History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 59

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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On April 26 he sent word to the adjutant general to notify all the companies of the National Guard to get ready and mobilize at Sioux Falls. It seemed at first as if the call of the war department was for seven troops of cavalry; then came the report that seven troops of infantry were wanted. And this con- fusion was worse confounded by the spirited contest at Pierre for commissions in the National Guard. About this date also appeared officers to recruit for the general army. At the same time Grigsby's cowboy regiment was fast forming. The citizens were more than willing,-were anxious, but it was not clear at first what was wanted.

On the 2nd of May came the news of the defeat of the Spanish fleet at Manila, and again the whole state was aroused to the highest pitch of military

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ardor and patriotism. About the same time the movement of the battleship Oregon around Cape Horn was noted with pride and satisfaction. Enlistments for independent companies continued because it had not yet been learned that such commands would not be accepted. All the companies of the First Regiment mobilized at Sioux Falls about May I and were there put under a rigid course of field and camp drilling. Alfred A. Frost became colonel; Lee Stover, lieutenant- colonel; Charles H. Howard and W. F. Allison, majors; J. H. Lien, adjutant ; Henry Murray, quartermaster; R. C. Warne, surgeon; A. H. Bowman and F. W. Cox, assistant surgeons; Charles H. Englesby, Clayton P. Van Houten, Arthur L. Fuller, Charles S. Denny, Frank W. Medbury, William Gay, Alonzo B. Sessions, Robert R. McGregor, Charles L. Brockway, Harry A. Hegeman, George W. Lattin and William L. Mclaughlin, captains.

On May 29 the First Regiment left camp at Sioux Falls and started for San Francisco enronte for the Philippines. Upon their departure they were given a great ovation by the citizens of Sioux Falls and on their way westward were cheered and treated royally at every station. In all there were 1,008 men in the regiment, divided into three battalions, each of which occupied a whole train, thus making three long trains which ran thirty-five minutes apart. Upon their arrival at Oakland they were entertained by the Ladies of the Red Cross and escorted to Camp Merritt and a day later crossed the bay and took their perma- nent place in camp near the Presidio, San Francisco. They were treated hand- somely by the Red Cross Society of the latter city and by various quasi-military organizations which from time to time gave them green rations, delicacies, etc.

While at Sioux Falls among their friends the discipline was slack, the rela- tions between citizens, officers and men free and cordial; but upon reaching San Francisco all social relations between officers and men were terminated and the rigid discipline of the regular army was carried into effect. This was regarded as an unnecessary proceeding by the men, but was borne uncomplain- ingly, as all realized its necessity where efficiency was absolutely necessary. They went into camp at San Francisco June 2. Life in camp has its unpleasant features, hardships and sicknesses, and the men were all delighted when the order came at last to board ship for the Philippine Islands. At this time, owing to the continued drill for five hours each day, the strict discipline and the dietary and drink regulations, the whole regiment was as hard as steel and ready for any war movement.

The regiment left San Francisco on the transports Rio Janeiro and Valencia July 22, reached Honolulu July 31, arrived at Cavite August 24 and entered Manila September 12. The First and Third Battalions were quartered at San Miguel and the Second Battalion, on the Matacauan grounds.

In the meantime the war had continued in Cuba, Cervera's fleet was crushed and the battle of Santiago was fought and won. Spain was easily beaten at all points. Soon negotiations for a cessation of the hostilities indicated that peace was not far distant-would be reached as soon as the alleged honor of Spain could be adjusted to descend the ladder with due dignity from boastful- ness to surrender. At last, after many hands had been played in the game of diplomacy, Spain, in November, 1898, agreed to cede the Philippines, Porto Rico and Guam to the United States and make Cuba a free and independent country. As peace was now certain, war measures were checked, troops as fast as possible

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were mustered out, and all military movements would have ended in a short time had it not been for the insurrection of the Filipinos.

