Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-04-19
Pershing Won Spurs Subdu;ng
Savage Moros in Su1u
Philadelphia Ledger.

, Philippine scouts, General Pershing
promptly set about to capture Bud Dajo.
For centuries until the coming of the
Americans that stronghold had proved an
impregnable retreat for the Moros. Persh-
ings' command followed the enemy
through jungles and over mountains to
the crater stronghold. The Americans
worked themselves into a strong position
up the side of the mountain to within a
distance Of about 300 yards of the crater.
Besiesed a Volcanoes Crater.
Pershing's jungle fighters cut a trail
around the mountain and, %fortifying
themselves from attack from above, be-
gan the siege. The soldiers formed a
complete Gordon around the mountain and
calmly instituted a campaign of real
'watchful waiting" watching for the first
sign of the Moros leaving the crater and
waiting a chance to get them when they
tried to cut through the Gordon.
In their retreat to the crater the Moros
had for once been so hotly pursued that
they had been unable to take with them
the supplies that would make possible a
long stand. At last the Iron ring" be-
gan to make itself felt, and in small de-
tachlnents the Moros tried to Jain the
open jungle by dashes through the Amer
lean Gordon. Every dash was frustrated,
the fanatics rushing forth to certain
death. Finally, on Christmas day, 1911.
liiC NV AAOIOo sum All SiAS IA Aii oiAhs
thing q Moro seldom ~does-they marched
down the mountain side and surrendered.
A few reached the jungle. but the regu-
lars pursued, beat the brush and in the
end these desperadoes paid the penalty of
their daring.
With Bud Dajo captured, Pershing set
about to finish his job. On January IL,
1912, there followed on a Seit a stiff
engagement, which resulted in the death
of IS Moros and the serious woundtng of
two Americans, one of the latter Lieut..
H. H. MCGEE, U. s. A. For nearly Is
months more the campaign lasted. Every
day or two there was a skirmish of some
sort. but Pershing kept on, determined
never to stop until the Moros had been
completely subdued and American author
ity recognized.
Battle of Baesag In JoIo Mountains.
On June IL, 1913, came what may be de-
scribed as the decisive struggle in PERISH
ing's campaign. This was the battle of
Bagsag. The Moros had intrenched
themselves, and the reports of army off,
GERS show thai the "intrenchments were
splendidly constructed and would nave
been a credit to the soldiers of any white
army. The battle followed a long series
Of outrages. The Sultan Of Jolo had in
formed his followers that he was not only
lord Of all the Philippines, but that the
United States. a distant land. of whom
4 lew AIS0 SNSI 1lcdIOs was also TRIBUTARY
to his rule. The scene of the battle was
a mountain fastness in the interior of
Jolo.
Just before dawn the day Of the final
struggle General Pershing gave orders
for his artillery to shell the Moro trench
es. -Four mountain guns were brought
into action and a rain of shrapnel was
directed against the i%ntrenched enemy.
But the Moros stood their ground like
veterans and. despite great losses, they
We're still In the trenches and ready for
a fight to a finish when the Infantry and
dismounted cavalry began what was to be
the final chapter in the engagement.
The American charge was met with a
ain Of spears n arrows and a volley
of rife fire. the Moros using rifles that
had been smuggled to them by friendly
natives of the Island of Borneo.
The Americans had to ascend a danger.
Gus incline in their charge. but finally
they reached the Moro trenches and then
followed a fierce hand-to-hand conflict. IN
which scores of Moros and six United
States soldiers were killed. In addition.
there We're Hundreds of wounded Moros
and a score of Americans. The Moros
fought to the death and gave no quarter.
The battle finally ended with the complete
triumph of Pershing's men, and thus was
broken the backbone Of the Moro insur.
%rection.