The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-11

ly. When IL was discovered that the
trenches and stone buildings were
swarming with white-clad soldiers the
two boats withdrew. receiving volleys
from the trenches thrown up on the
marshy plain north OF the city.
The fiotilla anchored in compact form
alton for the night. ready TO resist any
surprises from the rebel gunboats sup
posed 10 lie in the lake. At sunrise
yesterday the assault commenced The
American line south OF the city stretched
two miles inland. and with it's left
sweeping the shore. II moved north,
while the Fourth cavalrymen. on the
point, advanced toward the city. pour
ing volleys upon the trenches. Stimuli
taneously the gunboats hovered along
the shore, shelling the woods ahead OF
the troops. and driving the Filipinos in
land. The Gatlings cleared several
trenches.
The whose brigade was divided into
squads of II. and the fighting was car
ried on in the old time frontier fashion,
from behind trees. crawling through
bushes or rushing across the open. The
trenches that were not cleared by the
gunboats gave considerable resistance
when the line was nearing the city. and
the Lagura de Bay and Oesto bonn
barded for an hour in the hope of making
them too warm for occupancy. but did
not succeed In clearing them entirely.
General Lawton. with the Fourteenth
infantry bsttslions. approached a mar
row iron bSidge across a creek on the
south border of the town. Here CON-
pany Of Filipinos was intrenched across
the stream, and behind stone barricade
at the entrance to the bridge The
Americans rushed forward In single file.
In the face of calling fire, demollshing
the barricade with their hands. and
drove the enemy from the trenches. kill
ing "A dozen
The Filipino soldiers in the town. Sc
creted in various buildings and firing
from the windows. gave the invaders
an interesting hour. There was a reg
ular nest OF them in the stone jail which
Is wedged in by a wall. This was n
veritable pepper-pot.
The Americans. singly and in pairs. en-
tered the houses. and many warriors
were taken prisoners. A considerable
body OF Filipinos fed northward cross
ing the open marshes. but the Gatlings
poured upon them a deadly fire until
they disappeared I'm the woods. Staying
dozens.
Major Weisenberger deployed the
sharpshooters along the shore. and they
orept steadily forward. aiding the Cat
lings Finally n large body was sent
against the enemy In the woods, driving
them toward the mountains.
General Lawton established head
quarters at the palace OF the governor.
and guard was Immediately placed in
the church. as the sacred edihces are
always the first objective of looters.
Within an hour the town was patrolled
and all the looting rigidly prevented.
Almost all the inhabitants had ned
during the two preceding nights, and
only a few Chinese shopkeepers have
emerged from hiding and resumed busi-
ness.
on the marshes north OF the town were
found 40 dead Filipinos. some terribly
torn by sluells. and many others wound
ed. TO whom the Americans offered
their canteens. A surgeon who ira
versed the field counted 10 killed. and
General Lawton viii report AT least 6S.
One Filipino, attempting to make his
escape. siashed viclously at Major Weis-
enoerger. who shot and killed him.