The Denison review., 1899-07-04

support Cne troops VINO were uSntl0B
before Malabon.
''In the meantime the entire north
line was attacking the enemy, and
hard time they had before the enemy
gave way. which was not before noon.
The Thirteenth was fighting alone and
Independently, headed by General Hale,
and, as before, our skirmish line was
about seven miles long, long interval
between each man and no reserve. In
charge through bamboo jungle our
third battalion was cut off, but joined
us later, having three men wounded.
We soon received the news that Malabon
was taken, which cheered our boys i'm
mensely. This was really the first
chance the Thirteenth had had to fight
together since the battle Of Manila.
1.-The greatest drawback was the in
tense heat. Many men were overcome
and dropped. We could see many men
lying on the ground which we passed
over, and, of course, thought they were
dead, and for short time thought our
loss was heavy, but we had but 13 men
wounded and none killed.
But the most desperate strain and
peril of all came to the Minnesotans on
the 11th and 18th of April, when the
regiment was scattered by companies
along the railroad as guard. AS it had
been while on police duty in the city, SO
it was out along the exposed track in
the open country, the enemy could APP
proach from all directions.
The night of the 10th the men went
to rest, expecting trouble. At o'clock
next morning there was firing in the
direction Of the nearest town, Bocaua.
Gradually the firing extended all along
the line. and the troops took to cover
beside the track. Volleys Of Mausers
swept the position. but the men were
cool throughout the ordeal Of night
attack. In short time General Wheat
on came up from Malolos and Bocaua
with detached companies to re-enforce
Major Diggles' battalion at Guiguinto
General Wheaton at once ordered the
command to Ego at them," and with
two armored cars mounting Gattling
and Hotchkiss guns the battalion start
ed to sweep the field Of the black
amigos, turned traitors The riflemen
fred swift volleys into the woods and
other cover where flashes had disclosed
the lurking places Of the natives, and
at the same time the Gatling and
Hotchkiss guns searched the ground
with bullets and shells. When the col
umn reached Bocaua bridge, it found
Company G glad of help. This was one
Of the companies attacked in the city of
Manila, Feb %. At Bocaua bridge the
outpost of the company was attacked
by force which sneaked up without
warning. The outpost retreated, and
the blacks followed, taking position 300
yards from the company camp. 1t soon
became triangular fight. for the blacks
were on three sides. The company next
to G was attacked on three sides at once
and could offer no help. Thirty men Of
Company E started to the relief Of G.
On the march they were challenged in
good English, and answering. "Com-
pany E, Thirteenth Minnesota" re-
ceived a terrible volley from the chal-
lengers, whose orders were given in
Spanish. By retiring and making de-
tour to escape the ambush the men Of
E brought up on a line with G at the
bridge. After daylight this detachment
charged across the bridge and fanked
the natives. killing and wounding near
ly 100 at that point While this was
going on Company D came up from its
camp mile away and took the blacks
in the rear. Captain Metz of this COM
pany killed one native with his revolver.
This night and day fight of the Thir-
teenth cost killed and 18 wounded.
It was not the end Of work for the time,
but it was of death. The boys kept on
going latter the enemy" Every battle
dispatch recounting an attack upon our
forces has been followed by news of ad-
vance with the natives fleeing. The
sequel to this defensive fight on the
railroad was an advance in force to
clear the country of the treacherous
blacks, who only hung around camp
protesting to be friendly to watch a
chance for attack. The Thirteenth and
the Oregons, with artillery, started across
the great plain leading to the town Of