The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-19
CAPTURED SOME AMERICANS.
LIEUT.. GILMORE AMONG THOSE IN
THE HANDS OF FII.IPINos.


Admiral Dewey wires of the Expe-
ditiOn of the YOrItown-Went to
Relieve the Spanish Prisoners, and
Some of Her Men Were Made Pris-
Oners-First Capture of Ameri-
cans in the PhiIippines--The Great
est Anxiety Prevails.
Washington. April ls.-The navy depart
ment has given out the following dispatch
from Admiral Dewey;
Manila. April 1S.-Secretary of the Navy
Washington: The Yorktown visited Baler,
Luzon, east coast of Luzon, +. l., Apri
II, for the purpose of resculng and bring
ing away the Spanish forces, consisting
of eighty soldiers, three officers and two
priests, which were surrounded by 400 in
surgents. Some of the insurgents armed
with Mauser rifles . by natives
Lieut. ]. c. Gilmore. while making
ambushed were fred upon and captured.
Fate unknown, as insurgents refused 10
communicate afterward. The following are
missing:
The officer previously referred TO- Chief
Quartermaster w. Walton, Coxswain j.
Ellsworth Gunner's Mate II. j. Hygard,
Sailmaker's Mate Vendgit, seamen w. II.
Rynders and c. w. Woodbury., Apprentices
ID. w. Avenvllle, j. W. Petersen, Ordinary
seamen f. Brlssolese, O. B. Mcdonald,
Landsmen l.. Il. Edwards. ID. Anderson,
j. Dillon and C. A. Morrissey Dewey.
Caused Much Excitement.
The dispatch from Admiral Dewey caus-
ed much excitement In naval circles as
soon as its contents became known. II
was received late In the day and consider
able delay was Ocoasioned by the bbnd-
ness of some of the cipher words 1t was
impossible to completely decipher Il, and
the asterisks indicate the un.ntellisiblo
words
Lieut. j. c. Gilmore, the officer referred
TO as captured, Is well known In Wash
ingtou having been stationed here for
some time. His wife and family live here.
He was born in Philadelphia, july 10, 1854
and was appointed a naval cadet from
Arizona In September, 1871. He reached has
present grade OF lieutenant In 1891. Ills
main service has been on the Mononga-
beIn. Marion, Bancroft, Vesuvius and Ma
chias beside considerable service on
boards. Just a year ago he reported 70 the
St Louis then commissioned as an aux
liary cruiser and served on that vessel
under Capt Sigsbee, throughout the war.
IN Inn IA. last. he was ordered to the
hospltal ship Soleoe, which was about to
| sail from Manila, and on arrival there was
| assigned by Admiral Dewey TO the YORK
| town. -.
THE capture of the Yorktown's men was
discussed with much feeling In naval cir
| cles. The misfortune was felt with added
keenness, as the navy has prlded ltsell
| thus far on immunity from reverses. Ihe
admiraFs dispatch of to-day was the hrsl
| knowledge the department had that the
| yorktown had gone on this special mis-
| sion TO relieve the Spanish garrison al
Baler.
That the capture should have been ef-
sected while the American forces wers
| on a mission of mercy toward the Span
| iards rather than in the prosecution OF
campaieh. led to the belief thatA Spain
| would have no further ground for ques-
tionjng the good faith with which the
| Americans were seeking to relieve the
| condition of the Spanish prisoners. Al
though tho dispatch gave no indication
| that Lieut.. Gilmore and his men had losi
| their lives yet great anxiety was aroused
bv the mystery surrounding their fate
! while In the hands of an uncivilized emo
my.
This is the first capture OF any Ameri-
cans. military or naval, so that II Is un'
known how the insurgents will treat oul
men. If civilized methods were pursued
an exchange would be quickly effected, as
Gen. Otis has a large number Of Filipino
prisoners. but the insurgents have beer
averse thus far to exchanging Spanish
prisoners, and this raises a question as tc
what they will do with che yorktown
| men.
The purpose of officials here is to spare
no effort to secure the speedy release o.
our men.