The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-15
SCOUTING IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Letter Describing Daring Deeds by
Intrepid Men.

From the Denver (Col) Republican.
The following letter was written by Will
liam T. Schenck, late First Lieutenant In
the Twenty-ffth Infantry, recently sta
toned at Fort Logan. Lieut.. Schenck
was one of the bravest officers In the
regiment, and under his command a num-
Der of daring feats of scouting were done
in the Philippines by the 'solados negros,"
as the F'ilipinos call the negro regulars.
In his letter the Lieutenant modestly re-
lates one of the most exciting experiences,
and gives a graphic picture of the shoot
ing of American prisoners by the F1lipi-
nos.
Lieut.. Schenck met his death on the ex-
petition that followed the writing of this
letter. The news of his death created sor-
row at Fort Logan, where he was recoS-
nized as most brilliant and promising
Young officer besides being esteemed for
his rare personal qualities. Following Is
his letter:
Magellan. Jan. 6.-Yesterday we had a
most beautiful time of it. Company L.
Enochs and Parker-came from Mabalacat
the night before, and we had orders for
breakfast at PAS a. m. and to march at
3:15 a. m.
/ got up at $50 a. m. land sprinted
around to see how the cooks were coming
along Then l had the men awakened,
and we left about 3:15. | went first with
fortv-six scouts. then came Company B.
Company X, and Company l., commanded
bv Martin Sharon, Bates rrowsmith, and
Enochs- Parker. respectively.
We took a road running toward Arayat
mountain and kept on this until $3.50, and
then lit out across the field. The trail
could not be seen, so we had to wait mere
until daybreak, which came pretty soon.
AS soon as it got light enough TO see we
started again, and had a good trail
through which the command went in
single file Pretty soon we struck fork
and took the left-hand path. After han
the command had gone over this trail the
command was given to halt l put my
scouts out on the front and right front,
so we could not be surprised, and then
went back to Capt. Leonhaeuser
Rates was sent with one platoon to
ecout the right flank and inside of half
an hour he was fired upon, and Arrow
smith and another platoon were sent up
to assist him, and hnally the ehure com
mand pulled across and followed Company
X got ahead again with my scouts,
and we kept hiking along. The insurS-
ents had felled trees and bushes across
the trail and we had the devils own
time making any progress Hau 10 sort
of smash our way along, and the vines
and brush didn't do a thing TO us. Finally
| heard some one talking on our IeI1
and told Capt. Leonhaeuser.
Just then we made out hill about
$50 wards TO our lei. The underbrush
was very thick, but We knew 1t was
hin on account of the hight of the trees
on the sides and top of it. So Leon
haeusser told me to form my scouts ana
go IN and reconnoiter, and formed about
thirty of them in line and started Corpl.
Washington Company b, told me he saw
a man on the hill, and then we went very
carefully. The vines were something
fierce. but we did get along. Finally
the enemy opened up, and then hiked
forward like q good fellow. me hre eo'
hotter nnd some one nailed Corp. Wash
ington through the arm the bullet pene-
trating The stomach. giving him NOR
tai wound, from which he died this morn
ing. Another scout was shot through ootn
feet nnd two others were wouhdHa
thro- ~ the face. We craw.ed through