The treaty with Spain gave the Philippine Islands to the United States, but the inhabitants thereof were still to be reckoned with. As all persons know, the intentions of the United States concerning the islands were of the fairest and most liberal character. Had conditions remained normal-had the natives been treated as equals by civilians sent out to help them establish a state govern- ment-had they not been pushed aside, ignored, humiliated and neglected by arbitrary military environment and routine, it is possible that there would have been no insurrection, no war between the natives and the Americans and no account of battles and campaigns on the islands to record in history.

On the other hand it is possible that had the mailed fist of the army been withdrawn from the islands immediately after they became the property of the United States, the same conditions which now (1915) tear and distract Mexico might soon have prevailed. It is known that immediately after the battle of the fleets in Manila Bay the relations between the natives and the Americans were friendly if not actually cordial. However, as time passed and the iron grasp of the military hand was felt, the former friendly relations were severed and ere long incipient hostilities began to be exhibited by both sides-natives and Americans. It began to be believed by the natives that the liberty which had been promised might never come and that they might be held in subjection by the military power of the Americans. At this critical juncture had the Filipinos been treated with favor and consideration by a commission of civilians from the United States, it is wholly probable that the subsequent insurrection would have been avoided and that a peaceful civil government of the natives themselves could have been established on the islands. But diplomacy was now lacking when it was most needed and arbitrary military rules were enforced. In the minds of the Filipinos matters reached a climax when General Otis issued his unwise proclamation on January 4, 1899, announcing his military dictatorship of the islands. This act seemed to the Filipinos as if their liberties were gone, as if they would be given no part in the local government, and as if they would be controlled first by the military authorities and second by civil functionaries sent from the United States. To them the situation was oppressive and unbear- able and no wonder in the absence of direct acts to prove the good intentions of the United States. They held meetings and determined to resist oppression and to fight for their liberties if necessary. On January 7, Aguinaldo accordingly announced himself as commandant of the Philippines and declared that General Otis was a usurper. It was then only a question of time and overt acts to begin a state of war.

The first clash came on January 10, when two natives armed with bolos suddenly attacked Private Smith of Company E near Block House 4. He received a severe cut down the side of his head and face, but shot one of the Filipinos dead and probably wounded the other, who succeeded in escaping. Other hostile acts occurred, but generally peace prevailed.

The first real conflict occurred on the night of February 4, when a Nebraskan sentinel shot and killed a Filipino lieutenant who refused to halt when com- manded. This shot brought out a fusilade from the whole Filipino front, to which reply was made by the American advance line. The First South Dakota

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Regiment was thus engaged at once and was hastily gathered for the fight that had been expected so long. Colonel Frost placed four companies to guard the line then held and ordered the other eight to advance to the support of the out- post under Lieutenant Foster, which was being attacked vigorously by the enemy. Companies F and I under Captain Brockway and Lieutenant McClelland were deployed and advanced for action and were moved to the limits of the outpost without opposition other than desultory firing by the enemy from a con- siderable distance. The other six companies were held in reserve to assist Companies F and I in case their services should be needed. While this night fusillade amounted to but little, it served to show that both sides were ready if not eager for the fray. It amounted to nothing more than a long range shooting in the dark and a certainty that a real battle might be expected at any moment on slight pretext or none at all.

As no formal movement by the Americans had been ordered and as General Hale, brigade commander, announced that an offensive movement was not con- templated, the six companies were moved to the rear while Companies F and I under Colonel Stover were left to hold the position already occupied and were exposed to the fire from Block House No. 4 and the Chinese hospital, both of which were held by the Filipino sharpshooters armed with Mauser rifles. As there was no protection from the Filipinos' fire the men were ordered to lie down and conceal themselves the best way they could from the bullets that came stinging over the rice fields and through the bamboo thickets. The moon cam: out about I o'clock in the morning of the 5th and flooded the scene wit.a silver light. The firing had ceased and nothing further was done until about 3 o'clock A. M., when suddenly a heavy rifle fire was opened by the enemy along their entire line. Almost immediately two men of Company I were shot dead and another received a serious wound. As the men were exposed and could accomplish little or nothing by returning the fire they were ordered to wait until the Filipinos should attempt to advance. The Americans were armed with Springfield rifles, while the enemy used Mausers, the latter thus having much the advantage.

