Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-27
COMPANY / IN BATTLE.
W. G. Seaton Writes Of the Boys
Fierce Fighting.

WIN Juse SohPesS"
chief of scouts, located an army Of
insurgents on the night Of May %.
Early May "a we started following
Major Bell and SO cautious was he
that he required us at times to 60 on
hands and knees. 1t was raining ter
ribly, yet we marched and were with
in 100 yards Of the enemy before we
we're noticed. Owing to the dikes
built for guiding water into rice fields
we were permitted to advance behind
high dixie. We had marched about
five miles and had been so successful
that we could see them drying their
clothes unconscious Of our presence.
Here was where Ernest Ryan was
killed, shot through the stomach.
He died before getting to Manila.
After a short time Major Bell yelled
to charge the trench. As one we
arose from behind the dixie and start.
ed across the rice swamp in the open
after them. We soon reached the
trench but the niggers resisted most
stubbcrnly. 1t was to our advantage
now as we could shoot down the
rebels trench while standing in it
ourselves. The strangest thing was
that they would not give up after we
were right among them Some of
our boys jerked the rifles from the
niggers' hands and broke them over
trees.
About dozen men were picked
from the company for scouts. We
could see them ahead and when
they were upon the enemy the mig
gers would try to run still holding to
their guns. | saw quite number OF
niggers shot in the back when they
we're but four or five yards ahead OF
the gun. The niggers started for the
wagon road and the Montana regi-
ment advanced upon them. We cut
across the rice swamp toward the
city. We found this very profitable
"pastime" for the rich fields were
full of rebels and as we would near
them they would Jump and rum
Then the whole company would keep
shooting until we would "pick them
off," Every time we would break
the rifle and 60 on. Some would
jump up and run like wild wolves.
This battle was the first one that
really felt glad to see them killed ant
torn to pieces. Sergeant Tozier wa
thought Killed but was only wounded
| in the head. never realized so 'rea
a fact as the one that SO many shot
could be fired at us and so few hit
| We had about 30 killed and wounded
while we killed and wounded abou
200.
cannot say that l really killed
niger though wish | could for quit
a number know they have killed one
| saw Fred Ziegler drop one at 30
yards. One fellow in Company B ha'
hand to hand choking match but
comrade killed the enemy. The ar
tillery shot into a crowd of ileein
rebels and as the shell exploded kille
II, tearing some all to pieces. Sew
eral horses were captured, also paper
telling of proposed attack.
colonel was killed on the rebel side
1t is estimated that 10000 have bee
killed since the war commenced. Thl
is the first time Company l. starte
the fight. The wounded on bot
sides we're rapidly brought to sa
Fernando and taken to Manila. Ger
eral Funston left staff, orderly, hors
and all, going along with the boy
giving orders in person.
We waded many miles with watt
and mud up to our shoe tops. v
! returned to San Fernando in the evel
ing and the very next morning Eye
! terday) we were put on outpost. II
I outpost was attacked and we had
small scrap again yesterday. La
night we were attacked at $3.50 o'clot
and should the niggers have kel
coming all Of Company L would ha'
been killed, but we kept firing al
after a seemingly endless time rel
for ,ements came. 1t soon grew lig
and we saw where the rebels we
within 80 yards Of us. | had lu
five cartridges left out Of 100 VIII
:, the firing ceased but soon we h'
more ammunition. My firing.p
nlayed ont but have an extra wi