Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-02-11
FIGHTING
AT MANILA.
Filipinos Attack Ameri-
cans. A Great Battle
Results.
THOUSANDS KILLED.
.AguinaldOs Troops are
Shot to Pieces.
THOUSANDS KILLED.

1ttON W tN&Nos
The long and expected trou-
BILE between the American
troops at Manila and the Fill
pinos came last Saturday night
and resulted in a great battle
being fought. in which several
thousand of the native soldiers
were killed by the Americans.
The fighting lasted all Saturday
night and a part of Sunday
morning.
The latest news from Manila
says. the loss of the Filipinos is
about four thousand men killed
and wounded and five thousand
prisoners. The American loss
is about forty eight killed and
one hundred and fifty wounded.
The number of American
troops engaged was $4,000,
while the Filipino forces num-
bered 10000.
The immediate cause of the
conflict was an attempt by two
Filipinos to force the lines of
the Nebraska outposts, on the
northeast of the city. They
were ordered back, but soon
returned with another Filipino.
They were fired upon, and one
of them was killed.
The insurgents then. upon
the firing of a signal gun from
blockhouse No. Z. made IA gen.
eral advance upon the Ameri-
can lines, and heavy fighting
began. resulting in heavy
losses.
The Filipinos opened the
battle. and the American troops
responded with a terrific fire,
which, with slight intermis.
sions, was kept up until after
daylight Sunday morning.
The Filipinos were finally
driven back to a position fur
Their from Manila than that
which they had previously
occupied. Their loss was
heavy. Admiral Dewey's fleet
took part in the battle, and
shelled the insurgents. driving
them back from several posi-,
tons. There We're no casualties
to the navy.
Gen. Otis has known for some
time that the Filipinos Were
preparing for an attack and
when it came. everybody was
ready. The natives cut many
of the telegraph wires, which
for a time caused no little
bother to the Americans. Most
of the damage of this kind was
in the city or in the immediat,
vicinity. The signal corp.
were compelled to work hare
to repair the cut lines.
The American officers gener
ally are pleased at the manner
in which the volunteers con
Quoted themselves. Their 81,
or seven months drill anC
seasoning has made them equa
to the best troops in the world
They fought with the sam,
sangfroid as the regulars, sur
prising even the most sanguin,
of their officers.
Gen Kings brigade charge,
upon IA numerically strong
force of the enemy. and, yelling
wildly, drove them helte
SHELTER into the Pasig river
where. in a frenzy of terror
they were drowned like rats.
The warships under Admira
Dewey did their duty in th'
same old way. Tremendous
slaughter resulted in the rebe
trenches from the shells of tn,
warships.
During the night it was inn
possible for Dewey to use shells
as his fire would have been a.
dangerous TO the Americans al
to the natives. He gave orders
however. that as soon as il wa
light enough To allow the posi-
tions of the enemy To be deter
mined with accuracy the crui
ser Charleston and the capture,
gunboat Callao should take ;
hand i'm the game.
At daybrcak these two war
ships took up positions nm,
opened fire on the enemy nortl
of the city Later the monito
Monadnock was ordered To tn,
Filipinos 60 the south of Manila
The positions of the cnem,
were accurately located. an,
the warships poured Il heav,
fire into them.
While the fighting was pro
ceeding in the vicinity o
Manila there was great excite
ment among the residents %
the city. The natives wer
wildly excited, and had ii no
been for the splendid polio
system established by th,
Americans, there would hav,
been general outbreak an,
looting The police, however