<* --
.
.
The Battle of Bayan
" Other Battles
Being a History of the Moro Campaign from Ji pril
17, to Dec. SO, 1902. A Record of Events Oc*
earring during a Period of Eight MontAs' Sen
vice in the Lake Region of Mindanao. Miso
Letters of Congratulation from His Excellency
the President of the United States, Major*
General Jtdna R. Chaffee, and Others.
BY
JAMES EDGAR ALLEN,
(War Correspondent]
AND
JOHN J. REIDY.
E. C. McCULLOUGH & CO.
1903.
NOTE BY THE AUTHORS.
The facts, as related in this little volume,
actually occurred on the dates herein men-
tioned, and anyone doubting the authenticity
of this statement can easily verify it by com-
municating with any of the persons mentioned
within these pages, or by consulting the files
of any leading Newspaper or Magazine, near-
ly all of which published accounts of the af-
fairs shortly after they occurred.
THE AUTHORS.
2026872
THE SOLDIER'S DEATH IN MINDANAO.
(By John J. Reidy.)
THE lone shades of evening have fallen o'er
the white tented plain,
And the sun has sank deep in the horizon of
the watery main.
The Camp is all silent, the banners are waving
no more,
And the sound of the waves are echoing from
the far distant shore.
The tire-worn soldier, fatigued from the
march of the day,
Is silently sleeping and dreaming of scents
far away.
Of his own Native Land where he spent many
jovial hours,
Of the sweetheart with whom he has roved' by
the shady green bmvers.
He sees in his dreams the cherished home of
his boyhood so dear,
And the mother he loved as she sits by the
fireside in tears.
She is thinking of him who has gone from her
side to the war
To fight the bold Moros in Mindanao's island
afar.
She is patiently waiting for the bright day of
gladness to come,
When ivith arms outstretched she will welcome
the warrior home.
But lo, as the darkness grows denser in Min-
danao's heights,
The loud pealing of cannons is heard in the
dark stilly night.
The trump' ter's call, echoing loud through the
hills and ravines,
Has aroused the brave soldier from the joy of
his whimsical dreams.
He has joined his brave comrades who have
formed in Line for the fray,
Then he thinks of his mother, his sweetheart
and home far away.
The battle commences, loud crashes the bolos
and spears
And the gleam of the bayonets shine forth like
the stars in the sea.
Colonel Baldwin's command is now heard by
the brave and the bold,
As onward they charge like lions leaping mad
at a fold.
They meet in hot conflict, they bleed in the
midst of the strife,
For their country's freedom, for their glory,
their honor and life.
The battle is over amid cheers from the victors
of war,
But alas, one brave hero has fallen with many
a scar.
Bleeding he lays on the field in his anguish
and pain,
Whose dreams were of home, of the loved one
he will never see again.
He pictures, in anguish, his mother in sorrow
and gloom,
Vainly waiting for him who will never return
to his home.
The black cloud of death darkens o'er the
young soldier so brave,
Then he dies, and with honor is borne to his
rest in the grave.
But the mother waits on, no news from the
young hero comes,
For he sleeps ivith the brave where he fell, in
a warrior's tomb.
PREFACE.
N AFTER years, especially when one
has lived to survive a great battle, it is
sometimes a pleasant thing to be able to
recall to memory the scenes of by-gone days.
But this cannot always be done in the desired
form without some outside aid. Accordingly,
this little volume is published for that very
purpose, and the authors earnestly hope that
it will meet with the approval of all those who
were fortunate enough to survive those me-
morable events.
It has been the aim of the authors to give
an unbiased description of the Battles, just as
they occurred, and it is expressly desired that
the public as well may derive some satisfaction
from a perusal of the following pages.
THE BATTLE OF BAYAN AND
OTHER BATTLES.
THE
BATTLE OF BAYAN
(PART FIRST.)
MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
I sit here on the demol-
ished walls of Fort Pan-
dapatan, contemplating
the magnificent scene
spread out before me,
my mind reverts
to that awful Battle fought on the 2d
of May of this year, which was right-
fully designated by General Adna R.
Chaffee as the hardest fought battle of
the entire Philippine insurrection.
And as I look down the grassy slopes
of Pandapatan hill, and across the open
towards Binidayan hill, on which once
14
stood that impregnable Moro strong-
hold, Fort Binidayan, I can see in fan-
cy those advancing lines of determined
men and hear the awful screach of fly-
ing projectiles, just as if that terrible
drama of reality were being enacted
over again for my own especial benefit.
And while I am in the mood and
have the inspiration to do so, I shall en-
deavor to convey to the reader a slight
conception of what the Battle was like,
and how it appeared to me on that event-
ful day, and which will go down in his-
tory as one of the most glorious feats of
American arms.
I can see again, in fancy, that col-
umn of determined fighting men, at the
head of which rode General (then Colo-
nel) Frank D. Baldwin, struggling
over the slippery mountain trails, ford-
ing the swift running rivers, and swelt-
15
ering in the hot tropical sun, just as
they did on April 17, 18, and 19, 1902.
It does not seem that several
months have elapsed since General
Chaffee issued an ultimatum to the Sul-
tan of Bayan and other leading Moros
of the Lake region, demanding the sur-
render of several Moro tribesmen for
the murder of Pvts. Lewis and Mooris
of the 27th Infantry, in March last, and
for the return of several horses which
had been deliberately stolen from Lieut.
Forsyth, i5th Cavalry, at Buldoon, a.
small village in the mountains along
the south coast of Mindanao.
When General Chaffee visited the
little town of Malabang in the early part
of April, inviting the Sultans and Dat-
tos of the Lake region to come in and
hold a friendly conference with him,
little did he dream that he was taking
1.6
the first step in what was to be one of
the most aggressive campaigns ever
inaugurated.
But when, instead of complying
with the terms of the ultimatum, the
Moros insolently replied to it and defied
the Americans to come and fight, Gen-
eral Chaffee realized then that the situa-
tion was grave indeed, and according-
ly telegraphed to Washington imme-
diately for permission to proceed to the
Lake region and administer a lesson to
the recalcitrant Sultans and Dattos.
But it was not until after much de-
lay that the War Department reluctant-
ly gave permission to proceed against
the Moros, and General Chaffee was
cautioned not to go to the extreme of
warfare, until every peaceful method
had been exhausted.
I?
THE FIRST ADVANCE.
Preparations were at once begun;
an expedition was formed and got in
readiness, and on April 17, 1902, six
companies of the 27th Infantry, two
troops of the I5th Cavalry, and the 25th
Battery of Field Artillery started for
the interior of Mindanao, which had, as
yet, never been explored by white men.
The troops constituting that col-
umn were, for the most part, raw ma-
terial, having been organized but a short
time previous to the time of which I
write, and had as yet seen but little of
active service.
But it must not be imagined that
they were all inexperienced in warfare,
for in its ranks were many who had
either transferred from other organiza-
tions or who had voluntarily enlisted in
2-B. B.-190S7
.18
these organizations, and who had seen
service in more than one war.
It is needless to narrate how the
column marched over the first great
mountain range which follows along the
southern coast in a parallel line, and
then on to the enemy infested region
about Lake Dapao, which is but a fore-
runner of a more impregnable region,
and which is now gradually resuming
its former peaceful aspect, and which
in time will develope into one of the
most productive regions in the Philip-
pine Archipelago.
THE ENEMY ENCOUNTERED.
Suffice it to say that after three
days of hardships and privation, those
troops, constituting what was known as
the "Lake Lanao Expedition," encoun-
tered the enemy on a bit of rising ground
at a place known as Gadungan, and
19
after two engagements fought, one there,
and one at a place known as Fort Pua-
los, a camp was established in that vici-
nity and negotiations with the Moros
were renewed.
These were but preliminary en-
gagements and were merely forerun-
ners of what was to come.
After a useless delay and fruitless
attempt to restore peace, the column
again advanced, this time for the Bayan
Forts.
On May I the little army of Ameri-
can troops arrived at a point on the south-
eastern shore of Lake Lanao, overlook-
ing the Lake and in sight of the enemy's
stronghold.
At this juncture Brigadier General
George W. Davis, commanding the Sev-
enth Separate Brigade, and who had been
designated by General Chaffee to per-
20
sonally accompany the expedition, arriv-
ed from Malabang after making a fly-
ing trip across the mountains.
A temporary camp was establish-
ed and General Davis prepared mes-
sages in Arabic writing, which were
immediately sent to the Sultan of Ba-
yan, demanding his surrender by noon
of May 2, or suffer the consequences.
These messages are known to have
been delivered but they were not re-
plied to.
PRELIMINARY FIRING.
During the night of May i, the
American outposts were fired upon fre-
quently by the Moros, but they did not
reply to the fire of the enemy.
At daylight camp was broken, and
the column pushed ahead in the direc-
tion of Bay an.
21
The column was halted about one
half mile from the first fort.
The Moro outposts opened fire on
the Americans, but they were not re-
plied to.
The Americans were waiting for
twelve o'clock.
About one thousand yards to the
right and front was a small clump of
bamboo, several natives appeared there,
firing a few shots and flourishing their
weapons, all the time yelling like mad.
It was now plainly seen that the
Moros were determined to have war.
The Artillery was brought into
play and trained on the clump of bam-
boo on the right, also Fort Binidayan,
which was situated on the crest of a
high hill about fifteen hundred yards
distant.
