New-York tribune., 1902-05-05
GENERAL DAvIs's STORY OF THE FIGHT
A BLOW THAT WILL MAKE THE WILD
MOROS RESPECT AMERICAN SOW
EREIGNTY.

EREIGNIN.
Washington, May 1.-The War Department to-
day received a cable dispatch from General
Chaffee indicating that the campaign against
Sultan Bayan one of the principal Moro chiefs.
had been completely successful The result was
accomplished by a gallant assault on the pTin-
cipaI Moro fort and it's capture after number
of the leading MOros had been killed. The dis
patch. which was received this afternoon, was
follows;
Adjutant General Washington:
The following is the full substance Of Briga-
dier General George w Davis's message from
Bayan:
''Eighty-four survivors; Bayan surrendered
unCOnditiOnally this morning at a. Sultan Bayan,
Raja Muda Bayan, sultan Panda Pado and all
leading dattos dead and many of their follow
Assault on the principal fort, which sur
rendered last night. one of the most gallant
performances of American arms Colonel Frank
d. Baldwin and his regiment deserve all praise
for hand hand struggle in four lines or
ditches under walls OF IOrI. lhSse 'Iglcl@S aIe
lined with Moro dead from rifle ire Have never
seen or heard of any performance eXcellinS this
in Sallantry and grit
1T is my painful duty TO report that the over
throw Of Moro power not accomplished
without severe loss. one officer and seven en-
listed men killed: four officers and thirty-seven
enlisted men wounded Will telegraph the list
later
After eighty survivors marched out this
morning as prisoners-and il was understood
they were all-eight others. who had concealed
themselves in rubbish inside the fort made
break for liberty, tried way out; Dut none sue
Ceeded Some Moro wounded tried TO stab sol
diers trying TO help them. 1t is impossible 10
state the number of MOrOs killed; many lying in
tall grass The surrender saves from siege
and starving out. Impossible 10 have carried
works without scaling ladders which were
ready Intend 10 retain prisoners until two or
three small adjacent forts occupied; then, with
your consent. TO retain as hostages eight or sse
OF the principals and release the others
The force in line of advance consisted OF four
mountain guns. 40 rifles This fully sufficient
Gould not have used more men adVantageouSly-
Had we sent strong column IL would only nave
sveIled the casualty list. one neighbOrinS datto
has already presented himself as friend and
expect a general coming in shortly. when the
weight of the blow is known. The dead sent 10
Malabang for burial
In light of present knowledge could have be-
sieged the principal forts and in time forced
surrender but that would probably have re-
suited in a sOrtie for freedom and escape for
many BY attacking them they have been COM
pleteIv crushed-tha only kind of lesson these
wild Noros seem to be able 10 profit by Shall
invite Sultan of TarlaC to pay me a friendly
visit il he does no. do so Of his own initiative
has fort further east in plain sight and Of same
strength as was Bayan. on beautiful tableiand;
thousand acres fine upland rice. and urging peO-
pie to return 10 its cultivation.
The result 10 follow this action very impOr-
tant namely-it secures respect for United
States authority in the centre of Moro savaS-
ery" CHAFFEE