The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1903-05-14
BIG V|g|ORYOv[R MDROS
The American Soldiers Capture Ten
Forts and the Sultan of
Amparuganos.
HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN NATIVES KILLED


Mania, May .6.-Capt. ~ Onn D.
Pershing, whose force recently ad-'
ministered severe defeat to the
Bacalodian Moros in Mindanao, and
who returned to that country be-
cause of reports that the, Moros were
again assembling, had nm encounter
with the rebels at Taraca, east of
Lake Lanao.
There was running fight, which
finally centered on group of ten
earthworks., Eight. of these were
easily captured by the Americans,
but the defenders of the ninth and
tenth made gallant resistance, and
lost 100 men in killed and wounded
before they were overcome. The
Americans had two killed and seven
wounded.
Find Warllke Earthworl<s.
The expedition traversed Macui-
gone, meeting many Moros who have
been recently subjugated, and friend
~ natives. No opposition was met
until the expedition approached the
Tsraca country, which appeared at
first to be deserted. Suddenly two
works commanding the river and
covered with battle flags were dis
covered. There were eight smaller
works fanking the main ones, and
slillfully placed. The American
artillery advanced and reduced the
latter without suffering any loss.
Then the artillery shelled the ninth
works while Lieuts. Shaw and Oracle,
with part of the Twenty -seventh in
fantry, secured a position whence
they led their men forward, in which
attack many Moros were bayoneted.
SuI4an Surrenders.
At nightfall the cavalry surround
ed the last and strongest Moro
stronghold and kept pouring in vol
leys until ut dawn the sultan of
Ampungano surrendered with GO
prisoners. &c obsolete cannon, "a
rifles, and many krisses. The strong
hold was then mined and demolished.
The expedition then continued scout
ing in the interior.
The sultan of Marantao. with all
his followers. surrendered to Maj.
Billiard. He and his troops took the
oath of allegiance amid a scene of
'barbaric splendor. with their shining
weapons and coats of armor. and dis
playing the Moorish emblems and
shields. The aged sultan said he had
been lifelong foe of the Spaniards,
but he had surrendered because he
observed that the Americans were
constantly victorious in battle, that
they governed the people fairly, and
gave work at large wages.
.Sunken Vessels Raised.
Wreckers have succeeded in raising
the sunken Spanish gunboat Velasco,
near the Cavite yard. The machin-
cry of the vessel is ruined and the
hull is partly warped from fire.
There are few small shell holes in
the hull. but they were not enough
to cause the sinking of the boat, and
It was undoubtedly scuttled, as the
bilge cocks were found open. The
sinking of this vessel was the indi-s
rect result of the attack of the
Petrol on the small Spanish gunboats
in the shallow waters of Bacoor bay.
The Reina Cristina, the flagship of
Admiral Afontejo, which was sunk by
Admiral Dewcy's feet during the
fight of May /. 1898, and which was
raised and beached by
syndicate of American engineers, is
now afioat. It has been repainted,
and as much of it's machinery is serv-
iceable the wreckers anticipate
handsome profit.
s-----------------is