Those were indeed moments of
suspense for those gallant troops, but
not a shot was fired by them, although
they were under an almost constant
fire from the enemy.
HOSTILITIES BEGIN.
But just at twelve o'clock, Gen-
eral Davis stepped forward, watch in
hand, and took one long, lingering
look in the direction of Fort Binida-
yan, and then, not seeing any signs of a
peace envoy, but, on the contrary, every
indication of hostility, he turned slowly
to Captain W. S. McNair, of the 25th
Battery, and gave the signal to "let
her go."
"Boom," echoed the little mount-
ain guns, and away went a shrapnel
screaming across the open and just
three and six-tenths seconds after, ex-
ploded immediately over the fort.
Instantly figures were seen hurry-
ing to and fro about the fort.
2 3
"Boom!" went another, this time
at the clump of bamboo on the right.
A puff of smoke, and then, a
cloud of dust immediately in front of
the bamboo told the tale only too well
to the gunners.
The battle of the Bayan forts had
begun.
Quick movements were observed
here and there, companies were being
assigned their positions, orders were
being transmitted like lightning from
point to point, and in less time than it
takes to narrate it, that body of men
were swung into action like the pen-
dulum of a clock.
DEvSTRUCTlON OF BINIDAYAN.
The work of demolishing the Bini-
dayan Fort had now begun in earnest,
companies "F" and "G" of the 2yth In-
fantry advanced in line of skirmishers,
24
while the Artillery continued a slow fire
on the Fort, company "H" joined "F,"
and crossed the intervening ridge and
then through the little valley, while "G"
went off to the right, to flank Binidayan
and at the same time to make a demons-
tration against Fort Pandapatan, which
was to the right and rear of Binidayan.
Fort Pandapatan was the second
fort known as the system of Bay an forts,
of which there are four.
At the base of the Binidayan hill
the Infantry halted for an instant, and
then started -up the hill in a long, thin
line of skirmishers, with determination
written in their faces.
It was the initial event of the kind
for many of them, but ever)'' head was
erect, every man in his place.
There was not a bit of confusion,
simply an orderly line of men coming
up to do battle.
25
The}- were under a constant fire
from the enemy while they were ad-
vancing but they did not reply to them
until they were close enough to plainly
distinguish the heads of the Moros bob-
bing up and down in the trenches which
surrounded the Fort.
They laid down prone on the ground
then and poured a withering fire into
the fort and trenches, which quickly
routed the enemy.
THE CHARGE.
Suddenly, back on the ridge where
the Artillery were stationed the clear
notes of a bugle were heard, sounding
''Charge."
Instantly those blue shirted figures
away up on the grassy slope, rose as if
by magic, and then pressed forward and
upward, with a yell that was sufficient
in itself to route the enemy, and it did
26
route them, for the Moros were fleeing
and falling back on Fort Pandapatan by
hundreds.
The troops reached the very walls
and there paused for an instant to gain
breath, then a command rang out, clear
and cool, and it seemed that one mighty
wave swept on and over the walls, and
in an instant more, those standing back
on the ridge where the Artillery was,
saw "Old Glory" unfurled to the breeze
from the shattered walls of Fort Bini-
dayan.
The first position of the enemy had
been taken without loss to the Amer-
icans.
But not so fortunate for the Moros,
for here and there a mangled body of a
dusky warrior dotted nature's carpet,
some already dead, others breathing
their last, but stubbornly defying the
Americans to do their worst.
27
At this stage of the battle there
came a distinct lull in the firing, and
both sides took advantage of it to "take
a hitch" and prepare for the real battle,
which was yet to come.
During this lull the Artillery closed
up and took their new position on Bini-
dayan hill, a little to the south of the
fort.
Floating over Fort Pandapatan
there were no less than twenty large
red flags.
Most of the Moros had already fall-
en back on this stronghold and they
could plainly be seen, throwing up extra
intrenchments.
It was now two o'clock and the real
work was about to begin.
Companies "E" and "F" started
straight down the Binidayan hill in the
direction of Pandapatan, while "B"
Company was sent to the right.
28
After the Infantry had crossed the
little valley in front, the Artillery open-
ed up and the big fight was on.
THE REAL BATTLE BEGINS.
The shell and shrapnel flew fast
and furious from those little mountain
guns, accompanied by the music of the
"Krags."
On and on, nearer and nearer up
the hillside came the crash of advancing
troops, smothering other unseen trench-
es on their way,' until by nightfall
there was not a rifle but could shove its
muzzle into the very face of the trench
behind which the Moro warriors laid in
waiting, peering down the slope between
the explosions for something they fear-
ed more than the whistling fragments
of Krupp shells the blue-shirted form
of the silent American soldier, with
29
whom the Moros knew the ultimate is-
sue rested.
EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE.
On they came, however, up the hill,
silent and straight, hundreds of them,
right into the open below the trench
from behind which the Moros delivered
a withering fire and gasped at the folly
of the Americans.
Up and up they came, the lower
lantacas blasting them off the face of
the earth, but still they rushed on and
upward against the frowning walls.
The mountain guns howled and
roared over them, the walls grew trou-
bled and shaky, falling in and falling
out, dimly seen between the curtain of
smoke and sheet of flame whirling about
the leaping stones.
But steady eyes were gleaming
where they could through the sheets of
30
fire, and steady fingers were pulling
triggers rapidly and incessantly.
The crash came unbroken and
clearly heard from the midst of the up-
roar thundering up at the trench, as
if the shells were bursting with a mil-
lion rattling fragments, and down the
slope were tumbling the blue-shirted
figures, one under that tree, two over
there by the big boulder, another here
and a dozen more down there, and dur-
ing the next two hours there was the
most magnificent display of true cour-
age and grit ever heard of or seen.
The Artillery roared in anger and
anguish,' but apparently of no avail,
for the long streams of fire continued
to pour from the fort with regular in-
tervals, and more blue-shirted figures
went tumbling down the hill.
But this did not continue very long,
for the Artillery turned loose all its little
dogs of war and they barked fiercely
and hurled death projectiles into the
fort and trenches with renewed vigor.
Think how you would feel if a per-
son should hurl a stone at you with a
tremendous shout.
Multiply the stone and shout by
twenty millions, add fire and smoke and
nauseous vapors, and imagine the earth
trembling beneath your feet, with the
air filled with screaming projectiles,
even then you cannot imagine the ter-
ror of that Artillery assault.
DEFIANT TO THE LAST.
But the fanatical Moros would not
give up; there they stood in the very
midst of that hurricane of death, calm,
immovable, and indifferent to it all.
Their resistance could not help but be
admired as they stood there calm and
defiant, against that advancing, envel-
.32
oping thunderstorm of musketry. But
it must not be imagined that they were
idle; far from it. If one can imagine
taking a handful of pebbles and hurl-
ing them with a strong force against a
pane of glass, then, and then only, can
one imagine the whirlwind of bullets
which the Moros were pouring into
that little army of Americans out there
in the open.
When it is considered that the
Americans were out in the open storm-
ing this fort while the Moros were
strongly fortified and deeply intrenched,
the fierceness of the battle and the hero-
ism of the troops can be imagined.
Nothing like it had ever been seen be-
fore and nothing like it ever will be seen
again. Regardless of bullets and the
flying fragments of shell and shrapnel,
Baldwin's men kept steadily on ward and
33
upward, until they were within a few
yards of that impregnable wall, through
whose portholes there poured a constant
stream of fire. It was like gazing
through the doors of a red hot furnace.
And all the time the swarm of blue-
shirted figures rolled on and upward
until they could have dropped a stone*
over the wall.
They had now gone the limit, as they
were very near the dangerous zone of
the exploding shrapnel and were com-
pelled to halt to keep from being struck
by their own men.
THE WALLS TREMBLE.
Suddenly, back on the hill where
the little dogs of war were barking, a
command was heard, "Battery, Fire!"
and the air was filled with flying pro-
jectiles which went screaming and
screeching across the open and strik-
3 H. H. -19037
34
ing the walls of the fort with a mighty
impact, that structure was shaken to
its very foundations. Even untouched,
one felt shaky and uncertain on that
hillside, and one would have felt his
body rending to pieces as he looked
where a shell burst in the midst of a
trench, and heard the filthy squelch
and sharp cries above the roar, and
saw the awful faces through the red
glare and curtain of smoke, and the
mangled corpses of dead bodies hurled
high in the air.
It would make a thrilling scene
for some great war drama. The his-
tory of war has had few situations as
thrilling as this day's battle.
The artillery "let itself go" again
and it was impossible to stand on that
hill-side, so fiercely was the breath of
the shells blasting across it in hot,
35
staggering gusts, the tall dry grass
bending before it, and the air filled
with flying debris, which followed in
the wake of a shell in little circling
whirlwinds. Skimming but a few feet
over the heads of the American fight-
ing line, the shells would burst upon
the trenches or on the ground below
them, when attackers were so close to
attacked that the gush of oily smoke
hid both, and both the death yell and
the yell of triumph were mingled in
one mighty shout and ceaseless roaring.
THE ENEMY'S COLORS FALL.
Boom! went the little war dogs,
then boom, boom boom boom, in
quick succession, and then the wall
crumbled, vanished in parts, and lo! be-
hold! the flags were down! Their crim-
son colors were dangling in mid air for
an instant, then were caught in the
36
shower of a bursting shrapnel and hurl-
ed to the ground.
