Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-15

and as additional cnptives two priests.
The instructions to Captain Sperry of the
Yorktown were to rescue the beleaguered
garrison IL possible and bring them safely
to Manila. Accordingly Gilmore was
commissioned to proceed with his boat
load Of men and IL possible communicate
with the garrison. ~
The banks Of the shallow river off the
mouth of which the Yorktown lay were
found to he fringed with heavy brush,
says the Philadelphia Times, and back of
this were thick forests on either side Of
which swarms Of insurgents were am
bushed. Under flag of truce Sperry
communicated with the Filipinos, who
came down to the open beach when he
sent a boat. They refused to give him
any information about the Spaniards, but
wanted the boat to go up the creek. with
the obvious intention of capturing the
crew. 1t being low water, Sperry could
not accede to this request. but went back
on board and talked the situation over
with his executive and navigating Off
GERS.
Before light came next morning Gill
more went off In the steam launch with
IA men and Ensign Standley. He landed
Standley ut the left of the mouth of the
creek with one sailor and then began to
take soundngs. Standley made his way
through the jungle and the forest until he
reached an elevated point climbed n tree
and made a sketch of the lay OF the land.
BY this time 1t was broad daylight, and
from the Yorktown the launch was seen
to enter the mouth of the river. The
thickly wooded shores hid 1t from view,
and the mystery began and deepencd be-
for" the day ended. When Standby Ind
completed his sketch, he returned to the
beach. and bont wns sent n bring him
back to the ship. All thh. day the York
town waited anxiously for the return Of
the launch, but no boat came. Then 1t
was that STANDBY reported that while up
the tree he had heard firing about three
fourths of mile away, but heard no re.
port from the Colt automatic gun which
the launch carried. He had seen mcn In
the river aud heard shouting in Spanish,
but thought they were natives bathing.
Up tho river he had seen the church
where the Spaniards bad held out for
eight months. and over 1t In defiance to
the world the Spanish Gag was still Gy-
Ing.
The Yorktown patroiled the beach with
armed boats ail night and signaled with
scarchlights, but got no response. and
when Spcrry tried to communicate with
the Insurgents they refused TO meet him.
For three days the Yorktown waited.
then dropped some six inch shells into the
rebel camp and returned unwillingly to
Manila to report the loss Of the men.
The missing nSn included Lieutenant
]. @. Gilmore. William Walton, chief
Quartermastcr; John Ellsworth, cock
swain; Lyman Paul Edwards. laudsman;
John Dillon landsman: Paul vandolt,
arty prln tl,ar Ia
sey, landsman: Ora b. Mcdonald, ordi-
nary seamen; William Fl. Rynders. cock
swain Silvio Brisolese, lnndsman; Albert
Peterson. apprentice. third class; Orris
Welch Woodbury.. seaman; Densell
George and Arthur Vonvillo, appren-
tices. second class: Frederick Anderson.
landsman. and Edward J. Nycard, gum
ner's mate, third class.
Then began the wonderful experiences
OF this band of men. When their launch
entered the Baler river, Gilmore at
tempted landing, but was received by
three volleys from concealed Filipino
sharpshooters. Two of his men were kill
ed and the rest more or less wounded.
The lieutenant received two flesh wounds
and wss caught In the mud. being unable
to extricate himself Under the circum-
stances morning remained to 90 bu. sur
render. The party was taken before the
rebel chief. and Gilmore was informed
II he would secure the surrender OF the
Spanish garrison with their munitions of
war that he and the garrison wond ne
spared and allowed to return to the ship.
A sailor was sent under flag of truce,
but the Spanish commandant indignant
ly rejected the terms and would not be-
Iieve the news of the outside world, re.
fusing to credit the information that the
Spaniards had been defeated and pence
concluded between Spain and this coun.
tty. On the sailors return the Tagal
chief became violently enrnged. bound
the small band OF mon hnnd and foot
aud transported them over the noun
tains 10 General Luna. who ordered
thrm shot In the nln7n of Sa'l Isilro.