The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-22
HOW |L|0LO
WAS CAPTURED
First Movement of Troops in
Southern Philippines.
TOWN FIRED BY FILlPINOS
A Graphic Description by DR.. Paul c.
Rowing of Goldsboro.
FILIPINO TROOPS EXIST AS A MOB.
II Took Day and Half to Haul Away the
Dead of the FiIipinos. Only twenty
Three Americans Killed.

Three Americans Killed.
To the Editor: When General
Marcus p. Miller left Manila Decem-
Der 20, 1898, to capture and garrison
the city of Iloilo, the post OF most
Importance next to Manila in the
Philippine archipelago. he was con
frnted by condition of affairs which
had hitherto not been known TO exist
He found Iloilo garrisoned by 500
Filipino soldiers, who had fougf ana
forced to withdraw all the Spanish
troops which for centuries'back SPAN
had sent to protect her interests in
the Island of Panay. Officers, as well
as soldiers, had seen service against
Spain, and the Commanding General
of the American forces soon realized
That his task was not to be an easy
one. The enemy was armed with
Mauser, Remington and Murato rifles,
and beside occupying the most tormld-
able points in the city, they were
strongly intrenched outside.
On the morning of December %, the
two big transports, Hancock and
Newport, steamed lazily into lloilo
harbOr escorted by the cruiser Balti-
more and gunboats Concord and Pc
tree. Upon arriving, American Off
GERS went ashore with a white flag AMI
attempted TO arrange terms OF sur
render. Also. the Filipino officials
came aboard the transports and were
heartily received, but no terms, sat-
isfactory to both sides, could be
agreed upon. Negotiations continued,
as time fled by. and still no conclusion
was reached.
In old Fort Santiago, a tumble
down, disintegrating pile of old stone
not four hundred yards from the
transports. the insurgents had forty
antiqlated cannons. and with this
collection of junk they threatened
the American troopships. The Ameri-
can commander now threatened to
lombard the city and the Eilipinos re-
taliated by saying that should Ameri-
can troops be landed or the city bonn
boarded, he would burn the city. re-
treat to his trenches and there give
battle. So matters continued and an
agreement seemed impossible. For
six weeks were the transports within
a stones throw of the Filipino, and
for six weeks did the American sol
dier remain aboard ship waiting for
the time to come when he could fac
his copper-colOred enemy. lie watch
ed him drill from the rigging of the
ship and listened to his trumpet calls
at intervals during the day. AS the
sun arose every morning, he won
dered what the day would bring forth.
How much longer would he have to
remain aboard ship?\ At night he
watched the city with its hundred
lights. and with his feet dangling
from the side of the ship, looked
down at the sparkling waters. twenty
five feet below him. surely. he
said. this cannot last always. There
must be n change soon.'
Forty-seven days after the eNpedl-
ton left Manila. some Filipinos fired
shot at the Baltimore, The cruiser
responded promptly both by bonn
barding and landing her sailors. Old
Fort Santiago was riddled and its gar
rison sent flying to join their com
mands quartered further in the city.
Now there was no help for it. Troops
had to land and they landed quickly.
SO soon as practicable General Miller
had his force ashore and a detachment
Fort Santiago. 1t took the Filipinos
but short time to realize the situa-
tion and the blasting. booming sound
Of the heavy Remingtons was soon to
be heard. The roaring of the naval
guns. the explosive. resounding sound
of the Remington and Murato, togeth-
er with the sharp crack of the
Mauser and Krag, made a mixture
which is never to be forgotten.
A small mound of smoke is soon
seen coming from the central portion
of the city; another appears and then
another. They grow larger and the
air becomes thicker. Now the smoke
seems to spring from everywhere. In
huge black clouds does it soar
upward as the air becomes filled with
flying particles of carbon. The
flames now grow larger and sizzle
and crackle as they seemed to merge
into one solid flake of fire. The city
is a seething, flaming mass and the
Americans cannot enter nor the in
sursents remain. They have re-
treated to the trenches and taken
harbor, while in front and behind
them are scurrying the simple natives.
Half frightened to death, the husband
with his few possessions on his back
and his wife with a child in her arms
and another running beside her. are
hurrying to the mountains. They
cannot remain i'm the city. The in
surgents have told them that Ameri-
cans will put them all to DEATH