Oh! the grandeur of that last few
moments' bombardment! Not a shell
went astray; the parapet received them
all full in the face. In one great explo-
sion the Moros stood and fired, in one
atmosphere of blasted air and filthy
fumes, in one terrible shadow of the com-
ing darkness, in one continual earth-
quake. They seemed to go mad, as well
they might, for annihilation loomed in
the distance for those who yet remained.
As the soldiers of America drew nearer,
many of the Moros actually leaped from
their cover on to the top of the parapet
and were seen against the sky back-
ground, wildly firing down at the ad-
vancing troops, in the very midst of the
bursting shells.
37
Hell was surely let loose 011 those
dusky fanatics who manned the port-
holes of Pandapatan. Truly, war is
hell!
They fought with a fanatical fren-
zy, but nothing on earth could stop that
line of advancing, invincible soldiers.
Up they went, until at last, it became
necessary for the artillery to cease fir-
ing.
The troops reached the very walls,
and there remained, for entrance was
impossible.
However, after fighting hand to
hand until dark, the outer trenches
were taken. With the capture of these
trenches the enemy's position was prac-
tically won. But the Moros did not yet
give up; on the contrary they made pre-
parations to resist to the death. They
38
had sworn to die in battle, and they
were admirably carrying out the oath.
SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED.
Darkness had fallen now and it
began to rain in torrents. Night fell
terribly for the wounded out there.
That awful cry, "Doctor! This way.
Help!" can be heard to this day. It
continued throughout the night, but
not in vain, for the artillerymen were
out there all night carrying the wound-
ed off the field and rendering valuable
aid to the surgeons. These men work-
ed like heroes every one, and deserve the
greatest credit for the magnificent gal-
lantry shown during that terrible
night's work while under a constant
fire from the enemy.
THE DEFIANT SULTAN'S DOWNFALL.
It seemed that a difficult problem
lay before the Americans that night.
39
It was proposed that a number of scal-
ing ladders be made and that the place
be carried by assault. Accordingly,
construction on these ladders was begun
at once, but they were destined never
to be used, for at daylight the white
flags were fluttering over the fort and
Pandapatan had fallen.
A GRUESOME SIGHT.
At last the big fight was over. Af-
ter nearly twenty-four hours of contin-
ual firing the Americans had conquered.
It had been a splendid battle, and what
manner of death the vanquished had
suffered only those who looked into the
fort and trenches after the battle, can
say. The mangled bodies of the Moro
dead were piled up eight and ten deep
in places, and only those acquainted
with the technicalities of a slaughter
house can imagine the sight as it ap-
peared the next morning after the bat-
4 o
tie. But these people would have war,
and war they got, in all its glory. Just
eighty-three survivors remained out
of the hundreds that resisted the
Americans.
But it must not be imagined that
this great victory had been achieved
without loss to the Americans. Their
casualties were far greater than those
of an ordinary battle, numbering close
to a hundred.
With the break of day the grue-
.some task of burying the dead began,
and continued throughout the day, and
by nightfall of May 3d the Battle of
Bay an was over and passed, but I can-
not say forgotten, for that can never
be, for the memory of that battle will
ever dwell in the minds of those who
witnessed or participated in that never-
to-be-forgotten event.
JAMES EDGAR ALLEN.
REWARDS.
(PART SECOND.)
O RECEIVE praise
for work accomplish-
ed, no matter in what
form, is certainly pleas-
ing to every phase of
humanity. And to be
rewarded for our work gives us a certain
feeling of satisfaction, and assures us
that our work along a certain line has
been appreciated and admired. But to a
soldier, whose duty is to do battle, praise
for his victories is more than pleasing
it is exalting. And when after strug-
gling along almost indefinitely at a
certain task, and finally accomplishing
it with overwhelming success, he is
commended by anxious relatives and
42
friends, usually the height of his ambi-
tion has been reached.
But to be especially commended and
congratulated for his achievements, and
by his superior officers and his com-
mander-in-chief especially, is one of the
highest honors that could be conferred
upon him.
When he has performed deeds of
true valor and courage, wherein he ex-
hibits exceptional bravery, and is almost
overwhelmingly besieged with letters of
congratulation and praise, he has receiv-
ed one of the greatest of earthly rewards.
But there are other rewards, such as
promotion, for instance, and one has but
to consult our army records at Wash-
ington to find that many of those who
constituted what is known as the Lake
Lanao Expedition have been fittingly
rewarded for their gallant services on
the ad day of May, 1902.
43
That the reader may judge of the
magnificent gallantry shown by those
troops on that eventful day, a few of the
letters are hereby published in full.
COPY OF CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES.
CAMP VICARS (Mind.), P. I., May 7, 1902.
Announcement:
The troops of the Lake Lanao Expedition have
been paraded in order that the following messages
may be read to them:
FIRST.
MANILA, MAY 4, 1902.
To GENERAL DAVIS:
Order that the following message of the President
of the United States be read to every company and
troop in your Brigade. It will be published in Di-
vision Orders for the information of other com-
manders, and as a special mark and tribute to the as-
saulting force of the Battle of Bayan.
(Sgd.) CHAFFEE.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 5, 1902.
To GENERAL CHAFFEE,
MANILA.
Accept for the Army under your command, and
express to General Davis and Colonel Baldwin es-
pecially, my congratulations and thanks for the splen-
44
did courage and fidelity which has again carried our
flag to victory. Your fellow countrymen at home
will ever reverence the memory of the fallen, and be
faithful to the survivors, who have themselves been
faithful unto death for their country's sake.
(Sgd.) THKODORE ROOSEVELT.
MANILA, May 4, 1902.
To GENERAL DAVIS:
Please accept my congratulations for yourself,
and express to Colonel Baldwin and all the officers
and men engaged in the Battle of May 2, my high
appreciation of their bravery, gallantry and soldiery
conduct. My congratulations to both officers and
men. I sincerely regret the death of some and the
wounding of others. Let no comfort be withheld from
the latter that can be supplied them.
(Sgd.) GENERAL A. R. CHAFFEE,
Commanding Philippines.
THIRD.
CEBU, May 4, 1902.
To GENERAL DAVIS:
My sincere congratulations to Baldwin, and to
the officers and men engaged yesterday. Also to
yourself for your energetic and skillful conduct of the
whole affair, from first to last. It was necessary to
give the Moros a lesson, and it seems to have been
done in such a manner that it will not have to be
repeated.
(Sgd.) BRIGADIER GENERAL WADE.
45
FOURTH.
REMARKS OF GENERAL GEORGE W. DAVIS.
SOLDIERS:
Words at my command fail to convey an adequate
expression of admiration for the gallantry and self-
sacrifice which I saw displayed by the assaulting lines
and investing cordon on the 2nd of May. The mem-
ory of this sanguinary action will be treasured by all
participants and observers as long as they live. For
the 27th Infantry and the 25th Battery of Field Artil-
lerv, Bayan will always be an inspiration. At this
moment of exaltation and triumph do not forget the
vanquished foe, whose persistent gallantry command-
ed the admiration of all who saw the magnificent
defense of their stronghold. A race of men who have
been able to make such a fight, and who have
turned this wilderness into a garden, have many qual-
ities which if guided right will make them and their
posterity valuable citizens. None can doubt who have
seen what they have accomplished without the aid
which civilized people enjoy. Ltt no word or act be
brought home to the American soldier that discredits
or disparages these Moros. Let it be the unremitting*
effort of every officer and soldier to assist and elevate
them, a sacred duty which is devolved upon the
Army, an added burden which must be borne; and
every American relies upon our troops to execute this
sacred trust. So far there has been no act of wanton
despoilment, injury or insult; let none ever be charg-
ed to an American soldier. Our flag is an emblem of
freedom and honor, and it remains with you that it
shall become such an emblem to the Moros, and ever
so remain.
(Sgd.) GEORGE W. DAVIS,
Brigadier General, U. S. A.,
Commanding Seventh Separate Brigade.
46
FIFTH.
HEADQUARTERS LAKE LANAO EXPEDITION,
CAMP VICARS (Mind.), P. I., May 7, 1902.
Announcement:
The commanding officer appreciates the gallantry
of his regiment. The encounter of the igth, 2oth, and
2ist of April, ending in the capture of Fort Pualos,
and on May 2d in the capture of nine fortified posi-
tions and the final overcoming of a most desperate
enemy, in a thoroughly equipped fortification known
as Fort Pandapatan, where our losses were far greater
than those of an ordinary battle, is the initial event
in the history of the Regiment, and has set a high
standard of valor and courage which will never be
lowered as long as the 27th Infantry exists. He also
desires to express his high appreciation of the gallant-
ry and devotion to duty of the 25th Battery of Field
Artillery, and desires that they consider the foregoing
remarks concerning his regiment apply equally to
them.
(Sgd.) F. D. BALDWIN,
Colonel, Comd'g 27th Infantry.
SERMON ON "COURAGE."
Following is a copy of the admira-
ble sermon preached by Chaplain George
D. Rice of the 27th Infantry, to the
troops of the Lake Lanao Expedition,
on the Sunday following the battle of
Bay an:
47
"I am going to speak to you to-day
on courage, and how I saw it displayed
on May 2d, while you were engaged in
open combat with the Moros.
