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| Maj. Gen. L. Wheaton. |
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| Emilio Aguinaldo. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, November 15, 1899.
SHARP ENGAGEMENT.
Insurgent Sharpshooters Pick Off Our Officers.
EIGHTY-ONE FILIPINOS KILLED.
Americans Ambushed While Straggling Knee Deep In Mad—Our Boys Never Wavered, But Deployed Into Skirmish Line and Soon Routed the Rebels.
MANILA, Nov. 15.—The Thirty-third Infantry, in one of the sharpest two-hour engagements of the war, with an equal force of insurgents, five miles from Fabian, lost one officer and six men killed and had one officer and 12 men wounded. The Americans captured 29 Filipinos and a hundred rifles and found 81 insurgent dead lying in the trenches and rice fields. Many more Filipinos, doubtless, were killed or wounded.
General Wheaton was informed that the enemy was gathering at San Jacinto for the purpose of preventing the Americans from controlling the road from Dagupan, north, whereby Aguinaldo might retreat. The Thirty-third, Colonel Howe commanding, and a detachment of the Thirteenth with a Gatling gun, Howland commanding, were sent to disperse them. The troops encountered the worst road ever found in the island of Luzon. There was a succession of creeks whose bridges the Americans had to stop and repair, and miry ditches, and at certain places men and horses struggled waist deep in quagmires. A hundred soldiers had to drag the Gatling gun part of the way, the horses being useless.
The insurgents opened the fight two miles from San Jacinto, while the leading American battalion was passing a clump of houses, in the midst of a cocoanut grove, knee deep in mud. The Filipino sharpshooters, hidden in trees, houses and a small trench across the road, held their fire until the Americans were close to them. When they began firing other Filipinos opened fire from thickets, further away. The insurgent sharpshooters picked off the officers first. Five of the Americans who fell wore shoulder straps or chevrons.
But the Thirty-third never wavered. Its crack marksmen knocked the Filipinos from the trees like squirrels, and the Americans rushed the trench, leaving four dead insurgents there. The regiment then deployed under fire with Major John A. Logan's battalion in the center, Major Cronic's on the right and Major Marsh's on the left. The skirmish line, which was a mile long, advanced rapidly, keeping up a constant fire. The Filipinos made an unexpectedly good stand, many of them remaining behind cover until the Americans were within 20 feet of them. Major Marsh flanked a small trench, full of insurgents, surprising them and slaughtering nearly all of them before entering the town. The Gatling gun killed five of the force holding the bridge and swept the country beyond the town, driving about 150 Filipinos into the hills. Marsh's battalion, entering the town first, captured a big battle flag, which was flying over a convent.
The insurgents are supposed to have retreated toward Dagupan. It was impossible to pursue them, as the American troops were exhausted and their supply of ammunition was low. The outposts killed five Filipinos during the night. The body of the Filipino lieutenant colonel commanding was found among the killed.
The regiment returned to San Fabian Sunday, it being impossible to get supplies over the roads.
A proclamation of the Filipino secretary of war was found in all the villages, giving glowing accounts of alleged Filipino victories and saying that 7,500 Americans had been killed and 16,000 wounded during the war.
The dead and wounded have been brought to Manila. The officers who are returning say it is impossible for General Wheaton to attempt a junction with General Young on account of the roads.
Prisoners say it is reported that Aguinaldo with an army they estimated at 20,000 men, probably a great exaggeration, is retiring towards Dagupan, intending to leave by railroad for the northwest. Some of them said they believed the Filipino army had passed the line intended by Generals Wheaton and Young to be covered in Aguinaldo's rear, and that he passed San Fabian, going northeast, a fortnight ago.
RUSSIA IN POSSESSION.
Claiming the Territory Ceded Back to China by Japan.
YOKOHAMA, NOV. 8, (via Victoria, B. C., Nov. 15).—Russia is now showing her hand without reserve on the continent. Listuaug peninsula, which Japan was forced to cede back to China, is now Russian territory. Its government is administered by the commandant of the Russian naval and military forces under order of the minister of the treasury at St. Petersburg. Port Arthur is the seat of government. A Russian diplomatic agent and a financial commissioner are appointed and judicial procedure of the reign of Alexander II is enforced throughout the whole territory.
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| Photo copied from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland. |
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
LIST OF STANDING COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED.
County Jail Inspected by Prison Commissioner Mantanye — Recommendations for Further Improvements—Taxes to be Raised by County for the State—Miscellaneous Business.
SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY, NOV, 15.
The board when called to order at 9 A M. showed a quorum present, and Chairman Hammond announced the appointment of the following standing committees:
On Footing Assessment Rolls—Messrs. Bingham, Alley, Wavle, Bennett, Hunt, Webb, Phelps,
On Courthouse and Jail—Webb, Wavle, Crosley.
On Erroneous Assessments—O'Donnell, Surdam, Webb.
On Settling with County Treasurer—Patrick, Mynard, Surdam.
On Settling with County Clerk and Sheriff—Bennett, Ingersoll, Patrick.
On Settling with School, and Loan Commissioners—Phelps, O'Donnell, Surdam.
On Settling with County Judge and Justices—Mynard, Bennett, Patrick.
On Constable's Bills—Wavle, Alley, Phelps.
On Miscellaneous Bills—Hunt, Bingham, Crosley.
On Printing—Bingham, Mynard, Crosley.
On Settling with Superintendent of the Poor—Wavle, Webb, Ingersoll.
On Coroner's Bills—Kinyon, Bennett, Hunt.
On Settling With District Attorney— Surdam, Kinyon, Bingham.
On Equalization—Crosley, Kinyon, Patrick, Alley, Bennett.
