The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-27
COL. 0'CONNELL COMING
HE WILL BE IN COMMAND OF BAT
TALON OF INFANTRY.
In the Philippines the Officer Gained
Distinction for Brilliant
Service.

1t is understood that the officer in COM
mand of the battalion of infantry to be
CHARTERED in Indianapolis will be Lieut.. Col.
John Joseph O'Connell, recently returned
from active service in the Philippines with
his regiment. the Third United States In
fantry. Colonel O'Connen bears the repu-
tation of being a Thereafter with a consum
ing passion for activity, and he is known
among army men as diplomat whose tact
has been very successful in placating con-
quered provinces and leading them to &C
cept American rule without friction.
Colonel O'COnneH's services in Southern
Samar gained him distinction. Last sum
mer he was sent with a handful OF men,
a bare half company, to investigate the
murder of Lieutenant Downes OF the First
Infantry, and one of his men On Colonel
O'Connell devolved the entire work OF treat
ing with 5000 natives who were known to
be among the most treacherous of Fill
pinOs. 1t was a commission of the utmost
delicacy and the fact th2t he brought the
natives to terms without the firing OF a gun
speaks we'll for his ability as a diplomat
well as his bravery a soldier. in &C
complshing the task with fifty men.
Colonel O'Connell wrote a number of let
ters to his wife describing graphically his
experiences. He was received at first with
the most f1attering honors. Every respect
was accorded him and the natives went
far out of their way to convey to him the
impression that he was received as a be-
loved friend instead of an enemy. Signs
or treachery were not lacking, however,
and Colonel O'Connelis suspicious were
aroused Acting with characteristic ener-
gy, he had the leaders of the village In
the guardhouse before they realized that
he was contemplating action, and then
burned the huts of rtngleaders.
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.
One OF Colonel O'Connell's unique expert
ences in Samar he describes as follows:
After determining a plan of action to
peacefully subdue the province and have
the natives swear allegiance, l had a long
talk with the priest just before our first
Sunday in town l informed him that l.
too was of the Catholic faith and desired
to attend mass l also gave him few
hints on the subject of the sermon which
L wished him to preach. Early Sunday
morning the chief citizens were liberated
from the guardhouse and ordered to at
tend church. Crowds of villagers, headed
by the padre, the President and Vice Presi-
dent of the province. a band of music and
color bearers, escorted me TO the church.
Meanwhile the American soldiers were
apparently idling about town. but under or
ders to look sharp and punish Immediately
any attempt on my life or other treachery.
/
which is known the bishops chair, with
the President and Vice President my
right and left and my orderly with the
American flag standing directly behind.
The church editce is an imposing struc-
ture, and has one of the finest high affairs
l have ever seen.
Il asked the town officials to remain
near me during the service as a special
mark of respect but really for the purpose
of preventing any act OF treachery which
had been led to believe might occur at any
time. The priest stuck well TO his instruc-
I tions and addressed the congregation on
the duties of citizenship in the United
States, and explained the oath of allie
glance and exhorted his hearers to become
children of America. At the same time he
represented me as their father. Altogether
his sermon had fine effect. for the people
Immediately after began to show signs of
sincere friendship"
After the friendship of the natives had
been gained Colonel O'COnnell set about
establishing schools, cleaning up the viii
| age and instructing the natives how to
govern themselves and to live good cti-
zens. BY many kind acts he gained their
confidence, and by the time he was or
dered away he had no occasion TO fear
| trea cherry.