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| Major General Loyd Wheaton. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, March 27, 1899.
MALINTA CAPTURED.
Another Day's Fierce Fighting Near Manila.
AMERICAN LOSS NOT SO HEAVY.
Colonel Egbert of the Twenty-Second Regular Infantry Killed—Prince Loewenstein Got In Front of the Firing Line and Was Instantly Killed—News From Manila.
MANILA, March 27.—The United States troops under Brigadier General Lloyd Wheaton captured the town of Malinta, beyond the Tullahan river, after a short fight. Colonel Harry C. Egbert of the Twenty-second regular infantry was killed. Prince Loewenstein, formerly aide-de-camp on the staff of Brigadier General Miller at Iloilo, somehow got in front of the firing line and was shot in the side, dying almost instantly. A German who accompanied him was wounded.
The American casualties were much lighter than those of Saturday, the total losses thus far reported since the engagement commenced being 45 killed and 145 wounded.
General Wheaton entered Malinta, which is a small village of huts, at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
The United States gunboat Helena and other gunboats have been shelling Malabon, about a mile northwest of Caloocan, for several hours.
The insurgents made a fierce resistance to the American advance up the railroad at Malinta. In addition to the fatal wounding of Colonel Egbert several men of the Twenty-second infantry and several of the Oregon and Kansas regiments were killed.
Evidently anticipating a bombardment by the fleet, 1,000 rebels vacated Malabon during the night, leaving a few to burn the town. General Wheaton's brigade, composed of the Second Oregon regiment and the Twenty-second and Twenty-third infantry stretched along the railroad from Caloocan to the Tullahan river, was powerless to prevent the withdrawal, owing to the natural obstacles and to a strong opposition. A column of smoke at daybreak was the first intimation of the enemy's intentions; but others followed at various points, all soon blending a dense balloon shaped cloud. The flames of the burning rice mills and large buildings could be plainly seen from Caloocan, despite the strong sunlight.
By 11 o'clock in the morning the only building of importance not destroyed in the center of the town was a large stone church; but even at noon fresh fires were started among the native huts in the outskirts of Malabon, although the general exodus took place much earlier. Many of the rebels sought refuge in the suburbs of Navotas and Casag, or were driven inland by the shells of the Helena, Calloa Ningdapan and La Guna de Bay.
In the meantime General Wheaton's brigade held the railroad to the river, but was unable either to repair the bridge which had been destroyed by the enemy or to advance, owing to the opposition and the hills on the other side.
The calculations of both General Hale and General Harrison Gray Otis, whose brigades constituted General MacArthur's division, were much interfered with by the character of the country in front of both, and the enemy was able to take advantage of this, so that the operations against Novaliches and Polo were delayed, though the right wing of the division swung out, sweeping the enemy in a northwesterly direction.
General Wheaton's headquarters were a half mile south of the river on the railroad. The opposite bank was protected by a block house and entrenchments. Occasionally the artillery and infantry fired across the stream. Finally the engineers moved a construction train up to the bridge, the iron frame work of which remained and began to replace the floor. While this was going on the Second Oregon regiment crossed the river on the left and the Twenty-second on the right, with four companies of the Twenty-third infantry, supporting the latter regiment. A rising clear ground stretched away a distance of half a mile to Malinta, situated on its crest.
In front of the village were strong Filipino entrenchments, but no Filipinos were to be seen. Apparently they had fled.
The Twenty-second regiment approached diagonally, with General Wheaton and his staff close behind and scouts closely observing the ground. When the Americans were within about 30 yards of the entrenchments, the Filipinos suddenly volleyed heavily. The Twenty-second, which was holding the center, suffered considerably, but with the Oregons on the left and the Kansans on the right in the woods, the fighting was kept up for half an hour, the Twenty-second infantry advancing up to Polo in the thick grass under the hottest fire.
General Wheaton and his staff were all the time under a rain of bullets. Colonel Egbert, who was in the thickest of the fighting, was shot in the abdomen. He was placed upon a stretcher and an attempt was made to carry him to the cars, but he died on the way.
