The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-05

Manlld H1dN f.--o'.'' II. III AA"J'i
General MacArthur has carried San
Tomas after encountcring Il strong re-
sistance.
Brigadier General Hale moved on the
enemy's right and Brigader General
Wheaton attacked the left in daring
charge. in which Colonel Funston again
distinguished himself. The kansan
was wounded in the hand. and several
other officers and enlisted men were
also wounded.
Colonel Sumner with Il part of the
Oregon and Minnesota regiments and
Il gun of the Utah battery, took Moasim,
on the right. resting four miles from
San Fernando.
The Fiipinos are retreating toward
San Isidro. and it is expected they will
make Il stand at Arayat. at which place
the whole of the rebel forces Ill the
Province of Panpanga is concentrating.
1t is reported that impressed by re-
cent events. the FilipinoS are wavering
in their allegiance to the insurrection,
and are likely to assume Il neutral atti-
tude.
1t seems as though General Antonio
Luna's forces are destined to destruction
within few days unless they surrender
or scatter.
The American army has been skillfully
posted at points of immense strategic
advantage.
The insurgents expected them to adj
vance on Balinag ny way of Quingua.
and had furrowed the entire country be-
yond 0uingua with the strongest en-
trenchments.
Instead of taking this course General
Macarthur swung toward San Tomas.
the route to which was almost unpro-
tectcd. General Lawton brought his bri-
gade in against Basuam. from the
southeast. depriving them of re-
fuge upon which they had always count
ed. General Lawton captured 10000
bushels of rice. an important part of the
stores established by the rebels.
The Spanish commissioners have
made another futile attempt for the re-
lief of Spaniards held as prisoners by
the Fiipinos. Their vessels steamed
to the port nearest Dagupan. Fearing
to land, they sent letter to Agulnaldo
saving that they were authorized to eX-
change fifteen thousand Filipinos now Ill
the hands of the Americans for the
from Senor Mabini. Aguinaldo's Prime
Minister. which was dated April 2Sth,
and which stated that Aguinaldo was
negotiating for peace. pending which
negotiations he could not discuss the
question of the exchange of prisoners
STORY OF THE FIGHTING
Manila. May 4-S:25 y. Mn spite
of the peaceful overtures of their com
missioners. the Filipinos vigorously re-
sisted the advance of General MacAr-
thur's division from Apalit toward San
Fernando fighting desperately at long
range. after running from trench TO
trench when driven out by the American
Iartillery.
The movement commenced at half paSt !
five in the morning. General Hale 5
brigade. consisting of five Gatllngs. un- |
der the command of Major Young. or
the Sixth artillery. two battaions of the
Fifty-frst Iowa regiment, the First Ne |
braska regiment and the First South !
Dakota regiment advanced along the /
road n few miles west Of the railway |
line.
General Wheaton. with Hotchkiss and !
Gatling guns. under the command OF
Lieutenant Naylor. of the Utah light /
artillery, mounted on hand cars, pushed |
ahead. the. Twentieth Kansas and First |
Montana regiments deploylng to the |
right and left when feasible.
The country traverscd proved the
worst yet encountered, miles of marshes
and many unfordable streams delaying |
the advance materially.
Both brgades met with resistance
simultaneously on approaching the river I
near San Tomas, which is about eight |
kiometers from Apalit. The centre |
span of the railroad bridge had dropped |
into the river. and the rebels had only |
LETT a small force to check Gen. Whea-
ton, their main body lining the strong
trenches in front of General Hale.
Although the attacking force poured
a very heavy artillery and muSketry fire
across the river the enemy stubbornly
resisted for over an hour, ultimately
breaking when Major Young sheled
their left flank. and then retreating along
the river bank under cover.
General Wheaton. in the meantime
tried Intellectually to draw the fire of the
Filipinos in the trenches east of the =
track.
So soon as they discovered that the
nature of the country would permit only
a few skirmiShes on each side of the en-
bankment. the rebels regained their
courage and fought desperately for three
quarters of an hour in the face of the
American volleyS and rapid fire
fusilade. until hanked by the Montana
regiment Then a general scramble en-
sued, most of the enemy boarding trains
that were in readiness, and the others