The sharp fire of the Mausers continued with a rain of bullets over the heads of the South Dakota boys and after about thirty minutes came an order from General Hale to hold the position and advantages thus far gained, because they were the key to a possible Filipino movement against Manila. Major Doolittle was ordered on the dangerous duty of going to the Colorado lines about a mile away to report progress and ask for reinforcements. His course lay along the front and was exposed to the fire of the enemy, particularly in the open spaces where the moonlight revealed his movements. He made the trip successfully with the bullets flying around him. In the meantime Com- panies F and I were not idle, but with their bayonets, plates and stout sticks scraped up enough earth to form protection from the bullets that would be sure to come with the appearance of daylight. Doolittle again distinguished himself by going under fire a half mile to the rear after tools with which to throw up earthworks, bringing back all he could carry. While thus at work they were more or less exposed, which fact caused the fire of the enemy to grow heavier. Adjutant Lien here distinguished himself by his coolness and bravery.

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About 5 o'clock on the morning of the 5th Colonel Frost arrived within half a mile of the rear and within supporting distance with the other six com- panies and reported to General Hale for orders. He posted Companies H, G, M, and A on the old outpost line, while L and K were held in reserve over the edge of a small slope. About this time Major Howard relieved Colonel Stover, and the latter and Adjutant Lien reported to Colonel Frost. The two men of Company I who were killed were William G. Lowes and Fred E. Green and the one wounded was Arthur E. Haskell.

Soon after 9 o'clock in the morning General Hale gave Colonel Frost per- mission to charge the Filipino line if he thought best after a few shots of artil- lery had been fired at the block house and the entrenchments. At once the regi- ment was prepared for the advance, Colonel Stover having command of the right wing, Major Howard the left wing, and Colonel Frost the center. As soon as the cannonade was over the regiment swept forward, carried the earthworks and took possession of the blockhouse, routing the enemy and forcing them with loss to take to the woods. Here they rested and remained. During all this time other regiments were being engaged, one of which was the Tenth Penn- sylvania near the South Dakota troops.

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon the regiment received orders from General McArthur to form on the right of the Pennsylvania regiment and advance. Companies A, F, and I were held to guard the flank, while the others under Frost, Stover and Howard formed in line of battle and moved forward deployed as skirmishers, the center aiming for the La Loma Church. For nearly half a mile the advance was rapid and under fire, and then at a depressed road the men were halted, ordered to lie down and return the fire which they did with effect. At this time there was a hot fire from the church, but soon another advance of about one hundred yards was ordered at double quick when they again dropped under cover and returned the fire which was now sharp and continuous. After firing three volleys the regiment again advanced at quick * time, shooting as they ran. It was at this time that the South Dakotans came near being exposed to the fire of the Pennsylvanians, whom they had passed, owing to a lack of continuity in the American line.

Again the regiment advanced at a quick pace, running with battle yells over the entrenchments and driving the enemy out with a rush and killing and wounding many of them before they could pass to the woods beyond the church. Thus the Dakotans captured the fort, the church and the entrench- ments, while the Pennsylvanians captured the Chinese hospital and the entrench- ments in their front. Promptly, Colonel Frost threw his command beyond the church and forced the enemy to move swifely in the direction of Calaocan. Soon afterwards came orders to retire, the advance having been made farther than was expected or contemplated. On the way back the regiment was com- plimented for its good work by General McArthur. While this advance skirmish was in progress H. J. McCracken of Company H was killed and Frank T. McLain, Company G; Hirman W. Fay, Company I; B. B. Phelps, Company K; and Eugene E. Stevens, Company K, were wounded. For the whole time from the outbreak on the night of the 4th until late in the afternoon of the 5th the South Dakota boys were under fire and at all times showed the coolness, steadi- ness, courage and discipline of veterans.

