Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-06-20
BATTLE WITH
HOROS WAS HOT
Made Desperate Attempt to
Rush American Lines.
FOUGHT ON CRATER'S SIDE
General Pershing Tells How the
Triaesmen Were Beaten Back and
Overwhelmed.

"Probably no fiercer battle since
American occupation" is the descEip-
ton by Brigadier General Persning OF
the battle with the Moros at Bagsak,
in the Philippines, in his report by ca
BE 10 the war department at Wash
ington.
The Moros made desperate attempts
to rush the American lines, but they
were finally beaten back and over
whelmed. Their leader, Anil, and sew
eral other noted outlaws were reported
killed, but the total loss of the Moros
is not known.
One American officer, Taylor A.
Nichols, of the Philippins scouts, was
killed; First Lieutenant Edwin H.
Rackley. of the Philippine scouts, was
iiightly wounded, and three Philippine
scouts, of the Fifty-first company, all
1atives, were killed.
General Pershing's report was as
ollows:
"On June IL the Moros' resistance
at Bagsak was formidable, and their
fort and trenches on the precipitous
side of the crater not only supported
each other strongly, but were defend
ed with modern arms. The Moros IA
natically and continuously tried to
rush the American lines, but the care
full disposition of our force held the
American loss to a minimum. Prob
ably there has been no fiercer battle
since American occupation.
Major George C. Shaw, of the Phil
ppine scouts, commanded the right
wing, with Company M, Eighth regi-
ment, United States infantry, and the
Fortieth company, Philippine scouts.
Captain Taylor A. Nichols, of the Phil
ippine scouts, commanded the left
wing, with the Fifty-frst, Fifty-second
and Twenty-ninth companies, Philip
pine scouts. A mounted gun was with
each wing and proved of great assist
cnce At the close of Thursday, Cap
tain Patrick Moylan, of the Philippine
y:outs, with two companies, was sup
aorting the gun on Mount Bunga, and
The American forces occupied con-
trolling position on the rim of the
crater.
First Lieutenant Edwin H. Rackley,
Philippine scouts, was slightly wound
ed and three Moro scouts, of the Fifty
first company, were killed. Captain
Taylor A. Nichols was killed in the
early morning fight and is a serious
loss to the army Anil and several
leading outlaws reported killed. Other
Moros losses still unknown
A cablegram from Major General
Bell not only explains the reason for
the attack upon the Moros' stronghold,
but assumes responsibility with Gen.
eral Pershing. General Bell sail:
"The fight at Bagsak was incident
to the disarmament policy of the gov
ernor general Cameron Forbes) and
the governor of the Moro province,
adopted after many months of patient
but fruitless negotiations and marked
by promises disregarded by the Moros
A situation arose that l believe left no
alternative. Anil and relatively
small following, occupying one ward Of
the island of Jolo, were the only Moros
who refused to give up their arms
peacefully. Disarmament was generally
desired by the Moros themselves. All
of the rest surrendered their arms
months ago, without resisting. Under
the circumstances it was impossible
and unjust to disarmed Moros to per-
nit a few of them to retain arms"
The scene of the Moros' last stand
was on the small island of Jolo, not
much larger than the District of Co
lumbia.