Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-27
THE sAcoLoD EXPEDITION.
Captain Pershins Tells All About Il to
49,, q Friend.

Captain Pershing Tells All About II to
q Friend.
Capt. John ]. Pershing, who was In
command Of the troops at the fight at
Lake Lanao, in the Philippines, has
written q letter to a personal friend
in the war department describing the
battle. It has been shown to Secretary
Root, who authorized It's publication.
Capt. Pershing in his letter which Is
dated Camp Wears, April 27, 1908,
says:
II suppose your mail dispatches
have, or will have. brought you full
account of the Bacolod incident, In
reality the best fight Of the Moro cam
paigns-not SO many Moros killed as
at Bayan or Pandapatan one year ago
but fought according to some sort Of
system. OF course, have worked ON
this fight, as foresaw long ago that
II must come, and the whole thing
from the beginning worked out as
planned.
First, we got behind them, much
to their surprise, and could post our
guns above and drop projectiles down
into their fort, so that the artillery
fire in this case was not all noise. We
had some work and some fighting to
gain this position. Once there, 1t was
only question Of sitting down delib-
erately and waiting to see what the
Moros would do. Many got away be-
fore the place was invested thoroughly.
"The fight began in a flood Of
rainstorm that lasted till dark, and re-
connoitering was difficult. SO we did
not find all the avenues OF escape until
next day, and am glad now we didn't,
as they had such confidence In this
hoU
for a year that they took many women
and children inside, and these escaped
during the night.
"The next day and night we held
them fast, however, tried to get them
TO surrender, had two talks under flag
of truce; no, they would fight 1t out.
SO there was then only to finish 1t.
I called my officers together and gave
each one his work. The main obstacle
was a deep ditch, 35 feet wide and 40
feet deep to be crossed. It was to De
bridged with fallen trees and over all
a bamboo bridge was laid. Everything
in readiness, the assault began.
IN the face Of heavy Remington
fire from the fort, the lines advanced
against two faces of the fort. putting
out of business every. Moro that ap-
peared. They could not use their port
holes, as we had batteEed them to
pieces, although we cUdfd not with our
light field artillery damage the earth
work. The lines up to within fifty
yards Of the bridge were completed by
two companies detailed for that pur-
pose, the trees having been previous.
" cut and hauled as near as could
safely be done. Thirty minutes later
the assaulting infantry swung across
and formed line on the bernie and
clambered up nearly In line to the top
Of the parapet.
Here they were met with kampilan
and kris, and bloody-hand-to- hand
fight occurred-one soldier against
two Moros here; another. running his
bayonet into a fanatic there, Moros
plunging headlong into the deep ditch
In their impetuosity and impetus. 1t
was as a whole q scene never to for
get. Too much cannot be said OF the
yalor, the bravery, the courage and
cool nerve Of the American soldier.
The majority Of those left inside
never reached the top Of the parapet.
1T was a relief to me that none Of
our men were killed. Two will lose
an arm each, the rest will recover
with honorable scars, but not manned.
It was the proudest day Of my life.
Cholera existed In all that section.
and we did not examine the interior
of the fort until after 1t was burned
and wet thoroughly through, for there
were all sorts Of underground galleries
and passageways. Some officers In the
assaulting line counted sixty dead on
one floor, and Moros say there were
more than 100 killed inside, while the
list outside has been growing ever
since the battle, so that $50 all told Is
conservative estimate.
II have labored with these Bacolod
Moros for a year through other Moros,
some of them near relatives, trying to
Convince them of their foolishness in
thinking of fighting us, but they have
replied in insulting messages, and, in
fact, the whole Laguna de Lanao has
anticipated a reverse for us< The les
son, of course, has been a severe one
for them. The old Panandungan-a
sort Of Moro title, meaning chief coun-
sellor or something Of that kind-in'
this case he had more power than the
sultan-lost his life, and the rest OF
them that are left have sent word that
they want to be friends. We burned
nothing but this main Gotta and rev rev
smaller ones, from which we were hred
upon, and I think the Moros all see
that our purpose Is to be humane as
far as they will permit us.
ITO my mind this practically settles
the Lake Lanao troubles. We, OF
course. must explore the eastern por-
tion of the lake for distance that re-
mains vet unexplored Of about ten
miles. / anticipate little trouble there'
but there may be one or two hard
headed old dattos who VIII put up
their flags. The matter may now pe
said to be settled.
There will never again be any con-
tinued opposition nor any general op.
position. The sensible ones see that 1t
is useless and several Of their old PAN
ditas (priests) are now preaching the
universal brotherhood Of man. 1t Is
needless for me to say to you that l
am gratified at the outcome. From
Bacolod north Of Marahui there were
more United States flags displayed In
the road and in rancherios than I sup
posed existed in all this country.
Il. have been here nearly two years
right In and about the Moro country,
and in the island nearly four, and can
but feel that I have accomplished
something. I think 1t the largest sin
gle success that has been made In the
island. One year ago nobody knew
nor had seen, except myself, the Moro
in his native Laguna, nor had they any
idea of him or Of his fierce, unconquer-
able nature. Today we have crossed
the lake and have practically marched
around it. Without the support ana
backing Of Gen. Davis and Gen. Sum
ner, I could not have done this. T9
them, of course, as commanders, be.
longs the credit. l hope 1t will not fall
of appreciation and that they Will be
rewarded accordingly. I will end here
this hurried description Of the Bacolod
expedition and shall hope to hear from
you at your leisure.
"Sincerest regards to you and my