It was a most affecting scene. General Wheaton, bearing his head, said: "You have done nobly." Colonel Egbert gasped in reply: "I must die. I am too old."
No Filipinos were found in the trenches. Though apparently their force was much smaller than the Americans, they had an immense advantage in position and in opportunity to retreat.
General MacArthur's advance guard, the Third artillery, and the Twentieth Kansas regiment, joined General Wheaton's brigade shortly after Malinta was taken, approaching along the Novaliches road westerly.
The soldiers were much exhausted and there were several prostrations from the heat, which was intense. The dead and wounded were collected in the shade of the trees and carried on stretchers by Chinese across the river to the train.
After lunch General MacArthur's division advanced toward Polo.
The Second Oregon regiment encountered 1,000 Filipinos west of Malinta, who were retreating from Malaboa. The enemy had taken up a position behind four rows of entrenchments, but were driven out after an hour's heavy firing. One Oregonian was killed and five were wounded.
The Third artillery, acting as infantry, with two guns of the Utah artillery and the Kansas, had a sharp fight east of Malinta. The Americans had but slight loss, five Filipinos were found dead and several were taken prisoners.
General MacArthur's division is advancing upon Polo along the railroad. As the bridge is destroyed and the river can not be forded the advance is temporarily checked.
In the fighting west of Malinta the Oregonians captured a Spaniard, but he denied he was taking part in the battle.
The surgeons from the fleet and the British cruiser Powerful volunteered their assistance and were indefatigable in their services at the front.
COLONEL EGBERT'S RECORD.
In His Death the Army Loses One of Its Best Colonels.
WASHINGTON, March 27.—Colonel Henry C. Egbert, whom General Otis reports among the killed at Manila, was born in Pennsylvania and appointed a first lieutenant in the army from civil life on Sept. 23, 1861. He served continuously as a line officer for nearly 40 years. He was more closely identified with the Twelfth infantry than any other organization, having served with distinction in that regiment during the civil war. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, but escaped and rejoined his command and was severely wounded on June 3, 1864, in the battle of Bethesda Church, Va.
He was major of the Seventeenth infantry from 1890 to 1893, when he became lieutenant colonel of the Sixth infantry. This regiment he commanded in the Santiago campaign until disabled by a shot through the body on July 1, 1898. For his distinguished service in battle he was promoted a brigadier general of volunteers, which grade he held until Dec. 1, 1898, when in the reduction of the volunteer army he was honorably discharged.
He was promoted colonel in the regular establishment on July 1, 1898, and assigned to the Twenty-second infantry, whose colonel, Charles A. Wikoff, was killed at San Juan Hill. He joined the Twenty-second infantry Jan. 30, 1899, sailed with it for Manila, Feb. 1, and arrived at Manila March 4, 1899.
General Egbert was well known throughout the army as an officer of a high order of ability and as a man of sterling qualities. In the death of General Egbert the service loses one of its best colonels.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Filipinos as Fighters.
The incapacity shown by the Filipinos as fighters is precisely what the correspondents that have been observing them for several months would lead one to expect. During the war with the Spaniards, they exhibited no knowledge of military science and no skill as soldiers. Most of their fighting was done at night. They spent the day in sleep and idleness. As soon as the sun went down, they made their way to the trenches one by one and began to fire. But they did very little harm. So few were the Spaniards that they did not dare to venture out to meet them and drive them away. Interpreting this policy as a manifestation of fear of their superior skill and bravery, the Filipinos became conceited. They boasted in Manila constantly of their wonderful military capacity and of their determination to exterminate the Spaniards.
When they came to fight with the Americans, they had their eyes opened. They learned for the first time what it meant to carry on scientific warfare and to fight from morning till night. Never did they see anything more surprising than the steady march forward of American troops in the face of a blazing fire. It was an exhibition of sustained effort and courage that they were not familiar with and was quite beyond their powers. While they could fight courageously for a few moments, they could not keep it up all day. Nor could they act with the unity and precision of the American soldiers. The consequence was that they retreated as soon as they saw the enemy approach, and did their fighting as individuals or in little groups secreted in trees, buildings or thickets.
