The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-10

Private John I. Moore, now attached
to the recruiting office of the United
States army at No. SOS Bull street. has
Just received a certificate of merit
from the War Department.
Though Private Moore is not inclined
to boast of his action in the battle
which secured him the certificate. the
story of the engag cement and the part
which Sergt. Moore took in the battle
exhibit very high grade of bravery,
according to the official reports, both
in his own case and in the case of a
bare ten men who calamity upheld the
name and flag of their country in the
Philippines.
1t was in the battle of Lake Lanoa,
on the Island of Mindanao, which is
one of the southernmost islands of the
Philippine group that the young man
found his opportunity, on April 8, 1908.
The Moros who inhabit much of this
island had killed two soldiers one day,
and the fury of an insulted nation had
to be reckoned with. Gen. Baldwin
was placed in command of the move
ment, and two regiments were placed
in the field. In Company c, Twenty
seventh Infantry, was Sergt. John l.
Moore, who is a native of Columbia,
S. C.
Company was commanded by
Lieut.. Shaw, and to 1t was committed
the capture Of fort near Lake Lanoa,
held by more than 1000 dusky Moros,
who, as subsequent events proved,
were innbued with the reckless fanati-
cism of the Mohammedan faith,
which impeled them to perish with
stoical indifference until not a. Moro
was left alive to tell the tale.
slowly Beat Dack MOrOs.
On April 8 the company had reached
the vicinity of the fort, having killed
nearly a thousand Moros in the weeks
of fighting preceding the storming of
the fort.
The fort was surrounded by a ditch
thirty feet wide, and as many rect
deep, Just inside Of which was a hid
den ditch. The fort itself had two
stories underground, and was Well pre-
pared for defense.
When the fort was finally surrounded
and ali hope of escape for the sixty
three Moros inside the walls cut or, an
opportunity was given the garrison to
surrender. but this proposition was de-
clined and Lieut.. Shaw saw there was
nothing TO do but to take the garrison
either dead or alive.
Ten Volunteers.
Owing 10 the small open space In
front of the fort II was round eX-
Incident to employ large force ana
ten men were called to volunteer TO
cross the ditch and storm the tort
while the rest of the company re-
NAMED on the opposite side of the
ditch, ready to lend aid II the attack
ing party was routed.
Crossing on three slender bamboo
poles, the ten men, under Lieut.. SHAW,
reached the open space In front OF
the fort. Under the protection OF the
United states soldiers. the Moros pc
gan to pour out Of the fort ana saw
agely attacked Lieut.. Shaw ana MS
little band
For twenty minutes the ten men
engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand
encounter with the sixty-three Moros,
who used their bolos and CRISES as
weapons. owing 10 the cramped
quarters the soldiers were unable TO
FIRE their guns, and had TO detend
themselves with clupped weapons
Moore's Opportunity Came.
1t was while this fighting was at Its
hight that Sergt. Moore put himself
in line Tor TtWdIa AbA NoAAoPASeeNe
bravery. Quartermaster Sergeant Hao-
fer was assailed by swarm OF Moros
and in an instant his right arm was
broken and his left hand nearly cut off
by a bolo
As Haofer lay prostrate on the ground
a Moro bent over to give the fatal blow
and end the life Of the brave soldier.
Just as the bolo was about 70 descend
on the luckless soldier, Sergt. Moore
BY a great effort managed to get his
gun trained on the Moro, and pulled
the trigger. The top of the black mans
head was blown off and the bolo ratified
harmlessly on the ground.
After this escape Haofer was able
to rise. and though both arms were
hanging limp at his side, crossed over
on the three bamboo poles and made
his way 10 the Doctors tent. One of
his arms was afterward taken off, and
the hand OF the other.
Ten more minutes OF fighting nm
ished the Moros, every one being kill
ed.
Inclined 20 Be Modest.
ut scared me worse going across
that bamboo bridge than the fight did"
eaid Private Moore yesterday. Though
no was a sergeant when he was dis