The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1913-06-18
Between Insurgents and
Uncle Sans Men,
OVER A DISARMAMENT POLICY
Gen. Pershing Makes Report
On Battle With Rebels
At BagSag.
BIGGEST FIGHT YET REPORTED

Washington, June 19.-"Probab
ly no fiercer battle since American
occupation is the description by
Brig. Gen. Pershing, of the battle
with the Moros yesterday at Bag.
sag, in his report by cable to-day
to the War Department.
The Moros made desperate at
tempts to rush the American lines,
but were finally beaten back and
Overwhelmed. Their leader. Anil,
and several other noted outlaws
were reported killed. but the total
loss of the Moros was not reported.
y One American officer, Taylor
Nichols, of the Philippine Scouts,
was killed; First Lieut.. Edwin H.
Rackley, Philippine Scouts, was
wounded, and three Philippine
Scouts, of the Fifty-frst company,
all natives, We're killed. Gen. Per-
shing's report was as follows:
''On June IL the Moros' resist
alAce at Bagsag was formidable and
th3ir fort and trenches on the pre-
cipitous side of the crater not only
supported each other strongly, but
were defended with modern arms.
The Moros fanatically and continu-
frin m q me
lines, but the careful disposition of
our force held the American loss to
a minimum. Probably there has
been no 'fiercer battle since Ameri-
can occupation.
maj. George G. Shaw. of the
Philippine Scouts. commanded the
right wing with Company NJ,
Eighth Regiment, United States In
fantry, and Fortieth Company Phil
iHpine Scouts. Capt. Taylor A.
Nichols, of the Philippine Scouts,
commanded the left wing with the
Fifty-frst, Fifty-second and Twen-
ty-ninth Companies Philippine
Scouts. A mounted gun was with
each wing and proved of great as
sistance.
"At the close OF yesterday Capt.
Patrick Moylan, of the Philippine
Scouts, with two companies was
supporting the gun on Mount Bun
ga, and the American force occu
piad a controlling position on tae
rim of the crater.
First Lieut.. Edwin II. RackIey.
Philippine Scouts. was slightly
wounded and three Moro scouts of
the Fifty-first company were killed.
Capt. Taylor A. Nichols was killed
in the early morning fight, and is
serious loss to the army. Anil and
several leading outlaws aresreport-
ed killed. Other Moro losses are
still unknown"
u cablegram from Mai. Gen. Bell
not only explains the reason for
the attack upon the Moros strong
hold. but assumes responsibility
with Gen. Pershing. Gen. Bell
said;
The fight at Bagsag was incident
to the disarmament policy of the
Governor General Cameron Forbes)
and the Governor of the Moro pro-
vince. adopted after many months
of patient but fruitless negotia-
lions and marked by promises dis
regarded by the Moros. A situation
aroAe that | believe left no alterna-
tive. \ Anil and a relatively small
following. occupying one part OF
the Island of Jolo. were the only
Moros who refused to give up their
arms peacefully.
Disarmament was generally de-
sired by the Moros themselves. All
of the rest surrendered their arms
months ago without resisting. Tn |
der the circumstances II was impos-
sible and unjust to the d'sarmed |
Moros 10 permit a few OF them to
retain arms"
The scene Of the Moros' last
stand was on the small island of
Jolo, not mrch larger than the Dis
trict OF Columbia, but the jurisdic-
ton under the Sultan Is divided |
among a number of lesser chief
tains. Datto Anil was one of the
irreconcilables. He was brigand 4
and pirate. preyins upon the peace
full element Of his own people, and