The Tupelo journal., 1906-03-16
small Foothold for Troops.

small FOOthOld Tor TrOOpss
At some points the sides are almost
perpendicular and afforded small foot
hold for advancing troops.
A point for attack was found by
scouts on the south side Of the moun-
tain, where there was a foothold for the
| soldiers.
Facing the ftful fire Of the Moros, q
part of the force assembled the first
slope Of the mountain, using block and
tackle to hoist the field pieces and rap
id-firers to a ledge 100 feet above the
| valley.
Their movements were covered by in
~fantrymen, who kept up a steady fire on
the outlaws as they moved back up the
mountain before the advancing col
umn.
The Infantry Advance.
The infantry advance continued. Sol
diers clambered up the rocky sides OF
the mountains and others were drawn
up by the tackle ropes which had been
used to hoist the guns.
At a height of 500 feet the ascent was
found to be more gradual and many
trails made by the native fighters were
found.
Here the soldiers camped Tuesday
night.
The Moros opened with a desultory
fire the next day, but it was apparent
that they were not fighting in full
force.
From behind the bushes and rocks
they discharged their rifles and their
line of fire quickly receded up the
mountain side.
When the soldiers came within sight
Of the summit of the mountain, they
saw that the insurgents had been saw
ing their ammunition for a last stand
in a defensive position which seemed
impregnable.
From the crater to a point 400 feet
below the summit extended a series Oh
ridges, perpendicular and futed and
reaching entirely around the mountain
far above the clouds. The spaces be-
tween the ridges were barren gull1es
formed by the hot lava in it's downward
course.
In these barren bitches there was no
chance for concealment and there was
| almost no footing, as the ascent at this
point was at an angle of 60 degrees.
The enemy occupied the ridges. Inc
enal attack was not made until Thurs
day afternoon.
Fight Reaches Crater.
Here most of the American slain
were hit. Detachment after detachment
went into the rocky depresslons TO
clear the ridges of Moros. Gradually
the power of numbers told and the
enemy gave up their shelter IN
climbed toward the crater.
Cheering as they advanced, the sol
diers forced them to the summit Oh
the mountain. One after another de-
tachments of the Moros leaped over the
side of the crater into the basin.
There they were trapped. Half OF
| the original force of insurgents had al
ready been killed and the remainder
we're pcwerless to resist the soldiers
around the crater, who poured a gall
ing fire into them. All but a few who
surrendered were killed.
Cable Service Interrupted.
Manila, March 1O.-The cable be-
tween Jolo and Mindanao is broken,
and there is only a launch service be-
tween the two islands. AS a result OF
the interruption of the cable service
further details of. the recent battle on
| Mount Dajo are not available, but the
military authorities are ~endeavoring to
speedily obtain them. Apparently there
will be no more fighting or the island OF
JoIo. On the island of Mindanao fed
eral troops and constabulary are pursu-
ing hostile Moros, and probably some
important engagements will follow.