The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-26

movement of the American troops to-day
swept the insurgents back toward Ma
labon. General Harrison Gray Otis
brigade is in front of Laloma, where
there is a stretch of Il mile of rough
open country. The insurgent trenches
in the edge Of the woods are four feet
deep, and furnish a good head cover.
The American troops advanced ON the
double quick. yelling fiercely and occa-
sionally dropping in the grass and firing
by volleys.
The natives stood until the Americans
We're within 200 yards of their position
and then broke and ran for the woods.
About thirty of them were killed in the
outskirts and seventy on the roads.
The Montana and Kansas troops met
the hottest resistance in strip from
which the rebels have greatly worried
the Americans recently during the night
time.
Ninety minutes after the start,-at
6 o'clock-the whole rront for dis
tance of three miles to the north had
4 been cleared. General Hale's brigade
had simultaneously swept in Il northwes-
burning the town of San Francisco del
Monte and number of scattered huts.
The line was then opposite Novaliches,
the artillery advancing along a good ROAD
from Laloma to Novaliches, the wagons
carrying pontoons, telegraph supplies
and ammunition following. The infan-
try moved in splendid order.
Smoke from the burning huts marked
a.. Al. 4
lances and horse litters, led by Chinese,
brought in the wounded, amolfg whom
were a few Filipinos. The Americans
who were wounded endured their inju-
ries bravely, one group which had been
brought into the hospital singing Com
rades."
The Pennsylvania troops took nine
prisoners, among them a great naked
captain of the Macabobee tribe and one
japanese. All the prisoners We're greatly
terrified, expecting to be executed imme-
diately.
2:25 =. M-General MacArthur's di-
vision, consisting of the brigades OF
General Harrison Gray Otis, General
Hale and General Hall, supplemented
by General Wheaton's brigade, advanced
at daylight and cut the enemy's forces
in two. They captured the towns Of
Polo and Novaliches on the left and
San Francisco del Monte and Maraquina
on the right, clearing the rebels trenches
in front of the line north from the river
to Caloocan.
They also secured possession of the
railroad, practically cornering the flower
of Aguinaldos army at Malabon and in
the foothills Of Singalon, twenty miles
4 Al,
Third artillery. as Infantry: the Mon
tana, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska,
Wyoming, Colorado South Dakota,
Minnesota and Oregon volunteers; the
Third. Fourth, Seventeenth and Twenty
Second regulars, the Utah artillery bat
talon and Twenty-Third regulars.
The American casualties were iight.
3:45 Z. M.-Elaborate preparations
Were made for the movement General
Wheaton's brigade was placed in the
rear and General Harrison Gray Otis
and General Halls We're behind General
Hale's Under the cover of the darkness
General Otis, and General Hale's brig
AIDES left their trenches and advanced
close upon the enemy's line without be-
ing detected, General Wheaton's and
General Halls brigades OCCUPYING the
vacated positions.
At o'clock the American troops
breakfasted, and the F'ilipinos, noticing
the camp fires, their buglers called to
arms.
At daylight General Otis and General
Halls brigade advanced from Laloma
church straight through the rebel lines,
cutting the enemy's force in two.
Upon this occasion, the rebels adopted
the American tactics of holding their
fire until the attackers were about 1,OO0
yards distant. The rebels also fired
lower than usual The Americans fired
volleys with terrible effect, and then
rushed forward cheering and carrying
everything before them.
Once through, General McArthur'
division was swung TO the left, driving
the rebels away on all sides.
General Wheaton's brigade in accord
ance with instructions. remained in the
trenches. Before joining in the move
ment, ,fat noon, General Wheaton's troops
developed strong opposition between
Malabon and the River I'uliahan
The brigades commanded by Genera
Harrison Gray Otis and General Hale
advanced on Novaliches and Polo
strongly entrenched towns.
III the meantime, General Halls brig
ade swept the country clear TO tho
watcrworks, and the foothills anf
SiI.plon, capturing San Francisco de
AIHh and Mariquna.
$50 p. m.--The American loss is now
conseryatively estimated at 16 killed ant
1870 wounded. The loss of the eneIn,
was heavier than during any previous
engagement.
Late in the afternoon the Montan;
regiment and the Third artillery hat
crossed the Tuliahan River going in