The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-03-30

consciousness and dying shortly after
ward in the boat. Seaman Rynders mad
his fingers cut off the hand, but kept
bravely to his starboard stroke oar, the
starboard oars were riddled and most of
them shattered; beside, the boat was
pierced by the Remington balls and made
water fast.
AS soon as possible after recovering
from the first shock, we opened fire with
Colt and rifles. The ambush was so COM
plete that we could not see at what to
fire, not even the smoke. The colt was
thrown out of action before the second
volley, shattering the munition box and
cutting the loading tape. The order was
given to back oars, but as only a few
could be used, the others being shattered,
the tide drifted us on a sand bank. ELS
worth, Edwards and Woodbury. tried TO
swim the boat out but did not succeed
The volleyS were poured in on us on the
left bank in quick succession, Woundlng
mortally Mcdonald and Nygard. At this
time I was under the impression that
most of the crew were either wounded or
killed
The bodies of the men who had been
killed had fallen on the Slighter men, who
were struggling in the bottom of the boat.
The boat was covered with blood and pre-
sented a fearful sight. The cries of the
mortally wounded in the stern OF the boat,
asking me to shoot them and not allow
them to fan into the hands of the saw
ages were heartrending. AT the same
time could be seen coming down the
right bank of the river. band
bows and arrows, boles and spears.
1 gave the order to hoist the white flag,
which was done by Rynders, who received
a shot in the right wrist and dropped the
flag l thought the enemy intended to
massacre all of u.s. so continued to fire,
the fire of the enemy coming faster. We
were now hailed from the left bank in
Spanish. the officer saying that If we did
not cease firing and surrender he would
kill us. [ then surrendered Before the
officers on the left band could get
across, the savages on the right bank
came up, took us off the boat,
robbed us of rings watches, hats,
caps, clothes, in fact everything that
they could get at short notice, tied our
arms behind us with bamboo thongs, and
lined US up on the beach to be shot. Those
who had rifles loaded them and had them
already cooked when an officer came out
of the bush and ordered otherwise. We
were then sent on board Tie boat, and
after plugging up the holes made by rifle
balls, pulled up the river.
6. l regret to say that | now found the
following casualties: Morrissey and Dill
lon, landsmen, dead; Nygard, g. m. c.,
and Mcdonald, ord. seaman, mortally
wounded; Van Vile, app. |. c., Rynders,
ly wounded: myself, slightly in the knee
by ball which came through the side of
the boat. The wound healed on arrival in
San Ysidro. We were landed some dis
tance up the river and were allowed to
take the mortally wounded out of the boat
and place them on shore. and to
The seriously wounded we carried with
US to the conlmandants Office about a
mile and half distance. We were under
a strict guard. The officer in charge of
us would not allow the mortally wounded
to be taken with us. The officer said they
had medical officer and would send him
down to attend the men. / never could
ascertain whether this was done.
move were marched across the
country to San Ysidro At the command
ants office | requested to be allowed to
write to the commanding officer of the
Yorktown to notify him of the facts. and
to request medical attendance. This was
allowed. but 1 found later that the let
ter was never sent. Before ending this
report, l will mention men whom l par
ticularly noticed All, however, behaved
well.
w. Walton, chief quartermaster. for his
GOODNESS in the bow of the boat with the
Colt gun. He had the visor of his cap
shot off and coat pierced by balls in the
first volley, but still stood to his gun and
worked it until it was thrown out of ac-
ton.
Paul Voudoit, sailmaker's mate who
assisted at the bow with the gun and
to whose knowledge of the Spanish IAN
guage | am especially indebted. He. was
under the fire of the enemy all of the
time in the bow, and I commend him for
coolness and bravery.
j. Ellsworth, coxswain, who in his
capacity of coxswain handled the boat
Ill
being in the exposed position of coxswain,
and only leaving the coxswain's box to
assist in swimming tthe boat out.
Rynders, seaman, for staying at his oar,
although seriously wounded in both arms,
and doing everything to assist in backing
the boat out His coolness and bravery,
although suffering from his wounds, cam
not be too highly praised.
Van Vile, apprentice first class, for his
bravery and collness under fire. enoeav-
oring to get a clip out of a Lee rife fsr
me- and although wounded seriously four
times still persisting. He is a young man
of exemplary habits, only II or is years
of age. and showed remarkable coolness
Edwards and Woodbury., for ceolnese -
trying to swim the boat out. and lie
former with Peterson for attending the
wounded afterwards.
In conclusion, I trust that my action in
attempting to save Ensign STANDBY and
the quartermaster from imprisonment If
not death. will be approved. My sole
thought was TO do this, and although the
expedition turned out so dsastrously,
have suffered for 1t. Ny only regret is
that my boats crew had to suffer with
me.
l am, sir, very respectfully.
]. C. GILMORE. Lieut.. Z. s. Navy.
The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Naval
Force on Asiatic Station.