Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-07
A Tribute To Captain Hankins.

PHILADELPHIA; PA, May 18th, 1902.
Hon. John Mitchell, Jr.,
Editor Richmond PLANET:
Dear Sir
Your most valuable paper, the
Richmond PLANET having been the idol
of our household for the last fifteen
years and is still as fresh TO Us as the
first year we began taking it.
We cannot say too much about this
noble paper and ats brave editor.
We shall always have it in our home;
and it is the duty of every colored man
or family to do the same, who are inter
ested in the we flare of his race.
In opening your paper this morning,
(and looking for that Ten thousand Dol
lar (Sl0,0O0) Suit out bursted sorrow
and sadness, the death of Captain VIM.
a. Hankins, a soldier, hero, "A gentle
man. \ esterday afternoon Capt. Han
kin's name was the mouthpiece of the
walters at Wanamaker's store, and din
ing room and speaking in the highest
terms OF that great captain, soldier and
gentleman, who with 90 non-commis-
stoned officers and private soldiers Of
Company +, 4Sth Infantry, u. s. V. (of
which he was commander) broke up
one OF the hottest bed of insurgents
that was on the North Luzon at that
time. The Bird L. s. corp, the 33rd u.
s. Y. Infantry and the Both u. s. V.
Infantry, all white, who had to retreat
from the enemies strong hold and the
trenches because of lost and wounded of
their own men are wondering to-day
how did that Negro officer with 81 en-.
listed men take Policy Poth, and with
out even one man getting wounded
Itls well known by old military men
III the field that if you don't take your
enemy 10y surprise you will have trou-
bic Ia trying to drive them out of their
position, and that is what Captain Han
klns taught his men, TO learn 20 take
advantage of the enemy and his teach
lngs proved a success.
AT 2.l5 a, IN. on the morning of the
downfall of San Gabriel and Policy
Poth, Captain William a Hankins,
with detachment of 90 men marched
up Policy Poth, a distance of 20 miles
from Tagudin in hours and arrived at
2:l5 a. m, taking their position as best
they could at that still hour of the
morning without the knowledge of the
enemy IN such short distance of them
Obedient and watchful as they had
been taught bv their commander, they
stayed in one position until o'clock a.
M. with their hands ON their guns and
fingers on the trigger awaiting orders to
fire. The order was given 10 the bu-
was performed in an excellent manner
The enemy fired volley after volley
but their bullets were raised too high.
In the course of 20 minutes, Policy
Poth and her strong trenches and forti-
tications were SILENT for Hankins had
proved too strong for them and the aim
of the colored soldiers with the Kragg,
was too true. When day arrived good
another charge was made on the trench
eS; fin ding a large number dead and
wounded, captured several officers and
n large number of private soldiers, at
the same time large number On govern
menJ rifles and revolvers and ammuni-
ton were recaptured. This was the
property of the 3rd corp, 33rd u. S. V.
Infantry and the Both Infantry. They
also captured several government hors-
es and cavalry riggings.
Then the march was made On to San
Gabriel and finding out after arriving
IN sight of that place that the town had
to be burned to be taken. The second
engagement began and in 80 minutes
the entire town with the exception of
a large stone barracks, previously used
as Headquarters for the Spanish troops,
went up into smoke. Over the barracks
fioated the Philippine flag, which was
hauled down and the stars and stripes
went up in its place.
Hawkins placed it there and it is float
ing there to day, Message was sent i'm
mediately to the Regimental Headquar
tiers to Col. Duval at San Fernand- De- la
al Union, and in 40 minutes the news
had spread all over the Island of North
ern Luzon. Telegraphs and letters of
praise were arriving every ten or fifteen
minutes comphmenting him for his gal
liant work and his daring charge upon
the breast works and trenches of Policy
Pothe with 80 men against 250 Insur.
rectofs. The number of dead and the
wounded ON the enemies side outnum.
bered his detachment doubled. That il
an honor, if white officer and soldiers
had won it would have been entered
some day upon the pages of our history
but it was a Negro and if they can they
(the white people) will try to blot it on
of their memory.
Too much can not be said about thi
good man, and therefore a number o
ex 4Sth Regiment, non commissioner
have drawn up these resolutions.