Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-17
Kim Skb 3B0RDINATeS
Difficult to gle Out Particular
Ones, for All Performed
Their Duties Well.

WASHINGTON. June 16.-The report of
Brlgadier General Charles King command
ing the First brigade, First division durinE
the early fighting at Manila, has been made
public at the War department This brigade
composed of the First California, First
Washington and First Idaho, saw some very
hard fighting during the first days of the at
tack by the insurgents. 1t was while exc
cutting an order of General King that Major
McConnville fell, leading his men of the
Idaho regiment. General King calls atten-
tion to the fact that the losses of his
brigade were greater than those of any
other brigade in the corps. He also says
that the damage inflicted on the enemy was
very great, his men having buried 153 Fill
pinos. He adds: II beg leave to call atten-
tion of the fact that this is the only ex-
clusively volunteer brigade in the corps and
that it fought with all the steadiness, dash
and discipline of their comrades, the regu-
lars
And now there devolves upon me duty
that l falter in attempting. l saw no in
stance OF shirking-I saw many of daring
leadership on the part of officers and of de-
voted Following on the part of the men. I
shrink from discriminating. yet should not
deserve the faith of the command of which
| am so proud were | to fail to publicly
mention the officers who, acting under my
orders, were most conspicuous. My regi-
mental commanders, Colonel Smith, First
California; Colonel Wholley, First Washing
ton, and Major Higgins. First Idaho bore
themselves with marked bravery and ability
-Wholley being under the heaviest fire for
the longest time-his maiden fight at that
Major McConnville died proudly, heading his
men in the dash on a dangerous line. Major
Watson IN nutn
ample of soldierly bearing throughout. Cap
tain Fortso was in command in Pandacan
island constantly exposed. and he and Cap
tain Wilmington, First Idaho, won my ad-
miration for their daring assault on fiercely
defended position, the redoubt across the
Concordia. Captain Otis, First Washington,
with his cheek and ear scored by Mauser
led his company from start to finish. Their
loss Of twenty five killed and wounded in
one company shows what they had to fight
through. Lieutenants Erwin and Luhn,
First Washington. the first severely wounded,
were notably cool Captain Dyer and Lieu
tenant Hawthorne of the artillery won the
plaudits of the men for consummate skill
and coolness, and for the commendation OF
others in the line whom | did not see
must refer you to their reports as to the
bearing of their officers and men.
Every man on my staff, from the senior
in rank, brigade surgeon, Major Shields,
down to our mounted orderlies. won my
thanks and admiration. Major Shields was
constant In his attendance on the wounded
at the extreme front and under heavy fire.
Lieutenants Merriam, Third United States
artillery, and Hutton, First California were
time and again compelled to rick their lives
in carrying orders along the fine. Captain
Saxton. A. A. G., was systematic in the field
office. His horse and Lieutenant Merriam S
gave out at Concordia bridge, but they fol-
lowed afoot across the fields. Captain Handy,
brigade commissary, carried out his duties
under the fire OF the enemy instead of under
the roof of his Office and the three orderlies,
Privates Clay G.. Mills Company d, First
Washington; Edward c. Hanford, Company
K First Washington, and Spencer G. Lane.
First California, were constantly under
heavy fire and are soldiers their states should
be proud of.
zone more name, that of Lieutenant Col
onel Duboce. First California, must not be
omitted He had a difficult and hazardous
task in wping out the cowardly gang that,
under the sanctity of church roof and from
within the walls of apparently peaceful
homesteads for time kept up treacherous
fire on officers and men hurrying by with
orders and messages. / saw his work long
hours after 1t was finished and it was well
done"