The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-07-07

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MY II and flame. From
HH "a the shores of the
lM ~ beautiful bay opps
WIN II site the Bocano de
Nv y Vitas at the north,
away around in wide
" sweep across the
Pssig and thence to old Fort San An
tonic Abad at the southern suburb,
long lines of American soldiers were
pitted against the opposing forces "
the native army. led by Aguinaldtf
best and bravest generals.
As early as the middle of December
il vas only too evident that armed
conflict was imminent. All the same,
orders required that Aguinaldo's Of
dcers be received with every courtesy,
and the rank and file with kindness.
They came and went within our lines
It their own free will. Their SOL
diery, their women and children in
svsrms would visit the American out.
posts and claim a share of the ample
rtions, and profess undying regard
for their Amigos Americanos; yet in
hundreds of native homes rifles and
ammunition were stored to be used
when the day of battle came, and
some Of the converts and many of the
churches proved to be veritable ar
isnals.
And it is about one Of these, the
big stone church at East Paco, the
easternmost suburb of Manila, that
there hangs q story not soon to be for
gotten by the men of Anderson's Di-
vision Of the Eighth Corps-a story
Of heroism and devotion to duty that
may we'll be remembered by the youth
Of America.
4 Crossing the Estero de Paco by a
massive bridge Of stone, the Calle
Real-the main street-passed within
stsw rods of the windows and towers
Of the church. It was the broad thor
oughfare over which went most OF the
travel, and much of the traffic be-
tween Manila and the thronged towns
and villages up the Pasig River and
around the picturesque Laguna de
Bay. Il was lined on both sides with
houses the lower story of which, at
least was of stone, solidly built to re-
tist the earthquakes sometimes so de-
stuctive in this volcanic land, and on
its northern side were strung the tele-
graph wires, two in number, of the
signal corps of the army, connecting
the outermost blockhouse, Number
Esysn, with the field headquarters Of
the general in command Of the First
Brigade of the First Division of the
American army of occupation, and
With those of his superior officers,
Nsior.General Anderson at Division
Headquarters in West Paco, and
lajopGeneral Otis at the Palace
within the walled city of Manila.
With the early dawn of that lovely
Danday there came galloping along
hshrd- beaten road q wiry little Fill
ipiao pony, ridden by q slender
! leaag soldier in brown khaki uni
IN From underneath the curling
IN Of his drab felt campaign hat q
IN Of clear, dark-brown eyes peered
eg9ly, searchingly along that line
q vire and up and down every pole.
nom the fact that the sentries at
- bridge presented arms as the
!essg rider spurred along, and that
nss was q single silver bar on each
IT bluo shoulder strap, it was evil
esat that, despite his youth, the young
ma vas an officer, a first lieutenant,
Cd the device on the collar told fur
neg that he was of the signal corps of
hs volunteer army. He was hand
eons fellow. with regular features,
s1 wavy brown hair and face
otohsed by tropic suns, but radiant
vl@ the health and spirit of youth.
Oaly few minutes before, two men
dAs First Idaho had been shot al
nsst ID front of the building where
ns yolng signal officer sprang from
1e nddle to make his report to the
sonlmt- general.
Lines all safe as yet, sir" he said,
- nd going up in salute, ''but tho
~ pretty sharp along the road,
esdAs sentries say there's occasional
a.6ns around them. The worst OF
ss that they can't tell where the
ss!ets come from. now that it is
- and the enemy uses smokeless
posd9. The Wyoming regiment is
NERVE, by General Anderson's
ODD, behind those buildings across
- ridge, and they say, too, that
~ Aear shots every little while"
= ambulance, driving rapidly,
elattling down the street from the
time at the eastern skirt OF the
~ A pale-faced soldier, his arm
bandaged, sat beside the
and both soldier and driver
Nd with wrath and excitement
= drow up in front Of tho build