Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-08


bon. We bivouacked on the road in the
vicinity Of the Hacienda de Augustinus, a
collection Of old buildings erected in the
last century.
THE next morning attack wac made nv
bpth columns the town of San Fran
cisco de Malabon. General Trias was in
command of the insurgent forces, and 1t
is thought that he disbanded a part Of
ms troops at this place and kept only
Few companies with the intention of harass-
ing us In every way possible. We heard
tnaI some of the enemy had retreated
to Buena Vista. Four companies of Can
tain Geary's Battalion of the 18th Infantry
We're sent with one gun of Captain Reilly's
battery out on the road to Buena Vista.
soon after leaving Malabon the enemy
was found lying in ambush.
He was driven to the south and south-
west The fighting was continued along the
road Tor some time. when firing was heard
rom rom nlal- Bubbs column west of Canas.
indicating that he, too, was engaged with
the enemy: Some distance off the road a
reoel hospital flying the Red Cross flag,
was discovered, where two dead and five
wounded insurgents were found, and also
a storehouse located The contents of the
storehouse, which included clothing, khaki
cloth and other military supplies also Maui
ser ana Remington ammunition. was de-
stroyed The advance of the main column
with Capt. Geary's Battalion in front came
In touch with the enemy intrenched in our
front and across the road.
Capt. Geary's Death.
They opened fire Upon our skirmishers,
killing Capt Geary. A fierce fight ensued,
which lasted about quarter of an hour, in
the course of which the artillery was run
right up to the point by the men. Commu-
nlcation was here had with Maj. Bulbs
battalion, which had run into the enemy
about in the morning, and complet civ
routed them after an engagement lasting
less than half an hour. The enemy dis
persed and scattered in our front, and we
returned to San Francisco de Malabon,
where we remained the following day.
San Francisco de Malabon is a very nice
town. 1t is one of the largest and most i'm
portant places in Cavite province When
We entered the town 1t was practically
empty, but the native priest was instructed
to notify the natives that we intended no
harm to citizens, and soon they came flock
ing IN, men, women and children, in bull
carts, on ponies. and on foot. 1t evidently
was revelation to them to see soldiers
VINO did not take everything in sight We
occupied the house vacated the day pre-
Vious py the 1nsurgent Gen. Trias, and had
the pleasure OF hearing the owner. the gen.
eral cousin, tell us that he was a "muchoe
amigo, but his memory failed him when
We asked him where the general was, how
many soldiers he had with him and where
he was going.
THE next day, October IL, the foot troops,
with three days rations, set out for Das
Marlnas. The cavalry, artillery, ambu-
lances, bull carts and all impedimenta were
sSiie peiSh " ItoSdilO Inc IHdTCn from San
Francisco de Malabon to the barrio de
Madagascar, distance of about five miles,
was through a continuous rice field, inter-
sected by two large rivers, many bitches
and springs. These rice fields consist of
rectangular plots with sides from 100 to 300
feet in length These plots are separated
by ridges or dykes about two feet high
During the growing season these plots are
kept filled with water. and it was during
this season that we crossed. This march
was arduous. The mud and water in these
helds was about two feet deep. and 1 heard
old officers of experience say 1T beats any,
thing 1 ever saw in the old army, even
Burnsides stick-in-the-mud' No energy
was found in the vicinity, and we bivouacked
in the road that night.
Effects of the Expedition.
Accommodating parties were sent out on
two roads leading from the town, but only
struggling insurgents were found. The
enemy having been destroyed and scattered
we turned back to our permanent stations
in obedience to orders from the division
commander
zone feature of the expedition was the
signal corps, keeping right up with the
advancing column all the time. Wire was
carried on bull carts, which was stretched
as We went along, thus enabling the brigade
commander to communicate any moment
with the authorities in Manila.
No houses were burned, nor property be-
longing to non-combatants taken or de-
stroyed.
ION this expedition five officers and fifteen
men We're wounded: three of the officers
died from the effects of their wounds The
enemy lost heavily both in killed and cap
tured. 1t is impossible to give anywhere
near the exact numbers, but they mount
well up into the hundreds.
THE effect of this expedition was to de-
feat, disintegrate and demoralize General
TriaS' forces, which had been harassing
our troops on the south line.
THE campaign was specially noted for
its success. This was due to the prompt
ness and efficiency of every organization
which took part. General Schwan endeared
himself to every officer and soldier by the
mastery manner in which every detail was
handled, his personal bravery, and last but
not least, by the dignity and courtesy
shown by him on every occasion, no mat
ter how annoying the circumstances might
be. Every one was cheerful. The COM
handing general. bothered as he was by a
thousand and one things: the line officers
looking after the comforts of their men;
Chaplain Swift, good man that he is,
marching along with the firing line, cross
ing the rice fields, shoulder to shoulder with
the men, and watching by the couch of
dying soldiers; the Chinese coolie, in his
running walk following his chief the quar-
termaster sergeant, bearing the burden and
heat of the day.
THE troops returned to their respective
quarters October IA, and the various towns
in Cavite province had a rest from insur-
gent annoyance until a short time ago.
AT present the province of Cavite is
now about seven regiments engaged in ac-
tive field operations, commanded respect
lively by Generals Schwan and Wheaton 1t
is the general belief here that Agunaldo is
In this province. We are hoping that this
campaign will be short and will result in
the complete destruction Of the insurgent
forces and the restoration of peace in the
Island of LuZon."