The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-28
ARMY'S ADVANCE.
Overconnes Obstacles
With Untiring
Energy.
DARING CROSSING.
Soldiers Walk Across Ru-
ined Bridge on Beams
and Stringers.

Manila, April 27, 610 p. m.-Gen-
Lawton's advance has been a remark
able demonstration of the resistless en-
ergy which characterizes all his under
takings. The last troops forming his
column only reached Norzagay today.
The men were badly played out, as
during the past two days they have
dragged bullock carts over roadless
jungles and through swamps, cutting
their own way for miles. They will
rest three days and then, with Col.
Summers command. consisting of the
Oregon and Minnesota regiments, the
troops will resume the march west
ward. cooperating with Gen. MacAr-
thurs forces in the important enter
prise.
The ambulances today with a strong
escort. are bringing Gen. Lawton's
wounded and few of those who have
been Frustrated by the heat across the
country to the railroad A report has
gained wide currency among the vol
unteers that the government intends to
ask that there be no fighting after Cal
gmpit is captured, and that it is the in
IEnllOn TO I6pldCG lu6Iil dl IllS AlOllN
with regulars which are being brought
here on board transports.
The committee of Filipinos organized
| to mediate between the Americans and
Aguinaldo fear to approach the rebels
after the refusal of the latter to receive
the Spanish commissioners who were
bearing a white flag. The committee,
after consulting with the American
commanders, proposed to tell Aguin-
Ia fep1 n
ditional surrender could be offered after
the lengths to which the war had been
carried, they could assure the rebels
that they will be treated according to
American traditions of leniency to the
conquered, and that there would be no
punishments or confiseation of prop
erty if they laid down their arms.
The leaders of the commission told
| United States Consul Williams that
they would go if he would accompany
them, believing the rebels trusted Mr.
| Williams The latter, however, refus-
ed, having no authority in the matter
He said: Il do not believe the Fill
pinoos would harm me, but they might
detain me for months"
The American commission is ham,
pered in its work of enlisring the sup
port of friendly Filipinos by the fear,
expressed by many of them, that the
i-expansionists" may obtain con-
troll of the American government and
cause the withdrawal of American
troops in the Philippine islands, thus,
they claim, leaving the natives who
have assisted the Americans to the
mercy of Aguinaldo's followers. I'm
der these circumstances men of pro-
perty are reluctant to risk the results
of becoming identified with the Ameri-
can regime.
The enemy were strongly intrenched
on the river bank, near both sides of
the railroad bridge. Gen. Wheaton
sent Col. Funston across with two
companies of the Twentieth Kansas
regiment, a couple of privates SWIM
ming the swift stream with a rope I'M
der a CALLING fire. for the purpose of
guiding the raft. The men crossed in
squads of 20 and attacked the left
flank of the rebels, who scuttled like
rabbits into covered ways and
trenches. The rest of the regiment
was compelled to cross the bridge in
single file along the stringers.
All the wood work and much of the
iron work had been removed. The
First Montana regiment followed the
Kansas regiment across the bridge
The First Nebraska regiment acting
as a reserve, attacked the rebels in
three lines of trenches driving them
out, killing sixteen and Wound1ng
many.
In the meantime, a large body of FL
lipinos, estimated at no fewer than
5000, led by Gen. Antonio Luna, on a
black charger, evidently coming to re-
inforce the rebels who were engaged
with the Nebraskans, appeared in the
open field about two miles to the left
Emerging from the jungle, the men
formed an open sl1irmish line nearly
two miles in length, with very thick
reserves behind.
They then advanced at double quick,
until they were about 1000 yards from
the American line, when Gen. Whea-
ton ordered his troops to fire. The re-
bells, who were evidently unaware that
the Americans had crossed the river,
broke and ran in direction of Maca-
belle The other Filipinos fed toward
Apalit station. The heat in the early
part of the afternoon was terrific, but
a drenching thunder storm which came
later, greatly refreshed the Americans.