The record-union., 1899-11-21
AGUINALDO'S ARMY
HEMMED IN.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

The following relates to movements
farther north:
MacArthur's advance entered Dag
upan to-day. 1t was ascertained that
Wheaton's troops had been there yes
terday and We're withdrawn last even
ing. 1t is believed that many insur-
gent detachments are west of the rail-
road in the province of Zambales, med
itating concentration and future dem
onstrations. They will be looked after.
Nothing yet received from either Eaw-
ton or Wheaton,"
The Navy Department also received
a report of the acquisition of Fam
boanga, which differs in some prospects
from the story of that event told in
General Otis cablegram. The naval ac-
count is contained in the following ca
blegram from Admiral Watson, dated
Manila to-day:
Commander Very of the Castine.
with friendly natives and Moros COM
bined, captured Zamboanga on the 10Th
inst. No casualties Landing par
ties from the Castine and the Manila
hold the town, with Fort Nazro COM
handing it, pending the arrival of
troops from Jolo. There is a consid-
cradle force of insurgents at Mercedes,
four miles away"
The acquisition of Zanboanga at this
time is of great Importance from a mil
itary point Of view 1t is the princi-
pal city of Mindanao, and dominates
the entire southern half of that island.
which is second in Importance only to
Luzon. 1t has a population of nearly
21,OOO people and is we'll fortified, so
that small garrison of troops could
hold it indefinitely against native at
tacks. In addition, it is a naval sta
ton where the Spaniards used to rem
devious their ships in the southern
archipelago.
General Otis dispatch intimates that
he is somewhat embarrassed by the un-
expected necessity of providing a gar
rison speedily for Zamboanga 1t has
been suggested that the difficulty might
be met by garrisoning the city with a
battalion of marines, one of which is
understood now to be available in this
country and ready to sail at short no
/ tice for Manila.
A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING Sue
|
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2O.-The War
Department has made public a report Of
Captain w. A. Byrne, Sixth Infantry,
giving an account of the attack and
destruction Of a bandit village in the
La Carlotta district, island of Negros,
last July. The account is very inter-
esting chapter of the American occupa-
ton of the Philippines.
This band of marauders was en-
trenched in the Businesses of the noun
tains. They were well organized and
| armed. All precautions had been made
against attack. On all sides which it
was supposed could be reached by
| troops the camp was guarded by block
houses. Captain Byrne, with something
over 100 men, went out to destroy this
bandit camp. He was aware that it
was necessary to surprise them, and
this could only be done by approaching
from the side, which seemed impossible
of ascent. The march was difficult
and the approach to the camp was
performed in the night. 1t was
reached in the early morning and at
once attacked.
The bandits largely outnumbered the
Americans, and were fighting from be-
hind cover. For two hours there was
very desperate engagement, and only
the pluck and valor of the American
soldiers enabled them to secure the vic
tory. The number of bandits killed
largely exceeded the American forces,
while there was no means of ascer-
tanning the number wounded. Finally
those who could get away escaped,
leaving all their property behind them
The village was destroyed, as was the
property that could not be carried
away. The men had climbed a noun
tain side at night. They fought with
out their breakfast against superior
odds, and upon an almost unknown
ground. In closing his report, Cap
tain Byrne says:
I'm looking for a reason for the ap-
parent success of this expedition, too
much credit cannot be given to the Of
ficers and men under my command as
every one of them acted as though he
was personally responsible for the sue
cess of the whole affair.""
Lieutenant Colonel Wynn, command
ing the Sixth Infantry, made the fol-
lowing Endorsement of the report, which
is concurred in by Generals Smith,
Hughes and Otis:
L consider it remarkable. perform
ance on his part and that of his COM
mand in the way of endurance, berse-
verance and cool courage under most
trying circumstances. For Captain
Byrne 1 strongly recommend, for dis
tinguished gallantry and rallying the
men on the bridge, medal of honor;
for Lieutenant Nesbitt a brevet Of Cap
tain, for GOODNESS and courage dis
played; and for Sergeant William J.
Chuck and Sergeant J. F. Swan GER
tificates of meritorious service
This report contains a graphic de-
scription of perilous undertaking
most successfully executed, emitting
those participating to all the honors
herein recommended.
In recognition of his services Captain
Byrne was made Lieutenant Colonel of
the Fortieth Regiment, U. S. V.