The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-02-09

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hNM NlN|I1T The exploits Of
ES.NR1Tr&%I Captain Bernard
~M,IWZE1s A. Byrne of the
lSWI|MzIZl TX Sixth infantry
- ~ - in attacking SUI
perlor numbers of island bandits has
a touch of romance and Of thrilling in
terest attaching to it.
Byrne is now lieutenant colonel of
the new Fortieth United States volun-
teers and owes his promotion to his
remarkable achievement in the island
Of Negros last July. He was with his
company among the mountains when
he came upon a camp of $50 organized
natives who live by plumber of friend
and foe and incidentally play Agui-
naldos game by waylaying, robbing
and even fighting American soldiers.
Byrne had So men. He attacked with
rush. using bayonets or dubbed mus
kets at close quarters. He left 115
bandits dead. including their chief, and
many wounded and did it with loss
of but one killed and one wounded.
On the 31st of August Byrne attack
ed bandit stronghold at Gula and
added to his renown as fighter. The
bandits were lodged in q town accessi-
BILE only by road leading up an al
most perpendicular slope, where the
assailants were exposed to view for a
quarter of mile. The bandits rolled
heavy stones down the hill into the
American ranks, but only three men
were hit by them. At close quarters
the bandits showed fight, and 81 were
killed and many wounded. They num-
bered 400. A large quantity of Filipino
supplies and weapons were taken from
the bandits.
Byrne did not receive a military
training either at West Point or in
the ranks of the army. He was ap-
pointed from civil life to the Office Of
second lieutenant and learned his art
on the plains fighting Indians. He led
his company in the charge at San Juan
hill.
The boys Of the First Colorado
brought home a story quite the. ,oppo-
site Of that relating to Byrne's exploit.
1t is one of heroic defense made by a
handful. The night of Feb 4, when the
Filipino war suddenly burst forth, the
regiment lay in front of the insurgent
blockhouse No. 4. The American out
post in front Of the blockhouse was To-
Gated in clump of trees known as
'the orchard" It was manned the
night of Feb. by two corporals and
II privates. They had all served
through the Spanish campaign and
knowing that new regiment lay be-
hind them felt that the cause rested in
their keeping that night.
| When the mutterings of the gather
ing storm reached the little band, it
was agreed that they would hold the
fort to the last and not be in hurry
to call for help. The opening shot was
fired, and the insurgents in and around
the blockhouse showered Mauser and
Remington bullets into "the orchard"
Lying in the rice ridges, the Colorado
men answered as best they could, fir
Ing at the flashes of the enemy's guns.
At the end Of two hours it was found
| that the stock of ammunition was
about gone. A hurried conversation
was held, and it was decided not to
abandon the post. All the ammunition
on hand was given to five men, M. ].
Parkhurst, 81. ]. Helm, G.. S. Eichel-
rath, G. r. Schulz and G. A. Hawkins.
These five were to stay and try to hold
the post in the face Of swarms of Fill
pinos only 200 yards distant while
the others went back three miles to
the nearest American camp for am
munition and support.
An attack upon the isolated vedette
post during the night was expected to
a certainty, and, feeling that they were
taking their lives in their hands, the
devoted men gave last messages to
their comrades to be sent to friends
at home. When the ENJOYS returned
with help and bullets, the defenders
stood, bayonet in hand, with their last
round in the chambers, awaiting the
insurgent attack. At daylight the
First Dakota marched up from the re-
serves and charged the fort In the
first line the brave Colorado pickets of
the orchard" post advanced and help
ed rout the enemy which had missed
the splendid chance to destroy them.
The members of the Tenth Pennsyl-
yania pay glowing tributes to the gal
iantry and general good qualities of
their lamented colonel, who died at sea
on the trip home
I'm the charge upon La Tomas
church" says Lieutenant Richie, "my
company was on the firing line, and
Colonel Hawkins as usual, was stand
ing IN an exposed position on the top
OF our trenches, and could not but no
tee the characteristic Of the colonel
which endeared him to every soldier
OF his command. He stood hat in hand
looking around at the boys, and every
time a man stuck his head over the
trenches the colonel would call out:
WHATS the matter with you there?
I Get down and don't stand in such an
exposed position. Get down; what are
you trying To do. get killed?