The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-03
BULLETS OF FILIPINOS
Death Dealing Missiles Made by the
Insurgents.
Various Ways in Which Balls Are
Cut to Make Dangerous Wounds
Make Ammunition-Bamb shells
Filled With stones and Glass.

HOILO, June 27.--As soon as body OF
insurgent troops is captured every pris-
oner is searched, with the result that a
varied and large collection of ammunition
and arms OF all descriptions is obtained,
Some of these munitions OF war, although
most deadly in their effect upon the enc
my, are exceedingly crude in their con-
struction and very unique in adjustment
Probably half of the cartridges in the pos
session of the rebels at the present time
consist of reflled sheels. The writer re,
Gently returned from an expedition over
the mountains of the Isle de Panay, in
which the insurgents were driven from
several strongholds where the chief bust
ness consisted in reflling shells for the
forces engaged in warfare against the
American troops in the neighborhood OF
the cities and towns of the island.
In some of these crude arsenaIs, in which
the apparatus for filling shells consisted
mostly OF some handmade pieces of rods
for packing and some i'll working devices
for pressing the bullets into the shells, a
handful of wounded soldiers some women.
and boys would be found engaged. AS
soon as the Americans advanced these peo-
pie would try to conceal the implements
in their possession and pretend TO be
friendly. search OF the surroundings,
however, would ordinarily reveal the con-
cealed munitions of war. The principal
difficulty most OF the reDels seemed to
have in refilling was TO get the bullet true
with the shell. The wri,er examined
great many refiled cartridges, and found
that practically all OF them were poorly
fitted. OF course. such bullet Will not
leave the rifle true and will not take
straight course through the cir. 1t viii
be DETECTED to one side or the other. This
probably accounts for the bad shooting on
the part of the insurgents who happen 10
be provided with this kind OF ammunition.
Although many of the richer classes OF
natives are willing to furnish money to
aid their cause. their money cannot be
used for the purchase Of ammunition Tor
the reason that the Americans prevent the
landing of munitions of war. But the
natives are able to buy vast quantities OF
tea lead and get it through the line in the
form of wrapping or packing materials for
teas sugar and articles of IL -.cnandise
of all kinds. This sheet lead S collected
and used in the cartridge making p a1is
for bullets The lead is seldom melted
and cast but the sheets are rolled and
pounded into the form OF bullet Much
time is spent in forming the bullet, and
when discharged il usually breaks open.
When the bullet strikes q ragged and
dangerous wound results. In one sire ng-
hold which the column cleared out ware
noticed several wagonloads of this sheet
lead which was Intended for use in the
making of bullets for fighting the Am RI
cans, and yet the natives who were prs
ent declared that the lead was for packing
purposes. The ground near by was ex-
amined, and many of the tools required
for working bullets from sheet lead were
unearthed.
Almost everyone has heard of tn rifle
which rebel soldier worked over fc- ten
days, making the bore larger to fit certain
cartridges, only to have the barrel burst