Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26
BIC FIGHT IS ON
Macarthur Attacks Reb-
els at Ca|unpit
THEY MAKE SHARP RESISTANCE
Insurgents Use Artillery for
the First Time.
BUT THEIR FIRE IS NOT EFFECTIVE
Gen. LawtOn's Flying Column I'M
peded by the Bad Roads.
BUT THEIR FIRE IS NOT EFFECTIVE
OUR CASUALTIES ARE FEW

MANILA, April 26, 6:1O p.m.-Aguinaldos
army today is defending Calumpit ener-
getically. which is said to indicate that the
rebels are making that place their last
ditch, or stand, which the Americans ex-
Pected them to make at Malolos.
For the first time the Filipinos are en-
ploying artillery. They brought two guns
into action in the trenches today before
Calumpit, firing modern shrapnel, which
burst ovsr the heads of Gen. Wheaton's
men without effect.
The fighting was resumed at o'clock this
morning During the night the American
engineers repaired the Bagbag bridge thus
enabling our troops to cross the river.
Gen Wheaton's brigade advanced in ex-
tended order, with the Kansas regiment to
the west of the railroad and the Montana
regiment to the east of it, and took up
position covering one and a half miles on
the south bank of the Rio Grande. On the
opposite bank were fortified trenches. from
which a few American soldiers would have
been able to defy thousands, so strongly
were they constructed.
Found Trenches Deserted.
The Americans found the trenches on the
south bank of the river deserted, which
furnished them with cover from which they
could pick off Filipinos whenever one of
them showed his head.
When the rebels began firing, two puffs
Of smoke, coming simultaneously, from the
trenches Of each side Of the railroad track
showed they were using cannon, which was
. genuine surprise TO the Americans. Sew
eral shells burst close TO General Whea-
tons staff, but it seemed that the Filtpinos
failed to master the machinery of modern
shells, as they were unable to get the
right range.
NOung's Battery Ordered Up.
Ioung's Utah battery was ordered into
position, in the center Of the Kansas Regi-
ment, to silence the rebel guns and. at IL
o'clock the rapid fire guns had been ferried
across the river and came into line
AT noon the rebels were still pouring a
heavy fire In the direction OF the Ameri-
cans, who returned it spiritedIy. Two
Americans were killed and seven were
wounded.
At about this time Gen. Hale's brigade
was advancing east Of line, apparently to
Cross the river and attack the rebel
trenches in the flank, as the Americans did
yesterday.
AguinaidO's Order Captured.
General Macarthur has secured an order
Issued by Aguinaldo to the rebel command
ETa
economize their file. save the empty shells
and not TO fire at the enemy when the lat
ter is under cover. The Filipinos are also
Instructed never 10 fire at a longer range
than 150 meters. and. when they have a
river or other distractions in front, to hold
their fire until within 50 meters.
This order was issued after the recent en-
counters between the Fflpinos and the
Americans.
Gen. Lawton is meeting with the greatest
obstacles in the character OF the country.
His troops have only had few skirmishes
thus far, resulting in five of his men being
wounded But he has been forced TO put
his men at work building roads, and the
transport service is giving much trouble.
bullocks dying OF the heat and exhaustion,
and Cinnamon having to be employed in
pulling some OF the carts.
Lawton Delayed by Bad Roads.
Therefore the general has been unable to
cover the ground he hoped to cover
The natives flee before the expedition, but
they swarm back TO their huts as soon as
the American troops have passed.
A few Filipino sharpshooters are harass-
Ing the American hanks
The commissary department is preparing
to send more rations, under 4 strong escort,
TO the front
The United States transport Zealaudia.
from San Francisco March 2s, having on
board several companies of the 9th Infan-
try and a large quantity Of supplies. ar
rived here today. after an uneventful vow
age. Her troops are now camped on the
water front.
The United States transport Sheridan