"There was a time when I thought
that true courage was the absence of
fear. But after witnessing the battle
of this week I have seen that which has
caused me to think differently now, be-
cause you demonstrated to me on that
day that true courage is not the absence
of fear, but the conquest of it. Surely,
yours was the highest order of courage.
"I recollect when *E' Company
came to re-enforce. I turned and watch-
ed three men in skirmish line coming
through the tall grass under heavy fire
from the fort. They knew they were
coming into the thickest of the fire, but
the interval in that line was correct,
every piece right, no shouting or noise
.48
of any sort. Simply a perfect line of
determined men coming up to take part.
" 'Tis more than courage, I thought.
It is order, it is discipline and coolness.
And the wounded! Such courage! One
man struck in the leg. We would help
him to the rear; but no, he could crawl
and refused help. Another hit in the
right arm, and he laughed. Then a
bullet struck his left arm and he only
smiled and said: 'They did not treat
me like this in the Panay campaign.'
"Lieut. Wagner was shot in the
stomach and leg, and said to me: 'My
only regret is to leave the fort with my
work unfinished.' I saw one soldier
whom I supposed was dead, I pulled a
shelter-half over him; just then a sol-
dier came running by. A n officer
shouted, 'Where are you going?'
'My ammunition is all gone,' re-
49
plied the man. I saw the shelter-half
move. In a moment my supposed dead
man was sitting upright. He removed
his belt containing a few cartridges and
gave it to the soldier. I wish I could re-
member this man, but there were twen-
ty or thirty dead and wounded near
there, and they were doing brave and
unexpected things like this all the time.
" Brave Vicars fell, mortally wound-
ed, leading "F" Company. Lieut. Joss-
man had hardly time to assume com-
mand when he, too, was shot, leaving
"F" Company without an officer, yet
his finely disciplined company held
its line perfectly. A bullet struck
Captain Moore in the head, and as he
rolled into one of the ditches he was
heard to say, ' Do not retreat.' I saw
a wounded soldier making a noble ef-
fort to get out of the line of fire. Who
t l: IJ.-19037
. 50
would help him? 'I'm going to help
that man if I die for it,' I heard some-
one say, as the man repeatedly tottered
and fell, with a terrible wound in his
side. I looked, and in a moment brave
Lieut. Bickham, tall and strong, was
facing the numerous shot and shell to
save his man, and he succeeded. A
bullet passed through Major Scott's hat,
grazed his head, and brought the Major
to his knees, but this officer remained
on the line.
"During that awful fight I saw of-
ficers and men leave their positions in
front of those terrible portholes for two
reasons only either because wounded
or to get more ammunition.
"There were hundreds of instances
of heroism occurring about that fort.
When Lieut. Fulmer called for volun-
teers to scale the walls, dozens of men
5'
responded. Lieuts. Hawkins and Wil-
son performed noble service, and were
a credit to themselves and their regi-
ment. Battalion Adjutant Drum, with
his face smeared with powder and the
dust of battle, was as cool as he was
courageous. Captains Phillips, Ro-
gers, Lyons and Hutton were with their
respective commands, encouraging their
men and doing excellent service.
"It was surely a high order of cour-
age that caused Sgt. Graves to swing
himself over the outer stockade of Bini-
dayan when the fanatic Moro and his
knife could be seen above. It was cour-
age of the most godly type that took
Corporal McGoveren down into the
trenches to prop up the heads of wound-
ed men and give them water, while
fighting, biting, dying Moros occupied
the same trenches. It was kingly cour-
52
age on the part of Corpl. Keeler, who,
when shot in the leg, refused help, and
said to me, 'I can get to the rear alone,
sir; help someone else.' It was cour-
age of the Christian soldier that in-
spired Sergt. Major Ingold and Sergt.
McCarthy, both wounded, to speak
words of hope to their comrades.
"The courage displayed by the
Moros was very different. The Moros
were caught in a trap. They knew it.
and they fought the desperate fight of
their lives. You can drive a mouse in-
to a corner like this, and he, too, will
turn. Bravery through necessity is not
the true courage which comes of Christ.
"Officers and soldiers of the 27th
Infantry, I congratulate you to-day.
You have been tested and shown what
you can do. You deserve credit for
what you did, and it is my earnest de-
53
sire that the credit be equally divided.
When you write home to your people
and tell them of the gallant victory of
the ayth Regiment, I want you to re-
member to speak of others whose pres-
ence and deeds rendered it possible for
you to accomplish what you did. I want
you to remember the officers and en-
listed men of the 25th Battery. After
the work of the battery was done, the
members of the battery came to the
front with litters made of rifles, bamboo
poles, ponchos, and shelter-halves, with
which they picked up many wounded
and took them to the surgeon. These
men came to the line in squads, each
with litters, asking for wounded men,
and several wounded men owe their
lives to these brave batten- men. They
would go anywhere to get a wounded
num. They faced the thickest of the
54
fire. A wounded man was pointed out
in a bunch of grass, and the bullets
struck there so fast that one could see
the grass cut off. But these Artillery-
men went there, and in a few moments
had the man safe in a litter. And all
night these noble fellows kept up the
work. They took wounded from the
jungles, the trenches and the open, and
carried them to a place of safety. Let
us never forget the work of the officers
and men of the 25th Battery.
"Captain McNair, and Lieutenants
Clark, Sunderland, and Deems of this
battery are worthy of our praise and
thanks. Major Porter, surgeon, tried
to get on the line to treat a wounded
man when a shot struck him and brave
Porter had to be taken to the rear. Just
behind him I saw hospital corps man
Johnson also trying to reach a wounded
55
man when Johnson fell into one of the
terrible and dark pitfalls of the enemy,
but got out later and did good work
with the wounded. Young Dr. Allan
deserves credit for dressing numberless
wounds of officers and men in the
trenches close to the fort and under fire
that day. Drs. LeCompte and Gra-
benstatter worked like heroes. Major
Anderson, chief surgeon of the ex-
pedition, made every preparation pos-
sible for the care of the wounded officers
and enlisted men. The entire medical
corps remained up all night attending
to the wounded. They deserve great
credit for their work on that rainy,
chilly and dark night under the fire of
the enemy.
"And do not forget the men of the
pack-train. Do you know that these
men brought a pack-train of aniinuni-
56
tion to you over the slippery dangerous
trail that night?
"Captains Shuttleworth and An-
drus, Lieutenants Peck and Fries and
their packers worked hard for you.
They toiled constantly until they had
every wounded officer and man sup-
plied with tentage, cots, blankets, and
clean clothes. Likewise, kindly re-
member the engineers and signal corps
men. Their "work in this expedition
will never be forgotten. Our command-
ing officer, Colonel Baldwin, never
rested that night. He was up and plan-
ning for the morrow and for you. General
Davis and his orderly and a small guard
rode many miles that night to the next
camp below to arrange for more troops
to come up."
Thus spoke Chaplain Rice, equal-
ly dividing the credit of the victory,
57
and praising all for their part taken in
the battle. But in all his words there
is one thing that he failed to do, which
is characteristic of this noble man. He
failed to mention his own gallant ser-
vices, of which too much praise cannot
be given. Almost from the beginning
of hostilities he was on the firing line,
and up near the fort, speaking words of
cheer and comfort to the men in the
trenches, and "God bless the chaplain,"
are the words of every man of the Lake
Lauao Expedition.
JAMES EDGAR ALLEN.
BATTLE OF GAUAN.
T IS night again, the battle
of Bayan is now fought and
indeed very gloriously won.
The last reports of the yet
warm cannon have ceased to
echo through the distant hills
and ravines. The khaki-clad warriors
and laurel-crowned victors, blood stained
and weary from the struggle of the
recent battle, have sought a well earned
and much needed repose. But their
sleep is not one of comfort or rest, for
they have contentedly lain down un-
covered on the cold damp ground.
The shrill notes of the bugle call
them from their dreamy slumbers at
an early hour and their first duty is to
finish burying the dead and lend what
59
aid is possible to the sick and wounded,
who were too sick and exhausted at
this time to be removed over the rugged
trails to the hospitals at Malabang.
To do this it was absolutely neces-
sary to establish a camp, somewhere
adjacent to the centre of hostilities.
It was then that the post of Camp
Vicars, now so widely known through-
out the nations of the earth, first had
its origin. It was so named in honor
of the brave and ever dauntless soldier,
Lieut. Vicars, who unfortunately lost
his life from a wound received, while
heroically engaged in the capture of
the stronghold.
Everything is now placid, hostilities
had ceased for a time at least, the
Moros driven as they were from their
forts, and stockades, which had been
their sole protection for centuries past
6o
against all foreign invasion, had sought
shelter from the yet unconquered tribes
wherever it could be had, offering
scarcely any resistance or hostilities to
the troops then at the camp.
GENERAL CHAFFEE ARRIVES.
General Adna R. Chaffee soon after-
wards paid a visit to the recently esta-
blished camp, arriving with his escort
May 10, 1902.
He was given a full account of the
battles hitherto fought in that region
Bay an included from officers who
themselves had been daring partici-
pants in all the fights.
He immediately decided to send mes-
sages to the principal sultans and dat-
tos, who were then commanding tribes
of savage bolomen along the most im-
passable regions of the lake shores.
The subject matter of his messages
6i
were authoritative invitations to come
into the camp and hold a friendly con-
ference with him.
