The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-16

! Manila, June 14.-4:40 D. m.-The
Philippines retreated several miles
southwark, after yesterdays engage
nent to the strongly fortified town of
linus
The shelling of the American war
ships drove the rebels from Bacoor, SO
miles Of coast General Lawton, with
his staff and troop of the Fourth
cavalry, started to ascertain the nature
of the insurgent position. He rode five
miles along the coast to Bacoor with
out discovering the enemy. He found
the town full of white flags, but there
were no soldiers there The women
and children, who had fed to the
woods during the, bombardment, were
camping in the ruins of their homes.
The shells had almost knocked the
town to pieces. The big church was
wrecked and many buildings were
ruined. Even the trees and shrubbery
were torn as by hail storm.
Several hundred women and children
came into the American lines for refuge
and the road from Bacoor was covered
all day long with, professions of them,
on foot and in carts, driving animals
and carrying goods on their heads.
The appearance of the battlefield tes-
titled to the fierceness of yesterdays
fighting. Trees along the river, be-
tween the lines, were almost torn down
by bullets The officers estimate that
one hundred Philippines were killed
8 and three hundred wounded during the
engagement. The next battle will
probably be fought at LINUS. The
American troops will control the coast
to Cavite.
SWAMI THE ZAMPOTE.
Before dark last night the Fourteenth
infantry swan the Zampote river
charged and carried the trenches, a
heavy fusilade of artillery preparing
the way and covering the crossing.
The insurgents broke for the woods
before the Fourteenth reached them.
Almost at the same time the Ninth
and the Twelfth crossed bar of the
sess and came upon their left flank, at
a point where the body of marines
with Maxim guns under protection OF
the ships batteries, and fired upon the
enemy's left rear with a demOralizing
effect The Twentyfirst crossed the
river by bridge as soon as it could be
mended. Sixty-five dead Philippines
were found in the trenches, most of
them shot through the head. Several
five-inch smoothbore guns were cap
tured with ammunition marked Unit
ed States navy yard.
TROOPS WITHDRAWN AFTER
CROSSING RIVER.
After crossing the river, the troops
were withdrawn, with the exception
of the Ninth and Twenty-first, these
regiments being left with four guns to
guard the bridge. AS they were being
formed into companies the insurgents
commenced to fire volleys from the
bamboo jungle three hundred yards
away. The regiments formed into line
rapidly and coolly, though under fire,
and cheering, rushed to the woods,
driving the enemy mile away, the
Philippines disputing every foot I'he
Fourteenth encamped across the river,
the men caring for many Of the Phil
ippinos' wounded. Eight prisoners
were captured. The majority of the
Philippines wore red uniforms.
The first American volunteers start
ed for home today, the transports New
port and Ohio carrying the Oregon reg
iment and the First Volunteer Signal
Corps company. They sail for San
Francisco b. way of Nagasaki, Japan,
and are expected to arrive at their des-
tination July Is.
The Oregons left here sixty-two dead,
being the total of it's men killed IN pat
tie and dead from disease as result
of the years campaign.
The troops were cheered as the
~nspor,s stemed out Of the harbor.
ENEMY DRIVEN FROM INTRENCH-
MENTS.
Washington, June 1.-THE follow
ing was received at the war depart
ment today:
Manila, June IA.
''Adjutant General, Washington:
Lawton's troops under Wheaton and
Overshine occupied country south to
Bacoor, have secuted westward and
some distance southwark on line Ia
pote river and Bacoor ready, enemy
appears to have rtired on linus, aband
oning Bay country. The fighting yes
terday severe; our loss ten killed and
forty wounded; majority at crossing
Zapote river; enemy driven from heavy
and we'll constructed entertainments,
to which they held tenaciously; their
loss several hundred, of whom fifty
buried this morning. VIII not prob