Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-05-08
DAVIS CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL
MORRO FORT is ATTACKED AND
CAPTURED BY THE
AMERICANS. .
MOST GALLANT PERFORMANCE
EIGHT AMERICANS KILLED AND
FoRTY-THREE ARE
WOUNDED.

Manila, May 6.-Gen. Davis, In COM
mand OF the American forces in the
Island of Mindanao. caabled Saturday
that his ultimatum had not been an
swered, that his messenger had not re-
turned, and that the American outposts
were fired upon. The troops advanced
and shelled Moro fort. but did not cap
ture II until the infantry reached the
ditch. This fort was strong and we'll
defended by $50 men. Fort Panda-
Padto was hen surrounded n heavily
skelled. Heavy firing continued as the
dispatch vas sent.
Gen. Davis cabled yesterday that the
a. Moros who survived the attack and
CAPTURE of the Moro fort by the Ameri-
can soldiers in Mindanao Saturday
have surrendered, and that the sultan
of Bayan, Rajah Muda, Sultan Panda-
Padto and a number of the leading
dattos We're killed in the engagement.
Unparalleled GaIIantry.
The assault on the principal fort, re-
ports Gen. Davis, was one of the most
gallant performances of American
arms In the Philippines, and the regi-
ment OF Lieut.. Col. Frank d. Baldwin.
the Fourth infantry, deserves the
greatest credit for it's conduct. The
men of the Fourth infantry had a hand
to hand struggle with the Moros In the
four lines OF bitches and at the walls OF
the fort. When the position was up
tured these bitches were found to be
lined with Moro dead. Gen. Davis char
acterizes the rifle fire of the Americans
as excellent, and says he has V
witnessed a performance excelling the
capture of the Moro fort in ~gallantry
and grit. Gen. Davis says also, It Is
his painful duty 20 announce that the
Overthrow OF Moro Power
was not accomplished without severe
loss to the Americans. One officer and
seven enlisted men were killed, while
four officers and t~hirty-nine enlisted
men were wounded. After the eighty
four Moros who survived the assault
had marched out OF the fort. eight 9TH
ers who were concealed there, made an
unsuccessful break for liberty. Some
of the Moro wounded tried to stab the
American soldiers who We're s~uccoring
them. 1t is impossible to give the total
of Moro dead, as a number of them are
lying in the tall grass. The for was
defended by over 300 men. It's cap
ture saves a siege, and 1t would have
been impossible to carry the position
without scaling ladders. Gen. Davis
further reports his intention of retain
ing his prisoners until the few adjacent
Moro ~ - Ia G@asa IL
Forts Are Occupied.
Then, with the consent of Gen. Chaffee,
he will retain ten OF his principal cap
tiyes as hostages and release the 9TH
ers. The American forces who attacked
the fort numbered 470 men and four
mountain guns. 1t rained hard during
the night preceding the attack. and the
men We're without blankets. The bat
terry fired 40 rounds at a range OF four
teen hundred yards.
Gen. Davis adds that he is sending
the dead 10 Malabnng for burial. He
intends to invite the sultan Trace TO an
interview. His fort Is OF the same
strength as Bayan, the one captured
Saturday. Gen. Davis is urging the
people to return 10 the cultivation of
rice.
President Sends CONCENTRATIONS.
Washington, May 6.-The president
last night ent the following congrat-
ulary dispatch to Gen. Chaffee:
Accept for the army under your
commant. and express to Gen. Davis
and Col. Baldwin especially my con-
gratulations and thanks for the splen-
did courage and fidelity which have
again carried out flag to victory.
Your fellow cou1trymen at home will
ever honor the memory OF the fallen
and the faithful brave survivors who
themselves ave been faithful unto
death for their courtry's sake"