The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17
Americans Were Trapped I'm a Com
vent. which Was Set on Fire
by Filipino Rebels.
FOUGHT FOR THREE DAYS
NINETEEN WERE KILLED AND FIVE
WOUNDED BEFORE AID CAME.
Streets Covered with Dead Insurgents,
Showing that the Brave Soldiers
Sold Their Lives Dearly.

WASHINGTON, May l6.-The officials Of
the War Department, after waiting for
nearly week TO hear something from
General Macarthur at Manila confirma-
tory of the press report OF the bloody
three days engagement at Catubig, which
resulted in the heaviest loss Of life the
American army has sustained I'm any one
engagement in the Philippines. yesterday
cabled General Macarthur a request for
information. The answer was received to-
day confirming the press reports and add
ing some interesting details. General Mac
Arthur transmitted report from Henry
L. Allen, a major of the Forty-third Vol
unteers. who commanded the United States
forces on the Island OF Samar. 1t appears
that this force was divided among sew
eral ports on Samar and, while details are
still lacking. IL is believed that this par
ticular force. which was besieged at Cat
ubig, was commanded, not by a commits
stoned officer. but by a sergeant. either
George or Hail. both of whom were killed.
Catubig, where the engagement occurred.
is a seaport town OF nearly 10000 inhabi-
tants. General MacArthur's cablegram
follows:
with reference to your cabegram OF
the 18th, the rumored engagement in Samar
reported in cablegram OF General Otis.
May IA. has been confirmed by reports re-
Gently received from Henry T. Allen. For
ty-third Regiment, United States Volunteer
Infantry, commanding In Samar island.
A detachment of thirty-one men, stationed
at Catubig, were attacked April Is by GOO
men with 200 rifles and one cannon. Our
men were quartered in a convent, which
was fired next day by burning hemp
thrown from the adjoining church A de-
tachment of the men attempted escape by
the river, but were killed while getting
into the boat. The remaining men in
trenched themselves near the river and
held out two days longer. facing most ad-
verse circumstances until rescued by Lieu
tenant Sweeny and ten men. Over 200 Of
the attacking party (many of them are re-
are reported killed and many wounded.
Lieutenant Sweeny reports streets covered
with dead insurgents" General Macarthur
gives the following list OF casualties:
Killed
Sergeants Dustin L. George and William
Q. Hall.
Corporals Herbert H. Edwards and John
4. j. Hamilton.
Cook Burton z. Hess.
Musician Burton r. Wagner.
Privates Treffiie Pomslew, Otto B. Loose,
Stephen Apperty, Joseph O'Neil, John E.
Kuhn, Ralph II. Zim, Edward Braman.
Chester A Conklin. Walter Z. Collins.
Joseph ]. Kerins. Henry Dumas, Philip
Sailing and George A. Slack.
All the above belonged to Company II.
Forty-third Regiment. United States Vol
unteer Infantry.
Wounded
Privates Lester N. Ruchworth, Harry c.
Lee, Michael j. Faron; James II. Clancy,
Company II. Forty-third Regiment United
States Volunteer Infantry.
Corporal White. Company F. Forty-third
Volunteer Infantry.
The cablegram closes thus: Copy of
Henry 7. Aliens report forwarded by mail
yesterday. Iloilo Panay) cable Is broken
by earthquake Difficult to procure more
definite information