This is the kind of fighting that has been carried on since the first repulse of the Filipinos and will probably be carried on until the end. While it is very annoying, it is not formidable. Because of the use of smokeless powder and the Mauser rifle, which does not make much noise, the Filipinos can hide themselves and pick off American soldiers without disclosing their presence. They do not hesitate to fire into ambulances or hospitals. In fact they pay no attention to the roles of civilized warfare. It has been found necessary to clear the country around Manila of huts and similar hiding places. It has been necessary, too, to exercise the greatest care in separating belligerents from non-combatants. While both carry little white flags, the belligerents carry also a Mauser or a knife to be used whenever convenient.
Little wonder, therefore, that we get reports every day or two of the speedy termination of the war. It does not seem possible that a war of this kind can last long.
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| Murder suspect John Truck. |
CORONER'S INQUEST
BEGUN ALL OVER AGAIN FROM THE START
In the Matter of Frank W. Miller—New Jury Summoned—One of Former Jurors Lives Outside of County, Three Others are Material Witnesses—New Jury Views the Remains and Adjourns Till Thursday at 10 o'clock.
The inquest into the death of Frank W. Miller which occurred on the evening of March 14 at his home east of Virgil was to have been continued by Coroner Smith this morning at 10 o'clock at the town hall in Virgil, but instead the whole matter was begun over again and a new start was taken.
It appears that one of the original jurymen, John Smith, summoned by Coroner Smith on the morning of March 15 is not a resident of Cortland county and was therefore ineligible. Only a few days before had he moved from his former home in that vicinity to a new location just outside the boundary of Cortland county. When summoned that morning he merely chanced to be there and it never occurred to him nor to the others present that his change of residence made any difference in his eligibility, consequently neither he nor any one else spoke of It. Three other jurymen then summoned are material witnesses in the case and to permit so many witnesses to be sworn and then as jurymen to pass upon their own evidence would be decidedly irregular if indeed not altogether illegal. To be on the safe side Coroner Smith decided to begin all over again and summon a new jury.
It was nearly 11 o'clock this morning before anything was done at the inquest. Coroner Smith arrived at Virgil and brought with him A. E. Seymour who will act as clerk. District Attorney Duffey and Sheriff Brainard came a little later. The town hall was full almost to overflowing. The interest in the horrible tragedy is intense in that vicinity, and many were the stories and incidents told concerning both Miller and John Truck who for two years lived over there.
At length Coroner Smith called the assemblage to order and made the announcement concerning the new jury. Two of the former jurymen were summoned again: William Overton and John Downs. The others were all excused. The following additional jurors were then summoned: Nathan Gardner, John E. Winslow, Lewis Chrisman, D. E. Stillman, Rodolph Price and Charles Johnson. John E. Winslow was named by the coroner as foreman and the foreman's oath was administered to him by Coroner Smith. Then the customary oath was administered to the other jurymen.
Coroner Smith then announced that as a first step in the inquest the jury must all together as a jury view the remains. They are now in the vault of the Cortland Rural cemetery, and an adjournment was taken at that time to the vault at 3 o'clock this afternoon where the jury was directed to meet the coroner.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon the coroner's jury met at the office of Superintendent Morehouse of the Cortland Rural cemetery and proceeded to the vault, where the coffin of Frank W. Miller was opened. It had been anticipated that decomposition would have advanced to some degree by this time, but such was not the case, the effect of the heat in the burning house probably having a preservative effect, and the appearance was not different from the time of the autopsy, nor was there any odor noticeable. Coroner Smith and Dr. Emery removed the shroud and the jurors examined the remains. Coroner Smith offered some explanation to them and an opportunity was given to ask questions if they chose. Several questions upon the condition of the body were asked and answered.
An adjournment was then taken till Thursday morning, March 30, at 10 o'clock at the Virgil town hall, when the inquest will be continued.
