The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-08
Insurgent Stronghold Succumbs to
American Forces
Fort Defended by 800 Natives and
Shelled by Four Mountain Guns.
haDd-to. Hand Fighting in the
bitches,

Manila, BY Cable.-General Davis,
the commander Of the American forces
in the islands of Mindanao, cables that
the 81 Moros who survived the attack
and capture Of the Moro fort by Ameri-
can soldiers, in Mindanao, have sur
rendered and that the Sultan Of Bay
an, Bajah Muda, Sultan Panda Padto
and number of the leading Dattos,
were killed in the engagement. The
assault on the principal fort, reports
General Davis, was one OF the most
gallant performances Of American
arms in the Philippines and the regi-
ment of Lieutenant Colonel Frank d.
Baldwin, the Fourth Infantry, deserves
the greatest credit of its conduct. The
men of the Fourth Infantry had
hand-to-hand struggle with the Moros
in the four lines Of bitches under the
walls of the fort. When the position
was captured these bitches were found
to be lined with Moro dead. General
Davis characterizes the rife fire Of the
Americans as excellent and says he has
never witnessed performance excel
ling the capture of the Moro fort in
gallantry. General Davis says also 1t
is his painful duty to announce that
the overthrow of Moro power was not
accomplished without severe loss to
the Americans. One officer and men
were killed, while 3 officers and 81
men were wounded.
After the "a Moros who survived the
assault had marched out of the fort, 3
others who were concealed there made
an unsuccessful break for liberty. Some
of the Moro wounded tried to stab the
American soldiers, who were caring for
them. 1t is impossible to give the total
of Moro dead, as a number Of them are
lying in the tall grass. The fort was
defended by 300 men. Its capture saves
a siege, as it would have been impos.
sible to carry the position without
scaling ladders.
General Davis further reports his in
tent,on of retaining his prisoners until
the .aw adjacent Moro forts are occu-
pied. Then, with the consent OF Cen
eral Chaffee, he will retain ten Of his
priscipal captives as hostages and re-
lease the others. The American forces
who attacked the fort numbered 4I0
men and four mountain guns. 1t rain
ed hard during the night preceding the
attack, and the men were without
blankets. The battery fired 120 rounds
at a range of 1,400 yards.
General Davis adds that he is send
ing the dead to Malabang for burial.
He intends to invite the Sultan OF
Tarac to an interview. His fort Is Of
the same strength as Bayan, the one
captured yesterday General Davis i5
urging the people to return to the cul-
tivation OF their rice fields. He be-
lieves the Moros have learned lesson
which will prevent further trouble.
Washington, Special.-The President
has sent the following dispatcn 20
General Chaffee, from whom he had re-
ceived a cablegram confirming the AS
sociated Press dispatch from Manila:
Washington, D. c., May 4.
"To Chaffee Manila:
Accept for the army under your
command and express to General Davis
and Colonel Baldwin especially, my
congratulations and thanks for the
splendid courage and fidelity which
have again carried our flag to victory.
Your fellow countrymen at home will
ever honor the memory Of the fallen,
and be faithful to the brave survivors
who have themselves been faithful un-
to the end for their country's sake.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT"