THE FILIPINO WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 77, 3 April 1899, Page 5

THE FILIPINO WAR.

THE INSURGENTS PLAY THEIR TRUMP CARD.

MANILA STREETS A BATTLE-

FIELD

SANTA CRUZ, TONDO, AND SAN

NICOLAS IN FLAMES.

NIGHT ATTACK ON THE MINNE-

SOTA GUARD

THOUSANDS OF INSURGENTS

HOMELESS.

Captain Ross, of the steamer Egremont Castle, which arrived in Sydney from Manila on Monday last, supplied some detailed" particulars of the sanguinary conflict Avhich took place between the American troops and the Filipinos in consequence of the former attempting to take the city of: Manila, and thereby converting the streets of the place into a battlefield.

The 'Freedom,' Avriting on Saturday, February 25, states that on the previous Wednesday flames broke out in a low portion of the city known as Santa Cruz, Avhere the population is mostly Chinese. Like lightning the flames spread from house to house, kerosene or some other highly inflammable substance having evidently been used, and in a very short time, and before any effective work could be done either by the native brigade or by the insurance companies' volunteer brigade, the fire had obtained complete mastery.

The Minnesota Guards and other soldiers worked manfully, and performed what might,, almost be termed prodigies in their efforts to preserve laAv and order, but the flames Avere continually gaining ground until the Avhole district betAveen Calles, Lacostej Gandara, and Aranque was well ablaze, Then the devilish machinations of the incendiaries began to show themselves again in repeated attempts to cut the hose, but the 'boys' Avere in most cases too strong for them, and two, if not more, met with a short shrift, and their lifeless bodies lying in a side street proved that they had paid the last penalty for their fiendish work. The damage is estimated between 500,000 and .1,000,000 dollars.

'Just about the time that the Santa Cruz fire had been fairly got under control a brilliant glare to the northwestAvard announced that Tondo was the scene of the next conflagration.' When the firemen reached the fire it Avas roaring with the crackling of burning bamboos, and they were greeted with the 'ping, ping' of Mauser bullets.

In the meantime 20 or so men of the Minnesotas under Captain Robinson in the outpost quarters were having a desperate time of it. Just as the fire broke out at Tondo a sharp fusillade commenced all round the outposts' house, the bullets whistling through it in all directions. The Minnesotas returned the fire with interest, but that they were in an unenviable position Avas shown by the fact that the house Avas riddled through and through with bullets. The insurgents came right up to the gate. Captain Robinson Avhilst gallantly leading his men to the gate was hit in the lip Avith a. bullet, whilst Sergeant Shepherd, Private Wooding, and Private Galvin receiA'ed serious wounds. Eventually the fire of the Minnesotas di-ove off the insurgents. '

i Whilst the Tondo hot bed was wafti ing heavenwards in sheets of flames, and whilst the 13th Minnesota men were fighting for their lives, the fire fiends got to Avork in the San Nicolas quarter. It was a plague spot, and was swept off the face of the city. The United States soldiers, found it necessary to use their rifles, and many Filipinos bit the dust. On the following (Thursday) morning the brave outpost of Minnesota riflemen Avere reinforced by the M Company, Avhich drove the rebels into a swamp before returning to the bulletriddled house. The company then went to Tondo to clear out the hornets' nest there. The rebels had put up breastworks, and required a sharp fire before they were dislodged. Some of them Avore uniforms, some Avere old and bent, and some were mere 'boys. During the firing a British resi- | dent named Curtis, employed as an' ; engineer in a cotton mill, was shot and killed. Another employee named Simpson Avas shot in the stomach. A member of A Company Rifles who was on the sick list, but would go out and fight, was killed. The Montanas riflemen fought bravely, Lieutenant French was shot through the heart. The 23rd Regiment had two men killed and several wounded. The riflemen had to fight hard in repelling several massed attacks by the Filipinos. MANILA, April 1. Aguinaldo is retreating to the mountains. The Americans will not pursue him till the rainy season is over. ■-