Quite a joke was this morning discovered in Virgil on Ferd W. Goldsmith, who is a law student in the office of Dickinson & Duffey. It seems that he was sent over there a few days ago by District Attorney Duffey to follow up some clues and interview some probable witnesses to see what they knew about the case and what they could be depended upon to swear to. Scarcely a person questioned acknowledged that he knew a thing about the case. All were reluctant to say a word and were either non-committal or openly declared they didn't know a thing about it. The young lawyer at length became exasperated and declared to one man over there that these people must be awfully afraid of something or else they surely knew very little, as he couldn't get a thing out of them.
The joke came out this morning when one of the parties interviewed asked The STANDARD man who this Goldsmith was any way and whom he represented. The STANDARD man replied that he was a student and clerk in the district attorney's office and he was probably looking up material for the district attorney, at least that official had told the STANDARD man that he was going to send Goldsmith over for that purpose. The Virgil questioner looked surprised for a moment and then burst into a hearty laugh. "Well, that is pretty good," he said, "We all thought he was some fellow whom Truck had sent over to arrange a defense for him and not a mother's son of us would tell him a word of what he wanted to know." It appears that Mr. Goldsmith was in search of information and was not giving out information and beyond mentioning his name told nothing as to his identity or purpose.
Mock Trial.
Mr. Pomeroy of the Pinkerton detective agency of New York has been employed by the Women's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. to investigate affairs in the Universalist church in reference to the report that the pastor has been inciting people to break the eight-hour law.
The result was made public to-day and the Rev. U. S. Milburn was indicted on the same charge as all the clergymen mentioned a few days ago.
Diagram for reserved seats opens at McKinney & Doubleday's to-morrow morning.
BASKET BALL.
Two Hard Fought Games Lost to Cortland by Close Scores.
The two basket ball games played Saturday night between representative teams of Syracuse and Cortland were each won by the men from the larger city. The first game among the intermediates started off sharply and was throughout the faster and cleaner game of the two. Toward the end of the half the home team lost its snap evidently winded. Two of the fellows, however, had bad ankles, Pierce's proving so painful that he was taken out of the game.
The lineup:
The senior game was the attraction of the evening and although the score was 10-11 in favor of Syracuse, Cortland does not particularly grieve at its loss. The contest was close, hard fought, intensely exciting and not decided until even after the timekeeper's whistle had blown.
In the first half Hotchkiss held the crowd for he threw the only field goals, three in number. Syracuse played a very rough game but in such a way that it was hard to distinguish between intentional and unintentional rough play. This kind of game is very undesirable, the audience does not like it, and it leads to hard feelings.
At the end of the first half the score stood 9-8 in favor of Syracuse. In the second half neither side was able to score until near the end of the game when Freeman for Syracuse made a long chance shot and was fortunate. Richards came to the front soon after and evened up by dropping the ball just in.
Lineup:
BREVITIES.
—One tramp experienced the hospitalities afforded at the police station last night.
—Beginning April 1, the office of the United States Express company will close at 7:30 P. M. instead of at 8 o'clock.
—John Naylan, charged with public intoxication, was found guilty in Justice Harrington's court this morning and sent to jail for ten days.
—There will be a regular meeting of the Royal Arcanum council at G. A. R. hall Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock. All members are requested to be present.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Burgess, Easter Hats, Clothing, etc., page 8; Pearson Brothers, Another Special, page 7; Buck & Lane, Bicycles, page 6.
—The subject for the University Center meeting to-night at 8 o'clock will be "Napoleon." Mr. B. T. Wright will conduct the meeting and will give a critical estimate of Napoleon.
—All who had the pleasure of hearing Rev. J. Hudson Ballard some weeks since will be disappointed to learn that he will be unable to fill his appointment to speak at the W. C. T. U. rooms tomorrow afternoon and evening.
—The 4 o'clock meeting in the Y. M. C. A. rooms yesterday was well attended. Excellent music was furnished under the leadership of Mr. E. L. Dodd with Mr. Harry Jennison at the piano and Arthur Dunn with the violin. Echoes from the state conventions by Field Secretary Arthur N. Cotton of New York City gave in brief a very interesting account of these important meetings.
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