in every dlrcc-
tion. and their panic was increased when
the artillery opened on them and the shells
n oil
edly causing great loss of.life. The bonn
bardment by the batteries and the musketrx
was maintained for nearly a half hour.
after which not Filipino could be seen on
the hills and not a shot came from the po-
sition. The heat was intense and the troops
suffered greatly. but they continued on the
trail taken by the fleeing enemy In the hone
OF driving them toward the lake.
Colonel wholley. with two battaiions OF
the First Washington Regiment. a battalion
of the Twelfth Infantry. two guns OF Scott's
Battery and a party Of scouts under Major
Jeissenberger left San Pedro Macati yes-
terday morning. and after fording the Paslx
advanced northeast upon cainta. while
General Hall approached the town from
the opposite direction. the gunboais Napl-
dan. Covadonga and ceste co-operating on
the river. This important movement was
kept 50 secret that the public thought the
plan was 10 send General Oysnshines lines
forward against the insurgents who are In
trenched south OF the city. The signal corps
displayed admirable enterprise In laying
wires with the troops but the native SYM
pa,hizers cut them behind the army. even
within the American lines.
HALLS TWO BATTLES.
General Halls column. In the movement
upon the Morong peninsula. completed =
circuit Of twenty y1iles over q rough ann