New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-27
acIvJNALDO'S LAST DITCH.
AMERICAN ATTACK PROMPTLY RE-
srMED-FILIPINOS USE ART1L-
LERY-LAwTONS TOLL
SOME MARCH.

Manila April % $40 p. m.-Aguinaluos army
,o.dov is defending Calumpit energetcally'
,,hicb ,s said 10 indicate that the rebels are
",,,n, that place their last ditch. stand.
which the Americans expected them 10 make at
,,a,oIos For the first time the Fiipinos are
emnloving artillery. They brought two guns
,nto action in the trenches to-day before Calum-
80, er,,c modern shrapnel which burst over
the heads of General Wheatons men without
effect.
FIGHTING RESUMED IN THE MORNING.
The fighting was resumed at o'clock this
morning.
During the night the American engineers re-
rAired the Bagbag bridge. thus enabling our
troops to cross the river.
General Wheatons brigade advanced in ex-
tended order with the Kansas regiment to the
west of the railroad and the Montana regiment
10 the east of it, and took up a position cover
ing one and a half miles the south bank OF
The Rio Grande. On the opposite bank were
fortified trenches from which few American
soldiers would have been able to defy thou-
sands so strongly were they constructed
The Americans found the trenches on the
south bank of the river deserted. which FUR
nished them with cover, from which they couio
nick off Filipinos whenever one of them showed
his head.
When the rebels began firing, two puffs OF
smoke simultaneously from the trenches on
each side Of the railroad track showed they
were using cannon. which was genuine sur
prise TO the Americans Several shells Durst
close 10 General Wheaton's staff. but IL seemed
that the Filipinos failed to master the machinery
@, modern shells, as they unable TO get
the right range.
Young's Utah battery was ordered into POSI-
ton in the centre OF the Kansas regiment to
silence the rebel guns and at III O'Clock the
rapid-fre guns had been ferried across the
river and came into line.
At noon the rebels were still pouring heavy
fire in the direction OF the Americans. VINO re-
turned 1t spiritedly.
TWO AMERICANS KILLED.
Two Americans were killed and seven were
wounded.
At about this time General Hale's brigade
was advancing east of the line, apparently to
cross the river and attack the rebel trenches IN
flank as the Americans did yesterday.
General Macarthur has secured an order IS
sued by Aguinaldo to the rebel commanders
telling them to instruct their men to economic
their fire. save the empty shells and not to fire
at the enemy when the latter is under cover
The Filipinos are also instructed never to fire
at longer range than $50 metres, and when
they have river or other construction In front
10 hold their fire until within eighty metres
This order was issued after the recent encoun-
ters between the Filipinos and the Americans.
LAWTON's DIFFICULT MARCH.
General Lawton is meeting with the greatest
obstacles in the character OF the country. His
troops have only had few skirmshes thus far
resulting in FIVE of his men being wounded. But
he has been forced TO put his men at work build
ing roads, and the transport service Is giving
much trouble. bullocks dying Of the heat and
exhaustion, and Cinnamon having TO be en-
ployed in pulling some of the carts. Therefore
the General has been unable TO cover the ground
ne hoped 10 cover.
The natives fee before the expedition, but
they swarm back to their huts as soon as the
American troops have passed. few Filipino
sharpshooters are harassing the American
TANKS.
The Commissary Department is preparing to
send more rations under a strong escort to the
front.
The United States transport Zealandia, from
San Francisco. March 2S having on board sew
eral companies Of the 9th Infantry and large
quantity Of supplies. arrived here to-day after
an uneventful voyage Her troops are now
camped on the waterfront.
COMING HOME BY THE SHERIDAN.
The United States transport Sheridan sails
for home tomorrow. She will take among her
passengers General Charles King and Mrs
Stotsenburg who is conveying her husbands
body TO the United States. The Sheridan also
has on board several officers families who find
Manila an undesirable residence