Evening star., 1902-05-05
DISPLAYED RARE GRIT
Gallantry Of Col. BaldWin's
Regiment.
CAPTURED MORO FORT
HAND-TO-HAND STRUGGLE IN
THE TRENCHES.
Respect for American Authority Es-
tablished in the Island of Mindanao
President Sends Congratulations.

The War Department received a cable
gram from General Caffee yesterday after
noon indicating that the campaign against
Sultan Bayan, one of the principal Moro
chiefs had been completely successful. The
result was accomplished by a gallant as
sault on the principal Moro fort, and its
capture after many of the leading Moros
had been killed. The cablegram was as
follows:
Adjutant General, Washington:
The following is the full substance of
Brgadier General George w. Davis mes
sage from Bayan:
Eighty-four survivors. Bayan surren-
dered Internationally this morning at Z.
Sultan Bayan. Raja Muda Bayan, Sultan
Pandapatan and all leading dattos dead and
many of their followers. Assault on the
principal fort, which surrendered last night
one of the most gallant performances of
American arms. Colonel Frank d. Bald
win, and his regiment deserve all praise
for hand-to-hand struggle in four lines of
bitches under walls of fort. These trenches
lined with Moro dead from rifle fire.
Have never seen or heard of any perform
ance excelling this for gallantry and grit
1t is my painful duty to report that the
overthrow Of the Moro power was not ac-
complished without severe loss. One officer
and seven enlisted men were killed; four
officers and thirty-seven enlisted men
wounded. Will telegraph the list later.
After eightyfour survivors marched out
this morning as prisoners and it was
derstood they were all, eight others. who
had concealed themselves in rubbish inside
the fort made a break for liberty tried to
find a way out; but none succeeded. Some
Moro wounded tried to stab the soldiers
trying to help them 1t is impossible to
state the number of Moros killed; many
lying in tall grass. The surrender saves us
from siege and starving out. Impossible to
have carried works without scaling ladders,
which were ready. Intend to retain prison.
ers until two or three small adjacent forts
are occupied. Then, with your consent, to
retain as hostages eight or ten of the prin-
cipals and release the others.
The force in line of advance consisted of
four mountain guns, 40 rifles. This was
fully sufficient. Could not have used more
column it would only have swelled the
casualty list. One neighboring datto has
already presented himself a friend, and
1 expect a general coming in shortly, when
the weight of the blow is known. The dead
have been sent to Malabang for burial. In
light of present knowledge could have be-
seged the principal forts and in time forced
surrender. but that would probably have
resulted in a sortie for freedom and escape
for many. BY attacking them, they have
been completely crushed-the only kind of
lesson these wild Moros seem to be able to
profit by.
Shall invite Sultan of Tarlac to pay me a
friendly visit if he does not do of his
own initiative. Has fort further east in
plain sight and of same strength as was
Bayan, beautiful table land. thousand
acres fine upland rice. and is urging people
to return to it's cultivation.
The result to follow this action very i'm
portant, namely: 1t secures respect for
United States authority in the center of
Moro savagery. CHAFFEE.
Opening of Hostilities.
The preliminaries to the attack on the
fort are described in a dispatch received
from General Chaffee by the War Depart
ment Saturday:
after much effort to talk with Datto
Bayan, Brigadier General George w. Davis
demanded May l that murderers and
horses be given up, or datto send peace
delegation to talk with him by noon of
May 2. Message was delivered noon, May
l. Messenger had not returned II o'clock,
May 2. During night our troops were fired
upon. Did not reply. MOros again fired on
troops the morning of May 2 Squads went
out (and) drove off the approaching Moros
Eleven o'clock troops attacked tand) took
the fort without loss One thousand three
hundred yards go beyond another fort
strongest work, attacked it. Dispatch from
General Davis says our troops surrounded
the fort at 8 o'clock. Firing was in pro-
gress at o'clock. About twenty men
wounded, also First Lieutenant Henry S.
Wagner General Davis add and Lieuten-
ant Jossman, (27th Infantry, former seri-
iously."
White House Conference.
President Roosevelt conferred for four
hours last night with Secretary Root and
Governor Taft, mainly concerning affairs
in the Philippines. The dispatch from Cen
eral Chaffee, giving the result of General
Davis campaign in Mindanao was source
of great satisfaction to the officials, al
though they regretted exceedingly that 1t
became necessary to fight in order to COM
pei submission to the American demands
for the surrender of those guilty of tho
murder of the American soldiers. Secretary
Root declined to say whether any additional
instructions had been given to General
Chaffee for his guidance 1t Is probable
that General Chaffee's future action Will
be left largely to his own discretion. The
President has great respect for General
Chaffee'S tact.
Governor Taft was very we'll satisfied
with the latest news from General Chaffee.
1t was cause for congratulation, he said.
He believed the effect of what had been
complshed would be benefcent and would
settle affairs in Mindanao.
The Presidents Congratulations.
The President sent the following dispatch
to General Chaffee:
Washington, D. c., May 4, 1902.
Chaffee, Manila:
Accept for the army under your command,
and express to General Davis and Colonel
Baldwin especially, my congratulations and
| thanks for the splendid courage and fidelity
which have again carried flag to vie
| tory. Your fellow countrymen at nome
| will ever honor the memory of the fallen,
and be faithful to the brave survivors who
| have themselves been faithful unto death
! for their countrys sake.
| {Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
--ao~-
REGARDING MEDICAL WORK.
|
Chief Dutton and Maj. Sylvester OPP