The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-31
GOOD WORDS FORLITTLE.
New York Times Gives the Lieutenant
Colonel a Handsome Notice

Colonel a Handsome Notice
The New York Times publishes the
following account of the Twentieth at
AIalolos while on the advance;
While the Twentieth Kansas regi-
ment was advancing on MalOlOS, the
main body of men halted, while the
then Colonel Funston and small De
tachment went across the railroad
bridge on a scouting expedition. Find
ing no signs of insurgents, he sent back
word for the regiment to come on. Just
as they started the enemy appeared in
great numbers, running from neigh
boring wood with the intention of cut
ting off the accommodating party and
destroying it before the support could
be brought up. The rebels took posi-
ton from which they could direct a hot
fire on the bridge, and as it was
nigh one, over which the open railroad
ties gave only a rather dangerous and
difficult passage, the situation was one
we'll calculated to put Kansas courage
and zeal to the test. OF course, there
was no hesitation; the bridge was ira
Versed, the scouts rescued, and the Fill
ipinOs put to flight.
AS battles go in some wars, the af-
fair did not amount to much, but still
those who participated in it could have
been forgiven if, in writing home to
friends, they had dwelt a little on the
gravity or the per1lS encountered That,
however, would have involved a claim
for special credit, and such claims are
not made by our fighters in the field.
iIn6y prefer TO turn their 0arOSn1pS ana
eXertiOns into jokes. This tendency is
well illustrated in the description by
Lieutenant Colonel z. G. Little, in a
letter in which the details of the
skirmish are given. OF the charge over
the bridge he says LAS the colonel
was across and my battalion at the
head of the column, my buSler, Berry
or +, and /, were the first to reach the
bridge, and of course, the first to cross
That of course is delightful in many
ways, and significant in as many more.
But, being a man of the century's
END, Lieutenant Colonel Little is intro
SpecttVe as we'll as energetic, and, the
lighting over, he examined into the
emotions it produced. I've read" he
adds, of men crossing the bridge IN
der fire at the head of columns, and
supposed the sensation was peculiar.
1t is not A man simply tries to paddle
along as fast as he can and get across.
ctded yet whether it was because I was
drawer or the worst scared That too
IS delightful, and it recalls the Funs-
IOnlan confession of hesitation to order
charges for fear of getting run over''
by the too Obedient soldiers. 1t must
be decidedly exciting for the enemy
VINO meets either Funston or Little
scared.
A copy of a special order of Major
Gen Otis No. 1855 dated. JULY 10 ASSIGN
ing Lieutenant Little to FunSton's com
mand is somewhat misleading in that
II reports him as being under verbal or
ders of brigade commander from Nav
10 to May %. The order was one of a
class used in assigning officers to com
TnandS above those pertaining to their
respective grades. The report includes
only part of the time. 1t gives Met
calf credit for being with the regiment
at the front from May % to June q
Wheh, IN Iact ne was never under fire
during that time being unable to leave
headquarters at time of battle.
In reality, Colonel Little should re-
celVe credit as commander of the regf-
ment from April to June 90