The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-18
CAP. C. w. BIEGLER COMMENDED.
His Services Praised by Gen. Bates in
an Official Report.
to the indianapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-George W.
Biegler. of Terre Haute, captain in the
Twenty-eighth United State Volunteers,
who is now at the Preside in California
recuperating from wounds received in &C.
ton in the Philippines, is the subject of
commentator in general orders by Gen.
Bates, commanding the Department of
Southern Luzon. Captain Biegler will I'M
6oubtedly be one of the volunteer officers
retained in the permanent establishment
under the new law. Gen. Bates has issued
a general order in regard to the gallant
work performed by mounted detachment
consisting OF eighteen men of the Twenty
eighth Volunteer Infantry, commanded by
Captain George w. Biegler. rwenty-eighth
Volunteer Infantry, on three days scout
from Balayan, Batangas, to Barrios, in the
vicinity of Loco, in October last. On the
morning of Oct. q, 1900. near the barrio of
puladug. where the trail passes over
succession of hills banked on both sides by
was attacked by strong force of insur-
gents, who opened fire from each side and
the rear Hating his detachment In a
ravine, Captain Biegler opened a we'll
directed fire upon the insurgents. This
had the effect of causing them TO remain
on the defensive under cover. The detach-
rlent then resumed its march using a
small rear guard and firing only when tho
enemy presented a good target
The detachment had thus proceeded eau
tiously about half mile when it encoun-
tered a second force of the enemy in
trenched in dense thicket bordering the
trail. The first volley of the enemy killed
one man and four horses, and severely
wounded Captain Biegler and three men,
Without being in the least demoralized by
this sudden and destructive volley, each
man Immediately took up the best avail
able position and opened fire upon the
enemy, who numbered at least two hun
dred men. A sergeant and four men
gained the left flank of the enemys posi-
ton, similar detachment TOOK position
on the right, and while the remainder of
the party kept up fire from the front
the two detachments raked the euemy's
trenches with a destructive rapid fire. kill
ing the two senior officers in command and
driving the enemy back with a heavy loss.
Taking advantage of the respite thus
gained, the detachment proceeded on its
way about a quarter of a mile, where ii
halted and dressed the wounds of the dis
abed men. The enemy, again reinforced.
reappeared and opened fire. killing another
member of the detachment After a fight
of half an hour the enemy was sufficiently
punished TO enable the detachment to pro-
ceed on its way Observing that the trail
by which they had advanced was COM
manded by the insurgents Captain Biegler
withdrew to Nasugu, with all his wounded
and his ammunition nearly exhausted and
his men greatly fatigued, but victorious.
''In this engagement, says General Bates,
(which lasted about four hours and ex-
tended nearly four miles, Captain Biegler
fought about four hundred insurgents we'll
armed and uniformed, but Notwithstanding
the enormous odds against him he succeeded
in beating back the enemy and skillfuily
withdrew his command, though nearly one
third of his force was dead or disabled
innicting upon the enemy loss of at least
seventy-five killed and wounded. The con-
duet of this detachment in this COM
bat Is deemed worthy of the highest COM
mendation and is regarded as model of
soldierly conduct and a fine example OF the
deeds that may be expected OF Ameri-
can soldiers"