Page 373 374 374 375 376 376 378 APPENDIX 43. Report of Lieut. Charles H. Paine, Thirteenth Infantry HQRS. FIRST DIVISION, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. 378 379 380 381 384 385 SIR: I have the honor to submit the following complete report of an expedition to the province of Cavite during the month of June, 1899: As contemplated by division orders, which required the command to be held in a constant state of preparedness, six Chinese coolies were allowed each battery, company, and troop for this expedition, no pack mules being available and wheel transportation being impracticable. In obedience to verbal orders from the division commander, under verbal instructions from the department commander, the followingnamed organizations were concentrated at San Pedro Macati during the evening of June 9 and organized into two provisional brigades as indicated: FIRST PROVISIONAL BRIGADE. Ninth U. S. Infantry (Companies B, C, D, E, I, K, L, and M), Capt. J. A. Baldwin, commanding. Twenty-first U. S. Infantry (Companies B, C, D, F, H, I, K, and L), Maj. W. H. Boyle, commanding. First Colorado Volunteer Infantry (Companies B, D, E, F, I, and M), Col. H. B. McCoy, commanding. Nevada Volunteer Cavalry, Troop A, dismounted, Capt. F. M. Linscott, commanding. Artillery: Two mountain Hotchkiss 1.65-inch guns, Light Battery E, First U. S. Artillery; two field guns, 3.2-inch, Light Battery D, Sixth U. S. Artillery, and two mountain Hotchkiss 3-inch guns, Separate Mountain Battery; Second Lieut. E. D. Scott, Sixth U. S. Artillery, commanding. Strength of brigade, about 2,000 men. SECOND PROVISIONAL BRIGADE. Twelfth U. S. Infantry (Companies L and M), Capt. C. H. Barth, commanding. Fourteenth U. S. Infantry (Companies A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, and M), Maj. L. A. Matile, commanding. Artillery: Two mountain Hotchkiss 1.65-inch guns, Light Battery E, First Ù. S. Artillery; two field 3.2-inch guns, Light Battery D, Sixth U. S. Artillery, and two mountain Hotchkiss 3-inch guns, Separate Mountain Battery; First Lieut. W. L. Kenly, First Artillery, commanding. Brig. Gen. Loyd Wheaton, U. S. V., who had reported for duty with the expedition, commanded the First Provisional Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Samuel Ovenshine, U. S. V., commanding Second Brigade of this division, commanded the Second Provisional Brigade. The plan and order of march as given to brigade commanders on the night of June 9 (see accompanying route sketch) were as follows: General Wheaton's brigade was to march at 4.30 a. m., take the Muntinlupa trail and move nearly due south. General Ovenshine's brigade was to immediately follow and, if the trail or country was practicable, move up abreast and on the right flank of Wheaton. This double column if not checked was to advance southward and penetrate the enemy's lines until about opposite Las Pinas, when Ovenshine was to move to his right and to the rear of Las Pinas, taking the enemy and his intrenchments in reverse. At the same time Wheaton was to move to the left, marching southeastward, turning the enemy in toward the lake, inflicting all possible damage, then to continue on south to Muntinlupa. Orders had been sent to Morong to Second Lieut. Thomas Franklin, Twenty-third Infantry, commanding U. S. A. gunboat Napindan, to proceed on the morning of June 10 to the west shore of the lake (Laguna de Bay) opposite Paranaque, keeping a lookout for the enemy retiring or escaping along that line, and to destroy as many as possible. The Fourteenth Infantry scouts, under the command of Second Lieut. W. C. Geiger, of that regiment, Maj. C. G. Starr of the division staff accompanying, were ordered to precede the troops. About 4.30 a. m. June 10 the division commander, accompanied by most of his staff, left San Pedro Macati for our outpost on Guadalupe Ridge, 2 miles south, where a battalion of the Twelfth U. S. Infantry was stationed (see route sketch). After reconnoitering the front beyond this outpost, the Fourteenth Infantry scouts were deployed and advanced a little east of south to gain touch with the enemy. Shortly afterwards Wheaton's brigade arrived with the Colorados deployed in the lead. It was noticed that Ovenshine's brigade was behind Wheaton's and in column of fours. The character of the country, trails, and resistance met, together with the fact, uncontemplated, that Ovenshine became subsequently engaged with the enemy on his right, prevented the parallel-column advance intended. Wheaton continued his movement southward as planned. When about 2 miles out the enemy was encountered in trenches and not only routed but dispersed by a skillfully conducted attack, in which artillery participated. This was repeated about 2 miles farther south, after which, changing direction to the right, still another fortified position was taken from the enemy, who, in retreating toward Paranaque, was subjected to our fire until beyond range. The operations of this brigade had been thus far under the personal observation of the division commander. General Wheaton's gallantry, effective and skillful control of his command, and brilliant conduct of these movements are worthy of the most substantial recognition. A short halt was now (about 10.30 a. m.) authorized for this brigade, and the division commander, hearing firing on the right, went with |