The Inhabitants of the PhilippinesSawyer, Frederic H.
History
The Inhabitants of the Philippines
Sawyer, Frederic H.
Ethnology -- Philippines; Philippines -- Social life and customs
Having previously made a practicable road by Almansa to Presa Molino
and Salitran, defended by redoubts at the most difficult fords,
and having organised his transport with such means as the country
afforded, Lachambre again set out, his objective being Imus, but the
attack was to be from Salitran.
The work of the native engineer soldiers, and of the 74th Native
Regiment in constructing this road and the redoubts, merits the
highest praise, and it must be admitted that it is almost impossible
for an army of white men to carry on a campaign in the Philippines
or in similar territory, without the assistance of native pioneer or
engineer troops.
The road being ready, and the convoys of provisions having gone
forward, on the morning of the 22nd March the division started on
its march to Salitran, where it arrived on the evening of the 23rd,
having had some sharp skirmishes on the way.
Early on the 24th the division set out for Imus, and once more the
formidable trenches and redoubts of Anabo II., restored, strengthened,
and crowded with determined defenders, barred their path. These works
had once already been taken by assault, and had cost the division
the loss of the brave General Zabala and other officers and men.
Protected on each flank by a deep ravine with a river at the bottom,
and with open ground in front, the attack had been rendered more
difficult by flooding the arable land before the trenches, and the
position of the rebels was an exceedingly strong one. Lachambre had
to accept a direct attack, but he sent a body of troops forward on
each flank to advance simultaneously and overlap the ends of the
entrenchment.
The infantry deployed, the firing line advanced under fire without
stopping to within three hundred yards of the parapet, when
they halted, taking what cover they could and keeping up a steady
fire. Then the mountain battery was brought up and fired common shell
at close range, breaching the parapet. A rush forward soon brought
the firing-line within 150 yards of the parapet. General Marina,
watching the engagement well to the front, had one of his staff
officers killed at his side; seeing the favourable moment arrive,
he gave the order for the assault.
Once more the troops exhibited their conspicuous bravery. The long
line, led by its officers, dashed forward with the bayonet, the
bugles sounding the charge, and with impetuous speed, soon reached
the parapet. However terrible the attack, the stout-hearted Tagals
stood firm, disdaining to fly.
Bolo and bayonet clashed, European courage and Malay fury had full
play, till in the end, as ever in equal numbers and in stand-up fight,
the European prevailed. Many of the defenders fell, the rest sought
safety in flight.
The engagement lasted two and a half hours without cessation, and
over three hundred rebel dead were counted in or near the works,
amongst them was Crispulo Aguinaldo, a brother of General Emilio
Aguinaldo. The Spaniards lost 9 killed and 108 wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account