Evening star., 1901-05-25
MADE UP OF GEORGIA BOYS
GOOD RECORD OF THE 10Th REGI-
MENT.
Engaged I'm Trying Campaign I'm the
philippines. but Took Cnre
of Themselves.


The Goth Regiment United States Volun-
teers, which was mustered out Of service
at San Francisco May 10. after having been
engaged for the past eight months in
trying campaign in the Philippines, was
composed almost entirely Of sout hern boys.
principally from Georgia, Alabama and
Mississippi. Capt Longstreet of Georgia,
who belonged to this regiment. is in Wash
ington and has been designated to stand
an examination for service with the new
army. The 29th. although taking a very
active part in the campaign, is said 10
hold the record for good health over any
Of the regiments in the Philippines, either
regular or volunteer. The men, being
southerners and many of them having been
engaged in the Spanish-American war. Were
hardened and able to stand the climate OF
the Philippine Islands.
Capture Of Company +.
A copy Of the Manila Times has just
reached here and devotes a special issue to
the achievements of the 18th A fun
count for the first time is given of the cap
ture of Company +, which was commanded
by Capt. Shields of Mississippi. The pager
says:
Company F. under Capt. Shields. since
leaving Corregidor Island has seen contin-
uOuS hard service in scouting ana recon
noitering the country. A detachment under
his command while scouting WAS ambush
ed in a narrow defile, surrounded on al
sides by towering brush-covered hills A
murderous fire was poured Into the COM
mand from three sides and several of the
men went down at the first vOlley. Placing
his men in a position where they could re-
ceiYe the most protection, the little COM
mand gallanty returned the calling fire and
determined to make as bold a stand as the
uneven conditions would permit. The party
was fired on in the carly morning, the at
tacking force consisting of over 1000 men,
300 of whom were armed with rifles and
the remaining number with bolos. The
small body of men, penned in they were,
determined to sell their lives as dearly as
possible, and with that object continually
before them made every shot tell, In the
early part of the engagement Capt. Shields
was struck in the shoulder, but determined
ly encouraged his men and continued to
send in a telling fire. There WAS no retreat,
all sides being blocked.
The heroic defense made by this little
band against such great odds for long
q time will ever live to the glory OF the
volunteer soldier. The engagement lasted
for more than three hours, and would not
then have been given up had the de-
pleted state of the ammunition made it
imperative that to save the lives OF the
party the unequal struggle must be termi-
mated. The enemy, aware Of the scarcity
of the ammunition, continued with renewed
activity. Captain Shields was again hit
the ball entering the mouth and inilicting
a horrible wound. AT this time the enemy
called the small body of men to sur
render, and promised them that quarter
would be given and they would be treated
prisoners of war in the strictest mean
ing. The command had no alternative, as
to refuse meant the annihlatiun of the
entire body. The survivors laid down
their arms and capitulated. Captain
Shields and the five wounded men were
given the best treatment that under the
circumstances was available. -Four men
were killed. The prisoners were taken
with the capturing force and hik"d over
the mountains for more than a month and
Were finally released and turned over to
General Hare and rescuing force Cap
tain Shields was sent to the states. where
he is slowly recovering from his terrible
experience. He will always be invalid
as the result of his wounds
Comparatively Few CasuaIties.
The remarkable health OF the regiment
is shown by the fact that during the entire
campaign only eighteen men died OF sick
ness. Two men died OF wounds and twelve
were killed in action. About sixteen of the
officers of the regiment remained in the
Philippines About 1913 enlisted men took
their discharge in the Philippines, and a
majority of these have already accepted
positions in the metropolitan police depart
ment, while others remained clerks and
mechanics. 1t is estimated that some
thirty officers and S1 men were mustered
out at San Francisco. Just before the
regiment left the Philippines it
viewed by General Macarthur. who ex-
pressed qualification over the record that
1t had made, paying a high tribute to the
soldiers.
The regiment was recruited at Fort Nc
PherSon, Ga, consisting of ffty-fye officers
and ,30S men. The first fighting in which
these southern soldiers engaged was done
by the I'd Battalion at San Mateo where
General Lawton was killed. Major John
son and Companies A, d, / and l. formed
portion of the storming forces at Montal-
ban, and did heroic work in assisting in
strong position.
One of the achievements OF this regiment
was the capture Of General Treveuio and
Major Serrano with 80 men. This was In
Masbate. Colonel Hardin effected the cap
ture by comforting with the officers Of the
Filipinos and using diplomacy. The regi-
ment took part in many other engagements
and did meritorious service.