New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-30
AMERICANS AMBUSHED.
DISASTROUS FIGHT IN THE ISLAND
OF SAMAR
FoRTY-EIGHT MEMBERS OF COMPANY C
NINTH INFANTRY. KILLED-TWEN-
TY-FOUR ESCAPE.

ORTY-EIGHT MEMBERS OF COMPANY c,
NINTH INFANTRY KILLED-TwEN-
TY-FoUR ESCAPE.
Manila, Sept. GA disastrous fight between
United States troops and insurgents occurred
yesterday in the island of Samar. near Balan-
giga- A large body of insurgents attacked Com
pany c. 9th Infantry, only twenty-four mem
bers OF the company escaping All the others
are reported to have been killed.
The soldiers were at breakfast when attack
ed. and made determined resistance but the
overwhelming numbers of the insurgents com
PEELED them to retreat.
OF the survivors, who have arrived at Basey
eleven Were wounded.
According to the latest returns the strength
of the company was seventy-two' The sur
vivors include Captain Thomas W. Connen First
GrfswoId. surgeon.
Captain Edwin " Bookmiller of the 9th In
fantry. reports that General Hughes is assem-
bling force TO attack the insurgents
The insurgents captured all the stores and
ammunition OF the company. and all the rifles
except twenty-six
Captain Lawrence J. Hearn of the 21st In
fantry. reports a severe engagement with in
surgents near Candelaria. the Americans losing
killed and two wounded The insurgent loss
has not been ascertained- The Americans capt
ured thirty thousand pounds of rice and several
hundred rounds of ammunition.
GENERAL CHAFFEE SENDS THE NEWS.
WHAT is SAID IN WASHINGTON CONCERNING
THE FIGHT IN SAMAR
Washington. Sept. 29.-The War Depart
rlent has received the following dispatch from
General Chaffee:
Manila. September %.
Adjutant-Genera Washington
Hughes reports following from Bassey South
ern Samar: "Twenty-four of the 9th Regiment
Uuited States Infantry-eleVen wounded-haVe
lust arrived from Ralangiga Remainder ccn-
pany killed. Insurgents secured all company
supplies and all rifles, except twelve Company
was attacked during breakfast, morning Sep
GERS. Thomas W. Connolly, captain; Edward A
Bumpus. first lieutenant. and DR.. r. s Girls
void, major, surgeon, escaped" CHAFFEE.
The news of this disastrous fight reached the
War Department in the early hours to-day, and
Acknowledgement Corbin. realizing it's import
ance. at once made 1t public. after sending a
copy 20 the White House
The news created a sensation in official cir
cles II was the first severe reverse that has
occurred for long time. Still the officials
were not unprepared for news of Just this char
acter from Samar. in which the revolution
started by Aguinaldo still continues. Samar is
a country about large as the State OF Ohio
and the American forces of occupation number
in ali between 1000 and $500 men, These are
distributed among various posts in the island
large number being located at the more i'm
portant centres
Spain never made any effort to occupy Samar
and It has been for. probably. three months past
that the United States has undertaken that
work The latest report made by General
Hughes TO the War Department was that the
number Of insurgent rifles in the island aggre-
gated about 800. The Filipinos carried on a
guerilla warfare. and operations against them
were difficult The disaster Company OF
the 9th Infantry occurred, it is believed. while
Il was engaged in an expedition 20 clear the
country Of rowing bands OF these insurgents
The fact that the Americans were attacked
while at breakfast indicates the daring and
pluck Of the insurgents.
Immediately upon receipt OF the dispatch Ad-
jutant- General Corbin cabled TO General Chaffee
70 send complete report or the fight and &
list of the casualties.
4 well known official of the government. in
speaking OF this outbreak against the American
forces In Samar. said he regarded II as
consequence OF the assassination Of President
Mckinley In all probability the insurgents
had received, ne said. only meagre reports OF
the tragedy and possibly believed the shooting
10 be the result OF some popular outbreak
against the President The natives had seized
the opportunity in the fiickering hope OF re-
trieving some OF their lost ground
Company was a portion OF the 9th Regt-
rnent Of United States Infantry which went TO
China at the time of the Boxer outbreak and
there performed valiant service Later the
troops went 70 Manila, and were engaged in
provost duty in that city During the past sum
rner battalion Of the 9th was sent TO Saular.
All the officers connected with Company c, al
most wiped out by the insurgents, were named
n General Chaffee's dispatch, there being no
second lieutenant now with the company. Cap
tafn Thomas w. Connen, who commanded the
~o,1pauy appointed 10 the Military Acad-
en1T from New-York in September. 1889. and
Passage on the Steamer Monmouth TO the Yacht
b.. assures satisfaction. is the first boat
LtaCso