The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-12
FIGHTING THE HLP|NOS.
CAPTURE OF COAST TOWNS OF b.
Ian AND DONsOL.
Associated Press Correspondents
Description of Movements of
Forty-seventh Regiment. Under
Col. Howe-Gunboat Transports.
CORRESPONDENCE Associated Press

Correspondence Associated Press.
SORSoGoN. Luzon. January 2l.-col.
Howe and the four companies Of the For
ty-seventh regiment were no sooner es-
tablished at Sorsogon than Gen. Kobbe
gave orders for the occupation of Bulan
and Donsol. Bulan is twenty-five miles
south OF Sorsogon. and Donsol is thirty
miles above H. They are both small
coast towns. Companies A and D. OF the
Forty-seventh. were transported by the
Helena to Donsol and Company b was
carried by the Nashville 10 Bulan.
When the Helena appeared off Donsol,
men and women could be seen leaving the
town, carrying bundles Of household goods
with them.
The beach trenches were lined with peer
ing faces and the only flag over the town
was Spanish. Donsol appeared as a few
zinc-roofed warehouses and some long
lines Of matched huts. on low tangle OF
jungle on the coast. One company OF sol
diers was loaded into the Helena's small
boats. This action was Immediately fol-
lowed by much activity behind the trench
es, whereupon the leaders of this expedi-
tion decided upon another course OF action.
The Helena's launch, with Maj. Wise and
Lieut.. Kobbe on board. ran in for the
beach, towing small rowboat. When
close to shore the launch stopped, and the
rowboat, manned by three Filipinos and
carrying big white flag of truce, landed
in front of the trenches. Meantime. the
soldiers stiN en- board were sent to cover,
and those already in the small boats were
waiting Just astern. IN tow Of the tug
Nunez The British gunboat Glover mad
meantime come IN from the south, and
was now lying a few hundred yards from
the Helena.
1t is doubtful II she was recognized from
the shore as other than an American ship.
The boat with the flag of truce soon
returned TO the Helena, and little later
Mai. Wise announced the result OF the
raa 3 O'Clock
this afternoon to decide whether they
want to resist or surrender. but / guess
well Pc going a =; t5 h bigns now v,a g., ,o-
the beach, and the Helena prepared to
blow the village up in case our men were
fired on.
When our men landed on the beach not
a face was to be seen at the trenches.
We formed in company front and then
small squads were started through the
town. II was absolutely deserted, not a
soul being In sight.
In the Streets were half pillaged trunks
and bundles OF household goods, food and
clothing
Finally. on low hill about coo yards
behind the town, the enemy were discov-
cred. clustered In and about a small
trench and around last century muzzle-
Meanwhile. Maj Wise had gone to the
door of the house from which few the
Spanish flag. He knocked on the door and
the commander OF the Filipino forces in
that town. the local president and civil
governor OF the district. all in the person
of a brown man in a Filipino uniform,
came and let him in "Will you haul down
that Spanish flag? I want to put this one
In its place" said the major. producing
the American flag.
There was no objection 10 the request
and the Stars and Stripes soon ioated
over Donsol.
The Helena quickly landed the second
company.
AS Capt. Hart and Ia dozen men were
crossing the rice fields between the town
and the hill where the enemy were, there
was sudden vnlleY Of about twenty bull
lets from the Ftlipinas, Most of the bull
let's sang over Capt, Harris head. on over
the village and so out 10 sea The enemy
were firing high. They had left us a mes
sage in town saving they would give US
battle on the heights.
Send them word that II they DO not
surrender and bring in their cannon in
two hours I'll have the navy shell their
position" answered Mat Wise.
The president found a messenger for
this reply and he was on hts way 70 the
hilltop when the first volley was fired
Then began the storming OF Donsol
heights We had been told there were hut
twenty rifles and a small store of ammu-
milton among the insurgents, and as our
soldiers started for the hill, we saw the
enemy disappearing from their trenches
at its top. No one thought they we're
waiting for Us Our soldiers went laugh
Ing, painting and stumbling through the
jungle that grew on the hillside and came