Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-06
MACABEBE SCOUTS
Major Batson's Report Of Their Or
ganization.
THEIR OPERATIONS IN L0ZON
Bravery Displayed by Both Officers
and Men.
SOME SEVERE ENG MENTS

| Major Matthew A. Batson of the 4th
Cavalry. who has been appointed to COM
mand the first mounted battalion of Fill
Pine volunteers, has made a special report
to the War Department in regard to the
organization and operations of the Maca-
bebe scouts from September 1 to November
49, during which period they were under
his command. Five companies of these ma
tives were organized by Major Batson I'M
der special orders from Major General Law
ton, for scout and picket duty with the
American army on it's memorable march
through the center and north of LuZon. In
accordance with Major Batson's plans, the
original organization of these companies
consisted of 100 men. including one cap
tain, one lieutenant, one first sergeant, one
quartermaster sergeant, six sergeants,
eight corpOrals and ninety-two privates.
The officers and sergeants We're detailed
from the line of the army, the corporals
and privateS We're natives Shortly after
their organization the sergeants We're also
appointed from the natives. The pay was
on the same scale that for American
troops, but was in Mexican silver. instead
of gold. The uniforms and the rationS were
the same. In order to avoid possibility of
mistaking their fire for that of the inSur-
gents they were armed with United States
magazine Carbines. To facilitate their
movements they were also supplied with a
number of bancas, small native canoe.
Organizing the Companies.
The first company was organized in the
town of Macabe. about eight miles down
the Rio Grande from CalumDit, and about
fifty miles north of Manila. Major Batson
went to this place without escort, and noti-
fed the alcalde, Pacia Sanches, of his de-
sire to enlist 100 Macabebes for use as
scouts in connection with the operations of
the American troops in the Philippines.
He sent circular around the town call
ing the young men to a rendezvous. and
no difficulty whatever was experienced in
securing the requisite number of desira BILE
men. The selections were made from those
who had seen service as volunteers under
General Blanco As a rule they were INTEL
ligent men and understood Spanish. Those
who had served as subalterns and non-com-
missioned officers with General Blanco were
made non-commssiOned officers in the first
company. instead of assigning white SOL
diers to that duty as originally proposed.
The company was fully organized and
equipped by SeDtember 10, and was first
used in patrOlling the rivers and nipa
swamps of PamDanga, in which duty they
succeeded in surprising several insurgent
bands and capturing a number of arms.
Subsequently another company of Maca-
bebes was organized and put into the field.
The scouts accompanied an expedition down
the Bagbag river. and surprised the in
surgentS at HagonOy and a Marulao. On
September % they Joined General Young's
provisional brigade at San Fernando, and
soon after the third company of lbs men
was organized, and Leutenants BOutelle
and Balch were assigned to duty with the
command. The third company, under Lieu
tenant Balch, was assigned to duty with
General Lawton.
Proceeded to Candaba.
In accordance with Geographic instruc-
ton from General Lawton, the other two
companies under Major Batson and Lieu
tenant Boutelle proceeded to Candaba
Acting Assistant Surgeon NJ s. Simpson,
Corporal James Conway of the 4th Caval-
ry and an Interpreter named Fedrico Fer
nandeZ accompanied the detachment. The
trip covered thirty-two miles and was
made at night during a heavy rain storm.
Arriving at Candabd the command was or
dered at once to Arayat over a caraboa
trail, where the mud was ankle deep, and
bancas Were needed in crossing several
streams. Joining the army at Arayat Bat
to the front, and brought in information
that force of insurgents was intrenchcd at
Libutad. This force consisted of two COM
panies of the Manila battalion. On the night
of October 10 Major Batson, accompanied
by DR.. Simpson and Mr.. Fernandez went
up the river in banca to San Mateo. where
they landed, and approached within sight
of the insurgent outpost, and made a re-
connaissance of the place by moonlight
The next morning he reported the result of
MS observations to General LawtOn. and
suggested that he be permitted to attack
the place the following morning at daylight.
The necessary authority being given
Major Batson's force started on the march
at 1870 o'clock in the morning. At day-
light his advance guard encountered and
drove back the outpost at San Mateo
Passing through that town he ordered
Lieut. Boutellc To move his company by the
right flank until his right flank was beyond
the trenches and then moved toward the
river Lieut.. Quinian then deployed his
company to the front. About 100 wards
from the trenches the insurgents opened a
heavy fire, showing that they were already
in position and awaiting the attack. Major
BatSOn ordered CulnlanS company to lie
down and return the fire until Lieut.. Bou-
telle had gained the right flank This fire
lasted about fifteen minutes when Lieut.
BOutelle, being in position, both companies
were ordered TO charge. The scouts soon
came hand to hand with the insurgents
driving them from the trenches and COM
pletely demoralizing and dispensing them
Fifteen insurgents We're killed, nineteen
wounded and hfty-nine taken prisoners
The prisoners included two officers one of
whom commanded the insurgent force
Major Batsons casualties were one man
killed The remnant of the insurgent force
Was pursued To Santa Rita, where "A half
was made for breakfast. Major Batson then
pushed on with thirty-five scouts to Cadillac
where the insurgents made slight resist
ance and then retired.
Bravery Was Superb
THE conduct of my officers and men dur
ing these engagements says Major Bat
son, was all that could be expected of
any troops. Their bravery was superb. The
insurgents were in strong position and
were well armed. having for the most part
Mauser rifles and an average of ninety
ONJHTE 4 DOW