Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-04-27
ACAMPAIGN IN LUZON
An Interesting Account Of Fighting
and Life In the Philippine
Islands.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR OTERO
Several New Mexico Soldiers Who Are Re-
commended for Promotion Drowning
of Lieut.. Luna-A Fertile Province
and Peaceful People.


of Lieut.. Luna-A Fertile Province
and a Peaceful People.
Governor Otero has received an inter-
esting letter from Maj. julius A. Penn,
who is with the 34th regiment in the
Philippines. The latter gives a graphic
account of campaigning in the Philip
pines. Major Penn writes:
A LONG MARCH.
1--WE started from San Fabian on No
vember rs on march up the west coast
to overtake General Young, who was
about sixty miles up the coast, and was
advancing northward each day. The
chase was hard one, but we overlook
him on December l. On December and
5 we had our first fight, and while Cen
eral Young had the troops partially en-
gagged in the fight he told Col Howe,
of the 34th, that it was "his fight; 34th
infantry fight" We were entirely sue
cessful, and captured the strongest field
works on the island. From San Fabian
north had only 140 men, and went in
to the fight with 131. We had eight men
wounded, one, Patrick Dolan, mortally.
I led eighty men in turning move
ment, and gained a mountain top that
commanded the enemy's main redoubt.
Ten minutes work then settled the
fight. 1t took all day, however, to make
the climb. The next morning we took
anoher redoubt and then took up the
pursuit.
MANY VICTORIES.
"We went on to Baugud where we re-
leased about 100 Spanish officers and
1000 Spanish prisoners. We started
down the river for Vigan, and we moved
nine miles to La Pax, where we rescued
three American prisoners. We took up
the trail of General Tinio's retreating
army, had fight near Baudi, dispersed
his rear guard and destroyed an i'm
mense amount of property belonging to
the insurgent army. We crossed the
high mountains between the Abra val
ley and the Laoag valley, had hot
fight in canon, and a skirmish at dusk
the same day, when we emerged from
the mountains. The next morning we
captured a number of insurgents and
their supplies and rescued General Pena
and 400 other Spanish officers and 500
Spanish soldiers. The same evening we
had a skirmish and captured 100 Chi
nese who had been impressed by the in
surgents.
ARDUOUs CAMPAIGNING.
1--WE had skirmish at Mananting,
and chased the insurgents into CAN
on. This trail we knew led into the
widest country, the highest mountains
of northern Luzon, and over these
mountains to the Cayayan valley. Our
command of nine officers and 119 men
was exhausted, and we had to halt. In
three days we received shoes and ra-
tions and resumed the march," Thus
Major Penn describes the arduous cam
paign, which lasted several months.
RESCUED LIEUTENANT GILMORE.
He continues: "On January Is we res
cued Lieutenant Gilmore and nineteen
others. Our subsequent journey from
December IS to January 2 down the
Abulug river to Abulug was one of the
most remarkable that had been made
by any part of the army for a genera
ton. We arrived at Abulug in a very
ragged and hungry condition, and with
fully one-half of the men more or less
i'll from exposure and hardships. We
lost one man through the measles. I
was given the honor of escorting Lieu
tenant Gilmore and the other released
prisoners to Manila. I rejoined my bat
TALON at Laoag, and we have since been
stationed here.
THE COUNTRY PACIFIED.
1.-THE country is peaceful. A few rob-
ber bands give us great deal OF scout
ing, and we keep patrols out almost con-
stantly. We think the province OF Illo-
cos Norte is the best on the island. All
the land near the coast is cultivated,
and so are many of the small interior
valleys. Rice, tobacco, cotton, sugar
cane and fine cattle are raised. Vegeta-
bles are plentiful. 1t is really a fine cat
tie country, and the cattle are as pref
ty as blooded Jerseys or Attorneys, and
of larger frame. have never seen fields
better cultivated than are those of this
province.
THE PEOPLE.
"The people are Illocanos, Of rather
lighter color than the Tagalogs, and OF
far better features. They are quiet
peaceable, pious, clean and remarka-
bly free from the diseases of the Skin
so prevalent in the vicinity of Manila.
PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION.
ION February % we gave a celebra'
ton in honor of the birthday anniver'
sary of George Washington. Every pu
eblo in the province was represented by
it's principal men, and nearly al
brought along their brass bands. W.
had eight bands at the fiesta twelve
days before, and thirteen bands OF
| Washington's birthday. The Laoat
band of thirty pieces is first class in ev
cry respect 1t plays classical music
and there are very few bands in tn
states that surpass It, The other band
have from twenty-five to fifty piece
each. Every band carried handsom
United States flag, home made, an
each had transparencies representing
the United States shield, eagles, etc
The bands picked up few popular air
and favored us with Marching Througl
Georgia. Yankee Doodle and 'Ho
Time The great church. the presiden
cy, the plaza and the rest Of the tow
were decorated. The main streets wer
lined with bamboo arches of most artis
tic designs. At night 5000 Chinese lar