The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-05-09
MOROS ARE DEFEATED.
A Cabicgram from Gen. Chanee De-
scrlbing the Campaign Against
Sultan BayAn.

Washington, May 5.-The war de-
partment has received cablegram
from Gen. Chaffee indicating that
the campaign against Sultan Bayan,
one of the principal Moro chiefs, had
been completely successful. The result
was accomplished by gallant assault
on the principal Moro fort and its
capture after number of the leading
Moros had been killed. The cablegram
which was received Sunday afternoon,
was as follows:
"Adjutant General. Washington: The
following is the full substance OF Brig.
Gen. George W. Davis message from
Bayan: 'Eighty-four survivors at Bay
an surrendered Internationally this morn
ing at seven. Sultan Bayan, Ra5a Muda
Bayan, Sultan Pandapatan and all lead
ing Dattos dead and many OF their FOL
lowers. Assault on the principal fort
which surrendered last night one OF the
most gallant performances of American
arms Col. Frank D. Baldwin and his
regiment deserve all praise for hand to
hand struggle in four lines of bitches
under walls Of fort. These trenches are
lined with Moro dead from rifle fire.
Have never seen or heard Of any per-
Torrance excelling this gallantry and
grit.
1T is my painful duty to report thai
the overthrow of Moro power was not
accomplished without severe loss. one Of
ficer and seven enlisted men were killed;
four officers and 81 enlisted men were
wounded. Will telegraph the ist> later.
After 81 survivors marched out TINS
morning as prisoners, and 1t was unoer-
stood they were all, eight others who
had concealed themselves in rubbish,
II for
ceedcd. Some Moro wounded tried to
stab soldiers trying to help them, 1t
Is impossible 10 state the number OF
Moros killed; many lying in tall grass
THE surrender saves us from siege
and starving out. Impossible to nave
carried works without scaling ladders,
which were ready. Intend to retain pris-
oners until two or three small adjacent
forts are occupied, then, with your con-
sent. to retain as hostages eight or ten
of the principals and release the others
The force in line Of advance consisted
of four mountain guns and 47O rifles
This fully sufficient Could have used
more men advantageously. Had we sent
strong column it would only have swelled
the casualty list. One neighboring Dat
to has already presented himself as
friend. and l expect general coming
in shortly, when the weight of the blow
is known. The dead sent to Malabang
for burial.
"In light OF present knowledge. could
have besieged the principal forts and in
time forced surrender but that would
probably have resulted in a sortie, for
freedom and escape for many. BY at
lacking them, they have been completely
crushed-the only kind of a lesson these
wild Moros seem to be able to profit by
Shall invite Sultan Tarlac to pay me a
friendly visit, if he does not do so of his
own initiative. He has fort further east
in plain sight and Of same strength as
was Bayan, on beautiful lakeland and
1000 acres of fine upland rice, and urging
people to return to it's cultivation. The
result to follow this action very impor-
tant. Namely: 1t secures respect for
United States authority in the center Of
Moro savagery.