100 rounds of Remington ammunition. On the 6th, Capt. Perkins and a detachment of the Signal Corps, escorted by a company of infantry, commenced recovering the Bustos-Angat-Bocaue telegraph line.

A MYTHICAL INSURGENT ARMY.

At this time information was received from Corps Headquarters, that Gens. Geronimo with 3000 troops at San Mateo, and Pio del Pilar with 2000 at Antipolo, were reported as having received instructions from Aguinaldo, to proceed with their united forces by a mountain road to Norzagaray and Angat, for the purpose of cooperating against this expedition, and cutting off our communication with the base of supply, evidently thinking our route of supply was via Angat. The reported line of advance of this large force was Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael and Bustos. Caution was ordered to watch with scouting parties the country to the eastward. To these instructions, reply was made, that the mounted troop of cavalry would be on the hills southeast of Norzagaray, on the San Jose Road, from which they can view the country for miles around, and that a company of infantry was at Angat, and that three would be sent to San Rafael to watch for the enemy. Col. Summers at Maasim, and the command at Quingua, were similarly instructed. Request was made for authority to advance Col. Summers, driving out the enemy from San Ildefonso, and to threaten San Miguel. Reply was received from the Corps Commander, that it was "not prudent to advance Summers north until the reported movement of insurgents from the south developed," and that his command should be held in readiness to unite with the troops at Baliuag in crushing force on this large body of insurgents, should they appear.

From Col. Summers, it was learned that the enemy, who still continued on his front, were reported by a captured spy to be about 2000 strong, and that at San Miguel, they had two large pieces of ordnance. Col. Summers also reported that the parties from his command had just destroyed 3500 bushels and 644 sacks of rice, 15 bells of sugar, and as many gallons of syrup, within a radius of two and one-half miles from Maasim.

Reports were received of the destruction of quantities of military stores by Young's scouts in the country northeast of Maasim. These scouts also reported the killing of an insurgent officer and the capture of his mount, an excellent one. A CIVIL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED AT BALIUAG.

On May 6th, large numbers of the inhabitants having returned to their homes in Baliuag, a meeting, by permission of the Division Commander, was held in the public square or plaza, for the purpose of electing a Mayor or Capitan Municipal,

who might administer the civil affairs of the town, and epresent its civil population in its official business with the military forces occupying it. Señor Francisco Guerrero was the unanimous choice of the people, and on the following day was announced in Spanish, English and Tagalog, as Mayor of Baliuag, and given authority to select and appoint such assistants as might be necessary, no responsibility for salaries or compensation of these civil officers to devolve on the United States government.

A party of twenty-five insurgents was reported to have been seen in the vicinity of Norzagaray, and supposed to belong to a force of some two or three companies scattered through the mountains to the northeast of that place, and that they were foraging for food. Young's scouts were ordered to search for the enemy through the foothills east of Norzagaray, and southward toward San Jose, co-operating with the mounted troop.

From an insurgent officer, captured by the mounted troop, it was learned that four or five miles to the northeast, in the mountains, there were four or five companies of insurgents, and from captives it was learned that two days' march to the northeast there were insurgents in large numbers, but nothing could be learned of the large force under Gens. Geronimo and Pilar. Maj. Fraine, commanding North Dakota Battalion, along the river, in the vicinity of San Rafael, reported that, with the exception of a force of 150 some four miles away, traveling northward, his scouts had not been able to discover any body of insurgents. He also reported that from natives it was learned that the hospital and cartridge factory had been moved by the insurgents from San Miguel to San Isidro. He also stated that he had about 20,000 bushels of rice under guard in warehouses.

Capt. Case, Acting Engineer Officer, was sent to Maasim, and reconnoitered the lines of the enemy for the purpose of sketching their fortifications, which he did on the 8th inst., under the fire of the enemy, accompanied by a portion of Col. Summers' command. Our casualties were Maj. A. W. Diggles, commanding 13th Minnesotas, seriously wounded in the head, and one enlisted man, 2d Oregons, slightly wounded. Shortly after noon, on the 9th, the Corps Commander authorized the withdrawal of the scouting parties which had been searching in vain for the San Mateo and Antipolo insurgent column. Much difficulty was experienced by the Quartermaster Department in bringing up supplies from Malolos. The acting engineer officer devoted considerable time and effort toward making a satisfactory ferry or ford, over the river at Quingua. While the command remained at Baliuag, practically the whole time was occupied

by the transportation in bringing up rations, ammunition and quartermaster's supplies. The roads were in a passable condition, and the river at Quingua falling slowly; but a heavy rain would render the roads, through a low, swampy country, too muddy for wagons, and the river too deep to be forded, and too swift for safe ferriage.

EXTENSIVE RECONNOISSANCE MADE.

Being still dissatisfied with the results of the reconnoissances made at San Ildefonso, and anticipating that any day might bring favorable answers to Gen. Lawton's repeated request to make an advance on San Miguel, on the 11th of May, Young's scouts were ordered to report to Col. Summers. Capts. Birkhimer and Case were sent to Maasim to thoroughly reconnoiter the enemy in Summers' front. Capt. Birkhimer was especially directed to look up good artillery positions. These officers were advised to confer with Col. Summers and request of him such aid, including the use of the scouts, as was proper. The enemy's right and left were to be investigated, but especially the roads to the enemy's left and rear, (San Miguel way) with a view to a turning movement and subsequent advance on San Miguel.

A CONCERTED MOVEMENT PLANNED.

Information was received from Corps Headquarters that the command should be prepared for a forward move on the 14th inst., and be rationed to include the 25th; that a battalion of the 17th would be sent Saturday to join the command; that Gen. MacArthur and the gunboats on the Rio Grande would be ready to advance on Monday; that the movement would be by San Ildefonso and San Miguel; and that Gen. MacArthur could join Gen. Lawton at the latter place if found necessary.

