The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-04-25
MACABEBE LEADER
HERE ON HANCOCK
Major Batson Who Organized the
Native Scouts on the Phil
ippinss arrives.

Major Matthew A. Batson, who is
aboard the Hancock, is a man well
thought of By soldiers. He won fame i'm
the Philippines when lieutenant. as
the organizer of the Macabebe battal-
ion, the band of fighting scouts who
have done much for the cause of Unc.e
sam In LuZon. His promotion to a
Majority was for this service. The
MacaDeDes practical cooperation as
scouts with the forces under General
Otls mas Deen standing REPUTATION OF
the claim or the ASuinaldists that they
represented the unanimous voice of The
natives. The habitat of the Macabepes
is the section of country about NaIoIos
and as soon as the army established it
self in the former capital of the rebets
In the summer of 1899, 1t was found that
these natives could be depended on for
the most arduous and difficult service.
In their knowledge of the country and
OF the methods OF the rebels and IN
their endurance, they were valuable adj
Juhcts ana more tnan once vinulcated
the wisdom OF General Otis in utilizing
thelr services by placing guns in their
hands. The work OF whipping these
scouts into shape as a real fighting
force deVolVed upon Lieut.. Matthew A.
Batson, whose intelligent efforts i'm that
direction met with practical demonstra-
tions of success.
MAJOR B1tsOn recently rendered to
the War Department a report dealing
with the organization and operations OF
the scouts, from september / l. Noyem
Der 10, 1899, at which date he was
wounded and relieved from the con-
mand. On August 81 Batson was di-
rected by an order from Gen. Lawton
TO report at his headquarters and draw
up plans for the organization of a com
pany of Macabebe scouts to consist of
one hundred men. He recommended a
company with one captain, one lieuten-
ant, one first sergeant, one Q. NJ. SER
geant, six sergeants and eight native
corporals and ninety-two privates. the
sergeants to be also appointed from the
natives after the company was or
ganized.
After the enlistment of the first com
pany of scouts Batson was direct
ed to organize two additional COM
panies, which were placed under the
command Of Lieuts. Quinlan and Bou-
telle. After the organization was COM
pleted the commanding officer, accom-
panied by two of the companies of the
scouts, proceeded to the town of Arayat
and reported to General Young for duty
with his division. The first engagement
of the natives Is graphically described
in the official report of Batson in which
he says:
THE conduct of my officers and men
during this engagement was all that
could be expected of any troops. Their
bravery was superb. The insurgents
were in strong position. having for
the most part Mauser rifles. and, ac-
cording to the statement of their COM
handing officer, an average of ninety
rounds Of ammunition to the man. 1
particularly notice the conspicuous gal
lantry and bravery of Lieut.. Henry NJ.
Boutelle. Sd Art. as he led the charge
OF his company on the stone sugar
house against a heavy fire and captured
IL. Lieut.. ID. Z. Quinlan, 18th Cav, dis
played extraordinary GOODNESS and led
the charge on the left against heavy
fire from the trenches.
Lieut.. Batson in his report describes
the many engagements in which his
companies of Macabebes took part, stat
ing that in every instance they made
most creditable showing. At one of the
battles Lieut.. Boutelle was killed while
leading his men. The bravery of this
officer is several times mentioned in the
report. In conclusion the commanding
officer of the scouts says In his report:
IL beg to call the attention of the bril-
gade commander to the excellent SER
vice of all the officers who have been
on duty with the Macabebe scouts
Lieut. Quinlan has, next to myself, been
longest on duty with them, and had his
company In an excel state of dis
cipllne. / think this expedition has
fully demonstrated the loyalty, brav-
cry and endurance of the Macabebes as
soldiers, and recommend that a regi-
ment of cavalry be organized from the