The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-03-18
WHEATON'S BRIGADE FIGHT
THEY CAPTURE TOWN OF PASIG
Drove Back the Rebels in Every Direc-
tion--The Attack Lasted All Day--An
the Brigade In the Attack-rheir Lose
Was Heavy-Our's small.


Manila. March l3.--ll 90 a. NAT
daylight today Brigadier General Lloyd
Wheaton's divisional brigade, consisting
OF the Twentieth infantry, the Twenty
second infantry, eight companies OF the
Washington volunteers, seven companies
of the Oregon volunteers, three troops OF
the Fourth cavalry and mounted bat
terry of the Sixth artillery, was drawn up
on a ridge behind San Pedro Alacau, a
mile south OF town.
The advance was sounded at $50 a. m,
the cavalry leading the column at smart
trot across TO the right eventually reach |
ing clump commanding the rear of
Guadalupe. Supported by the Oregon
volunteers the advance force opened d
heavy fire on the rebels. The response
was feeble and desultory, apparently
coming from few men in every covert.
While the right column was swinging
towards the town of Pasig the left ad-
vanced pouring volleys into the bush. A
small body of rebels made determined
stand at Guadaloupe church, but was I'M
able to Withstand the assault.
At 80 a river gunboat started toward
Pasig. The rebels were first encountered
by this vessel in the jungle near Guada-
loupe Steaming slowly the gunboat pour
ed a terrific fire from her Calling guns
into the brush For an hour the whirring
of the rapid fire guns alternated with the
booming of the heavier pieces on board.
In the meantime SCOTS battery ashore
was Smelling the trenches and driving the
enemy back. The artillery advanced to
the ridge of bamboo and drove few of
the enemy's sharpshooters away with vol
leys from their carbines. The artillery
then advanced and met with no opposi-
ton.
The Washington Boys.
In the meantime the infantry had been
sent forward in extended order, the Wash
ington regiment resting on the bank OF
the river, each regiment deploying on
reaching its station and furnishing its
own support.
The entire column wheeled toward the
river driving the enemy toward his sup
ports and then advancing on Guadalupe.
The artillery moved to ridge command
ing the Pasig and Barteros.
By this time the enemy was III full
flight along line over a mile long and
= the firing was discontinued temporarily
in order to give the troops a rest before
J making the attack on Pasig. The enemy
> loss was believed to be severe. but only
u eight Americans were wounded. At thii
stage OF the engagement it was raining
heavily.
= The Fight Resumed.
= Manila. March 49, :55 p. m.-After 8
short rest, General Wheaton resumed thu
:. attack on Pasig. Scott's battery, support
ed by two companies OF the Twentieth
regiment advanced on Guadalupe by thu
road along the river bank, the remainde
of the Twentieth regiment and the Twen
: ty-second regiment following with the re
= serve of Oregon volunteers.
y At 1880 a. m. the column came in con
- tact with the enemy, and the gunboa
steamed to the firing line and cleared tn
. Jungle on both sides, while the battery
u took up a position on a bluff at the right
= The first shot from the American tiel'
u pieces at 1900 yards range dislOdged gul
:, Of the enemy at Pasig.
After the town had been shelled tn
J. Twentieth regiment lined up on the bluf
and the Twenty-second took up posi-
ton on the left of the place with the cav
{ airy in the center, whereupon the en-
X envy retreated to the town.
II The gunboat then moved into benz
3 opposite and a hot fire on the rebel po
6 sition was maintained along the who'll
e American line until 2:20 p. M, whel
d preparations were made for the attack. a
3 p m. our gunbOats started in pursui
It of the enemys armed tug, chasing her t.
the lake.
AT $3.50 p. m a large body of the en-
envy was discovered working around tn
lie right flank and the Twentieth regimen
a was moved to commanding ridge. Tn
d rebels We're met opposite Pateros, bu
lie they bolted. Thirty of the rebels wer
5, killed, l6 more were taken prisoners AM
" the Americans lost six men wounded Tn
ct whole American line bivouacked at
o'clock.
About 700 rebels were reported to b
marching northward few miles to tn
n southwest
w otis Report.