The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-12
.BENEv0LENTLY ASS|M|LATED.
HAIR RAISING STORY OF PHILIP
PINE FIGHT.
Moro Band Wiped Out-Last Consider
able Rebellion Element Exterminat-
ed after Struggle of Great Fierce
ness.
llAuk


Washington, July S.-A hair-rais-
ing story of hand to hand conflict with
spear hurting Moro savages in a bat
tie to the death on an isolated noun
tain top with no quarter given or ex-
pected was cabled to the war depart
ment from the Philippines today by
Maj. Gen. Bell. 1t was the COM
manding generals report on the cam
paign of Gen. John j. Pershing, which
resulted in the determination of the
last considerable band of rebellious
Moros and the complete disarmament
of this war like tribe.
Long ago most of the Moros gave
up their arms peacefully, but the
fierce tribesmen of Latiward, embrac-
ing about 20 square miles on the
northern coast of the island of Jolo.
MADE ready for war whenever there
was suggestion Of depriving them
o! their weapons. Recently nearly
10000 of them stampeded to Mount
Bagsak, wild peak which they be-
lleVed i,npregnable. 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
mold and prepared to fight it out with
the American nation.
When no reasonable hope of a
peaceful conclusion remained" SAYS
Gen. Bell in his report today, 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 q stampede
OF the women and children and non
combatants to the mountain again.
Assault 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.
"The control Of troops by the Off
GERS was admirable. thus preventing
a greater number of casualties. The
enemy was completely defeated and
all the strongholds We're finally taken.
None OF the Moros would surrender;
some escaped, but the remainder were
killed, including Amt and his princi-
pal lieutenants, during the. engage
ments.
"Our mountain guns were dragged
cp 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 Of little rest and torrential
rains. The district commander has
NoiiHiVhucu Cdpt. Taylor "A. NICHOLS
and Capt. George Charlton Of the
Philippine scouts, and First Lieut..
Edwin II. Rackley of the same or
ganization for conspic, ous courage
and leadership.
Big. 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 3urpassing.
He has been subjected to much criti-
clsm because OF patient negotiations,
forbearance and efforts to avoid q re-
sort to fighting, but succeeded in
avoiding unnecessary injury to non
combatants and minimized casualties
in his own command"