He received favorable replies from
many of them and two days later the
following named sultans and dattos
decided to respond to his invitation:
Sultan of Genassi; Sultan Amai Tam-
pugao of Tubaran; Sultan of Binidayan;
Datto Sa Bayang of Bayan; Datto Pe-
dro of Uato; Datto Agar of Makadah;
Datto Agato of Madatlum, Datto Amay
Mala-Mala of Taburan; Datto Ainay
Magatano of Binidayan.
After they had reported it was
thought that the greater part of the
Moro trouble had subsided. But this
was not so far from it. Their terms
of peace were, to say the least, short
lived, for in the early part of the month
of July a detachment of men was
62
brutally and unexpectedly attacked by
a band of bolomen on the trail. They
were outnumbered by the enemy, and
consequently many of the Americans
were wounded and some three or four
killed outright.
TREATIES BROKEN.
It was now very evident, judging
from their recreant action, that the na-
tives had broken all treaties of peace
and violated the laws of friendship, so
honorably laid down by the Americans.
This evidence of their recriminat-
ing and rebellious nature was doubly
substantiated, when on August ist the
Sultan of Bacolod, who until then had
remained peaceable, sent to Captain T.
J. Pershing, commander of the troops at
Camp Vicars, the following insolent
message, which is translated below for
the benefit of our readers:
TRANSLATION.
We ask you to return to the sea because you should
not be here among civilized Moros, for you are not
religious. If you stay here we will fight you this
month, and in no event will be your friends, because
you eat pork. We say to you that if you do not leave
this region, come here and the Sultan will sacrifice
you, and if you do not wish to come we will come to
you and fight.
This was followed in a few days by
another message to the commanding
officer, from the Sultan of Maciu, which
was also of a defiant nature.
Circumstances now began to look
rather grave at Camp Vicars. The
Americans had endeavored by every
means in their power to prevent further
hostilities and trouble, but had failed
in all their efforts to bring about peace
between themselves and the dark-skin-
ned natives of the trackless plains of
Mindanao.
A BLOODY DEED.
The Moros did not, however, make
any advances until the night of August
6 4
12, when the most apalling and most
ghastly murder that has ever been wit-
nessed took place about two hundred
yards from the camp. The moon had
disappeared temporarily behind a dark
cloud, the men had all retired for the
night, and everything seemed tranquil,
when suddenly the camp was aroused
by the firing of shots in rapid succes-
sion by the members of the outpost.
The trumpeter was now calling
every slumberer to arms, and in a few
moments the entire garrison was ready
for action. The cries of the men for
help and the crashing of the bolos and
spears could be heard in the calmness
of the dark stilly night. There was no
time for idle thoughts, no time to be
wasted, for it was evident from their
appealing cries that the members of
outpost No. 4 had been attacked by the
blood-thirsty Moros.
65
Lieut. Bickhain, commanding Com-
pany U F," proceeded in all haste to
cross the deep ravine and re-inforce the
brave men, who, though out-numbered
by a large majority, were neverthe-
less fighting desperately for their lives.
They arrived on the scene too late
to prevent the massacre and death of
their fallen comrades, for the savages
had by this time made well their escape,
after performing one of the most savage,
most treacherous and most blood-curd-
ling deeds, that has ever hitherto been
recorded in the pages of bloody history.
Not content with killing their vic-
tims, they had cut them with their bo-
los and long spears, until their bodies
were beyond recognition. The killed
were Sergeant Foley and Pvt. Carey of
Co. "G," 27th U. S. Infantry, men
whose gallantry, kindness, bravery, and
6-B. B.-19037
66
social disposition had won for them
the admiration of not only the mem-
bers of their own company, but of
everybody who knew them.
The wounded were Pvts. VanDorn
and Christiansen, also of Co. U G."
A BRAVE STAND.
Perhaps never in the history of
battles and wars did men fight with
such grim determination and fearless-
ness in the very face of death, as did
VanDorn and Christiansen of Co. "G."
Having fallen to the ground from loss
of blood and exhaustion, they still
bravely clung with untiring tenacity to
their rifles and never once flinched or
even thought of retreating to a place of
safety until the re-in force ments had ar-
rived on the bloody scene and the na-
tives had vanished in the underbrush.
An investigation ensued which dis-
6 7
closed the fact that the attacking par-
ties belonged to the tribes of Datto
Amay Grar.
Immediately afterwards what was
to be the last ultimatum was issued to
the Moros of the Lake region, particu-
larly to the Sultan of Bacolod and the
Sultan of Maciu demanding, rigidly,
an explanation regarding the recent
attacks upon the Americans, as well as
the immediate surrender of the mur-
derers in their tribes who were guilty
of committing various acts of injustice
and cruelty since the historical battle
of May 2.
Their replies were, as usual, of a
defiant, insolent, and sullen nature.
The Americans, seeing that the
restoration of peace in the island of
Mindanao could not be brought about
by fair and honorable means, decided
68
to administer a lesson to them that
they would not very readily forget.
HOSTILITIES RENEWED.
An expedition was organized on
short notice, commanded by Capt. J. J.
Pershing, of the I5th Regiment of Cav-
alry, a man whose never failing cour-
age, valor, and ability as an officer and
commander is unexcelled in the Amer-
ican Army.
Bver}^ preparation was made for
the coming events, and on September
17, at midnight, what was known as
Captain Pershing's expedition left
Camp Vicars under cover of darkness
and proceeded through rugged trails to
Maciu's strongholds and neighboring
principalities.
The expedition consisted of Com-
panies "F," "G," "C," and "M" of the
27th Infantry; Troop "L" isth Regi-
6 9
ment of Cavalry; and the 25th Battery
of Field Artillery.
On the morning of the i8th, as
the first refulgent beams of "Old Sol"
had begun to illuminate the eastern
horizon, the column had reached and
halted close by Fort Gauan, and ere
another hour had elapsed the entire
fortification was surrounded by o u r
troops.
The 25th Battery had halted di-
rectly in front of, and about 300 yards
from, the fort, while companies "M"
and "F," "G" and "C" had formed
skirmish lines on the left and right of
the fort. The command was given for
the first shot to be fired and everybody
waited in silent expectancy for the out-
come. In an instant there was a flash,
and "bang" went the projectile with
lightning velocity, hitting the outer
70
breastworks of the enclosure, from
which rose vast clouds of smoke and
fragments.
The firing from the fort was rapid
at first, but gradually diminished as
the outer bombardment continued, and
finally ceased altogether, for the Artil-
lery onslaught had been terrible while
it lasted, and nothing remained of that
once impregnable fortress save a few
shattered walls, with here and there the
mangled corpse of a dead Moro.
The day was gradually drawing to
a close, which made it necessary for us
to establish a temporary camp for the
night.
This was done, and very fortunate-
ly, adjacent to a small river, which
proved to be a great convenience to
both men and animals.
Natives fired frequently into the
midst of the camp, but fortunately
without any serious casualty to the
Americans. The first faint glimmer of
dawn that broke over the eastern hill-
tops found us again in readiness and,
after partaking of a hurried breakfast,
we broke camp and again took up the
trail, this time in the direction of Bay-
tibao.
BAYUBAO VANQUISHED.
The trails were, in a great many
places, almost impassable, making
marching with equipments very la-
borious. However, we arrived at Bayu-
bao about 2 p.m. and rested for refresh-
ments on the top of a high hill, which
over-looked the fort and the unruffled
waters of Lake Lanao.
We had not been long in the en-
joyment of our much needed rest, when
the natives, who were until then con-
cealed in the brush, poured a voile}-
72
into our midst. The entire column was
immediately summoned to action, and
a grander sight could not be witnessed
than to see that body of brave and dis-
ciplined soldiers taking their respective
places and falling into line for action.
The Battery was brought into ac-
tion on the hill-top, with the guns
carefully trained on the fort by reliable
and experienced marksmen, then a
noise arose which seemed to echo back
from the very firmaments as if the
giant and mighty mountains had left
their very sockets and were tumbling
in a confused mass into the deep waters
of the lake below.
The Battery had cut loose and
"let her go," and projectile after pro-
jectile was sent from the guns on the
hill-top "straight home" and into the
very midst of the fort, enveloping every-
73
thing for a moment in clouds of smoke
and flying fragments, which was al-
most suffocating.
Oh! what a strange feeling in-
fluences the soldier when he hears the
first "Boom" of a cannon, for full well
he knows that it is only a stepping
stone leading to the midst of the fray.
The natives returned the fire slow-
ly but steadily, and in a manner that
was creditable, for they were not only
taken by surprise but were at a critical
disadvantage owing to the elevation.
Still the firing kept up and more than
one dark-skinned foeman could be seen
falling, rifle in hand, lifeless on the
green sward.
They were now growing confused,
ungovernable, and were firing reck-
lessly like savage maniacs at the un-
flinching column of brave American
74
soldiers, who were cooly aiming and fir-
ing at the commands of the valiant offi-
cers whenever a well directed shot was
to be had. It now appeared evident that
before this rain of bullets from the In-
fantry and the bursting of shrapnel
from the Artillery they could not with-
stand much longer, and our position
was such that to hit us at such a range
and elevation was almost impossible.
Again the Battery opened up with
one last and mighty sheet of solid shot
and shrapnel, which made the very
walls tremble and shake like the leaves
of a forest before a hurricane, and
then deathlike shrieks could be heard
from within, the stout walls had crum-
bled to a thousand atoms, and the
Sultan of Bayubao, with many of his
tribesmen, had fallen to rise no more.
