New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-04
ENSIGN DAVISS EXPLOIT.
A NAVAL OFFICER RECOMMENDED FOR
PROMOTION BY AN ARMY COMMANDER.

PROMOTION BY AN ARMY
Washington. June S.-The Navy Department has
made public a report from Admiral Dewey rocoin-
mendng the advancement Of Ensign Cleland Davis
ten numbers above his present rank FOR strKlhgV
gallant services rendered in connection with Gen.
eral MacArthurs division in the engagements
ashore near Malolos and Caloocan. Ihe report
nresents the peculiar situation Of naval onlcer
being recommended for promotion by the coIiF
mander Of an Army corps and this recomhehua-
tion being approved by the Admiral or the meet.
Ensign Davis volunteered 10 take ashore Colt
automatic gun from the Helena and cooperate
with Major Young, of the Utah Battery, IN mac
Arthurs advance Caloocan. lie reported Oh
February q with three marines the regular gun
crew. and remained ashore until April 4. his gun
and detachment accompanied the artillery IN the
forward movement and at the attack on Caoala-
han he practically saved detachment OF the Atm
Cavalry from being wiped out In attacking an IN
surgent intrenchment. The cavalry had suneleu
severely in attacking an elaborate redoupt' iosis
one third of its number In killed and wounded.
AT this time gun OF the Utah Battery ana Ensign
Davis with his Colt gun. were brought FORWARD
under cover TO within 125 yards Of the insurgent
trench The combined fire OF these two pieces
senced the redoubt.
On March q Ensign Davis at his own request,
advanced to the bank of the Marilas River WITHIN
seventy-hve yards Of an insurgent trench vi 'ie
opposite side Here in the preceding case ne
was under a severe fire. but again he succeeded IN
clearing the trench and forcing the surrender OF
about twenty men who remained In II awe Oh
March % he again went into action on the rairoau
bridge at Guguinto under dangerous crosshre'
and on March 81 again co-operated IN the arliery
attack on Ponta Malolos. On April he went for
ward TO the Quingua River, and pushed the auto
matte gun forward TO a position on the opposite
hank within $50 yards of the enemys trenches.
Here he was temporarily In command Oh one Vi
Lieutenant Fleming's guns In the latters ABSENCE
and here, as in the other places. was under
vicious fire On finishing his shore service ne was
recommended for promotion by Major Young Win
warm Endorsements from General Macarthur ana
General Otis
rre,er Davis in his own report. makes some
nartinent comments on the probable value OF hgnt
automatic guns cooperating with held artiiiers'
He suggests the feasibility OF each battery carry
Ing al least one of these guns on the imDer Oh the
larger nieces saving that It gives to the battery
all the support OF company OF ihian'iy' anu W.
the advantage of being able to fire over lhe heauS
% advancing troops with perfect safety as was
done at Guigunto. He remarks on tpe iact ina,
IN looking over trench Colonel Funston anu
Sergeant Smith found one dead insurgent WIN hVe
holes through his body in the space that couid De
covered by mans hand. all vi uneii 'ii0 WI" "a
the automatic gun - -
Admiral Dewey, In transmitting MS i'p ~
Ensign Davis's expedition, says:
Ensign Davis was volunteer for this duty
/ ashore with the Army He was engage, III az az
aetions against the insurgents that took place on
| the northern front of the Army between February
n and April T. and performed valiant serve, Nnf anu
| rendered valuable aid to our troops thereIoIei
| commend him to the Department. and recommehd
| that he he advanced ten numbers In his grade
moral Thomas F. Prendergas. and Priyates Howard
! Rrckley and Joseph Melvin. United states Mai dr
npp irving conditions IN most satisfactory
manner. and deserve high praise / nope one tb ps
partment will reward in suitable MANNER ''e"
| eeryices