Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-06-21
BATTLE WITH
MOROS WAS HOT
Made Desperate Attempt to
Rush American Lines.
FOUGHT ON CRATER'S SIDE
General Pershing Tells How the
Tribesmen Were Beaten Back ane
Overwhelmed.

Fourteen American soldiers were
killed in the recent four days Of fglt
ing on olo Island. the Philippines
when General Pershings command
finally subdued and disarmed the re
bellious Moros. according TO a report
TO the war department.
On the list OF dead we're Cap ain
Taylor A. Nichols. OF the Phillip Il,
scuots. eleven scouts and two privates
OF the regular army.
Captain Nichols, who was thirty.foui
years old. was commissioned second
lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts In
1905. and received his captains com
mission In March. 1912 He was tae
son OF John Nichols. OF Durham Cal
The two regulars. both OF ON
were killed In the first days action
last Wednesday. were Oliver willard
Co NJ. Eighth Infantry. whose sister
Miss Anna Willard. lives In Arctic
Rhode Island. and Luther Gerhar,. Of
the same company. whose father il
Henry b. Gerhart. OF Reading. Pa
General Pershng's report was a
follows:
ION June T. the Moros' resistance
at Bagsak was formidable and thei
fort and trenches on the precipiions
side OF the crater not only supported
each other strongly. but were defend
ed with modern arms The Moros "a
natically and continuously tried Il
rush the American lines. but the care
ful disposition of our force held IA
American loss TO a minimum PROB
ably there has been no fiercer battle
since American occupation
"MaJor George c. Shaw. of the Phil
ippine scouts, commanded the right
wing. with Company NJ, Eighth req
ment, United States infantry. and the
Fortieth company. Philippine scout
Captain Taylor A. Nichols, OF the p i. !
ippine scouts, commanded the les,l
wing. with the Fifty-first. Fifty.sc Il !
and Twcn,yninth companies, PHILIP |
pine scouts, a mounted gun was wi hl
each wing and proved OF great assist
ance. At the close OF Thursday. CAP
tain Patrick Moylan. OF the Philippine |
scouts. with two companies. was SUP
porting the gun on Mount Bunga, an I,
the American forces occupied con
trolling position on the rim OF the
crater.
First Lieutenant Edwin II. Rackley |
Philippine scouts, was slightly wound |
ed and three Moro scouts. OF the Fifty |
first company. were killed. Capiaia !
Taylor A. Nichols was killed in
early morning fight and is serious
loss 10 the army. Anil and several
leading outlaws reported killed. Other
Moros losses still unknown
a cablegram from Major Genera
Bell not only explains the reason soi
the attack upon the Moros' stronghold |
but assumes responsibility with Gen
eral Pershing. General Bell said;
1.-THE fight at BagsalS was incilen
10 the disarmament policy of the gov
ernor general Cameron Forbes and
the governor of the Moro prov nee
adopted after many months OF pat
but fruitless negotiations ana marFed
by promises dsregarded by the Moro
A situation arose that believe LETT nc
alternative Anil and relatively
small following. occupying one ward 81
the island Of Jolo, were the only Nor
who refused 20 give mp their arms
peacefully Disarmament was generall'
desired by the Noros themselves ih
Of the rest surrendered their arm
months ago, without resisting Vnie
the circumstances Il was impos bl
and unjust 70 dsarmed Moros To PEI.
NIT few Of them 70 retain arms