IN SIGHT OF MACIU.
But was this to be our last battle
with the Moros? Was this to be our
75
last fight in the desolate island of Min-
danao? No! No! far from it. There
yet remained another, and the stum-
bling block of them all, who was at this
time bidding defiance to all invaders, in
his fort across the lake, where we could
see, from our present position, the red
flags of battle waving before the gentle
zephyrs of the orient.
This was the Sultan of Maciu, Ma-
ciu the warlike, who had hitherto held
his stronghold and expansive territo-
ries with creditable success for centu-
ries against even the haughty Spanish
soldiers. But his day of gloom was
fast approaching, when he and his clan
of bolomen would be compelled to sub-
mit to the sons of America, as will be
seen by the ensuing pages.
Soon after Fort Bayubao had been
taken the column pressed onwards,
down the rugged slope of the trail, lead-
7 6
ing into the fort, and here, being dust-
stained, weary, and footsore, we were
glad to encamp for the night. But only
a few of us slept, for the Moros delivered
a steady fire on us from the surround-
ing brush through the night.
The welcomed morning broke
bright and clear over the waters of Lake
Lanao, and the soldiers of "Columbia"
awoke from a dreamy and restless
slumber at the first notes of the bugle.
Preparations for the attack on the Sul-
tan of Maciu were immediately begun,
but with little or no success, as the
trail leading through the thickly wood-
ed flats was blocked in such a way
that it was an impossibility for even
the Infantry to force their way through.
The Moros, having seen the column
advancing on them, set to work to
block the trail leading from Bayubao
77
to the Maciu fortress, thinking that the
Americans might on reaching this now
impassable entrance, decide to return
again to Camp Vicars after failing to
reach the much talked of stronghold.
FOOD SUPPLY EXHAUSTED.
Seeing that all else had failed, the
Americans began to construct rude
rafts with which to cross an arm of the
lake which separated them from the
Maciu territories. They succeeded in
building one in which a detachment of
Companies "C" and U M" attempted to
cross under a continued fire from the
Moros, who were entrenched on the
opposite side.
They kept on, however, seemingly
regardless of the rain of bullets until,
after a sharp and lively encounter with
the enemy, they found it would be
impossible to make a landing, so decid-
78
ed to return, but not before they had
succeeded in driving the Moros back.
This was the 22nd day of Septem-
ber, we were now five days on the trail
in'pursuit of the Moros, but had not as
yet begun to show any signs of ex-
haustion from the march or exposure.
It was now evident that our supply
of provisions could not last much
longer, and in consideration of the fact
that the trail, now blocked by the Mo-
ros, should be re-opened before we could
reach Maciu, it was deemed advisable
by Captain Pershing to return to Camp
Vicars, in order to rest the troops and
to procure more rations.
Consequently on the morning of
the 23rd, the column began the long
march from the Maciu and Sauir terri-
tory to the Camp, arriving in good
military order at 7 P.M. same date, with
no loss to the Americans.
79
Lines on the Death of Sergeant Foley and
Private Carey, Company G, 27th Infantry.
(By John J. Reidy.)
Here, cold in their graves, near the spot where they
fell,
In the darkness of night's dismal gloom,
Rest two soldiers whose valor could not be excelled,
Slumbering in their desolate tombs.
Far away from their kindred they are sleeping to-day
In Mindanao's untrodden plains,
Where their comrades have laid them to moulder away
Into dust, in their cold silent graves.
By Camp Vicars they fought at the dead hour of night
Outnumbered by the savages wild;
Until they fell, over-powered, on the sward at the feet
Of their foemen, where like soldiers they died.
Perhaps far away in their own native land,
In the homes of their childhood so dear,
Are their mothers awaiting to grasp their kind hands
But alas! they shall wait many years.
For their loved ones will never return again
To greet them through life's pleasant way,
For they are laying in the grass-covered graves where
they fell,
And are sleeping long ages away.
But though death has overtaken those heroes so brave
Who fell for their Country's fame,
Yet their memory shall always live on the breasts
Of their comrades, whom they perished to save.
THE
BATTLE OF MACIU.
A MUCH NEEDED REST.
HE TROOPS were
given five days in which to
rest and recuperate, for the
reader can easily imagine
the hardships, privations,
and sufferings which are undergone by
soldiers while on the march, especially
where there are no roads of any des-
cription, save the narrow, rugged, and,
in many places, impassable trails, which
are met with all through the island of
Mindanao.
Therefore it was practically neces-
sary that, after six days of continual
8i
marching through the thick brush of
this island, they should be given ample
time in which to attain that standard of
physique which is the most character-
istic mark of the American soldier.
It was the morning of the 28th of
September, the bright sun had risen
gorgeously over the white tented plain,
the azure blue sky was now clear, save
a few clouds that still rested lazily on
the hill-tops, and all nature's splendors
and attractions were everywhere to be
seen.
To the inexperienced observer it
would seem that the Moros and Amer-
icans were living together in happy
unison with each other in this, the
most remote of American garrisons.
But this was not so, for ere another
hour had dragged itself lazily into the
dim, misty past, the sons of fair Co-
6-C. C. -19037
82
lumbia were in complete readiness to
inarch from the camp over many a
weary mile to measure the cold steel
with the defiant, haughty, and semi-
savage Sultan of Maciu, and proud to
state, under command of Captain John
J. Pershing, to whom is justly attri-
buted the success, the achievements, and
all conquering abilities of the brave
soldiers under his command at Camp
Vicars.
THE EXPEDITION STARTS.
The expedition is complete and
after being inspected by the Command-
ing General is not only complimented
by him on their general uniformity and
appearances, but are also pronounced fit
to compete with the most sanguineous
and daring adversary.
At 8 a.m. the command "Forward
March" was heard by every anxious
soldier who was to be a participant in
the coming event, and aniid the cheers,
farewells, and good wishes of our
comrades, we advanced in single file
from the camp over the now well known
trail leading to the territories of the
Sultan of Maciu.
The expedition was composed of
the same troops as that of the preced-
ing campaign, except in addition there
was Troop U A," i5th Cavalry.
The men were by this time begin-
ning to grow accustomed to this singular
style of marching from previous ex-
periences, and that, together with the
impatient anxiety they had to meet
Maciu's tribe in battle, added new
strength and vigor to every man as
onward they pressed over high hills,
through deep ravines and swift-flowing
rivers until, with the fire of military
8 4
and true national determination written
on every face, the column arrived and
halted once again on the hill-top over-
looking the now fallen stronghold of
Bayubao with which the reader is
already familiar.
ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.
No time was lost until we were
again encamped at the foot of the hill
about 100 yards from the lake shore.
We immediately set to work to cook
our much needed supper, which was
devoured greedily by every dust-stained
warrior of the command, regardless of
the rules of etiquette, after which we
sought a "soft spot" on nature's ex-
pansive bed, in which to lay our weary
bones for the night.
But even a soldier's life has, de-
spite its many seemingly insurmounta-
ble obstacles, many a romantic charm,
85
for who would not like to lay gently
upon the lap of earth with the soft
side of a haversack for a pillow, and
the green foliage of the graceful bam-
boo trees for a canopy, and be lulled to
sleep by the wild rustling of the leaves
wafted to and fro before the gentle
zephyrs. Everything remained at a
peaceable standard during the night
with nothing to break the "chain of
silence," save the rippling of the waters
in the lake below.
But even a sleep such as this,
under such unusual and unaccommodat-
ing circumstances, has an unwelcomed
limit, and ours came with the first
streaks of grey dawn that broke through
our foliaged canopied beds, and again
each soldier of American loyalty began
to kindle his fire, with which to cook
his breakfast, for on such occasions
86
as this each soldier is his own cook,
waiter, and dishwasher combined.
Soon after breakfast the real work
of opening the trail began, rifles were
quickly supplanted by shovels, picks
and axes, and in a very few moments
every soldier was equipped with tools,
which they began to use with unani-
mous energy and willingness during
the greater part of the day. And it
was truly wonderful to see those brave
soldiers working untiringly, chopping
heavy trees, digging and filling deep
ravines, leveling stout barricades, all
working diligently for that one aim
which was to be the downfall of Maciu.
This work was kept up unceasing-
ly until the passage or trail was opened
to the Maciu peninsula, a distance of
two miles. It was the afternoon of the
second day, which was the 3Oth of Sep-
87
teinber, before we finally reached our
destination, where there was an unex-
pected surprise in store for us.
FIRED UPON.
The natives, having known that
our object was to cross through this
skirt of woodland, had awaited our ar-
rival on the opposite side. And as soon
as the first file of the "advance guard"
passed from the woods into the open
plain beyond, they met with a storm of
bullets from the enemy. They then
moved forward into the open beyond
as quickly as possible, after which they
unanimously returned the enemy's fire.
The firing was fast, and not without
effect, for ere the gloom of night began
to descend upon us, many a native of
Mindanao had sacrificed his semi-bar-
barous life for his freedom.
It now began to grow dark, and
fearing lest we should be overtaken by
88
the shadows of night in the dense woods,
Captain Pershing gave orders to the
column to return to Bayubao for the
night.
