The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1902-05-09
MOROS ATTACKED
EIGHTY-FoUR SURRENDER AFTER
A FIERCE FIGHT.
SEVERA.. CHIEFS ARE KILLED
Complete Triumph Secures Respect
for Authority of the United States
Signal Victory for the American
Troops.

WASHINGTON, May 5.--The war
department has received a cablegram
from General Chaffee indicating that
the campaign against Sultan Bayan,
one of the principal Moro chiefs, has
been completely successful. The re-
suit was accomplished by gallant
assault on the principal Moro fort and
it's capture after a number Of the
leading Moros had been killed. The
cablegram which was received was as
follows:
'Adjutant General, Washington: The
following is the full substance of
Brigadier General Davis message from
Bayan:
"Eeighty-four survivors of Bayan
surrendered unconditionally this
morning at 7. Sultan Bayan, Raja
Muja Bayan, Sultan PandapataD and
all leading dattos dead and many Of
their followers. Assault on the prin-
cipal fort, which surrendered last
night, one Of the most gallant per-
formances of American arms. Colonel
Frank d. Baldwin and his regiment
deserve praise for hand-to- hand st g
gle in four lines Of bitches under
walls of fort. These trenches are
lined with Moro dead from rife fire.
Have never seen or heard CT any per-
formance eXcelling this gallantry and
grit
1T is my painful duty to report that
the overthrow of Moro power was
not accomplished without severe loss.
One officer and seven enlisted men
killed; four officers and thirty-seven
enlisted men wounded. Will teIe-
graph the list later.
After eighty-four survivors march
ed out this morning as prisoners, and
it was understood they were all, eight
others who had concealed themselves
in rubbish inside the fort made a
break for liberty, but none succeeded.
Some Moro wounded tried to stab
soldiers trying to help them.
1T is impossible to state the num-
Der Of Moros killed. Many are lying
in tall grass. The surrender saves
us from siege and starving out. I'm
possible to have carried work without
scaling ladders. which were ready.
Intend to retain prisoners until two
or three adjacent forts are occupied,
then, with your consent, to retain as
hostages eight or ten CT the principals
and release the rest.
The force in line consisted Of four
mountain guns, 40 rifles. This was
fully sufficient. We could not have
used more men advantageously. Had
we sent strong column it would only
have swelled the casualty list One
neighboring cato has already present.
ed himself IS a friend, and l expect a
general coming in Shortly. The dead
were sent to Malabarg fer burial
In the light Of present knowledge, We
could have besieged the principal
forts and in time forced surrender,
but that probably would have result
ed in a sortie for freedom and escape
for many.
by attacking them they have been
completely crusheG-the only kind Of
lesson these wild Noros seem TO be
able to profit by. | shall invite SUI
tan TaTlac to pay me friendly visit,
if he 6ces not Go it of his initiative.
He has fort further east, in plain
sight, and Of the same strength as
was that OF Bayan. On the beautiful
tableland there are thousands OF acres
Of fine upland rice and he is urging
his people TO return to its cultiva-
ton.
The result to follow this action is
very important, namely, it secures re
spect for United States authority in
the center of Moro savagery.
"CHAFFEE."