after the trail led over steep ridges and across or along the beds of mountain streams from knee-deep to breast-high. Many of the ridges were climbed only to be descended immediately on the opposite side on the roots of trees, much like ladder climbing, it being frequently necessary to use the hands in ascending and descending. The forest is dense and the trees of enormous size and probably of great mercantile value. Among the obstacles met on the trail were innumerable vines and creepers, many of them thorny, which impeded the men in climbing, tearing flesh as well as clothing, and the natural difficulties of the ground were increased by the rain, which fell almost incessantly for four days and three nights. At times it was impossible to make a fire or to keep it alive. For the first five days there was no dry clothing in the command. The trail is obscure, although the trees are blazed in many places, and it is doubtful if any of the command could again follow it without a guide. Mountain leeches are among the pests to be encountered. Several collections of huts, prepared as barracks, were found, some of them showing signs of recent occupation, but no enemy was seen. On the morning of the 8th instant, supposing we could not be far from the Tinuan River, I detached the battalion of the Thirty-seventh Infantry, with the troop of the Philippine cavalry, Colonel Cheatham commanding the detachment, to push on and seize the crossing, if resistance was met, and if the enemy was not encountered to continue the march, open communication with the army transport and any vessel believed to be awaiting our arrival in Puerto Real, and, taking the two companies of the Second U. S. Infantry from the transport, to capture Binangonan. I followed with the remainder of the column a few hours behind this detachment. Colonel Cheatham found no enemy at the river, which at the point of crossing is about 44 feet deep and some 60 yards wide, with a rapid current and bowlder bottom. It is about 6 miles from the end of the trail and the beach. Colonel Cheatham thoroughly executed the instructions given him and occupied Binangonan without opposition about 6 p. m. on the 9th instant. The main column reached the beach at 2.45 p. m. on the same day, and several of the men who had succumbed to the hardships of the march were placed on the transport Garonne. The U. S. S. Yorktown was lying near by in the Puerto Real. On the 10th the battalion of the Thirty-seventh Infantry and the troop of the Philippine cavalry were recalled from Binangonan, and with the two companies of the Second Infantry were embarked on the Garonne, leaving the two companies of the Eighth Infantry ashore with 11 ponies which with great difficulty had been brought over the trail. Headquarters of the expedition were also established on the Garonne. On October 12 the Garonne, following the U. S. S. Yorktown, proceeded to Polillo for the reconnoissance required by the department commander's instructions. The town was reached about 10 a. m. and a party sent ashore to take possession. No opposition was made to the landing, but on the contrary the natives seemed, on the surface, to be hospitably disposed. The presidente, Augustine Pumurada, came aboard the Garonne to pay his respects to me, and brought assurances that all was quiet and peaceful. Later in the day I myself visited Polillo and found it to be neat and clean, streets broad, houses well built and kept. The presidente informed me that he had been elected by the people to his office, which he had held for two years, and that when the ships came in sight all the inhabitants desired to abandon the town, but that he persuaded them to remain. But in his house were observed the Philippine coat of arms and the badge of the Katipunan society, conspicuously painted, so that it is not probable that his repeated protestations of admiration of and friendship for the Americans are of much value. He was told, however, that he would be continued in office on condition that he maintain order among his people and prevent aid and comfort to the enemy. Polillo is the only town on the island. Several small barrios exist, but they are said to be settlements of no importance, and were not visited. The island is mountainous, and said to abound with game, principally deer and wild hogs. It is also reported that coal, although of an inferior quality, is also found on the island. No evidence of contraband trade was found, although a schooner with hemp was at the landing with a permit from the commanding officer of Atimonan to trade in the vicinity of that place. She was taken possession of by the Yorktown, and loaned to us to assist in transporting stores to Binangonan, and later towed by the Garonne to Mauban, where she was delivered to the collector of customs. The landing at Polillo is difficult of approach, there being coral reefs and isolated humps, none of which are on the charts. In going in the Garonne struck a reef at 10.25 a. m., which held her fast till 8.10 p. m., when the tide floated her off, and in coming out, on the 13th instant, she again struck at 11.30 a. m., and remained fast till 7.45 p. m. In both cases the Yorktown attempted to pull her off, but unsuccessfully. In the last case the heavy wire cable became entangled in the Garonne's pro peller, and was not released until 8.30 a. m. on the 15th instant, about forty-1 hours later. The Garonne and the Yorktown reached the anchorage at Puerto 1 at 6.30 p. m. on this date, and immediately began the shipment of supplies to the companies of the Second U. S. Infantry, under Captain Fremont, designated for garrison of Binangonan. This work continued until late on the 19th, without c tion, except that on the morning of the 17th instant a reconnoissance was made both ships of the Santa Monica landing to ascertain if the stores could not be n expeditiously transferred on that side of the town, but it was apparent that the he surf rendered this impossible. The commanding officer of the Yorktown kindly loa us, for a time, the steam launch and three boats of that ship, and thus gave us valuable assistance in this duty. During Colonel Cheatham's occupancy of Binangonan, on the 10th instant, gui by a native, he found the steamer Antonio, which had been captured by the in gents, and then lay hidden in one of the innumerable estuaries east of