The trail, our most important
obstruction, was now cleared and it was
with impatience and sleepless expect-
ancy we awaited the first glimmer of
dawn. At last came the day when the
true, fearless soldiers were to march
against Maciu's tribe. We shared to-
gether a hurried breakfast and about 7
a. in. we advanced under the cool shad-
ows of the interwoven foliage, over
many a rough boulder, until after two
hours of rough marching we arrived in
the open space beyond the woods.
We had not marched over three-
hundred yards of this new territory
when the natives began firing at the
head of the column, but without effect,
89
for as soon as the smoke from their rifles
could be seen, a volley was fired at them
by the soldiers. In a few moments we
had gained the summit of the hill, and
here we halted to await the arrival of
the Battery, which was some distance
in the rear, for not more than 400 yards
in front of the skirmish line was a fort
from which shots were fired at regular
and frequent intervals. We did not re-
turn the fire this time, knowing as we
did that rifle fire was of no avail against
a fortification such as this proved itself
to be.
The Battery soon arrived, and, in
less time than it takes to relate it, they
were ready for action, being about 400
yards from the fort. As soon as the
first shot from the Artillery was fired
the Moros began to abandon the fort
and were going in the direction of
9 o
Maciu. The Infantry had formed a
semi-circular skirmish line around the
stronghold and now, the Battery having
ceased firing, they began to move for-
ward, closing around the fort. At last
they reached it and after scaling its
high walls, they found that the greater
part of its inmates had fled, taking
their arms with them. The soldiers
soon began to destroy the fort, and in
a very few moments it was reduced to
ashes.
The column again took up the
trail leading towards the lake front
destroying, as they went, everything in
the shape of forts or strongholds which
they encountered, and from which they
had been fired upon.
Perhaps the reader may think or
imagine our dealings with the Moros
of the Lake region to be of a cruel
nature. To this I can only state that
having been amongst them since the
origin of hostilities in the island of
Mindanao, up to the present date, and
having become rather familiar with *
their treachery and cruelties to Ameri-
can soldiers, wherever they could get
a chance, I think as far as my judg-
ment is concerned that they have been
given a lesson which, to say the least,
they richly deserve.
We captured some five or six mi-
nor fortifications during this day, and
towards evening we proceeded towards
the lake front, to encamp for the ensu-
ing night, for it was an absolute neces-
sity to procure water for the men and
horses, as quickly as possible.
That night was spent in thought,
and in anticipation of the doings of the
approaching day, for it was the day
9 2
designated for the capture of the Maciu
stronghold. We broke camp at an
early hour and at 7 a. m. we were again
on the march, this time in a new di-
rection. We had not been marching-
over two hours when the word was
quietly passed along the line that the
Maciu stronghold was in sight.
We now began to think more se-
riously as we were nearing our long
looked for destination, for well we knew
that the Moros, having consolidated
here were determined to fight to the last.
We were, however, perfectly willing
and ready to face Maciu and his tribes-
men in open combat, and meet what-
ever fate awaited us, without a murmur.
The column was ordered to deploy
right and left in skirmish line, and ad-
vance towards the fort, in order that
they could more easily and readily
93
command a view of the outer surround-
ings of the enclosure, and prevent, if
possible, the escape of any of the blood-
thirsty Moros whose wild cries we could
now hear within.
The Battery, having halted in
front of the fort, was immediately
brought into action. Then suddenly a
deafening noise was heard by all, the
noise which, though too familiar to
many of us, was nevertheless to make
even a brave soldier tremble. The Ar-
tillery had opened up on the left.
"Boom! Boom!!" went the cannons,
and a rain of solid shot and shrapnel
was hurled at the fort, and for a space
of a moment nothing could be seen but
the flying fragments, and splinters of
bamboo and debris hurled high in the
air.
The clouds of smoke soon cleared
away and then something happened un-
94
expectedly, and which surprised every
American soldier in that vicinity. A
thick, black volume of smoke arose in
the direction of the fortress, then a
flash, and a deafening noise, as if the
merciless waves of the Pacific were
beating against the granite ribbed cliffs.
They had replied to our firing.
Boom! went the lantacas, followed by a
volley from the rifles, and then it be-
hoved every true American to "lay low"
for a few moments.
It now looked as if our expecta-
tions were going to be fulfilled to the
last. There was a moment of silence
and again the Battery opened up in
real earnest, and a more exciting scene
could not be witnessed than to see the
havoc wrought on that fort by the guns.
Bang! Bang!! went the shots in rapid
succession, and bamboo, rocks, and fly-
95
ing fragments were hurled hundreds of
feet in every direction, but still the
Moros kept firing and crying in wild
religious ecstasy to their Mohammedan
God.
Captain Pershing, who had been
coolly riding about the fort to Artillery,
Infantry, and Cavalry, now decided to
order two of the guns brought to the
right of the fort. This was done im-
mediately and from right and left they
cut loose, determined to accomplish
their aim.
But instead of this, they were sur-
prised, when the Moros poured a with-
ering fire at them and crude lead balls
and fragments of iron were dropping
in the midst of the troops.
It was now 2 p.m. and it looked as
if Maciu's stronghold was impregnable
indeed, for we had been firing steadily
9 6
since 9 a.m. and nothing of importance
had, as yet, been accomplished.
The Battery now moved towards
the fort from both sides, until they
were within fifty yards of them, and it
may be well to mention that it never
has been known in the history of bat-
tles where Artillery has engaged an
enemy at so short a range. They had
now taken up their new positions and
began to fire at the fort from both sides,
this time with great effect. But still
the Moros remained obstinate to the
last singing wildly their religious songs
to their God "Allah" in the very midst
of the struggle.
The day was now drawing to a
close and yet the firing kept on. How-
ever, at 4 p.m. the command "cease fir-
ing" was given, and with that ended
that day's struggle for us, but not for
97
the natives, for they, thinking that the
Americans were about to abandon the
fort at the approach of night, still kept
np the firing. But in this the}- were
mistaken, for instead of returning to
the camp, the Americans still held
their position, closing in gradually on
the fort, in order to prevent the escape
of any of the Moros during the ensu-
ing night.
The commanding officer, seeing
that they were determined to hold out
until the bitter end, now issued orders
for the construction of scaling ladders
with which to gain admittance to the
fort. Work was immediately begun
on them but they were destined never
to be used for that purpose at least, for
about midnight the Moros, finding that
we were still determined to hold our
positions, decided to attempt an escape
from the enclosure.
7 H R. 19087
9 8
The night was unusually dark,
and the clouds were hanging low over
the lake, rendering it almost impossi-
ble to see or distinguish an object at a
greater distance than fifty feet. The
Americans had anticipated their escape,
and consequently were in constant
readiness at all times during the night.
Then suddenly a shot was heard which
had been fired by some vigilant sentinel
on guard, then another, and another.
It now became evident that they
had charged the lines and were mak-
ing a dash for liberty. In an instant
every soldier was on the alert. They
kept on coming, however, seemingly
regardless of death or the rain of bul-
lets. But few of them escaped or even
lived to tell the tale, for as fast as they
left the fort they were being shot down
by a constant stream of fire from the
99
Infantry, and when the morning dawn-
ed it was found that the Sultan of Ma-
ciu, with many another leader and
tribesman, had fallen, never to breathe
again.
During the struggle, the Sultan
Cabugatan of Maciu, seeing that his
efforts to suppress the Americans were
in vain, rushed into camp, boloinhand,
in wild, frenzied excitement, deter-
mined to slay in cold blood everybody
wearing an American uniform. But
his savage intentions were brought to
a speedy termination by the troops,
who, on seeing him approach them,
rushed towards him and overpowered
him. However, he unfortunately suc-
ceeded in seriously wounding one of
the best and bravest soldiers in the
command, Private Richard G. Macbeth,
of Co. "F" 27th U. S. Infantry, whose
bravery in time of danger had made
him an unanimous favorite among his
comrades. Another victim of this sav-
age Sultan was Pvt. James Nolan, Jr., of
Co. "G" 27th U. S. Infantry, who, hav-
ing been detailed as a scout, had fear-
lessly advanced upon one of the forts
in order to secure, if possible, some in-
formation regarding their position and
strength. He had reached the outer
entrance when he met a storm of bullets
from within, one of them hitting him
in the right eye, inflicting a wound
from which he suffered great pain.
But their sufferings were doubly
avenged, for many a hitherto uncon-
querable Moro has fallen upon the
green and now deserted territories of
the Sultan of Maciu, with the bones of
his mortal composition bleeching on
the green sward, under the tropical sun
of his native skies.
101
"Where once in triumph on his trackless plains
The haughty Moro Sultan loved to reign,
With shacks proportioned to his native sky,
Strength in his arm, and lightning in his eye,
He roamed with uncovered feet, his sun-illumined
zone.
The dirk, the bolo, and the spear his own;
Or lead the combat wild without a plan
An artless savage, but a fearless man.
But his "sun" of triumph, has set to rise no more
O'er the quiet waters of Lake Lanao's shores."
It is now January i, 1903, and the
Moro campaign is drawn to a success-
ful and favorable close, and "Old Glory"
of fair "Columbia" is now unfurled to
the gentle touch of the oriental zephyrs
on the hill-tops of Mindanao, for all
time to come.
The Trumpeter's "Last Call" at Fort Maciu.
(By John J. Ridy.)
Bleeding, sort-, and wounded, and l>y my foes sur-
rounded,
The Trumpet once I sounded, no longer can be
heard ,
For it lies dust-stained and ijory. and by the dust
corroding,
Where once I blew melodious that call that cow-
ards dread.
