The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-10-10
Special to The Ocala Banner.

There have been many battles in
which Americans troops were en-.
gagged in the Philippine Island, where
more men we're killed and wounded
than at the battle of Bagsak, but
never has there been battle where
there were greater difficulties to be
overcome by the beseiging forces OF
American troops and Philippine
Scouts, and more heroism displayed
by the attacking force, and fanat1cal
disregard for death by the beselged
than was displayed during the hve
days of fighting, mountaineering
charging, suffering and dying
which resulted in the complete de-
feat of band of hostile Moros VINO
had defied the American government,
refused to surrender their arms and
strongly entrenched themselves on
the summit of an almost impregna-
BILE mountain. The story OF the
affair from a man on the grond Will
probably be interesting.
The barracades on Bagsak Peak
were more skilfully constructed and
the defendants, although of necessl-
ty realising that they were doomed
to extinction, conducted their side or
the battle with more scientific, In
telligent system than has ever before
Of
riors. They are always fierce light
ers and sell their lives dearly, not
from a fear of death but for the love
OF fighting and the belief in reward
in the hereafter proportionate with
the number of lives they take prior
TO their death, the reward being all
the greater, their serving girls IN
the Garden of Allah the more numer-
Gus and whittier if, perchance, they
Kill several Christians dogs before
they are laid low. In the battle OF
Bagsak, however, the very acme OF
reckless disregard of death, together
with an exhibition of greater skill
than usual, made the heroism OF the
attacking force all the more notice
able.
The Bagsask campaign began sew
eral months ago, in reality, When
the renegade Moros who had refused
10 obey the mandates of the officials
10 turn in their arms, receive pay for
them. and return TO work on their
farms. were disregarded and they
began to congregate on the top OF the
mountain and to fortify themselves
These Moros were taken from the
most disreputable and irreconcilable
elements OF the Sulu Archipelago
There we're among them profession
al cattle thieves. murders, gun-run-
ners and outlaws Of every description
II Is unfortunate that by force Oh
numbers and false statements many
otherwise peaceable and law-aDldlng
Nloros were induced TO throw in their
Rot with the lawless elements on the
mountain. The lawless element
however. predominated and the re-
peatea requests and commands Tor
them IN come down and submit TO
aaw and order conditions we're disre-
raraed when the Sultan of Sulu'
mammal head OF these Moros, friend
A. MATES and others we're soon to ar
wue with them they refused to submit
nrowing more defiant each day not
wlthntandlng the fact that as re-
AHA az these embasoies. several
hundred Of those who saw the error
81 their way did desert the mountain
ana return 20 their homes. after sur
rendering their arms TO the govern
ment How many were left Is not
~xaetlv known. A wounded Moro,
captured tan unusual thing. as Moros
neither give nor ask auarter) stated
hsfsrc DYING that i've hundred had
heen Killed. Il IL probable that fif'
tern hundred were killed. and Il
waa thogrht that the entire band
"A heen exterminated but. sad TO
retafa. roports are Just nov NV"i'he
an from Iolo to the effect that con
asaerabie band escaped In some IN
knoWn manner and have again taken
tha var path. killing three Scouts
aaldi~rs yesterday. This win mean
another campaign Of determination
heeauae. when a Moro win not sur
render. goa might as well KIN him
auickly. There Is no other resourse'
mua the LONGER he remains at liberty
after defying the government. the
mnre innocent lives win be sacrificed
A. his kris. campaign or spear. The
Noros loves his woman. lie loves her
:. mueh thar he wants her TO see him
al. Not only does he want her 70
a. hlm die. but he wants also 70 see
A.. aie with him. As a result Of TINS