The Penn's Grove record., 1899-10-13
OUR SOLDIERS DROWNED
Swollen Streams More Dangerous
Than the Enemy's Bullets.


San FRANc1sco, Cal. (Special).-The
transport Tartar arrived a few days ago
with Brigadler- General Funston, the
Twentieth Kansas Volunteer Regiment,
and $50 discharged men. Governor Stanley
and party OF officials, with a number OF
relatives ofthe Kansas troops, steamed up
the bay on u tug and gave the boys a
hearty welcome home.
From February 4, when they were before
Galoocan to May "a, which found them at
Santa Rita, the Kansas Regiment lost fifty
five men killed and one hundred wounded.
Ten others died from smallpox. On July
/, lust before leaving the front, they had
less than four hundred and lfty men fit fol
duty.
Army officers who returned IN the trans.
port Pennsylvania from Manila say that
nine charges and twelve specific ations
have been filed with General Otis, accus-
ing General Wholley, OF the First Wash.
ington Regiment, OF cowardice, incompe-
tency, looting and responsibility for Cap
tain George II. Forston's death.
Lieut. enant-Colonel M~cCHskey, of the
Twenty-flrst Infantry, and General Hughes
Provost Marshal OF Manila, preferred the
charges OF looting, which embrace the pill
laying Of the houses Of natives and the
seizing of furniture, pianos, dishes, etc,
L Ia AiAA bpNONA ~ a. AhtoahOu t1 NAN
property of the First Washington Regiment
0ficers Of the regiment, in conversation
quite generally sustain the charges, while
many of the enlisted men stand by Colonel
Wholley and say his bravery cannot be
questioned. Those who made the charges
declare they will press them, and hint at
sensational developments.
According to information which has just
been received here, the army In Luzon has
lost more men In the two weeks ending
September 4 by drowning than by bullets
All the little streams which in dry weather
were mere creeks ave become swift, wide
rivers, with unexpected treacherous cur.
rents and eddles. Ten colored soldiers OF
the Twenty-fourth Infantry were drowned
at the Mariquina River. Soldiers
are conveyed across streams on BAN
boo RATS, whose motive power Is a
rope stretched between the banks. The
ropes broke, the RATS were overturned, and
the soldiers, weighted down with guns,
haversacks and heavy ammunition belts,
were unable to reach the shore. Private
J. E. Poole, of the Twenty eighth, lost his
life in attempting to rescue his comrades.
-Four men of the Third Infantry, STA
toned at Quingua, were drowned In the
Bagbag River, when the regiment was
starting against the forces OF Pillar, which
were threatening the railroad near Malo-
los. CORPORAL Peter Larson was the hero
OF this accident. He was drowned in n brave
effort to save others. Lieutenant Chaun-
cey B.. Humphreys rescue several OF his
men by great efforts, and was nearly
drowned. The regiment started from Q1in.
qua at 8 O'Clock In the morning, and the
men wan the Bagbag River, carrying
guns, 40 rounds OF ammunition and haver-
sacks. The river Is wide and shallow,
and most of the distance was fordable
but the current had become so swift that
many were carried off their feet. Seven
were compelled to drop their guns to
get across. Corporal Larson had reached
the further shore when he heard the cries
of the drowning men, and plunged In with
his gun strapped to his back. He carried
one man of his company to safety, and
turned back a second time. He was heard
to say: II don't think l can make it, but
will try" He reached midstream, and was
struggling to bring out another helpless
when both sank and were lost.
Most of the men took off their shoes before
crossing, and marched and fought all day
in their socks. a most uncomfortable ex-
perienee in the jungle country.