The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-17

The War Department has received from
General Macarthur an official copy of q
letter written by Gen. John c. Bates, COM
manding the Department of Southern Luz
zon, and read to the troops of his COM
mand, in regard to the gallantry and Cour'
age of a detachment of soldiers under
Capt. George w. Biegler, of the Twenty
eighth Infantry. The letter says:
On the morning of October 49, 1900.
! Capt. George w. Biegler, Twenty eighth
Infantry, United States Volunteers, set
out from Balayan. province of Batangas,
| with mounted detachment consisting of
| eighteen men of the Twenty eighth In
| fantry, and one hospital corps private, for
a three days scout to Loco, Nasaugbu,
/ and the intermediate barrios. On the
morning of October 81, 1900, near the
| barrio of Duladug, where the trail passes
over succession OF hills fianked on both
sides by commanding positions, the de-
tachment wac attacked by insurgents who
soon developed in strong force and
opened fire from each side and the rear.
Hating his detachment in a ravine Cap
tain Blegler opened a we'll directed fire
upon the insurgents, which had the eff
1ect OF causing them to remain on the de-
fensive under cover.
he detachment then resumed its
march, using a small rear guard and firing
only when the enemy presented n good
target. The detachment had thus pro-
ceeded cautiously about half mile when
it encountered a second force OF the en-
envy entrenched in dense thicket border
ing the trail. The first volley of the en-
envy. delivered at close range killed one
man and four horses. and severely wound
ed Captain Biegler and three men, With
out being in the least demoraiized ly this
sudden and destructive volley. each man
Immediately took up the best available
position and opened fire upon the enemy,
who numbered at least 200 men
"A sergeant and four men gained the left
flank of the enemy's position a similar
detachment took up q position on his
right, and while the remainder of the
party kept up a fire from the front the
two attachments raked the enemys
trenches with a destructive rapid fire
killing the two senior officers in command
and driving the enemy back with heavy
loss. Taking advantage of the respite
thus gained. the detachment proceeded on
its way about quarter of a mile where
it halted and dressed the wounds of the
disabled men. The enemy again re-en-
forced, reappeared, and opened fire. killing
another member of the detachment. After
a fight of half an hour the enemy was suf-
fc.ently punished to enable the detach-
ment to proceed on its way. Observing
that the trail by which he had advanced
was commanded by the insurgents. Cap
tain Biegler withdrew to Nasaugbu with
all his wounded, his ammunition nearly
exhausted, and with his men greatly IA
tigued, but victorious.
in this engagement. which lasted about
four hours and extended nearly four miles,
Captain Biegler foughy about 400 insur-
gents. consisting of men of the Batangas
and Cavite battalions. well armed and
uniformed. but notwithstanding the enor-
nous ODDS against him, ne succeeded in
beating back the enemy and skillfully with
drew his command, though nearly one
third Of his force was dead or disabled,
iniicting upon the enemy. according to
the most reliable accounts, a loss of at
least seyenty-fve killed and wounded
The men composing Captain Biegler's
detachment were as follows: Sergts Louis
f. Schucker, Company E; William A.
Woodruff. Company +; Corp. Robert Raj
ston, Company F: Privates John Cobb,
Company F; Richard Duffy. Company F;
Harry Immel. Company F; John Mcbride,
Company X (kille1); Raymond Sweeny
Company + (wounded): Arthur W. Wis
gins. Company II; Fred NJ. Hunter. Com
pany G. (woundedl; Albert Dorm, Com
pany G; Frank E Melkailik, Company G
(wounded): Ben Zooman, Company G;
John O'Hsra Company II (killed); Guy F.
Wooten. Company H; Hugh II. Rodgers,
Company H: Frederick J. Drummer, Com
pany H; Howard o. Pussy, Company II;
George Metzger, Hospital Corps.
THE conduct OF this detachment in this
combat is deemed worthy of the highest
commentator, and is regarded as a model
of soldierly conduct and a fine example Of
the deeds that may be expected OF Amer
lean soldiers