The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-03-16


ny Block and TncIslc-Gcn. Leon
ard Wood Witnesses the Battle.
Manila, March 10.-United States
soldiers and marines and members Of
the constabulary, commanded by Col.
Joseph w. Duncan and under the eye
of Gen. Leonard Wood, have Just ex-
terminted an entire army Of 900 Moro
outlaws after a terrific battle, lasting
the greater part of four days, on Mt.
Dajo, near Jolo, the Sulu islands cap
ital.
The mountain is 2,100 feet high and
the fighting was frequently above
Clouds.
Eighteen Americans were killed, all
enlisted men, and there were SO wound
ed, including six officers.
The fighting was 10Y open, now from
behind natural or hastily thrown-up
d%efenses, and in the end the Americans,
in a grand rush, captured the top of the
mount and the remaining defenders,
fighting desperately to the end, were
slain.
Gen. Woods Report.
Maj.-Gen. Leonard Wood, comman-
der of the division Of the Philippines,
reports as follows from Jolo:
Tile action involved the capture Of
Mount Dajo, a lava zone 2,100 feet high,
with a crater at it's summit and ex-
tremely steep. The last 400 feet were
at an angle Of 80 degrees, and there
were 80 perpendicular ridges covered
with a growth of timber and strongly
fortified and defended by an invisible
force of Moros.
''All the defenders of the Moro
stronghold were killed. Six hundred
bodies were found on the field.
"The action resulted in the extinction
of a band of outlaws who, recognizing
no chief, had been raiding friendly Mo-
ros, and, owing to their defiance to
American authorities, had stirred up a
dangerous condition of affairs.
THE officers and men engaged highly
commend the native constabulary, who
| did excellent work, their casualties
numbering II out Of a force of "A en-
gagged.
Moras Shoot From Boulders.
For SOM time past the mountain
| stronghold has been the objective
point Of an attack. The outlaws had
| spread terror among the friendly ma
tives and attacks had even been made
on the military posts.
In accordance with orders from Gen.
Leonard Wood, the time set for the
main attack on the insurgents was
Tuesday afternoon. The Sixth infan-
try, under command of Col. Duncan;
the marines, led by Ensign H. s. Cooke,
and the c~onstabulary under Capt. John
| R. White, were chosen to make it, and
the signal to advance was given an
hour after oon
The force moved north along a trail
to the foot Of the mountain, the infan-
! try leading, the marines following and
] the constabulary bringing up the rear.
Calling guns and field pieces were
taken along as part Of, the infantry
equipment.
Before the forces reached the foot
hills the Moros opened fire from the
ridges overlooking the valley. They
hid behind large boulders and fought
after the manner of Indians, firing and
retreating from rock to rock as the
enemy approached.
Small FOothold for Troops.
At some points the sides are almost
perpendicular and afforded small foot
hold for advancing troops.
Facing the ftful fire of the Moros, a
part Of the force assembled the first
slope Of the mountain, using block and
tackle to hoist the field pieces and rap
idyfirers to a ledge 100 feet above the
valley. ll
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.
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 so degrees.
The enemy occupied the ridges. The
final attack was not made until Thurs
day afternoon.
Cheering as they advanced. the SOL
diers forced them to the summit Of
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 ,oi
the original force of insurgents had al
ready been killed and the remainder
were pcwerless to resist the soldiers
around the crater, who poured a gall
ing fire into Them. All but q few who
surrendered were killed.
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