The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-07-16
AMERICAN ARMY FIGHTS
ExTERMINATES MORO BAND AZ
TER DESPERATE BATTLE.
Official Report Tells Of the Destruc-
ton Of the Last Considerable Re-
bellion Element ousJolo Island.

bellion Element ousJolo Island.
A hair-raising story Of hand-to-
hand conflict with spear hurting Mo-
70 savages in battle to the death on
an isolated mountain top with no
quarter given or expected was cabled
to the war department for the Phil
ippines Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Bell.
1t was the commanding generals re-
port on the campaign Of Gen. John J.
Pershing, which resulted in the exter-
mination Of the last considerable
band Of rebellious Moros and the
complete disarmament Of this warlike
tribe.
Long ago most Of the Moros gave
up their arms peacefully, but the
fierce tribesmen Of Latiward, embrac-
ing about twenty square miles on the
northern coast OF the island of Jolo,
made ready for war whenever there
was suggestion Of depriving them
Of their weapons. Recently nearly
10000 Of them stampeded to Mount
Bagsak, a wild peak which they be-
lieved unpregnable. Many confer
ences and patient diplomacy drew
most of them away and sent them to
their homes, but 800 or 400 Of the
most desperate fortified their strong
hold and prepared to fight it out with
the American nation.
when no reasonable hope Of
peaceful conclusion remained" says
Gen. Bell In his report, BRIG. Gen.
Pershing arrived at Jolo with boats
during the night Of June 10, secretly
embarked his command, and, landing
nearby, surrounded Bagsak the same
night to prevent stampede Of the
women and children and non-com-
batants to the mountain again. AS
sault began at daylight and there was
fierce fighting, part of it hand to
hand, during five days, marked by
tenacious resistance and counter at
tacks from Moros rushing on troops
with barongs and hurting spears at
the storming lines.
1.-THE control Of troops by the off,
GERS was admirable, thus preventing
great number of casualties. The
enemy was completely defeated and
all the strongholds were finally taken.
None of the Moros would surrender;
some escaped, but the remainder
were killed, including Amit and his
principal lieutenants, during the en-
gagements.
"Our mountain guns were dragged
up the mountain by block and tackle,
finally reached commanding posi-
tions and rendered material assist
ance. Apparently officers and men
behaved without exception with ad-
mirable courage and determination,
though constantly on duty five days
and nights o. little rest and torrential
rains. The district commander has
commended Capt. Taylor 4. Nichols
and Capt. George Charlton OF the
Philippine scouts, and First Lieut..
Edwin H. Rackley Of the same organ
ization for conspicuous courage and
leadership.
BRIG. Gen. Pershing personally
planned and conducted the Bagsak
operations, commanding the forces IN
person and sharing all hardships and
dangers Of the troops. From all In
formation obtainable the ordeals un-
dergone are believed to be surprising.
He has been subjected to much cltl-
cism because Of patient negotiations
forbearance and efforts to avoid re-
sort to fighting, but succeeded In
avoiding unnecessary injury to non
combatants and minimized casualties
in his own command"