The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-03
FIGHTING UNDER LAWTON
A Report by the Late Major General
of Operations in Luzon.
In Despatch 10 OTIS He Speaks of
n Hot Engagemcnt a. n Beautiful
BnttIe-opcrations in the Southern
Part of the Island With Gem
erals Wheaton aud 0ycnsbine.

The report of Gen. Henry W. Lawton Il
General Otis on the operations of an ex.
petition in the southern part of Llzon from
January 40 to June %, 1899. has just beer
made public at the War Department. Gen
eral Lawton explains that his troops fol
this expedition were composed of two bri-
gades of about 1900 men each The first
4 brigade was commanded by Gen. Lloyd
Wheaton and the second brigade by Cen
eral Ovenshine.
| The movement began with an advance
toward Las Pinas on Janut.-v 10. 1t was
contemplated that tne two trigades should
advance parallel to each other. but the OPP
erations of the brigade under Genera!
ovenshine were. not so completely in ac-
| cord with the plan OF battle outlined as
was that of General Wheaton. owing to the
lack of unity in the movements of the or
CARNATIONS composing the brigade.
General Lawton. on reaching the place
| where General Ovenshine's troops were
supposed to be. found only the scouts and
two companies of the Fourteenth Infantry
engaging the enemy. No other troops OF
Ovenshine's brigade could be seen, and
when General Oyenshlne reported to Gen.
eral Lawton he remarked that he had
scarcely any brigade left Orders were
| Immediately given to reform this brigade.
which was accomplished. BY night the
| American troops were only a mile to the
| southeast of Las Pinas.
| General Lawtor says: The days march
had been made over rough trails. through
| thick, high grass, with but very little
drinking water. and the fighting had been
practically continuous. making 1t espe-
cially trying on the entire command" The
next morning the troops marched into Las
Pinas. which was found deserted by the
enemy. The same morning General Lawton
proceeded by launch to Manila for con-
| Terence with General Otis returning that
afternoon. The American troops resumed
the advance June T. and moved against
the enemy which wcs in force ON the
Zapote River. The expedition was some
what depleted by the ordering of the Thir-
teenth Infantry and the First Colorado to
Manila
General Lawton proceeded ON the Helena
along the south coast to make observations
OF the positions of the two forces. He re-
marks that the navy expressed anxiety
to render aid. and n position was indicated
for the Smelling by the navy of the shore.
On June 10 the battle OF Zapote River took
place. Before the movement began that
morning a telegram Was received from
General Otis. suggesting that the bridges
over the Zapote River be captured and that
the entrenchmentslof the enemy be taken
in the reverse. Partfsof the American
troops marched along the beach, in an eff
fort to get pass the enemy's flank and to
their rear. but thc8 enemy opened with a
determined fire ana later closed in on the
American forces with an attempt to en-
yelop our left fianRs-4af
The position taken by the Americans at
this point, beyond she left and in the rear
of the enemy. was rasartied as very impOr-
tant. General L3wtoU in his telegram
that day. reported To- Gtneral Otis, says of
this engagements Stfc yic0 ps
Eve had a isevere fight. but before re-
endorsements; reached us ,our left gave
way. compelling rs 10 take up position
less exposed. which We now hold. The
navy landed a machine gun with part OF
thirty eight men. II was very hard fight.
Please send out at once. by tug. some 30
calibre ammunition. The enemy are in
strong force and fight with determination.
In a later telegram. on the same day,
General Lawton said: we are having a
beautiful battle. Hurry up the ammuni- |
tiOn: we will need it."
After the battle General Lawton reported |
that the enemy had fled south. That the |
punishment inflicted upon the Filipinos |
was severe. He quoted General Wheaton |
as saying that the enemy was demoralized |
and that the Americans should march ON |
linus, and from there to Yatite, to clean |
out all the insurgents. The sick and |
wounded were placed on cascoes and es- |
corted by launch. we're sent to Manila. |
1t was during the engagement near the |
Zapote bridge that the navy rendered val |
liable assistance. This IVES recognized by |
General Eawton in u letter to the admiral |
the naval forces. in which he |
expressed his appreciation of the landing |
of officers and men from the gunboat |
Helena and monitor Monadnock, in sup |
port of the companies there engaged. Gen
eral Iawton says:
THE bearing Of officers and men
throughout this battle was magnificent As
General ovenshine says speaking OF Lieu
tenant Kenly and his battery. This is
probably the first time in history that |
battery has been advanced. and fought
without cover, within thirty yards of ,
strongly manned trenches.
THE force OF the enemy was between
four and five thousand well armed men.
They had defeated the Spaniards Mt this
point and were confident of their ability, |
and had taken an oath to hold this |
strongly entrenched and well fortified po-
sitlon. Our force. which carried these
works, was less than 1.200
strong; really less than 1900 men were
actually engaged in driving them out.
General Oyenshine, riding back and forth
not over $50 yards from the enemy's en-
trenchments directing his command. was
certainly an inspiring example to his
men,"
The American troops marched into linus
IN June 10 and found that the Insurgents
lad fed the day before. The town of
mus was temporarily occupied by part
,f the American forces and for two days
scouts and accommodating parties endeav-
,red to locate the enemy. The insurgents
we're located at San Francisco de Mala-
ION. After several attempts to reach this
,lace by direct roHues- General Otis or
Tered that no furtheg advances be made
IN Malabon. General Wheaton was with
Irawn TO linus in time 10 successfully de-
end that place against attacks from the
who, aftbff n severe engage
nent were repulssd- and driven beyond
'erez Das Alarinass - The occupation of
)as Marinas on June go was practically
he conclusion of tslts operations. and Gen
raj Lawton ands General Wheaton re-
urned TO Manila nftdr garrisonlng the
Principal towns from u.hich the enemy had
'een driven. -c5si
General LawtOn's report shows through
nj a thorough harmony with General Otis
n tho direction of,miiitary movements.
ieneral Otis was able on several occasions
O aid with information General Lawton's
xpedition. On onufnecasion General Otis
ras able TO report 10 General Lawton the
Xact strength OF q body OF Insurgents,
his information being received direct
rom the insurgent lines. General Law
on makes special mention or officers ana
nlisted men whose conduct in battle war
anted such report General I.awton rec
that Generals Wheaton and