The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-18
CAPTURE OF SANTA CRUZ.
Official Report of Gen. LawtOn on His
ExpeditiOn of Last April.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE War De-
partment has made public the report of
Major General Iawton, giving the details
of his expedition. III April last. to Santa
Cruz, province OF La Laguna. The report
is dated Aug. ]. General Lawton says the
object of the expedition was the capture
OF Santa Cruz, destruction Of the telegraph
lines, to cut off the enemys retreat If pos
sible and to distribute the proclamation OF
the United States commissioners. This ex-
petition went by water from a point oppo-
site Manila, on Laguna de Bay, to Santa
Cruz. The command consisted of 1859 men
and in the order for the expedition Brig
adler General Charles King was placed in
immediate command of the provisional
brigade. with directions to report to Gen.
Lawton.
General Lawton then describes the move
ment of this command, the difficult land
ing, the advance under Major Weisenberg-
er and the rout of the enemy near the city.
The report then continues: During a per-
sonal examination of the condition of the
command, made after nightfall. it was as
certained that General King was so ill that
he had been unable to land with his COM
mand and would not be able 20 participate
in any part of the expedition. The imme-
date command of the line was assumed by
myself, General King was authorized to
return to his headquarters and the next
officer in rank. Major Weisenberger, was
verbally appointed to the command of the
provisional brigade
"At daybreak next morning the 10th inst,
the troops were at once put into position,
three companies on the right of the road
leading north towards the town, the re-
mainder extending TO the LETT until the flank
rested the beach. The artillery moved
along the road supported by Company l.,
First Idaho Volunteer Infantry. The ad-
vance toward the city was Immediately
1.-The illness of Gen. King caused much
embarrassment, some confusion and delay
but thanks 10 the energy and efficiency of
my staff officers, this was soon overcome
To Major Clarence r. Edwards, assistant
adjutant general, was intrusted the center
or our advancing line, and Major Charles
G. Starr. Inspector general, conducted the
left flank. These gallant officers, fully alive
to the responsibilities resting upon them,
were equal to the occasion, and no line of
battle could have been more courageously
or inteligently led, as the results proved.
desire to commend these officers in the
highest terms for the gallant work done
by them on this occasion. i espe-
cially commend these officers for conspicu-
Gus gallantry on this occasion. To Major
Weisenberger l wish TO express my appre-
citation of his valuable services
The report gives the casualties hereto
fore published and also give details of the
occupation Of the city. Plans were formu-
lated for the capture of the small gunboats
which the insurgents had in the Pagsangan
river In this the gunboats on the lake par
ticipated. The movement was not resist ed
seriously by the insurgents General Law
ton mentions in terms of praise the serv-
ices of Second Lieutenant Thomas Frank
lin, who commanded the gunboat Napidan
General Lawton thus describes a gallant
action:
with a view to securing a good place
to re-embark the troops for a movement
on Calamba, the North Dakota battalion
was sent from Longos shortly after noon
the 18th inst. 10 recOnnoiter the town Of
Paete, located about four miles further
north on the lake shore, where it was re-
ported a good landing place could be found
After advancing about one mile the enemy
was discovered intrenched across the road
and Immediately opened fire from blind al
most impenetrable underground on the
mountainside. Major Franklin promptly dis
posed his command to execute a flank
movement on the enemy, who were pour
ing a heavy fire into the advance guard
four of them were killed and three wounded
one MORALLY. OF these the latter and three
killed belonged to a party of five flankers
who had been sent up the hillside Their
surviving comrade, Private Thomas Sette-
land, Company G.. First North Dakota. re-
manned with them and by his cool and
unerring aim successfully held the enemy
back until reinforcements came. Then aft
er carrying his wounded comrade TO the
rear. he assisted in recovering the bodies
of the killed. He has been recommended for
a medal of honor"