Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-14
CAPTURE OF CALOOCAN
Major Bells Interesting Report of Opera
tious Leading Up to It
Capt. Hallahan's COOlness-Bravery of
Other OMcers-PrOf. Rockers
Gallant Conduct.

Maj. J. F. Bell, major of engineers. U. s..
", in charge of the military information
bureau in the Philippines, has made an in
teresting report in regard to the military
operations which resulted in the capture of
Caloocan. He summarizes his observations
Of that campaign as follows:
Capt. Hallahan's Goodness.
Throughout the entire engagement both
the officers and men of the company en-,
LIST Montana) behaved In a magnificent
manner. They were cool and calm, many
of them joking the line and seeming to
enjoy the whole performance immensely. l
particularly observed that Capt. Hallahan
never sought cover maintaining an erect
position all the time, but requiring his men
to keep under cover. When we charged
the insurgents up the hill he went in the
advance with his men. During the difficult
change of front under fire it was his cool
ness and steadineSs that enabled the men
to execute the movements as we'll as they
would have done it on the parade ground
He is a brave and courageous man, and,
understand, an experienced veteran soldier.
He has a company that could not possibly
be excel!ed in fighting qualities, and one
which any officer might be proud Of
Though the final result of the contest
would undoubtedly have been the same, no
matter where the insurgents who came out
of the forest went still, it is a fact that the
position assumed and occupied by this COM
pany effectually prevented the reinforce
n;ent of Caloocan by two small companies
and detachment
Utah Light Artillery.
"At the time the insurgents from the for
est ceased firing did not understand what
had led to this action for l could not see
them retire, but 1 afterward learned that
the Utah Light Artillery had turned their
battery upon them, and l consider that the
battery thus rendered us a most valuable
service al critical time.
Il constantly observed throughout the en-
gagement that the insurgents were ratified
and terrorized by the shrieking and burst
ing of shells in their vicinity. They seem
much more afraid of this arm than of any
other, and at the very first shot OF the
battle from the navy every man working
on the trench outside the cemetery imme-
diately scampered within it, and l never
saw them again.
Captain Hallahans gallant and fearless
conduct throughout the day, under cir
cumstances which involved great danger
to his life was so striking that l consider
him entitled to special distinction, and take
pleasure in recommending him for tho con-
sideration his superior officers dean such
conduct merits.
There is a young lieutenant of the Sd
Artillery whose enthusiasm and gallantry l
desire to mention, but as l do not know his
name ] will res rve his case for future
communication.
Prof. Bec.er's Gallant Conduct.
Il have reserved for the end of this let
ter mention of the exceedingly gallant and
courageous conduct of Professor Geo. F.
Becker United States geologist, because, in
accordance with his idea of his duty, he in
sisted on accompanying me into this fight,
and remained with the company, much of
the time mounted. throughout the entire
engagement. He was as cool and collected
as If he ware purusing geological investiga-
lions in his study, encouraged the men be-
hind whom he was standing, and rendered
other valuable services which required him
to pass, mounted, Immediately in rear of
the entire line. / am sorry that, not being
a soldier, he cannot receive the reward
which his courage and gallantry entitled
him to.
1.-The view he took of his duty referred to
above arose from the fact that for some
time before this war began he volunteered
to assist ME in the information bureau, and
the instincts of a courageous gentleman
have prevented his abandonment of his
Self-imposed task of following me wherever
l go, now that the expected war with the
insurgents has come about, and sometimes
calls me, in the line of my duty, into dan
gerouS situations.
I'm justice to him, however, should add,
that long prior to any certainty of HOSTILE
did occur would permit him to accompany
me wherever my duty called me. He has
accompanied me, pursuant to his own de-
SIRE on every reconnaissance / have made,
and frequently against my judgment as to
what was best for him.