Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-05

Manila, June is p. M.-The position
Of the American troops, tonight. indi
Gates that it Will tomorrow, sweep the
peninsula of Morong. the land project
ing to the south into Laguna de Bay,
where the insurgents are supposed to
have a strong force, near the town of
MOrOng, as Well az the battery on the
western shore Of the peninsula which
recently smashed the propeller Of the
sunboat Napidan.
Gen. Hall is marching from Antipolo
about 61a miles northwest Of Morong,
toward the peninsula, with his forces
spread out to cover a large section.
Col. Truman, with the LIST North Da-
kota Regiment and the 18th Infantry.
is advancing along the coast Of the
lake from Laytay. incidentally clearing
several small towns, while Col. Who'll
ley with the LIST Washington Regiment
has landed on the peninsula above the
town of Morong. The army gunboats
Napidan Covadonga and Oeste are in
a position to cooperate.
The original plan was to surround the
forces Of Gen. Pic del Pillar SO that
they must retreat TO Morong peninsula,
where capture would have been newt
able. This was not a complete success
because Gen. Halls column found the
country full Of handicaps to marching.
There Were Several streams to be bridged
over or forded, ana the troops fire.
quently floundered through morasses.
waist deep in mud. an experience
which, under the terrific sun, exhausted
the Americans quite beyond endurance.
Most of Gen. Pho del Pillars followers
are supposed to have escaped north
ward, probably reaching Bosoboso,
stronghold in the mountains.
COL Wholley, having successfully
completed his share of the movement.
brought the Washington Regiment to
the river Pasig, where. last night. about
midnight. the men embarked upon cas-
Goes and started for their destination
under the convoy Of the gunboats.
They encountered a repetition Of the
experience undergone by almost every
expedition on attempting to enter la
aground in the shallow waters at the
mouth of the river and We're detained
there several hours.
Maj. Cen. LaWton. in the meantime.
was interchangeable. riding from one
force ID the other, and supervising the
loading of the cascoes, without sleep
for two nights.
Gen. Hairs column, which was as
sembled at the Waterworks, or pump
ing station, late Friday night. under
cover of a moonless sky. consists of the
2nd Oregon Volunteers. a battalion OF
the 2nd Wyoming Regiment. four
troops Of the 4th Cavalry two bat
talions of the 4th Infantry. one bat
TALON Of the 9th Infantry, the first six
companies Of the 1st Colorado Regi-
ment. and two mountain guns.
At 4 O'Clock, yesterday morning,
Saturday they began to cross the
san Mateo river and about noon read
lily repulsed a large band of Filipinos
about II miles east of Manila.
The Oregon Regiment, the cavalry,
the artillery. and the Attn Infantry ac
complished their task, driving the in
surgents from the hills, the other
troops being held in reserve. but after
ward joining the main column in the
pursuit toward the sea.
running fight was in progress all
the afternoon. A Filipino outpost first
attacked a few American scouts.
whereupon the 4th Cavalry formed a
long skirmish line and easily drove the
insurgents from the hills. Then the
Oregon Regiment moved across a wet.
soggy rice field in extended order to-
ward the hills where it was believed
a large force Of the enemy had CON
centrated. When the Oregonians We're
within about a mile Of the position the
Filipinos opened a heavy fire, the
Americans replying and more rapidly
pressing forward.
After few volleys the insurgents
were seen scattering over the crest Of
the hills in every direction and their
panic was increased when the artillery
opened upon them and the shells be-
gan to explode all around them I'M
doubtedIy causing great loss Of life
The bombardment by the batteries and
the musketry was maintained for rtaar-
" half an hour. after which not a
Filipino could be seen on the hills ami
not a shot came from the position.
The heat was intense and the troops
suffered greatly; but they continued
on the trail taken by the fleeing enemy.
in the hope Of driving them toward the
lake.
Col. Wholley, with two battalions of
the lst Washington Regiment. a bat
TALON of the 18th Infantry. two guns of
Scott's Battery and party Of scouts
under Maj. Jeisenberger. left San Ped
70 Macati yesterday morning. and af-
ter fording the river Pasig, advanced
northeast upon Cainta: while Gen. Hall
approached the town from the opposite