No longer in the battles will I call the boys to rally
Through dark ravines or valleys, for freedom and
for right,
For my life's blood fast is flowing, and I am left alone
To die and to bemoan my fate at Maciu's fight.
"Stay, Comrade, do not leave me alone upon the field
Where the savage Moros wield their bolos and their
spears,
For I may yet survive to see Maciu's tribe
L/ike savage cowards beat a long retreat."
Again I see in fane}' the scenes in dear old Boston,
Where in childhood days I wondered free from
care and strife;
The unforgotten homestead, surrounded by the
foliage.
Where oft my welcomed footsteps have echoed
through the night.
My last hour is approaching: death's dismal cloud
is o'er me;
But being a true-blue soldier, I murmur not to die.
To-morrow's sun shall find me far from the skirmish
line
vSo to comrades left behind, I bid a long Good-bye.
THE 27TH INFANTRY.
T IS with feelings of pride and
national patriotism we have
watched through many a stormy
year the steady growth and ac-
complishments of our immortal
Army, whose splendid display
of true valor and military discipline
has attracted the attention and well-
deserved admiration of all nations
through the universe, whether ex-
hibited on the expansive parade ground,
under the balmy, a/ lire blue skies of
our Western Continent, of perpetual
freedom, or on the far away "Eastern
Isles," under the warm rays of the
tropical sun, where many a true and
stout-hearted son of "Fair Columbia"
has sacrificed his young life for his
country's cause. And as we look back
io 4
to the long misty vale of tumbled 3/ears,
in silent perusal and contemplation of
the pages of our nation's history, we
cannot help being for the moment
awestruck, as we read from those cherish-
ed pages of the many blood}- battles and
more glorious victories, which have
been won at all times, adown the ages,
since first the cold, haughty invader
sought to enter and deprive us of that
freedom for which so many of our
revered ancestors so nobly fought and
died. But although those brave war-
riors of olden days have all passed
away, and the regiments, by whose gal-
lantry our "Stars and Stripes" was borne
to victory, are now known to us only by-
name, yet we are more than proud to
be able to acknowledge to the world,
that they have been supplanted by regi-
ments as noteworthy as ever faced in
105
combat a mortal foe. And among them,
and perhaps the most illustrious of
them all, is the gallant 2yth Infantry,
whose distinguished achievements since
its organization at Plattsburg, New
York, and Fort McFerson, Ga., in the
early part of the year 1901, are unex-
celled and unequalled by any regiment
that has been ordered forth in defence of
our country and flag.
In December 1901, the ayth Regi-
ment of U. S. Infantry was ordered
from Plattsburg Barracks, N. Y., to
proceed with all haste to Manila, P. I.,
and thence to the Island of Mindanao,
to aid in suppressing and overthrowing
the semi-civilized savages, whose de-
fiant, inhuman, and brutal treatment
of the American soldiers was in every
sense appalling.
They arrived in Manila on Febru-
ary 3, 1902, and after encamping there
166
for a few days, proceeded to the very
centre of hostilities, which was at that
time in the Island of Mindanao.
And since then the broad road to
civilization has been opened to the
hitherto savage Moro tribes, and chiefly
by the brave officers and men of the
2yth Regiment.
And in conclusion we can only say
that the memories of the true, loyal,
and ever dauntless heroes of this new,
though historical regiment, who gave
and sacrificed their lives in the defence
of, and for the glory of, their country,
shall be indelibly printed on the tablets
of our memories adown the annals of
time.
JOHN J. REIDY.
THE 25TH BATTERY OF
FIELD ARTILLERY.
'NDER the Army Re-
organization Bill,
passed in 1900, pro-
vision was made for
an increase in the
number of Field Bat-
teries, three of which were to be equip-
ped entirely with mountain guns.
These were to be known as the i4th,
25th, and 28th Batteries of Field Artil-
lery. Two of these Batteries were to be
organized in the Philippine Islands.
These were the i4th and 25th, and
were organized by equally dividing the
number of members in what was for-
merly known as Light Battery "C" of
the yth Artillery.
loS
The two Batteries were given their
authorized strength of 1 20 men each by
transferring the additional number of
men required from the Coast Artillery.
They were not organized, however,
until Sept. 23, 1901. About one month
later they were fully equipped as
''Mountain Batteries," and on April i,
1902, the 25th Battery, under command
of Captain W. S. McNair, was ordered
to the Island of Mindanao, where trou-
ble with the Moros had long been ex-
pected.
The 25th Battery of Field Artil-
lery is equipped with four guns, which
are known as the Vickers-Maxim 75
mm. quick firing mountain guns.
This calibre, 75 mm., or 2.9 inches,
will be seen to be a very little less than
that of the field gun in use in our ser-
vice viz., 3.2 inches, but the power of
109
this gun is much less than that of the
field gun, for the following reasons:
It is necessary to make a carriage
and gun whose parts shall all be within
suitable limits of weight for packing
on inules. This limit, placed on the
weight, limits the strength that can be
obtained, and also tlie length of the
gun itself. Therefore the amount of
powder used in these guns is much less
than the amount used in the field guns,
and the velocity of the shot when it
leaves the gun is much less (about one-
half) than it is for the field gun. The
Vickers-Maxim gun is mounted in a
cradle which has on either side a cylind-
er of oil, through which the gun draws
a plunger in recoiling, and by this de-
vice the force of the recoil is taken up
gradually and the carriage does not run
back several feet as it would otherwise
do, so that it is at once ready to load
and fire again after each discharge.
The loading of the piece is very
simple. The gunner grasps a lever
which he pulls around to the right,
thereby bringing out the .breech-block
and withdrawing the empty cartridge
shell last fired. ^ The new round is
pushed into the gun, the gunner moves
the lever in the opposite direction, or
to his left, and the gun is ready to fire.
When the gun is to be moved it is
taken in parts for packing as follows:
The gun itself, the cradle, the trail, and
the wheels and axle, each of which is a
load for one mule.
The men get expert at this man-
euver, and pack up the guns at com-
mand in a period of a little less than one
minute, while they unpack and set up
the guu ready for action with greater
speed, the record for the 25th Battery
being 20 seconds.
This gun is provided with various
kinds of projectiles, the ones usually
carried being shell, shrapnel and can-
nister, and are known as Krupp pre-
pared ammunition, which can be used
in the same manner r ks an ordinary
rifle cartridge. The shrapnel for this,
as well as all field guns, is the pro-
jectile mainly depended upon, and like
all field guns, the main work for them
is to fire at the personnel of the enemy.
It is a common error amongst mili-
tary men and others not well versed in
the use of Artillery, to suppose that a
field gnu is intended for the purpose of
making breaches in walls.
The fallacy of this idea can be seen
at once by making an examination of
the projectiles, which will IK found to
112
contain only the quantity of powder
which you could hold in the palm
of your hand. The shells contain 10
ounces, the shrapnel 3, the cannister a
little more than 2. Thus it may be readi-
ly seen that the guns used by the 25th
Battery are not such destructive en-
gines of war aftfeV all, but to those who
would doubt their effectiveness, we
should simply say: "Go and witness
them in action."
Enough has been said to give the
reader a correct idea of what a "Moun-
tain Battery" is, with the history of
what is known as the 25th Battery of
Field Artillery, and thereby the object
of the writer has been accomplished.
JAMES EDGAR
"THE MOUNTAIN BATTERY."
(Dedicated to Captain \V. s. MrXuir and command.)
The stout-hearted warriors who have fallen in battle
In defence of their country, its freedom to save,
Whose memory shall live and will ne'er be forgotten
Though long have they mouldered to dust in their
graves,
Could they but look back from their graves of cold
slumber,
Where in silence they are sleeping long ages away,
And see their successors, bravejjold, and undaunted,
Who have fought the proud Moros on Mindanao's
plains.
For foremost in the ranks of victorious honor,
Are the heroes who founded the illustrious name
Of the 25th Battery, and one may well ponder,
On the name of its Commander, with world renown
fame.
He has led with envious credit and valor,
Over many mountain trails, through swamp and
ravines,
That same immortal "Battery," whose presence in
battle
Made the wild Moros tremble, like cowards in fear.
The walls of Pandapatan's impregnable fortress,
Which withstood all assaults from invaders of old,
Wt-nt down like the leaves in ;i storm.
When "Fire!" \\as his onk-r, brave and bold.
Kv.'M tauifd I'.avaii forts \\err shaken,
And crumbled to pieces, before him that day,
When he sent the projectiles in rapid succession
Against those giant walls, on the second of May.
8-B. B.-19087
u 4
Forts Maciu and Butig, whose histories were warlike,
By Lake Lanao's still waters defiantly did stand,
Until this brave Commander and his khaki-clad
heroes
Blew them to fragments, all over the land.
In history's pages his name is recorded,
To be linked with the memory of the true and the
brave,
Who for the honor and freedom of their glorious
country,
Have fallen to slumber in numberless graves.
'-,
Nor must we forget the brave men he commanded,
Whose fearlessness, heroism, and unequaled might,
Is fresh in the memory of all Dattos and Sultans,
And the dark -colored tribesmen of Mindanao's
rugged heights.
For to them is attributed our success in battles,
That were fought with such glory and national pride,
In Mindanao's valleys and on forest-covered moun-
tains,
Where countless Moro warriors fought and died.
JAMES EDGAR ALLEN.
