The times., 1899-05-12

ond Battalion Cooks of the First Mon
tana Infantry had reached a point within
$50 or 200 yards from the outskirts on the
southerly and westerly side. Here a halt
was called, and Miller's battalion was or
dered up to the close support of the other.
| had already arrived at this point with
two staff officers and three orderiiss, where
| waited the further orders of the division
commander.
While the Montana battalions were in
position here. halted and awaiting orders,
heavy black smoke was discerned issuing
from nipa huts on the edge of the town,
directly in front OF my line, and presently
smoke and flames burst out from Aguinal
dos palace located on the public
square. AT this Suncture, and very shost-
ly after my advance had halted in the posi-
tion indicated. Major Mallory, of the di
vision staff, appeared upon the ground, at
about 9:35 a. m, and conveyed 10 me di
rections from Major General Macarthur to
send the Third Artillery into the town,
provided found the way clear.
Taking Possession.
"As this order had evidently been issued
by the division commander on the suppo-
sition that the Third Artillery was the
most advanced regiment of the line on the
left fiank-the nearest troops to the bor-
der of the town on that side-I pointed out
to the staff officer that the Montana bat
talions were at the moment the nearest
troops to the outskirts of the town at that
point, the Third Artillery having been de-
layed by the enemy's resistance and
longer route, my suggestion to send in one
of the Montana battalions without further
delay was accordingly concurred in, and
at once gave the necessary orders This
D n.t
time / directed that the Third Battal on
(Miiler'sj should follow in close support
of the second. In five minutes, or at about
9:45 a. m, these troops were at the public
square in front of the Filipino dictators
( palace, then completely enveloped in
flames, its roof and walls falling in with
loud crashes. The remaining battalion of
the First Montana, under Colonel Kessler,
entered within few minutes, followed
closely by the Third Artillery under Major
Kobbe, which, as already stated had had
a longer and more difficult march than the
other regiments in closing in to the right
and centre from the extreme left of the
/ line.
Colonel Funston, with a small detach-
ment of the Twentieth Kansas, had entered
about $3.50 a. m. at point nearer the rail-
way line, which had been his right guide
| during the advance. He reported to me
| on the public square at about 10 a. m
! Shortly afterward the First Brigade flag
J surmounted by the national coors, was
| flying from an improvised staff erected in
| front of the burning headquarters build
( ing of a departed rebel government
I Before sending any troops into the town
| transmitted stringent orders, which had
I been received from the major general COM
manding, TO the effect that there must be
no burning or other destruction of prop
! erty by our troops; that fires already set
by the enemy should be extinguished if
! possible; that public and private property
should be placed under guard; that there
should be no looting whatever by the
| troops, no struggling or other unsoldierly
conduct; in short, that perfect order
| should be maintained throughout the cap
| tured city. These orders were carried out
effectively, heavy guard details from the
! First Montana and the Third Artillery
regiments being promptly posted by me
| for that purpose in that quarter of the
city.
Thus after an arduous and brilliant
campaign by the Second Division sup
! ported by other troops, lasting seven days
and involving frequent combats numerous
casualties among our troops, and heavy
| losses by the enemy, Malolos, the recent
capital of the so-cailed Filipino revolu-
tionary government, fell before the Amer
! Ican arms.
1T is my grateful privilege to again
highly commend the conduct of the officers
and men OF my command throughout the
| campaign. They have shown in an emil
nent degree the qualities of good soldiers
obedience, discipline. endurance, courage
steadiness, patriotism, and the most mag
| nificent ardor in battle. The regimental
commanders. Col. Harry c. Kessler, First
| Montana Infantry; Col. Frederick Fun
ston. Twentieth Kansas Infantry. and Ma
| 1or w. A. Kobbe. commanding the two bat
talions of the Third United States Artil-
lery Serving as infantry have again
proved in actual field service their capac-
| ity and fitness for their responsible posts
and their skill and gallantry under fire.
again recommend them, and each of them,
for such special mark of distinction as the
commanding general and the War Depart
ment may be pleased to confer upon
| them"