Gilpin observer., 1902-05-08
CRUSH THE MOROS
AMERICANS ATTACK PRINCIPAL
FORT AND cAPTyEEt 1T.
sishty-Fcu- Survivors Of Sultan
Eayan Surrcndcr-Savaoe Natives
Arc Completely Cruohed and Taught
Lesson Of Practical Benefit.

washington, May 5.-The war de-
partment received cabiegram from
General Cnaiee indicating that tie
campaign against Sultan Bayan, one
of the principal Moro chiefs, mad been
completely successful. The result was
accomplished by gallant assault on
the principal Moro fort and It's cap
ture after number OF the leading
Moros had been killed. Tne cable
gram was as follows:
THE following is the full substance
of Brigadier General Davis message
from Bayan: Eighty-four survivors
of Bayan surrendered Internationally
this morning at Z. Sultan Bayan.
Sultan Pandapanan and All leading
dattos dead and many Of their follow
ers. Assault on the principal fort,
which surrendered last night, one of
the most gallant performances of
American arms. Cononel Frank d.
Baldwin end 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 rife fire. Have never
seen or heard of any performance ex-
ceiling this in gallantry and grit. 1t is
my painful duty to report that the
overthrow of Moro power was not
accomplished without severe loss.
One officer and Z enlisted men killed;
four officers and 81 enlisted men
wounded. After 81 survivors marched
out this morning as prisoners, and 1t
WAS understood they were all. eight
others. Tho had concealed themselves
in ruboish inside the fort made a
break for liberty and tried to make
their way out, but none succeeded.
Some Moro wounded tried to stab SOL
diers trying to help them. It is i'm
possible to state the number of Moros
killed, many lying in tall grass. The
surrender saves us from siege and
starving out. Impossible to have car
ried works without scaling ladders,
which were ready. Intend to retain
prisoners until two or three small ad-
jacent forts are occupied, then, with
your consent, to retain as hostages
eight or ten of the principals and re-
lease rest. The force in line consist
ed of four mountain guns and 40
rifles. This was fully sufficient
Could not have used more men ad-
vantageously. Had we sent strong
column it woull.only have swelled the
casualty list. One neighboring datto
has already presented himself as Il
friend. and | expect general coming
in shortly, when the weight of the
blow is known. The dead were sent
to Malabang for burial. In the light
of present knowledge could have be-
sieged the principal forts and in time
forced surrender. but that would prob
ably have resulted in sortie for free
dom and escape of many. BY attack
ing them they have been completely
crushed-the only kind of 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 it of his initiative. He has
a fort further east in plain sight and
of the same strength as was Bayan.
on a. beautiful tableland. thousand
acres fine upland rice, and urging peo-
PIE to return to its cultivation. The
result to follow this action is very
important, namely. it secures respect
for United States authority in the
center OF Moro savagery.
Lieutenant Bovars of the Twenty
seventh infantry was killed in the
engagement at the fort. Captain
Moore of the same regiment was NOR
tally wounded. Surgeon Porter and
Lieutenant Henry S. Wagner of the
Fourteenth infantry and Lieutenant
Jossman of the Twenty-seventh infan-
try were severely wounded.
"CHAE-EE,r