Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-28
(By Telegraph to virglnian-Pllot)
Troops.

Washington. March 27.-The third
day of the fighting north of Manila
brought little OF a decisive character
from which War Department officials
could judge what the final outcome of
this movement would be. In all official
quarters the most intense interest pre-
vailed, but there was no excitement and
none Of that anxiety and tension shown
during the memorable days OF last
summer, when the decisive blows were
being struck at Santiago.
OTIS HEARD FROM
Early in the day General Otis cableu
the War Department n brief, but COM
prehensve dispatch summing up the
situation. 1t disclosed that severe fight
ing was going on to-day, with our
forces advanced as far north as Mari
loa, while the Insurgents, under the
command of Asu!naldo. were being
driven back with considerable slaugh-
ter. This and the press dispatches sat
isfied the officials that the strategic
movement of enirapping the insurgents
between our lines, had not proved as
successful as designed, and that the
scene had now shifted to n retreat by
ASuinaldo's forces and pursuit by our
troops.
SLOW AND DOGGED RETREAT.
The insurgents retreat toward Malo-
los was Slow and logged, and adj
vantage was taken of one after an
other OF lines of in;renchmcnts: the
burning of bridges and the interruption
of communications. General Otis dis
patch, although received early to-day,
was sent Monday evening, Manila time.
and summed up the work of three days.
That the fight would proceed into the
fourth day was shown by his closing
sentence: The column will press on in
the morning" This refers To Tuesday:
GETTING CLOSE TOGETHER.
The engagement has now shaped it
self so that it Is looked upon as more
of n chase than the execution of a
strategic movement. With the Amcr-
can base advanced to Mariloa and the
insurgent base forced back to Malalos.
the main bodies OF the two opposing
forces are about ten or twelve miles
apart This could be quickly covered
in "a forced march under fair condi-
tons. but 1t is twelve miles of innu-
merable difficulties and obstacles. which
our troops must cover before they reach
the insureent stronghold. 1t is expect
ed that the engineers, with Macarthur,
are hastily repairing the burned
bridges. This will permit the artillery
to be taken forward. as we'll as the in
fantry columns. IT is expected that
every mile of the distance 10 Malolos
Will be contested by the insurgents. for
General Otis reports that it is A stretch
of country covered with tho intrench-
ments thrown up during the last three
months. Our men, therefore, must ad-
vance slowly, repairing the roads as
they go. and 1t the same time they
must fight their way through we'll
made rebel intrenchments Serious as
the work is. there is no lack OF conf
dence among oficials here as to the
satisfactory outcome OF the campaign.
AGUINALDO's CAPITAL.
Malolos is the in.ursent capital.where
the Assembly has been sitting and the
insurgent government has been in opcr-
alton. IT represents more 10 the insur-
gents than any other in the Philippines
and little doubt is entertained that
they will make desperate stand there.
FREE FROM DEWEY's GUNS.
The tactics of Aguinaldo are taking
him gradually beyond the range of Ad-
miral Dcwcys' guns. While the insur-
gents We're at Malabon on Saturday
they were within a mile OF the water
front. and easily within range Of the
fleet. But as they have moved north
ward they have gradually moved away
from the bay. Malolos is about seven
miles back from the bay. although
there are shallow estuarles which would
permit light draught boats to get with
in a mile or two.
DISPOSITION OF TROOPS.
Washington. ID. C.. March 27.-The
adiutant GENERALS Office to-day pre-
pared the following statement regard
ing the disposition of the troops under
the command OF General OTIS:
North of Pasig River. McArthur's d.
vision-Wheaton's Brigade, Twenty
second Infantry, two battaiions Twen-
ty-third, Second Oregon.
Fl. CT. Otis Brgadc-Twentieth Kan
sas. First Montana. four batteries Third
Artillery, dismounted as infantry:
Tenth Pennsylvania.
Hale's Brigade-F'irst Nebraska, First
South Dakota. First Wyoming.
Halls Brigade-Third and Fourth In
fantry, two battalions infantry.
mounted squadron Fourth Cavalry, two
light batteries Utah Artillery.
South of PaSjer River I.awton's hi