SCENE ON LAKE BYRON, HURON

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The new line occupied by the South Dakotans extended along with Block House No. 4 in the center and with the wings reaching out toward La Loma Church and Block House No. 5. The Filipinos retreated to the little town of San Francisco del Monte about a mile distant from Block House No. 4, from which safe position they continued to pour a galling and deadly fire from their effective Mausers upon the American entrenchments. By keeping well under cover pursuant to orders the troops suffered little from this desultory musketry.

No further sorties by either side were made until early in the morning of the 23d, when a strong squad of Filipinos attacked the outpost held by six men and Lieutenant Hawkins of Company B, but were held in check until the few were reinforced by Company A under Captain Fuller and Company B under Captain Session. The position held by Major Howard was also attacked, but his force replied with a heavy fire and were supported with great effect by the Utah battery. Under the orders of Colonel Frost Companies A and B and the men of the band who had been armed, commanded by Adjutant Lien, moved up a ravine and poured a heavy fire upon the flank of the enemy ; but Lien was compelled to rejoin the line soon with his command to prevent being outflanked by the enemy himself. This flanking movement of Adjutant Lien and Captains Fuller and Sessions was one of the best advances thus far made and proved the efficiency of these officers when under fire on the battlefield. In this engagement the First Regiment lost in killed, Oscar Felker, Company C, and William B. Smith, Company M (mortally wounded) ; and in wounded Fred Tobin, Company B; Martin Eide, Company M; and Charles Hultberg, musician, Company M. Before this time Lieut. E. A. Harting of Company A, who was on detached service, was drowned in the Pasig River while engaged in landing a heavy gun from a small war vessel. The entrenchments continued until fire day and night for several weeks, two men being wounded-Herman M. Bellman, Company B, and Robert B. Ross, Company I-and during this time the men slept on their arms ready for any sudden movement. Thus time passed until March 25th, when an advance was ordered.

The plan was to move out and capture Malolos. On that date the First and Third battalions were deployed in skirmish line, with Allison in command on the left, Stover on the right and Howard held in reserve. In this order an advance of about a thousand yards was quickly made under a heavy fire until the line of the enemy was within reach of the Springfield rifles. They then fired three volleys standing and the advance was resumed, the men shooting directly over the trenches of the enemy, firing on all in sight, and continued on to a road a few miles beyond San Francisco del Monte, where they halted and closed ranks. They were continually under fire over this long distance, the enemy retiring and setting fire to their huts as they went. The march was over lava beds and through jungles that gave the enemy an excellent opportunity to retreat under concealment and to fire from hiding places.

After reforming, the brigade moved northward instead of northwestward as before and after several miles again halted to reform, the broken character of the country having separated them into small detachments. During all this time they were under fire, though from a long distance. They now turned northwestward toward the Tuliahan River, crossed it and halted on a bridge facing toward Polo. About dark they were ordered to close in on an old bridge which spanned

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the river; this they did soon after dark. During this eventful day they marched eighteen miles under a tropical sun, through jungles and over rough lava beds and all the time were under a desultory fire from a concealed and retreating enemy. They had not halted to eat or drink and caught only what they could as they advanced. The erratic movements of the day were in part due to the change in the plan of campaign resulting from the capture of Malinta, and were the cause of losing the baggage train, which failed to arrive with provisions. Thus they had little dinner, no supper and no breakfast, but were plucky and un- daunted and ready for a fight, a frolic or a feast. During the day's march Walter S. Brown, Company G, was severely wounded.

