The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-18

And vet the advance TO the river was
| awfulIy trying after Iilaya was left behind.
| At some 1900 yards from the river word
came down the line that the battery was
| going to fire over the heads of the infantry.
and the command to halt and lie down was
speedily executed Then there was a half
hours exciting experience as the shells
and shrapnel whistled high over head AS
they exploded every man started up. TO
watch whether they had hit the mark and
fired some building. only to drop down
again as the command make ready was
given to the gunners far in the rear, but
perfectly audible in the oppressive silence
that spread over the battlefield during
this warning demonstration against the
Khakhiak works. After this, still in ex-
tended order. the first battalion advanced
by slow stages. 1t was splendid sight
AS far as the eye could reach TO the right
and left Company was now in the CEN
teri the heads and shoulders Of the march
ing troops appeared above the waving rice.
and now and then, when an open space was
reached. the blue-shirted figures. divided az
the waist line by the glistening cartridge
belts stood revealed armed and equipped.
blanket rolls swung on the shoulders,
drinking cups tinkling against the canteens
and the PREDETERMINED campaign hats top
ping off the forms of gallant young fellows
ready for an emergency. Just where they
were and where they were going and just
what was to happen to them none knew
nor cared Anyway. II was to DC forward
and to do deeds of daring. And almost be-
fore they knew 1t the hour was upon them.
I11fo he
edge Of the woods was reached A few
struggling shots few into A Company on
the extreme right. and instantly CALLING
fire opened in the center. but not before
the men were down behind the last ridges
In the rice field. Volley after volley was
poured at us. the rebels shooting low. I'm
patient to be up and at them, the men yet
waited for the commands:
WELL.-INTRENCHED ENEMY.
Fire by section. Load, Aim. Fire.
If one finger had pulled the triggers the
fire from two score rifles could scarce have
been more simultaneous. Once or twice
this was repeated, then there was firing
by squads, eight men. including corporal,
but when the command Fire at Wilt
rang out the men let themselves loose, TAX
ing just time enough to drop the sight on a
bobbing copper-faced head. But this did
not continue long. The Khakiak bullets
were coming slower. and a charge was or
dered. Then the men set up yell that
must have made the blood chill in the
Khakiak hearts as they saw the line sweep
ing toward them. The charge ended at the
river for a few moments. On the far side
the Khakiaks were making a last stand IN
almost impregnable trenches that extended
up and down the river for mile, COM
manding the fords and affording what
would have been sufficient shelter for
regiment of Anglo-Saxon troops TO keep
back an army. They were able to pour a
fire across the river that reached many
soldier and laid him low. but the response
from the three companies that had now
come UP was more than they could long
resist. and i'm half hour their last gun
was fired but not until after our men had
begun pushing across the river right under
their entertainments. That was too much
for them. They ran, and they must be run
ming still, for neither of the two armies on
the island was afterwards able to en-
counter any forces more than rowing bands
That evening after crossing the river and
Khakiaks were buried. Our losses during
the nine hours were two killed and twenty
four wounded, including one officer, who
afterward died from his wounds. Four or
five days afterward the body of one other
private was picked UP between Illaya and
Jaro, the scene of the mornings battle An
exploration of the territory about Pavia
proved that the rebels had improved the
five or six months of the rainy season In
building miles and miles of trenches, only
to abandon them at the first determined
advance by the eight companies of the
Eighteenth Infantry, four of which did not
participate in the battle, as they were in
reserve and were guarding the wagon
train, and their presence at the front did
not become necessary, much to the disgust
and discomfort of the men, who had been
| waiting for months for this very oppor-
tunity.
The next day General Carpenter advanced
| four miles into Santa Barbara. the second
battalion in the lead, but though the men
| who the day before had had the misfor-
tune. as they regarded it, of being behind
were eager for another battle like that Of
Pavia, the opportunity was denied them.
| IOT the CITY was ucSCil NhS A'oAN $1,000
when the fleeing rebel army. with its cart
| loads of dead and dying, fled through Santa
Barbara to Cabatuan. the rebel capital,
| four miles beyond. This city was the next
! morning invested by the second battalion
/ without resistance, the Khakiaks having
| all run to the mountains. Later in the
| day General Hughes. with his personal
/ column, entered Cabatuan and could
| scarcely credit the information that Colonel
! Carpenter had been able to take both
| cities so easily.
BUSHWHACKING FILIPINOS.
| Subsequently the two columns continued
! the campaign Brigadier General Hughes.
| with the third battalion of the Eighteenth
Infantry, two battalions of the Nineteenth
| Infantry and a portion of Battery G, Sixth
| Light Artillery operating up the center OF
the island across narrow and difficult
| mountain trail into Capiz, the capital OF the
| province of the same name at the north
| end. while General Carpenter with the
! first battalion OF the Eighteenth advanced
/ up the east coast, with the assistance OF a
| small transport, from which one or two
! companies were landed at convenient points
| and then picked up again after hard and
| rapid marches on inland towns. In this way
| the entire country from the sea inland to
i -