The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-09
THE PU1OL ENGAGEMENT
Fierce Fight of Colonel Bmkheimer
Against The Filipinos.
4 Brief Hut BIoody Battle - The
Enemy strongly EHtrenched-The
numbcrcd-RebeIs Driven Through
the Woods In Great Confusion.

IN a letter recently received by NJ +.
Canty. Of ia II Street northeast from his
son, W A. Canty. Of Company Il, Twenty
eighth Infantry who is now serving in the
Philippines, is enclosed clipping from
the Manila American" in which is given
an interesting account of the battle at
Putol. on January Z. The letter says that
conditions in the islands are becoming
more peaceful. with little prospect Of a
further outbreak. and that civil govern
ment in the towns is being organized with
satisfactory results
According to the account Of the battle at
Putol given in the Manila American.
the victory gained by the Americans there
was at once decisive and far-reaching il
its effects 1t seems that it was death
blow to insurgcnt resistance in the Pro-
vince OF Cavite, The article reads as fol-
lows
THE fight between the Americans and
the insurgents at Putol on January is
one that cannot fail to attract the atten-
ton Of the military critic and the histor-
ian In this brief but bloody engagement
in which q brilliant victory was achieved
under very iificult conditions. the con-
spicuous ability Of the commanding officer,
together with the ardor and courage of the
troops engaged, have made an Insignificant
Filipino barriO a place Of historic inter
est forcyermore. 1t was not intended to
have a Sight at Putol. Colonel Burkheimer,
with companies A. b. c. and ID, Of the
Twenty eighth Infantry and section Of
Battery f. Of the Fifth Artillery, was sent
out toward NOvaleta on reconnaissance
with instructions to get in contact with
she enemy al long range and TO deceive the
Insurgents into thinking that the main at
tack was 10 come from that direction. Hav-
ing made the fcint Colonel Burkheimer's
orders were TO return to his former en-
campmcut at BHacayan but subsequent
events made 1t necessary that a different
course Of action should be pursued. The
march commenced at an early hour in the
morning The column passed through
Cayite De Nieio without meeting any OPP
position. and not until Barrio de Baltima-
tan was reached was the presence Of the
enemy discovered.
The Enemy strongly Eptrenchcd.
On the road from Batimatan to Putol,
across the sluggish Mindot River, there
is an old stone bridge that was built by
the Spaniards. At this crossing Of the
Mindlot River the insurgents were pre-
pared to offer desperate resistance. The
bridge we're barricaded and on the west
bank of the stream were strong. skillfully
constructed entertainments. The insur
gents In this place OF concealment had
watched the approach Of the Americans.
So far as numbers we're concerned the
United States troops were at serious
disadvantage. The insurgents were well
armed and plentifully supplied with am
munition. Moreover, they were confident
OF defeating the Americans if battle
should occur. They seemed imore hopeful
and more defiant than they had been at
any time since the battles around Manila
which followed the outbreak Of the war.
When Colonel Burkheimer's advance
was within 500 yards Of the stone bridge
the rebels opened up fusillade OF rockets.