The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-11-06
WALLER IS PRAISED
Mentioned as Being Entitled to The
Highest Credit
BRAVERY IN TIE SAMAR CAMPAIGN
Captains Porter and Bears rentioned
as Being Entitled to Highest Credit
for the Courageous Tanner In
Which They Routed the Enemy.

Washington, specialization Gen.
eral Charles Haywood, commandant
Of the United States Marine Corps, in
his annual report presents in detail
the operations Of Major Waller and
his courageous band OF marines on the
coast Of Southern Samar. Major Wal
Ter 10 quoted as saying that the eXpedf
tons early in last November In the
Sohoton district, were the most i'm
portant Of the campaign, so far as their
effect on the insurgents was con-
cerned. A graphic account is given Of
the operations of the main expedition
in the Sohoton district. The attack
was on the fortified cliffs and caves
which had been reported to be practi-
eally impregnable. The plan Of attack
was that two shore columns were to
unite at the enemy's stronghold and
be joined there by a river column IN
der Major Waller. Concerning the re-
suit Of the attack the report says:
"On the 18th Of November the shore
column struck the enemy's trail.
which was followed, and the detach-
ment soon came upon a number OF
bamboo guns. One Of these command
ing the trail had the fuse burning and
Acting Corporal Harry Glenn rushed
forward and pulled out the fuse. The
attack Of the marines was a perfect
surprise and the enemy vas COM
pletely routed, 80 being killed. After
driving the insurgents from their posi-
ton the troops crossed the river,
scaled the cliffs on the opposite side
and destroyed the camps there. The
enemy fired two volleys and then fed.
Major Waller says that he himself was
not In this attack, being In the river
below and unable to reach the firing
line in time. but he mentions CAPTAINS
Porter and Bears as being entitled to
the highest credit for the courageous
and skillful manner in which they
routed the enemy, in the. face Of ap-
parently insurmorntable obstacles. In
order to reach the enemy's position
the troops had to climb the cliffs
which rise sheer from the river to the
height of about 200 feet and are
honeycomoed with caves, to which
access is had by means Of bamboo
ladders and also by narrow Lodges,
with bamboo hand rails, Tons Of rocI8
we're suspended in cages held in posi-.
ton by vines, and in readiness to be
precipitated upon people and boats be-
low. Instant destruction would have
undoubtedly been the fate Of the boats
had they undertaken the ascent Of the
river before the shore column had dis
lodged the insurgents. The effect Of
the capture OF this last stronghold
upon the insurgents Of Samar cannot
be overestimated, as they had spent
years o. labor upon the defenses and
undoubtedly considered the cliff fortt-
ication improbable.
The report contains an account OF
the march Of 100 miles across Samar
of Major Waller and his men and OF
the incredible h~ardships they n
dured. The command was engaged ac-
lively and continuously against the In
surgents for three months. General
Haywood says that preliminary steps
have been taken to erect new bar
racks at Norfolk, Va, at O cost Of
100000. He renews his previous re-
commentator, that Congress appro-
pirate literally for main barracks
and quarters at the Charleston. s. c.
naval station. ~