Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-28

$500
liam Ebbert, Of Triadelphia, makes an
ideal soldier inappearance. He was fond
of military life, too, but after five years
service in the regular army, and over
q year lighting the Filipinos. it was
not unwelcome news to him that he
was to be discharged for incapacity
resulting from a bolo wound inflicted
by a Filipino. Mr.. Gilbert returned
home last week, as noted in the Reg
lister.
While in the regular army he was
stationed in Arizona with the 18th In
fantry. He was out of the service for
eight months, when he conceived a de-
sire to visit the Philippines, and re-
enlisted on October 10th, 1899, for two
years.
He was assigned to Company A.,
43rd Infantry, and was promoted to
list Sergeant when he reached the Phil
ippines. The regiment was modified
at Fort Ethan Allan, Vermont, and
the soldiers had some exciting exper-
lences at the very outset. They were
in a railroad wreck on their way to
New York, and when the transport
Meade was two days out there was a
fire in the vessel, which luckily did
no damage. The regiment went by
way of Suez. Mr.. Ebbert was appoint
ed police sergeant On the transport and
his position enabled him to go ashore
at every point which the vessel
touched. He stopped at Gibraltar, Port
Said, Singapore and other points, be-
fore reaching Manila.
His company remained in the vicin-
ity of Manila about two weeks, and
then the second battalion was sent
the first United States troops to visit
that island. There was some trouble
IN landing, the Nashville and Helena
returning the fire from the shore at
Colayog. Sergeant Ebbert was placed
IN charge Of a detachment Of scouts
under Lieut.. Johnson, and after a fight
he led the way up the hill and cap
tured an artillery outpost. The ascent
up the trail after night was exceed
ingly dangerous. The men were pro-
ceeding single file. Sergeant Ebbert
reached his arm about a tree to help
himself up, when it came into contact
with a straw hat. 1t was a Filipino.
Ebbert jumped upon him, and to pre-
vent him from making an cutlery
choked him into insensibility. Thirty
feet farther UP the trail they discov-
cred a shack. Twenty insurgents
jumped out from it, fired on the Amer
leans without effect, and ran. They
lett one killed and four wounded be-
hind.
One of the prisoners captured by Ser
geant Ebberts was an insurgent artil-
lery sergeant. He took Major Allen
where there was $40, 1000 and a large
quantity Of ammunition, and a few
days later they were captured and
destroyed.
The troops then left the island, and
proceeded to Tacloban, on the island
OF ieyte, separated from Samar by a
very narrow body Of water. They
landed under fire. The town of Palo,
with 10000 inhabitants, was made
headquarters after being taken. 1t
had been occupied by General Moluca,
who had charge of the insurgent forces
On the island. In the attack the Amer
leans had a running fight, and cap
cured 13 brass cannon, 100 bolos, four
prisoners, and killed 10 men. The
troops then started on a three weeks
"hike" over Leyte, having exciting ex-
periences.
Sergeant Ebbert received his wound
= Palo. The troops had appointed
some native police, and the insurgents
wore the uniforms Of the native DO
lice when they made the attack on the
barracks at break of day on May 2sth.
They ran out of the woods, shouting
sPolice," and succeeded in reaching the