The Detroit times., 1914-06-18
By FREDERICK FUNSTON.
Brigadier-GeneraI.U United states Army.
CHAPTER XIX

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CHAPTER XIX.
When the brigade commander had
come up, and ] explained the situa-
ton TO him, he was OF the opinion
that | had made a mistake in retir.
ing, though ! represented that II was
in no sense a retreat, but merely for
the purpose OF sheltering the men un.
Gil a method OF crossing could be
found. | expressed my willingness
to SO back, and he consented.
The two companies that had made
the attack. II and were now rein.
forced by G, and firing with great
rapidity, and fairly combing the tops
OF the trenches with bullets, we re-
gained the bank OF the stream with
out further loss. The Fiipinos were
kept down In their trenches by the
fire poured 10 upon them, so that
they simply could not rise up 20 take
any aim at all. As We gradually over
came them our men rose to heir feet
% fire, in order TO do better shooting
could lying down. IL the
muzzle OF rifle appeared over the
trench a score of bullets would strike
the spot within a couple OF seconds
A number of US were running along
the river bank, trying TO find some
means OF crossing and while engaged
in this work | became aware OF the
fact that very brisk fight was going
on with a couple OF trenches to our
right. | did not at the time know
just what troops were involved but
could see a field-pieceSin action right
on the bank Of the river, firing on a
trench across the stream. and could
hear the tap, tap, tap Of the Colt au-
tomato, There were also a number
of infantrymen These latter had
been engaged in the fight for some
time. Our three companies farther
down the stream had completely mas
tered the fire In the trenches opposite
them but could not cross
In the meantime a raft was noticed
moored TO the opposite bank OF the
stream, about SO yards below the
trench that was fighting Mai Bells
detachment II would be necessary TO
swim the stream TO get IT, and
called for volunteers 10 do the work.
Lieut. Hardy, Trumpeter Barshfield,
Corp Drysdale (now a first lieuten-
ant In the Tenth infantry, and Pri-
Yates Huntsman and Wiley stripped
OFF their clothing and plunged over
the bank into the stream.
They swan across, got the raft,
and towed II TO our side Ii was a
gallant piece OF work well done. Dur
ing this time the field-piece. the Colt
gun, and Company ID were pounding
the nearby trench with great vigor,
while the Pennsylvania company was
handling another trench a liJue far
Their upstream,
AS soon as the raft reached our
side I got on it with Lieut. Hopkins
and q men OF Company G, and we
poled II 10 the other bank After
sending out patrols 10 the front in
order TO give warning OF a possible
counter attack from any force that
might be concealed In the vicinity,
we gave our attention 10 the trench
opposite the artillery, II being the
nearest. But upon reaching it we
found that the men in It had already
raised the white flag and had signi- !
fed TO those across the river their
desire TO surrender.
About 4 O'Clock the brigade com
mander directed me to cross the rail !
road bridge with the regiment and de-
ploy on the left OF the Third artillery.
SO we formed column of fours and
set out.
The ties had been removed from
the bridge, making crossing IL very
slow operation, but we made the
greatest haste possible.
We had Just begun the crossing,
the men picking their way gingerly
over the stringers, when the whole
Filipino line opened fire on the troops
deployed on the north bank, the dis
lance being about 1,200 yards. AS
the firing line OF our troops was not
more than 100 yards in advance OF
the bridge. those Of us on the struc-
ture naturally got our share Of the
bullets
had crossed the bridge at the head
OF the regiment, and found that my
faithful orderly, Caldwell. had my
dripping horse awaiting me, and so
mounted and conducted the first few
men as fast as they could run along a
road which ran a few yards in rear
OF the PROSTATE and silent men OF
the Third artillery. working their
Krags for all they were worth, and di-
rected them TO continue the line of
that organization 10 the left.