Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-24

west. Such a display of American endur-
ance, pluck and vitality | have never heard
of before. Our accomplishment was some
thing miraculous, and X company was just
in time to save our main column of troopS
from meeting the same fate which befeI
a Spanish regiment on the same spot and
position which had 500 men killed
The constant ping, ping. ping of the Maui
sers was ringing all around us. The crack
of the Remington was plainly heard. Men
were falling, killed and wounded, all around.
But still we could no enemy to fire at
The shots seemed to come from the skies
and earth. at once. The gradual ringing OF
shots was now growing into one continuous
roll as we drew nearer and nearer. The din
of battle was something beautiful, but 1t
was something l never expect or care to
witness again. Our company had nearly
arrived in position to get a raking fire at
the Filipinos when before us arose a noun
tain of rock the sides Of which were almost
straight. We could go no further unless we
scaled the rock, at least a hundred feet
high. To look at it under any other ordina-
ry conditions the feat would seem to be an
utter impossibility. But the order came to go
forward, as We were in a trap. land few of us
ever expected to get out alive. Slowly and
slowly we climbed that rock; inch by inch
we neared the top. which alone was our sal
walton. The boys held on by the tips of
their fingers and sometimes their feet. with
a shelf of but half an inch to stand upon.
Still the murderouS fire of the Filipino
sharpshooters rang out. But we We're help
less to return it. as We were like men sus-
pended over mountain side by a dangling
rope. s.s.
1.-THE pat and splutter sounded ON ALI sides
as the bullets beat against the rocks. Sud-
denly one man of Company x threw up his
hands and fell dead. Others were wounded,
but were helped up by their comrades. A
single slip of the foot would have. meant
to be instantly dashed to pieces upon the
rocks below. At last with two Uen killed
and five wounded we reached the top more
dead than alive. - !,
But American pluck and tenacity did not
yet desert US. and soon as we caught our
breath we wheeled into position and got in
q most murderous fire upon the very heads
of the enemy in the, trenches below. The
be- tile was now on, and b and X companies
of the 9th were catching the brunt of 1t.
The other troops to the number of 500
could not get into position owing to the
terrible geographical condition of the coun-
try. The Krags were now mingling with
the Mausers, and so well did We use our
guns that in a remarkably short space Of
time the trenches were deserted by Geron-
ino who left $50 dead and dying men up
on the field The Filipinos numbered at
least 1900 men. Put the same number Of
Americans In the same position and we
could defy 10000 men.
1--WE were too exhausted to pursue the enc
N.Y. who easily escaped from us after their
defeat. We had that day defeated the best
and most arrogant Of the Filipino chieftains
and taken position civilized men never
took before-a Gibraltar Of the Island of
Luzon. But before the onward progress Of
civilization and the great red, white and
blue nothing can stand.'h ."