Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-14
tBy Telegraph to vir=inian-Pllot.,

(By Telegraph to VirEnian-Pilot)
Manila, June 13.-6:05 p. m.-General
Lawton unexpectedly stirred up one of
the livliest engagements of the war,
south OF Las Pnas, this morning. upon
which occasion American field guns
were engaged in the first artillery duel
against Filipino battery, concealed
In the Jungle
AMERICAN LOSS HEAVY.
Company f and l. of the Twenty-firs
Infantry. were nearly surrounded by
large body of insurgents, but the Amer
leans cut their way out with heavy
loss
The United States turret ship NIonad-
mock and the gunboats Helena and
Zafiro trained their batteries on Bakoor
and the rebel trenches near Las pinas
all the morning. Bakoor was once on
nre and the natives stopped the spread
OF the flames.
During the night an insurgent cannon
was fired three times at the Americans
on the, OAtakirts of Las Pinas.
FJIL1FINOS USE CANNON.
9f Genera Law ton this morning took a
battalion of the Fourteenth Regiment
and two companies of the Twenty first
Regiment to locate the rebel battery.
and then two guns of the Sixth Artil-
iery and four mountain guns were
planted against 1t at 600 yards dis
lance. The rebels had q large gun from
which they were firing home made
canister. loaded with nails, and two
smaller guns. Their shooting was most
accurate. The first lot of canisters
burst directly in front OF Scott's guns
and another shattered the legs Of n
private Of the Fourteenth Infantry.
Several shots struck the edge OF the
town. The country traversed was as
bad as 1t Is possible to imagine. being
mainly lagoons, mud and water fringed
with bamboos.
ATTACKED BY HIDDEN RIFLE
MEN.
AS soon as the fighting opened the
Americans were attacked by hidden
rnlemen on all sides, even the Amigos.
or friendly" natives in the houses of
the town shooting into their rear.
The companies of the TWENTY first
Regiment. skirmshing along the beach
with Amigo guides found. apparently,
men or the Twenty-first fUttUwed and
suddenly the rebels opened a terrific
fire on the troops from the sides and
rear. The soldiers withdrew to the
waters edge. finding what shelter they
could and were picked off rapidly.
$50 'Hcii ammunition was nearly eX-
nausted the companies of the Twenty
nrst retreated. but General IAawton
oashed down and rallied the men.
A DESPERATE STAND.
A little group made desperate stand.
General Lawton, Major Starr and
Leutenants Donovan and Donnelly
taking rifles from the wounded men
and firing at the enemy. bringing down
some OF the rebel sharp-shooters from,
tree. Finally their cartridges were ail
gone and they were forced to break
through the eremy's flank, carving tho
wounded to the main body of the troops.
Lieutenant Donovan, whose leg was
broken noundered for n. mile through
a Dog. after leading his men in the
race OF greatly superior force.
THE BATTLE RENEWED.
General Lawton ceased fighting unti,
endorsements could be brought IN
Two battalions of the Fourth Regiment
ana one battalion of the Ninth RegI-
ment were hurried to the front and in
tne AFTERNOON the battle was resumed
The Monadnock anchored close to the
shore and her heavy guns pounded the
rebels continuously, while the smaller
warships. steaming along the shore.
poured bullets from the rapid fire guns
at the enemy.
F1LlPINOS WELL ORGANIZED.
The Filipino force engaged appears
to have been the largest and best Or
canned body of men which has met our
The Americans are compelled to adj
vance along narrow roads and over
small bridges commanded by earth
works ten fet thick.
Inc only means of crossing the "a
pote was by a. small bridge which the
Filipinos commanded with trenches
spreading shaped. whence they could
concentrate their fire on the bridge
They also had the advantage OF the
trees and jungle so the Americans
could hardly see head
FIGHTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
When the battle was resumed at
o'clock with the achievements, our
battery having silenced the enemy's
guns. the Americans wading waist deep
in the mud of the salt flats, slowly and
pouring steady volleys of musketry at
the rebels. drove their opponents be-
yond the river.
When the two armies lay facing each
other across the deep stream, the enc
my practically out of sight, while the