The Battle of Bayan and Other BattlesAllen, James Edgar
History
The Battle of Bayan and Other Battles
Allen, James Edgar
Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946; United States. Army -- History
At last the big fight was over. After nearly twenty-four hours of
continual 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 appeared the next morning after the
battle. 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 gruesome task of burying the dead began, and
continued throughout the day, and by nightfall of May 3d the Battle of
Bayan was over and passed, but I cannot 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.)
To receive praise for work accomplished, no matter in what form, is
certainly pleasing 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 struggling along almost
indefinitely at a certain task, and finally accomplishing it with
overwhelming success, he is commended by anxious relatives and friends,
usually the height of his ambition has been reached.
But to be especially commended and congratulated for his achievements,
and by his superior officers and his commander-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
exhibits exceptional bravery, and is almost overwhelmingly besieged with
letters of congratulation and praise, he has received 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
Washington 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 2d day of May, 1902.
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.
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