The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-02
LETTER FROM TARLTON
IN A FIGHT A MAUSER BULLET TORE
THROUGH HIS HAT
And Another Made a Blister ON His
Nose-His Detachment I'm Many
Hot Places.

G. 8. Tarlton, who was captain I'm the
One-hundred-and-fif ty-eighth Indiana Vol
unteers. is now in the Philippines serving
with the Thirtieth Infantry as first lieu
tenant and commanding detachment of
sharpshooters. In a recent letter he de-
scribes life on the Island of Panay, and
says in part:
Il am at the head of detachment of
sharpshooters and consequently at the
head of the column at all times We had
battles at Binan and San Diego, skirmishes
at Batangas, Lilo, Majayjay, Lusana,
Cavite, and between Luisana and Carento
The regiment has marched over 269 miles
through the mountains. swimming rivers,
wadihg through marshes and rice fields
until they look like crowd of Weary
Willies.'
'The island is a most beautiful one and
not one-half has been said OF its richness
and resources.
AT San Diego was ordered by the COM
handing general to go up the mountain
side, which was covered with dense under
growth. and take the enemy's trenches.
We went UP and drove them into cocoa
nut field, where the sharpshooters had
their first real chance to demonstrate their
craftsmanship. and what they did to them
was enough. In my report 1t was shown
that We killed thirty and wounded sew
enty-six. Our casualties were three wound
ed. a blister on my nose from Remington
bullet, and Mauser bullet through my
hat. Lieutenant Boyle, who is in the de-
tachment, had two narrow escapes. both
from front and rear. as our own men were
shooting at the intrenchments and did not
see others OF the detachment, who were
under the heavy vegetation on the noun
tain side. After the fight received
several congratulations and compliments
on the manner In which the thing was
handled. 1t was quite warm on the hill
for an hour or two. Nine men went over
the trenches with me. General Schwan
gave me credit for taking about 600 yards
OF the trenches-whioh was about all they
had. The fight opened at o'clock in the
morning and ended at in the evening.
Portions of the Thirtieth, Thirty-ninth and
Thirty-seventh Infantry. five guns from
the Fourth Artillery. the Macabee scouts
and my command were in the fight.
THE paper on which l am writing was
taken from an insurgent officer who was
killed. and were il not for it, L could not
write a line. AT Lilo captured Spaniard
and he told me where the enemy was in
trenehed and We went to Majayjay. where
We found them heavily intrenched. i was
ordered TO take two men and make a recon-
noissance, which i did and found at dark
a road leading into the town. A great gully
| surrounded the town. and IL had natural
advantages, the greatest / ever saw. i
made my report to the general and the
| next morning. finding the enemy gone.
was ordered to give chase. We had a num-
Der of skirmishes with the rear guard and
| got so close that they tore up bridge just
| in front OF us. This delayed the column for
three hours and we lost them We have
| had some pretty lively times and espe-
| cially in my detachment"
Lieutenant Tariton's letter written
| Jan. 80 and mailed at Santa Cruz, Panay
| island.