On Jurisprudence—O'Donnell, Alley, Kinyon.
On Appropriations—Alley, Hunt, Phelps.
On Settling with Supervisors and Clerk—Ingersoll, Wavle, O'Donnell.
The clerk read a communication from the secretary of the state board of charities calling attention to a report of Cyrus C. Lathrop, who officially inspected the county almshouse March 8, 1899. The report states that everything about the place was found in "excellent state of order and cleanliness." Two recommendations were made, the first that steps should be taken to secure an adequate supply of water, there being now practically no protection in the event of fire. Indoor water closets, one for each sex, is strongly urged.
An exhaustive report of an inspection made by Robert W. Hill, July 22,1899, was read and filed. It referred to recent improvements made at the county almshouse and farm and showed the water closets referred to by Inspector Lathrop had been put in, and also a better water supply had been secured. Special attention was called to the desirability of keeping clean and well cared for buildings that are unoccupied. It is recommended that the furnace and kettles for soapmaking be removed from the cellar without delay. Better laundry appliances are recommended and it is urged that a portion of the asylum building be used for hospital purposes.
The bill of the Onondaga county penitentiary for board of prisoners to Nov. 1, 1899, amounting to $350.88 was referred to the committee on appropriations.
The report of Hon. Wm. J. Mantanye, state prison commissioner of prisons, was read and filed, and, it being purposed that Mr. Mantanye be invited to appear before the board and explain more fully the matters referred to, the same was made a special order for to-morrow at 1 P. M. The report as submitted will be published in full to-morrow.
The bill of Matteawan hospital for the board $195 was referred to the appropriations.
A communication from the state comptroller showed that the state board of equalization has fixed the aggregate valuation of property in Cortland county this year at $12,127,482, upon which a state tax of $30,197.43 must be levied apportioned as follows: For schools $9,828,26 for general purposes $15,280.63; for canals $5,098.54. Another communication stated that this county is required to raise $919.71 for compensation for stenographers in the supreme court in the Sixth judicial district. Both communications were referred to the committee on appropriations.
A communication from Craig colony stated that John Aselius, an epileptic, was discharged from that institution Aug. 28 and that George F. Dillon was discharged June 3, both being from Cortland county.
The bill of the Syracuse state institution for feeble minded children amounting to $40 for the board of Etta Toppin and Ada F. Hollenbeck was referred to a committee on appropriations.
The board engaged in committee work.
MRS. MARY A. PECK.
(From The Ithacan.)
On the morning of Oct. 11, 1899, Mrs. Mary A. Peck passed to her eternal rest. Her quiet, lovely life upon earth endeared her to all who knew her. Surely it may be said in truth of such a character, "O beauty of holiness, O self forgetfulness," for her trust was in God and her joy in patient, loving deeds of kindness.
Mrs. Peck, the only daughter of Prentice Kinney and Mary Leonard, was born in the town of Griswold, New London county, Conn., Aug. 21, 1826. In 1830 she moved with her parents to Cortlandville, Cortland county, N. Y. At the age of 16 she experienced religion and joined the McGrawville Baptist church.
In the year 1849 she was married to Platt Peck and settled with him in town of Solon, with him she joined the Baptist church of that place. From 1888 to 1893 they lived in the town of Homer, N.Y. They then removed to the village of Brookton in Tompkins county, N.Y.
During the last two years of her life Mrs. Peck suffered from heart and lung trouble, but in the autumn of the second year, when the ripe sheaves were being gathered, God took her; for it was also the autumn of her life and she was ready for the Master's reaping and reward.
She is survived by her aged husband and her four children, George R., of Brookton, Charles L. of Mechanicsville, Ia.; Mrs. Hattie L. Saunders of Cortland, and Chester D., of Mechanicsville, la. She had three brothers, Charles, Joseph and Levi Kinney; also one half-brother, Ferman Graves, now residing a t McGrawville, N. Y., of the former only one is living, Joseph of South Dakota, who has been with his sister during her illness. These living and many others who loved her will sadly miss the dear presence which brightened their lives and their homes: yet who could have looked upon the peaceful face in its last sleep without blessing God for the hope of eternity which gives relief, such perfect peace, rest and freedom to the soul, and for the gift of so dear a friend.
After a prayer at her late home in Brookton, the remains were taken to Cortland for burial. An impressive funeral service conducted by Rev. Mrs. Woodruff, of Brookton Congregational church, was held at the home of Mrs. Hattie L. Saunders, after which the kindred tenderly watched the loved form laid to rest in Cortland Rural cemetery.
The mission of another life is accomplished and who can measure that mission. Only the Father who gives and receives again unto himself, knows the silent influence of a consistent Christian life.
BREVITIES.
—Mr. George Peters has just completed a creditable job of repainting and sanding the exterior woodwork of the Presbyterian church.
—The northbound D., L. & W. train due to pass Cortland at 9:20 A. M. was an hour late this morning owing to a delay on the main line west of Binghamton.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Palmer & Co., Twenty days' special sale, page 7; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 6; Mrs. J. T. Davern, Millinery, page 6; F. D. Smith, Red Cross stoves, page 6.
—Mrs. George Richards had the misfortune to slip and get a bad fall on the walk last night while on her way home from the Opera House in company with Mr. Richards and their daughter Mabel. No bones were broken but she was considerably shaken up and is pretty lame to-day.
—The board of village trustees held a meeting last evening, but did no business and adjourned until next Monday evening. Some further minor details have to be arranged before Engineer Allen can make the local assessments for Lincoln-ave. and Tompkins and Port Watson-sts. It was stated that these assessments would be out Monday night.
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