The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-11

eral McArthurs advance beyond San
Fernando show that the Americans
covered five miles in the first five hours
and at o'clock had advanced six miles
along the railway, stretching on each
side Of it for two miles and resting at
night three miles from Angeles, which
will be made the northern base of op
erations, instead of San Fernando,
where a garrison of 600 men has been
left The casualties are between thirty
and forty.
The Philippines were surprised ex-
pecting the American forces to move
against Tico. They followed their usual
tactics of holding their trenches until
they became too warm and then re-
treating in disorder. They are now fall
ing back westward toward Poric.
The Twelfth and Seventeenth regi-
ments had the sharpest engagements.
The country our troops passed over is
covered with rice fields and bamboo
thickets, the hardest possible ground
for marching. The mud, in places, was
knee deep.
Angeles is one of the richest towns
north of Manila and is considered to
be a better base of operations than San
Fernando.
The forces at San Fernando consisted
of the Iowa regiment, the Seventeenth
regiment the Ninth regiment, the
Twelfth regiment Bells new Thirty
sixth regiment, a battalion Of the Six
teenth regiment, Troop e, of the Fourth
cavalry and fifteen guns.
The movement had been planned for
some time, but was delayed by rains.
Finally, two days of sunshine dried the
rice fields sufficiently to warrant tbs
attempt.
The Americans position had long
been unpleasant The rebels almost
surrounded the town and fired nearly
nightly into it, the Americans not re-
plying, except on extreme provocation.
1t was necessary to keep 500 to 600 men
on outpost duty constantly.
Captain Deems, with a provost guard,
last night captured a noted Philippine
fakir, with several aliases, who, by
means of ventriloquism has purSuaded
the natives that he has supernatural
powers. He raised much money, os-
tensibly for the inSurrection, which he
kept for himself. Our soldiers surround
ed his house and corralled thirty Phil
ippinos. Many others escaped The
troops also captured $1,000.
Emmanuel, as the fakir is generally
known, has been predicting the fall of
Manila. His prophecies have created
excitement among the natives, who be-
believed them.
Reports from rebel sources say $50
Philippines were killed in General Halls
engagement at Calamba and in the sub
sequent skirmisheS.
The American loss in the fighting
about San Fernando at 2 o'clock was
known to be eight killed and twenty
six injured. The loss may possibly eX-
ceed these figures, as the line is five
miles long and it is impossible, at this
hour to hear from every point.
Our troops are now about Angeles,
waiting for the artillery, which has the
greatest difficulty in moving, owing to
the wet ground.
The attack was opened at o'clock in
the morning, a battery of the First ar
tillery Smelling Bacolor, on the LETT.
simultaneously Bells Thirty-sixth in
fantry struck Bacolor from the rear and
drove the rebels out Armored cars
each~Nith a 6-ponder and two Gatling
revo1VE cannon on board, then moved
out on Arailroad track, in the centre
of our - Soon afterwards these
guns did sNfp execution.
Battery M, of the Third artillery, and
100 men of the Iowa regiment made a
feint towards Mexico, while the main
body of troops, consisting of the Iowa
regiment, the Seventeenth regiment
and battalion of the Twenty
under General Wheaton, on the right,
and the Ninth regiment, Twelfth and
Bells regiment, u@der General Lincoln,
on the left, advanced steadily, pouring
their fire into the rebels and receiving a
heavy fire in return.
The rebels were we'll protected by
trenches and seemed not to lack am
mnuition. But they were unable TO
withstand for any length of time the
hail of shot our artillery and infantry
poured in on them, and retreated, leav-
ing many dead and wounded on the
field. A dozen prisoners were capuur-
ed by our troops.
The reports indicate that the Nlnth
infantry suffered the most, though the
casualties of all the regiments are not
yet reported.
The weather was extremely hot ana
our troops suffered greatly. But there
was no faftering.
A company of the Sixteenth regiment
went to the relief of Bells regiment
this afternoon, the latter being report
ed harassed in the rear.
The fire except at isolated points had
ceased at 10 o'clock.
A CABLEGRAM FROM OTIS.
Washington, August s.-General Otis
confirms the report of the battle at San
Fernando in the following cable:
Manila, August 8.
''Adjutant General Washington:
Macarthur, with 1000 men, attacked
the insurgent army 5000 strong, con-
centrated around San Fernando at 5:15
o'clock this morning. At 10 o'clock a.
M. he had driven it five miles in the
direction of Angeles. Casualties few.
Attack ordered for 7th instant, but rain
did not permit movement. Railway
from Angeles north badly washed by