New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
HARD WORK IN CAVITE.
GREAT DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME BY

GENERAL sCHwANs EXPEDITION.
Washington Feb 10.-The War Department has
made public General Schwan's report on his
petition In the second week OF last October In the
Province of Cavte, which resulted in the capture
of Cavite Viejo Novaleta. Rosario. San Cruz, San
Francisco de Malabon and Das Marinas This ex-
petition according to General Schwan, accom-
plshed the objects for which 1t set foot
with thoroughness and dispatch. The country
presented many difficulties. The streams and
roads were generally lined by impenetrable bamboo
jungles, behind which the enemy found perfect
screens The hankers were obliged to traverse the
rice swamps and fields, progress neces
sarily slow, and the country was an ideal one for
ambushes. The roads, however presented the
most serious obstacle, the mud being deep in
some places that it necessary to hold up the
heads of artillery horses that had become mired or
had fallen. to prevent them from being sufocated.
The enemy, though assembled in large bodies and
occupying positions whose natural strength had
been still further increased by artificial means,
was easily defeated In province In which he had
won some OF his greatest successes in the rebellion
against Spain, and where since February last he
had held almost undsputed sway. The loss Of the
insurgents in the engagements from October to
II. says General Schwan, amounted to not less
than 100 killed and 400 wounded This estimate
rests on information derived from absolutely trust
worthy sources. The effect of the punishment is
evidenced by the quiet that has since its admins
tration prevailed the south line where.
ported by the aide-de-camp of General Grant, not
a shot has been fired in fifteen days Not single
house was burned in the course of the expedition.
LAS has already been pointed out" says General
Schwan. the expedition hastily organized, and
consisted of organizations not OF which had
previously served with the others. Nevertheless.
all worked well together from the start; officers
and men alike seemed eager to accomplish what
ever task given them The command improved
steadily. and when broken up fit and anxious
TO undertake any service, however arduous.
OFFICERS AND MEN PRAISED.
TT remains to say a few words regarding each
of the organizations that participated in the
paign. and the performed by the several staff
departments. The 18th Infantry was well handled
throughout by its colonel (Bisbee), and responded
with promptness and alacrity TO every call that
made upon it. The battalion of the 18th In
fantry Captain Taylor did its full share of the
work. two of its companies under Lieutenant Han
and Major (recently graduated taking a most
creditable part in the storming of the enemy's
intrenchments at Putol October S. Too much
praise cannot be accorded the company of scouts,
partly made up of Tagalos. commanded by Leuten-
ant Cashier They led the charge which resulted
in the capture of those intrenchments and were in
the advance in every other engagement except that
the Buena Vista road on the afternoon OF Octo-
Der TO- When at the end of days operations other
troops were in bivouac rest, Lieutenant Cashier,
with his scouts. always ready and cheerful, made
under the brigade commanders orders valuable
"Reminiscences which often entailed great hard
taxed ordinary men The dsmounted cavalry troop
before after the loss of its gallant captain rem
dered highly efficient service.
The work of the artillery, arduous in the
IRENE may be characterized as brilliant Under the
leadership of their flashing officers Captain Taylor,
Captain Riley and Lieutenant McCloskey) one or
more sections invariably placed on the firing
line. In instance ION the Buena Vista road,
when the troops obliged to move forward in
column, the leading piece marched with the ad-
guard The engineer company, acting mostly
under the personal supervision of the chief engineer
Captain Sbert, but under the immediate command
Of Lieutenant Sickle, energetic and capable
young officer, has already been mentioned for its
prompt construction of efficient ferry. While
approaching San Francisco de Malabon where the
enemy supposed TO be in force and expected
to give battle, the company asked for and
signed place in the firing line Captain Sibert, not
only in his capacity engineer but also the
firing line, notably the afternoon of October 10,
the Buena Vista road, contributed in a marked
degree by his efforts 10 the of the opera
tons.
The telegraph and signal service was PerfSrmed
win great ef1clency by detachment of the Signal
Corps under the command of Lieutenant Clarke.
This detachment. following Immediately in the
tween the briga5e and the division head0arfers at
until cutting loose from its wagon train il left San
duct of the important service that fell his de-
quartermasters and subsistence departments were
respectively represented by Captain biddel and
consequence of the difficulties presented by. the
road and the separation of the wagon train from
the command found ample field for the exercise
Of their ingenuity and energy Each in mis-
line succeeded in making satisfactory provision
for the command. To the adjutant general of the
brigade Lieutenant Slayden; TO the officers who
acted as aides-de-camp, Captain SeWell. Lieuten-
ant Fenton and Lieutenant Hawkins the thanks
of the brigade commander due in the effective
support they gave him every occasion they
utterly unsparing of themselves
Five officers and fifteen enlisted men were
wounded in the various actions. OF this num-
Der three officers, Captains Saffold Geary Nc
possible care was taken of the wounded by the
medical officers and enlisted of the hospital
corps serving with the expedition Major Keefer
brigade surgeon. being especially active and faith
full in the performance of his duties"