The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-17

When challenged they retired. but In q
brief time returned. and again retreat
ed under challenge OF the sentry posts
OF the Nebraska regiment A third
time the scouts repeated the manoeuyre
when Corporal Greeley challenged
them. and then fired. killing one of
them and woundlng another OF the ma
tives. This was evidently what the
Filipinos expected in order to make II
appear that the Americans were the
aggressors for no sooner had the sentry
fired than a signal gun OF the enemy
responded from blockhouse, and the
battle commenced In earnest.
BY this time, II was nine O'Clock.
when general attack was made on
the American lines, from Calvocan to
santa Mesa. The North Dakota, Me-
braska and Montana regiments recelv-
ed the insurgent fire and returned It
with vigor, holding their assailants in
check until the main body OF the Anne
rican troops arrived on the scene
Then there came a lull In the fighting,
but for five hours the firing was kept
up with much regularity. The Fllipi-
nos concentrated at three points, prin-
cipally at CalvOcan and Santa Mesa,
with smaller force at Gagalangin,
from which their fire became more sus-
tanned, being supplemented by the fire
Of two siege guns at Balik-Balik and
the advance of their skirmishers from
Pace and Pandacan. The Americans
responded with a terrible fire from
their artillery, but, owing to the dark
ness, were unable to determine its eff
feet, other than the silencing OF a
native battery. In the meantime the
feet had not been idle, although, ow-
! ing TO the darkness, it. was impos-
sible for Admiral Dewey TO use his
shells as they would have inflicted as
much injury on the American land
forces as upon the enemy. The United
States cruiser Charleston and the gun.
boat Concord however fired from their
secondary batteries from their posi-
ton off Malabon, and maintained II
vigorously. A second fusilade took
place along the entire line at quarter
Of three in the morning when the Unit.
ed States monitor Monadnock opened
i.re ON the fllipinos from OF Malate
| With daylight the Americans ceased
to content themselves with standing
OF the enemy. and an offensive move.
ment was maze by both army and feet
mo California and Washington regi.
ments made a IN. gnifcent charge, and
drove the Filipinos from the villages
OF Pace and Santa Mesa, the Kansas
and North Dakota regiments compelled
the enemy's right flank to retire u
SO driven from the villages of Santi
Anna and Gagalangin. The plan o
Agulnaldo to capture Manila befor,
General Otis could receive reinforce
ments and before the Senate could vot
lon the treaty OF peace ceding the Phil
ippines to b United States had beel
frustrated. The American soldier
displayed the greatest valor, charging
upon the native troops, who were thei
superiors numerically and armed witt
Mauser rifles, with "a recklessness o
death which scattered all before them
They found delight in the battle, ant
every man was rejoiced TO get int
action. An incident OF the iightinl
was the death OF Colonel William A
Smith of the First Tennessee volun
teers from stroke OF apoplexy. III
was a Confederate veteran, and Tough
under Lee from the commencement o
the civil war until the surrender o
A,s chief at Appomattox. The excite
men. and the smell o. gunpowder wer
too much 10 the old war horse, an
his life went on. amid the din OF strlf
In tho lar Oh Philippines under the fial
| o. the Union In the defence OF whicl
he had volunteered his services, Al
though the Fillpinos were armed TO
, great extent with Mausers their marks
: manaaIp was poor. and they did les
damage than was to have been ex
|
pn