the to She was reported to be in seemingly serviceable condition, with machinery in but all the furniture and fittings had been removed. She was later taken posses of by the Yorktown. On the 20th instant the two companies of the Eighth Infantry and the coolies ashore were embarked, and the 11 ponies were transferred to the quartermaste Binangonan, there being no facilities on the Garonne for carrying these latte Manila. At 6 a. m, on the 21st the Garonne got under way and reached an ancho off Mauban at 10.20 a. m. From that point I telegraphed a brief report to dep ment headquarters, and the sailing master of the Garonne then decided tha needed more daylight than was now available for further navigation along the c The ship was therefore held until 5.30 a. m. on the 22d instant, when she was a put in motion, and without further incident dropped anchor in Manila Bay at p. m. on the 24th, whence the troops were dispatched to their respective station I invite attention, for further details of the expedition, to the accompanying rep of the respective commanding officers of the battalion of the Thirty-seventh Infar U. S. V.; of the Second and the Eighth U. S. Infantry, and of the troop of Philippine cavalry; to the report of the senior medical officer of the column, an the report of the officer who had the general supervision of the coolies. Attention is also invited to the notes on the trail, and the notes on Polillo, to map of the country near Binangonan, and to the plan of the town of Polillo, w were prepared by Capt. A. H. Brown, Fourth U. S. Infantry, the adjutant-ger of the expedition. If the purpose of the garrison at Binangonan is to prevent contraband trade exterior country to the inhabited provinces of Luzon, I am of the opinion that garrison is powerless to prevent it, as it is quite 17 miles from the eastern entran the trail traversed by the expedition, this trail being the only means of exit by: from the province of Infanta. I believe, moreover, that rumors which have reac me of the great traffic over this trail have been exaggerated, because the natu the trail precludes the possibility of trade of any importance. The garrison Mabitac and Siniloan with their scouting parties could better prevent such trade 1 could the garrison at Binangonan. I think, however, that the moral effect on enemy of the presence of the force at Binangonan, which it is understood he pronounced to be inaccessible to us, will be wholesome in high degree, and from point of view I recommend that it be maintained at least for some months. For arduous and valuable services cheerfully rendered under most dishearte conditions, I record my thanks as due to my aids, First Lieuts. H. W. French, Se teenth U. S. Infantry, and H. S. Howland, Thirteenth U. S. Infantry; to Capt. A Brown, Fourth U. S. Infantry, adjutant-general of the command; to First La Leigh A. Fuller, assistant surgeon U. S. A., the senior medical officer; and to Sec Lieut. H. R. Casey, Thirty-ninth Infantry, U. S. V., on special duty with the h quarters of the column. The officers and men of the command in general bore t hardships and privations uncomplainingly. Very respectfully, ROBT. H. HALL, Brigadier-General, U. S. V., Commandin [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHERN LUZON, Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant-general, Division of the Philippines. I do not think it advisable to long maintain a garrison at Binangonan. Atten is invited to General Hall's remarks on that subject. J. C. BATES, Major-General, U. S. V., Commandin [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THe Philippines, Manila, P. I., November 14, 1900. Respectfully referred to the chief engineer officer of the division, who will please prepare such a map as may be possible from the sketches and notes herewith, in conjunction with any other data he may have, for the information of the division commander. Papers to be returned promptly. [Third indorsement.] S. D. STURGIS, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respectfully returned to the adjutant-general, Division of the Philippines. GEO. A. ZINN, Captain, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., Acting Chief Engineer of the Division. [Fourth indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Manila, P. I., December 5, 1900. Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army. This expedition was undertaken in accordance with instructions from these headquarters, contained in letter accompanying this indorsement. ARTHUR MACARTHUR, Major-General, U. S. V., Commanding. No. 11a. HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE Philippines, COMMANDING GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN LUZON, Manila, P. I. SIR: The division commander directs me to inclose an official copy of a letter to the commanding general, Department of Southern Luzon, and request you to confer with General Bates in the premises and arrange for any cooperation during the movement ordered as may be possible under the circumstances. Very respectfully, M. BARBER, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINES, COMMANDING GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHERN LUZON, Manila, P. I. SIR: The division commander directs that you organize an expedition for the occupation of Binangonan, province of Infanta, to consist of not less than 600 United States soldiers and one company of Macabebe scouts, which has been ordered to report to you from the Department of Northern Luzon. All necessary authority is given you for the execution of details and you are further authorized to make all expenditures necessary in the premises, especially so for the employment of litter bearers, burden bearers, and such other help of any kind as can be employed to advantage, as it is presumed that it will be impossible for wheeled vehicles, and perhaps not even a pack train, to accompany the expedition. The division commander desires that the most liberal provisions be made in this way, so as to relieve the soldiers of every possible burden except marching and fighting. The chief quartermaster has been directed to place a transport at your disposal to carry supplies to meet the expedition at Binangonan, and to carry two companies of troops for such work in cooperation with the main expedition as may be suggested by circumstances. |