It now became a serious problem to solve by Commissary Burdick how to supply the battalion with food and ammunition. He solved the difficulty by tak- ing possession of every buffalo cart and by pressing into the service all the native help of "amigos" he could find, with the result that the men were supplied with provisions and equipment. The troops were now in the enemy's country to a certainty, so that early in the morning of the 20th they again were formed in open order, with Howard's and Stover's commands on the advance line and Allison's in reserve. On their right was the Tenth Pennsylvania and about one thousand yards in the rear were the Nebraskans acting as a reserve. The whole command moved down the river and finally reached the Polo Plain, which was mainly open, though several miles long and wide and encircled by a fine forest. The sun beat down with pitiless fury and the men, without fresh water, were suffering much, but pressing on and on. Near the Polo end of the plain, on a heavily wooded slope, the enemy were encountered, heavily entrenched and seemingly prepared for a desperate resistance. The orders were to take the trenches and then wheel to the left and march upon Polo. Howard's battalion was placed in echelon on the exposed right flank as a measure of precaution. Then with fixed bayonets the troops were ordered to advance upon the enemy's work, which they did with splendid spirit under a raking fire. Stover was on the right, Allison on the left and Frost in the center. With a rush the first line of trenches was captured, the enemy falling back to a second line of breastworks whence they poured volley after volley upon the advancing Americans. So heavy was the fire in front that the rapid advance was continued over all obstacles until the banks of the Meyacanyan River was reached, where it was found that the bridge was strongly guarded by heavy breastworks on the other side. The enemy set fire to the bridge and then poured heavy volleys upon any men who appeared ready to cross before the fire had ruined the structure. Com- panies K and I were sent by Stover to flank the trench and companies F and G were ordered to force the bridge. Sergeant Holman of Company C rushed out on the bridge under the heavy musketry, extinguished the fire and returned in safety, an act of signal and conspicuous bravery. Immediately thereafter Lieu- tenant Huntington and part of Company F crossed the bridge, followed by the remainder of Company F, parts of C, K, I, G and L, stormed the trenches and scattered the enemy, who left many dead and wounded in the works. At once the remainder of the South Dakotans and many of the Nebraskans crossed the bridge. Several small bands of the enemy were attacked on both sides of the river and scattered. In a general charge upon the enemy's strong earthworks on the right the troops went nearly wild with the ardor of battle and rushed the

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works and shot down the Filipinos as they took to their heels. While they were here taking care of the wounded a hot fire was opened upon them from a cluster of Nipa huts at the distance of about seven hundred yards in front. Adjutant Lien took twenty men, rushed the huts and scattered or killed the sharpshooters. It was in this engagement that Fred C. Lorensen was badly wounded before his company crossed the bridge. The Nebraskans, brave to rashness, suffered severely in this encounter. General Hale was slightly wounded in the foot. Sharp skir- mishing in all directions for more than an hour occurred, for the enemy were numerous, brave and determined to do their utmost to drive back the "Ameri- canos." Night now fell upon the battle smoke and tumult and all sought rest and food, for they had been marching and fighting all day with no rest and with but little to eat. In the night, between midnight and 3 o'clock A. M., Quarter- master Burdick with pack ponies succeeded in bringing the hungry troops a goodly supply of provisions and an abundance a few hours later.

In the meantime Major Howard's battalion, which had been placed to guard the right flank, successfully attacked a rifle pit held by the enemy and from which a severe fire was directed against the Americans, driving the enemy there- from and killing and wounding several. In this movement they were compelled to cross and recross the river several times owing to the bluffs and windings and were thus wet to the skin, though elated at their thrilling experience and success. Captain Englesby suffered a slight wound. After the engagement the men were allowed to bivouac, build fires, wash off the mud and dry their clothing. Major Howard finally reported to Colonel Frost about 9 o'clock at night. The wagon supply train was lost, but was safe in the woods miles back. Ponies brought up the supplies, as before stated. The losses during this thrilling and memorable day were as follows: Wounded-C. H. Englesby, Company H; Fred W. Barber and Warren E. Crozier, Company I; Herman A. Pratt, Company F; Fred C. Lorencen, Company L; Arne Hanges, Company K; George Benson, Company C; Allen Myers, Company L; Byron F. Hastings, Company E. Thus during two days the men had marched more than thirty miles, had skirmished continually, had gone nearly the whole time without food and with little fresh water, but had shown their mettle in every attack and their endurance in the exhausting march under the hot sun. And they were ready for more.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 59

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146