Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
Major Walters Expedition.


graphic account is given of the opera
tions Of the main expedition in the Sohoton
district. The attack was upon the fortified
cliffs and caves in the mountains, which
had been reported to be practically impreg-
nable. The plan of attack was that two
shore columns were to unite at the enemy's
stronghold and ibs Joined there by river
column, under Maj Waller. Concerning
the result Of the attack the report says:
ION the 18th of November the shore col
umn struck the enefny's trail. which was
followed, and the detachments soon came
upon number of bamboo guns One of
these. commanding the trail, had the fuse
burning, and Acting Corp. Harry Glenn
rushed forward and pulled out the fuse.
The attack of the marines was a perfect
routed, thirty being killed. After driving
the insurgents from their position 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. Maj. Waller says that he HIM
self was not in this attack being in the
river below and unable to reach the firing
line in time, but he mentions Capts Porter
and BearsS being entitled to the highest
credit for the courageous and skillful man
ner in which they routed the enemy in the
face of apparently insurmountable obsta-
cles. In order to reach the enemy's posi-
ton the troops had to climb the cliffs, which
rise sheer from the river to the height Of
about 200 feet and are honeycombed with
caves, 10 WHICH dCCtSS Is udu ny means OF
bamboo ladders and also by narrow lodges
with bamboo hand rails. Tons of rocks
were suspended in cages, held in position
by vines, and in readiness to be precipitated
upon people and boats below. Instant de-
struction would have undoubtedly been the
fate of the boats had they undertaken the
ascent of the river before the shore column
had dislodged the insurgents.
1.-The effect of the capture Of this last
stronghold upon the insurrectos Of Samar
cannot be overestimated, as they had spent
years of labor upon the defenses and I'M
doubtedly considered the cliff Notifications
impregnable
The report contains an account of the
march of 100 miles across Samar of Major
Waller and his men and of the incredible
hardships they endured. The command was
engaged actively and continuously against
the insurgents for three months.
The report covers in detail also the work
of the marine corps In the West Indies at
the naval base at Camp Roosevelt, Cuiebra,
and to some extent the isthmus of Pam
anna
Recruiting during the year has not been
so active as heretofore, the result being
that the Marine Corps now is considerably
below it's authorized strength but vigorous
measures are being taken to stimulate re-
cruiting At present the corps consists of
POI officers and 5S1S enlisted men. OF this
number SO officers and 1.736 men are serv-
ing on shore outside the United States, rs
officers and 2.335 men are serving within
the United States and 35 officers and 1747
men are on board ships in commission.
Rifle Range Near Washington.
In a chapter on target practice the COM
mandant says it Is his purpose to endeavor
to obtain during the coming year In the
immediate vicinity Of Washington, D. c.,
and Boston, Mass. suitable land upon
which to construct rife ranges for the use
of the commands, at those stations.
Experience having shown says Gen
eral Haywood, "the great desirability of
having at military posts gymnasiums,
amusement rooms and libraries for the
benefit of the enlisted men, I have requested
in the annual estimates this year that so5.-
900 be appropriated by Congress to permit
Of their establishment at two or three
posts Of the corps the intention being to
ask annually for sum sufficient to con-
tinue the work from year to year until all
posts of the carps, at home and abroad.
value Of these Institutions cannot be over
estimated having a tendency as they do.
to make the men more contented and COM
Portable. and more inclined to spend their
diversions within the limits Of the post,
instead of going to saloons and question
able resorts outside. It Is believed that nv
providing thesefpiaees for rest and reerea-
ton within the limits of the post, where
the men may indulge in various anuse
ments and athletic exercises, or have quiet
places in which to. read when they SO de-
sire, the numpeT Oh uSSSTIlOnS VIII be ma
terialIy lessened In addition to the adj
vantages just mentioned the gymnasium
will aid in the development and mainfe-
nance of an excellent physique among the
men, thus giving them greater strength ana
endurance to perform the duties of SOL
der"
The Navy Yard.
Regarding the Washington navy .ars
Gen. Haywood says:
minor repairs have been made to the
woodwork and plumbing at this station
new tin roof has been placed on the bar
racks building and new granolithic walks
laid.