Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-16
GALLANTWORK PERFORMED
HEROIC CONDUCT OF CAPT. BEG
LER AND EIGHTEEN MEN.
Fought n Force of Four Hundred
and Defeated 1t Three Times
Gen. Bates Order.

General Bates, commanding the Depart
ment of Southern Luzon, has issued a gen
eral order in regard to the gallant work
performed by mounted detachment con-
sisting of eighteen men of the 18th Nolun-
teer Infantry, commanded by Capt. George
w. Biegler, 2Sth Volunteer Infantry, on a
three days scout from Balayan. Batangas
to Barrios. in the vicinity of Looc, in Octo-
Der last. On the morning of October n,
1900, near the barrio of Duladug where the
trail passes over a succession Of hills
tianked on both sides by commanding po-
sitions, the detachment was attacked by a
strong force of insurgents, who opened fire
from each side and the rear Hating his
detachment in raVine Capt Bieger
opened a well-directed fire upon the insur-
gents. This had the effect of causing them
to remain on the defensive under cover.
The detachment then resumed its march,
using small rear guard and firing only
when the enemy presented a good target.
A Second Force Encountered.
The detachment has thus proceeded eau
tiously about half a mile when 1t encoun-
tered a second force of the enemy in
trenched in a dense thicket bordering the
trail. The first volley of the emmy killed
one man and four horses, and severely
wounded Captain Biegler and three men.
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. SER
geant and four men gained the left flank of
the enemys position, a similar detachment
took position of the right. and while the
remainder of the party kept up fire from
the front the two detachments raked the
enemys trenches with a destructive rapid
fire, killing the two senior officers in COM
mand and driving the enemy back, with a
heavy loss.
Taking advantage of the respite thus
gained. the detachment proceeded its
way about a quarter of a mile, where it
halted and dressed the wounds of the dis
abled men. The enemy, again reinforced,
reappeared and opened fire, killing another
member of the detachment. After fight of
half an hour the enemy sufficiently
punished to enable the detachment to pro-
ceed on its way. Observing that the trail
by which they had advanced was command
ed by the insurgents Capt Biegler with
drew to Nasugbu, with all his wounded
and his ammunition nearly exhausted and
his men greatly fatigued, but victorious.
High ommendation.
I'm this engagement" says General
Bates, which lasted about four hours and
extended nearly four miles, Captain Biegler
fought about 400 insurgents we'll armed and
Uniformed; but Notwithstanding the enor-
nous odds against him he succeeded in
beating back the enemy and skllfully with
drew his command, though nearly one-third
Of his force was dead or disabled, inflicting
upon the enemy a loss Of at least seventy
five killed and wounded. The conduct of
this detachment In this combat is deemed
worthy of the highest commendation and is
regarded as a model of soldierly conduct
and a fine example of the deeds that may
be expected of American soldiers.