The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-11
ONLY G AMERICANS WOUNDED
sIxTY-EIGHT DEAD FILIPINOS LEFT
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Many wounded and Later Cared for
b. Our Men-Lawton's Small Loss
Due to Skill as an Indian Fighter.

MANILA, April 1o.-Major General Henry
W. I.awton has captured Santa Cruz, at the
extreme end of the lake. He drove the
rebels, who were commanded by China
man named Pao Wah, into the mountains.
The Americans had six men wounded. The
rebels lost sixty-eight men killed and had
forty men wounded.
General Lawtons expedition consisted of
about 1900 men and left San Pedro Macati,
on the river Pasig, on Saturday night, with
the purpose OF crossing Laguna de Bay and
capturing the town of Santa Cruz, on the
eastern shore of the lake. The force con-
sisted OF two hundred picked sharpshooters
from the various regiments. Hawthorn's
mountain battery. Gales's squadron and
three troops of the Fourth Cavalry, un-
mounted. Bronkos and Tappen's battalion
Of the Fourteenth Infantry, Linke's bat
TALON of the First Idaho Infantry and
Flynns battalion of the First Dakota.
The fotilla of twenty canoes towed by
tugs and conveyed by the gunboats La
iyunda de Bay, Oesto and Mappidan, and
preceded by the launch containing General
Lawton. moved toward the lake just
as evening was setting in. 1t was
a truly picturesque scene. The men car
-ied rations for ten days, with the light
plan was to reach Santa Cruz on Sunday
morning at daybreak, TO capture or destroy
any rebel gunboats or shipping. to take the
town and then TO scour the country to the
south of the lake. a district not yet ex-
plored by the Americans.
SHARP, QUICK FIGHTING.
Santa Cruz was the Filipino stronghold
on the lake and it fell into the hands OF
General LawtOn after some sharp. quick
lighting. forming one the most interesting
and important battles of the war. The plans
of the American commanders worked per-
feetly, with the exception that the progress
OF the expedition was delayed by the diff
cut navigation of the river. The expedi-
tioG las under the personal command OF
General Lawton, on account of the illness
OF General King. The 1,500 picked men part
ly surrounded the city. while the gunboats
Laguna de Bay, Napidan and Oeste, under
the command CT Captain Grant. of the Utah
Battery, shelled the city and outlying
trenches. General Lawton and his staff ac-
companied the troops. sometimes leading
charges in Indian fighting tactics, which
eventually resulted in the complete rout of
the rebels. with the smallest amount of
damage 10 the city and slight loss to the
Americans.
In navigating the shallow Pasig river, per-
haps through the cunning of the native
pilots. who were not anxious to see the
Americans succeed. several boats grounded
and il nearly dawn when the troops
reached the lake. The expedition then
steamed cautiously forward the Napidan
and the Oeste mile ahead. the Iaguna
de Bay guarding the rear. Rebel signal fires.
however. were lighted the mountain tops
giving alarm OF the approach of the troops.
IL was noon before the white church towers
OF the city appeared in the shadow of the
great volcanic mountain on a marshy plain
dotted with occasional palm groves.
a casco with force of two hundred
picked sharpshooters. under Major Weisen-
berger. belonging 10 the First Washington
Regiment. was run into shallow inlet
about five miles south of the city Then
few shells were thrown toward the en-
trenchments OF the rebels at the edge of the
woods. sending the enemy scampering in
land. A number of Americans then jumped
into the water and. wading for about one
hundred yards crept forward and formed
in line. covering the Decentralization OF the
remainder. which finished landing about )
O'Clock. The three troops of the Fourth Cav
airy, unmounted. were sent ashore on a
dangerous marshy point. directly south OF
the city. under fire from the enemy.
SWARMING WITH REBELS.
Meanwhile in the town itself there was
utter silence and not sign OF life. General
Lawton. desiring 10 make an inspection and
TO give the inhabitants an opportunity to
surrender. went on board the Laguna de
bay and. accompanied by the Associated
Press launch. steamed slowly to the dock
the whole feet waiting anxiously When il
was discovered. with the aid OF glasses. that
the trenches and stone buildings were
swarming with soldiers. the two boats with
drew. receiving volleys from the trenches
thrown'up on the marshy plain north OF the
city. The fiotilIa anchored in compact
formation for the night, ready TO resist any
surprises from the rebel gunboats supposed
TO be IN the lake.
Al sunrise to-day (sionday) the assault
commenced The American outlines south
OF the city stretched two miles inland and
with It's left sweeping the shore. 1t moved
eorth. while the Fourth Cavalry men on the