The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1899-03-18
WHEATON'S BRIGADE FIGHT
THEY CAPTURE TOWN OF PAs1G
Drove Back the Rebels In Every Direc-
tiOn-The Attack Lasted All Day-All
the Brigade In the Attack-Their Loss
Was Hesvy-Our's Small.

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
mile south OF town.
The advance was sounded at $3.50 a. M,
the cavalry leading the column at smart
hot across to the right eventually reach
ing clump commanding the rear Of
Guadaloupe. Supported by the Oregon
volunteers the advance force opened u
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 un-
able. to Withstand the assault.
AT 1880 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 terrific fire from her Gatling 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 Scott's 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 in full
fight along a line over mile long and
the firing was discontinued temporarily
in order to give the troops a rest before
making the attack on Pasig The enemy's
loss was believed to be severe. but only
eight Americans We're wounded. AT thii
stage of the engagement it was raining
heavily.
The Fight Resumed.
Manila, March l3.-7:55 p. m.-After q
short rest, General Wheaton resumed thu
attack on Pasig. Scott's battery, support
ed by two companies of the Twentieth
regiment advanced on Guadaloupe by ths
road along the river bank. the remainder
of the Twentieth regiment and the Twen
tysecond regiment following with the re
serve of Oregon volunteers.
At IL 80 a. m. the column came in con
tact with the enemy, and the gunboai
steamed to the firing line and cleared tht
jungle on both sides, while the battery
took up position on bluff at the right
The first shot from the American field
pieces at 1900 yards range dislodged CUR
of the enemy at Pasig.
After the town had been shelled thu
Twentieth regiment lined up on the bluff
and the Twenty second took up posi-
ton on the left OF the place with the cav
, airy in the center, whereupon the en-
emy retreated to the town
, The gunboat then moved into a bend
opposite and hot fire on the rebel po
!, sition was maintained along the whole
American line until 2:20 p. m, wher
preparations were made for the attack. Al
3 p. m. our gunboats started in pursuit
of the enemy's armed tug, chasing her te
the lake.
At $3.50 p. m. a large body Of the en-
D envy was discovered working around the
Y right flank and the Twentieth regiment
$ was moved to a commanding ridge. The
e rebels were met opposite Pateros, but
t they bolted. Thirty of the rebels were
i killed, l6 more were taken prisoners and
4 the Americans lost six men wounded. The
whole American line bivouacked at
: o'clock.
e About 700 rebels were reported to b
r marching northward few miles to thu
southwest.