Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-31
GREAT PERFORMANCE
Capture of a Filipino Mountain
Stronghold.
DRIVEN FROM FORTIFIED POSITIONS
Troops March Through Rivers
Bed and Up on Trail.
FORTlTUDE OF SOLDIE r S

FORTITUDE OF SOLDIER S
An interesting report has been received
at the War Department in regard TO the
operations conducted by Col. E. ]. McCler-
hand i4th Volunteer Infantry. resulting IN
tt, capture of Sudlon mountain. one Of
the strpngholds of the Filipino Insurgents
ou the Island of Cebu. This of
the most important engagements with the
enemy in the southern islands. Col. Nc
Clernands command consisted Of detach-
nlcnts from the 10Th and I'D Regulars, the
4Ith Volunteer Infantry and Battery G,
9th Artillery. The preparations for the at
tack. which involved immense labor.
reported in great detail. The enemy
located on a high and precipitous noun
tain. which was strongly fortified and de-
Tended by some artillery and nearly 1000
men. Under the plan of campaign Major
Leefc. with four companies of the 10Th In
fantry. attacked the enemy's position from
the left and rear, while the main column.
under Col. McClernand, made a frontal at
tack along the line. which about four
miles in length. Great difficulty was
prrenced in taking the field guns up the
mountain side. and block and tackle Were
required in that work.
When everything in readiness a
number Of SHELLS were thrown into the d;f-
ferent forts. especially thos. from. which
the greatest opposition was anticipated, and
as many of the projecties wee seen to
burst in the forts. the artillery fire undoubt-
edly shook the morale of the enemy
March to Gain Position.
The march in column along the enemy's
front was hazardous. but was forced on
our troops by necessity. Orders Were given
to preserve strict silence and to light
fires. so as to gain the full advantage of
the cover of darkness. The difficulties of
the march We're greatly enhanced by the
presence in the column of some 300 native
carriers. transporting supplies, and by the
huge boulderS in the bed of the river. which
was from knee to waist deep, and along
which the troops had to march most of the
way. Notwithstanding their best efforts,
the troops did not succeed in reaching the
rendezvous until the failing moonlight
caused a halt. and the companies bivou-
acked on the banks of the river. The men,
wet through as they We're. got such rest as
could he obtained by lying down among the
boulders and on the sand along the river
bank. As soon as it was light enough to
move the march was resumed. and the
head of the column gained the desired po-
sition for more active operations.
The Attack.
Col. McClernand continues his report as
follows:
During this part of the advance it was
necessary for the companies to march in
file up the steep trails. but as the
terrain permitted two companies-Whte's
and Aialley S-were placed on the skirmish
line. and the third-Smit h'S-in reserve to
protect the rear and right flank Our pres
ence was now observed by the enemy, who
opened fire without doing damage Mai
Mccoy was ordered; to halt temporarily TO
await the arrival Of the rear battalion,
"a HIGH had i,f.,i,1 1.a hy-r
carriers. In fact. the presence of these
carriers gave much concern any other
part of the problem After much consider
alton. however. it was thought best to
place them near the companies to which
they were attached. on the suppositiOn that
If not closely watched. they would. upon
the approach of the enemy. drop the sup
plies into the river and run away.
Maj. Woodbury's battalion arrived at 6
a m. and after a few moments delay in
dtsposing of the surplus ammunition,
moved. with the exception of Rowan's COM
pany. TO the position which had been as
signed il the day before. Capt Rowan was
directed to follow Maj. McCoy's battalion
and take position on its left which was
somewhat exposed because of the unayoid-
able delay of the second battalion in get
ting into position. With this exception the
formation was as directed the day before
and was made by each battalion command
er in very satisfactory manner Nal
Woodbury. quickly placed his battalion into
position and an advance was made along
the entire line.
Ineffective Fires.
while ascending the mountain deep ra-
vines and large rocks, concealed from view
by grass nearly head high forced Major
McCoy's battalion for a time somewhat
further to the right than was originally in
tended. and Woodbury's battalion closing
in. caused some of the companies to overlap
for few minutes. BY good judgment and
CdlHlneSS. however, the of h3r.alipD
and company commanders nothing more
serious than a little delay occurred from
this mishap. and on arriving in person at
fhe point where the trouble existed I gave
new points of direction To Captains Rowan
and Winston and the line again moved for
ward satisfactorily Up to this time the
enemy In fort on our right. usually called
the bamboo fort because of some bamboo
Poles sustaining the earth along part of its
front mad Kept up an intermittent fire with
both small arms and an old field piece
Tha. they failed to disable a number of our
men was a surprise to ALL and something
Tor which We have cause to be sincerely
thankful Major Mccoy was finally forced
10 give this place serious attention and
silence ftS fire. About this time CAPTAIN
Rowan was entering a fort in our imme-
nate 'front.'. from which the enemy had also
been firing upon Ailare's Winston's
and Lawton's companies were fired upon
from what We called the Sandhili fort and
adjacent forts on their left and front with
both field pieces and small arms Notwith-
standing all this fire. however we had but
TWO men wounded. Much credit is due TO
the battalion and company commanders for
the skillful manner in which they advanced
their commands by echelon up the noun
tain. and for the well-directed volleys which
kept down the fire Of or go demoralized the
enemy as to render his fire wild and in
effective.
Overcome by Heat.
1.-THE heat of the sun was intense and only
such Is felt on or near the equator
The mountain was precipitous and rough
and the distance to be covered from the
river to the indicated point on the summit
about two miles. Many men were over
come by heat and the great physical exer-
tion and fell by the waysde but the great
number climbed on. and from time to time
gave such cheers as their exhaustion would
permit. Captain Winston reached the sum
NIT about two minutes after . o'clock and
was Immediately followed by Major Nc
Coys battalion. and in quick succession by
Rowan, Allaire and Lawton, the latter from
the extreme left OF our line. Our colors
We're planted on the summit at 9:I5 three
hours and ten minutes from the time of the
advance from the foot of the mountains
bravery. but Poor Aim.