Information was also received that one gun of Battery D, 6th Art., would be sent by Gen. MacArthur, with two companies of the 3d Inf., from Calumpit to join at Baliuag; and that three guns of Light Battery E, 3d Art., would be sent to join the command.

Word was received from Capt. Birkhimer that he and Capt. Case, with Young's scouts, and eighty-four men, under Maj. Eastwick, of the Oregons, had flanked and routed the enemy about noon from their trenches in front of San Ildefonso and pursued them until they had fallen back to a point some three miles from San Ildefonso toward San Miguel; and also that 2d Lieut. Perfort Reyes, of the insurgent army, with an orderly, had come into our lines under a flag of truce, with request from Gen. Gregorio del Pilar for safe conduct to Manila for the purpose of arranging with the military authorities there for a conference of the representatives of the so-called Filipino government with the United States Peace Commissioners. The mission of the insurgent officer and our occupation of San Ildefonso was immediately reported to Corps Headquarters with the remark that Capts. Birkhimer and Case were sent to make reconnoissance, and it was not intended to make any advance. Our casualties were, one scout wounded in knee. Insurgent loss, four killed and six or more wounded, including one officer.

Instructions were received to have Col. Summers occupy San Ildefonso, leaving the 3d Inf. at Maasim; and to send in the insurgent officer to Corps Headquarters. Lieut. Reyes was promptly brought in, and was accompanied from

Baliuag by Capt. Sewell, Aide-de-camp, going to Malolos by horseback, and from there by rail to Manila, and reporting to the Corps Commander, who, after receiving him, gave Capt. Sewell written instructions for the Division Commander to make the necessary arrangements for Gen. Pilar's visit to Manila. Capt. Sewell and the representative of Gen. Pilar immediately returned by the same route they pursued in going in. Lieut. E. L. King, 8th U. S. Cav., Aide-de-camp, escorted the Filipinos through our lines.

REMARKABLE GALLANTRY OF YOUNG'S SCOUTS.

When Capts. Birkhimer and Case arrived at San Ildefonso they requested, and were granted, two companies as a reconnoitering force. They first went to the right of the line, and there found Young's scouts, who had preceded them, heavily engaged, or rather by their tactics, drawing a heavy and continued fire from the insurgents, and only returning a shot when a good target presented itself.

The enemy's line was thus well developed and was conservatively estimated at about 500 men, who wasted about 7000 rounds of ammunition. The scouts were then sent to the left of the enemy's line with directions to the commanding officer of the supporting battalion to make quite a detour, and keep themselves entirely concealed. The scouts finally took position on a knoll that commanded the enemy's left. A heavy fire was at once opened on them. Range flags, as well as the fact that all bullets struck dangerously close, showed that ranges had been carefully measured. The enemy could easily see and count on this hill our forces, which consisted of the scouts and Capts. Birkhimer and Case, in all less than twenty men. Their courage accordingly increased, in spite of the deadly aim of the scouts, and it appeared that the latter would soon be surrounded. Messengers were sent to tell Maj. Eastwick, but finally Capt. Case was successful in finding him, and the battalion hurried gallantly to the rescue. As soon as the insurgents saw this supporting force, although only eighty-four men, they faltered and fell back,

closely pressed, and finally fled and evacuated the town. This heroic act of the men on that knoll was to be duplicated, if not excelled, on the following day. A list of the scouts selected by Chief Young and detailed by special field orders follows, as their achievements up to this time had already made the list an honor roll: Fourth U. S. Cav.-Privates Eli L. Watkins, Troop C; S. Harris, Troop G; Peter Quinn, Troop L. First North Dakota Volunteer Inf.-Corp. W. F. Thomas, Company K; Privates A. Jensen, Company D; D. Powell, Company H; J. H. Illion, Company H; J. C. Smith, Company K; P. Hussey, Company K; Christiansen, Company G; Charles Davis, Company G; F. Andres, Company B; C. M. Luthur, Company B; McBain, Company B; Sletteland, Company C; M. Glasley, Company A; C. Wilson, Company A; J. R. Desmond, Company I; Otto Boehler, Company I. Second Oregon Volunteer Inf.-Privates Jas. Harrington, Company G; F. High, Company G; W. Scott, Company K; J. B. Oneal, Company L; E. C. Lyon, Company B; M. Robertson, Company B.

Lieut. Reyes, the insurgent officer who entered the lines, reported that their losses that day were twenty-five killed, including his Captain and 1st Lieutenant, and about forty wounded, and also that the charge was blown three times without results against that small body of men on the knoll.

Telegraphic information was received on the 12th, from Corps Headquarters, that it was contemplated sending the entire 17th Inf., and one battalion of the 9th Inf., also part of Andrews' Light Battery, with three mountain guns, as an independent column, on Candaba, with the gunboats. It was stated that junction with this column could be made by this command at San Miguel, or on the river south of San Isidro.

Suggestion was made that a detachment be left at Baliuag, as the town is an important produce mart, seven roads centering there, and the large quantities of rice and sugar enough for six months' supply for the insurgent army, left by the insurgents, showing in part, the amount brought to that place for shipment to market. Its strategic value is also great.

telegraphed from San IldeShortly afterwards informa

Early in the afternoon of May 13th, Capt. Case fonse that San Miguel was being held by our forces. tion was received from Capt. Birkhimer, stating that the scouts, supported by

May 13th, with a loss of one enlisted man, 13th Minnesota, seriously wounded. Insurgent loss, three killed and several wounded, including two officers. Our force was 118 strong; the insurgents under Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, were reported