The evening Republican., 1902-05-05
MORO FORT TAKEN.
Gallant Assault by Colonel
Baldwin's Men.
LEADING DATTOS KILLED IN FIGHT.
General Davis Cables Account Of
What He styles "One OF the Most
Gallant Performances OF
/: American Arms"

American Arms"
WASHINGTON, May 5.-The war
department has received a cablegram
from General Cf@ffee indicating that
the campaign against Sultan Bayan,
one of the principal Moro chiefs. had
been completely successful. The result
was accomplished by gallant assault
OH the principal Moro fort and its cap
turc after a number of the leading Mo-
ros had been killed. The cablegram
from General Chaffee says that the fol-
lowing is the full substance of Briga-
dier General George w. Davis mes
sage from Bayan as received by him:
"Eighty-four survivors Bayan surren-
dercd Internationally this morning at
Z. Sultan Bayan, Rajah Muda Bayan,
Sultan Pandapatan and all leading dat
tos dead and many of their followers.
Assault on the principal fort which sur
rendered last night one of the most gal
liant performances Of American arms.
Colonel Frank D. Baldwin and his regi.
ment 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-
formance excelling this gallantry and
grit. 1t is my painful duty to report
that the overthrow Of Moro power not
accomplished without severe loss. One
officer and seven enlisted men killed,
four officers and thirty-seven enlisted
men wounded. VIII telegraph the list
later. After eight-four survivors march
cd out this morning as prisoners and
was understood they were all, eight
others, who had concealed themselves
in rubbish inside the fort, made
break for liberty, tried way out, but
none succeeded. Some more wounded
tried to stab soldiers trying to help
them. 1t is impossible to state the
number Of Moros killed; many lying in
tall grass. NIhe surrender saves us
from siege and starving. Impossible
to have carried works without scaling
ladders, which We're ready. Intend to
retain prisoners until two or three small
adjacent forts occupied, then, with
your consent, to retain as hostages
eight or ten of the principals and re-
lease the others. The force in line Of
advance consisted of four mountain
guns, 40 rifles This was fully sutii-
cient Could not have used more.A
Had we sent a strong column 1t
would only have swelIed the casualty
list. One neighboring datto has al
ready presented himself as friend,
and expect general coming in short
ly, when the weight Of the blow Is
known. The dead have been sent to
Malabang for burial. In light Of pres
ent Knowledge I could have besieged
the principal forts and in time forced
them to surrender. but that would
probably have resulted in a s0rtie for
freedom and escape for many. By at
lacking them they have been complete
ly crushed, the only kind Of lesson
these wild Moros seem to be able to
profit by. I shall invite the sultan of
Tarlac to pay me friendly visit if he
does not do us of his own initiative.
Have fort farther cast in plain sight
and of same strength as was Bayan
on beautiful tableland thousand acres
fine upland rice. am urging the peo-
pie to return to its cultivation.
"rhe result to follow this action is
very important-namely, it secures re-
spect for United States authority in
the center of Moro savagery." :,