Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1899 — FILIPINO ARMY IN A PANIC. [ARTICLE]

FILIPINO ARMY IN A PANIC.

Deadly Volley Scatters Asninaldo’s Troops in Every Direction. Gen. JlacArthur’s division crossed the Rio Grande Thursday and advanced on Apalit, completely routing' the flower of the Filipino army. The Filipinos were very strongly intrenched on the river bank, near both sides of the railroad bridge. Gen. Wheaton sent Col. Funston across, with two companies of the Twentieth Kansas regiment, a couple of privates swimming the swift stream with a rope, under a galling fire, for the purpose of guiding the raft. The men crossed in squads of twenty and attacked the left flank of the natives, who scuttled like rabbits into covered ways and trenches. The rest Of the regiment was compelled to cross the bridge in single file along the stringers. All the woodwork and much of the ironwork had been removed. The First Montana regiment followed the Kansans across the bridge. The First Nebraska regiment, acting as a reserve, attacked the natives in three lines of trenches, driving them out, killing sixteen and wounding many. In the meantime a large body of Filipinos, estimated at no fewer than 3,000, led' by Gen. Antonio Luna on a black charger, evidently coming to re-enforce the insurgents who were engaged with the Nebraskans, appeared in the open field about two miles to the left Emerging from the Jungle, the natives formed an open skirmish line nearly two miles in length, with very thick reserves behind. They then advanced at double quick until they were about 2,000 yards from the American line, when Gen. Wheaton ordered his troops to fire. The natives, were^ I ; Twoßt| prisoners w©f© €&ptnjr©& 5 Induct” I | m flfigwloWl • >