n of him could be seen. He was heavily laden with
revolver, belt and ammunition. Lieutenant Larson jumped overboard to
rescue him, but was unable to get even a glimpse of him. His body was
found two days later near General Otis's headquarters. The fourth man
escaped by swimming ashore.
By order of the Commanding General February 16th, Major Grant took
command of the river force and Captain Randolph rejoined his regiment.
The next day an assiduous fire was directed against San Pedro Macati
with telling effect.
The commanders now decided that in case the forces stationed at
Guadaloupe should be too strongly pressed by the enemy they should fall
back to San Pedro Macati, setting fire to the convent and other
principal buildings as they returned. In this instance the gunboat was
to steam up above Guadaloupe. On Sunday, February 19th, this very thing
was done though the insurgents as yet had made no advance. The soldiers
left the convent after firing it. As the gunboat moved up the stream she
met with a determined resistance. The opposing force repeatedly assailed
her, but her Gatlings finally compelled them to withdraw. An
unsuccessful effort was made to explode a quantity of nitro-glycerine in
the convent by the use of percussion shell. The boat then advanced
nearer the town where it engaged the insurgents on both sides of the
river. Every gun now played upon the enemy's lines. In the course of
twenty minutes twenty-five three-inch shells, 4200 Gatling, 1500
Krag-Jorgenson and 800 Springfields were expended. This spirited defense
caused the prudent native to withdraw to a country less subject to
leaden bullets, and the boat dropped down stream. In the afternoon
Admiral Dewey visited the "Laguna de Bay" in quest of information, and
while he was securing what he came after a Filipino sharpshooter began
taking pot shots at the Admiral, who, being unprotected, decided he was
far enough inside the enemy's lines and turned back.
At San Felipe Lieutenant Naylor was sent ashore on the following day to
cut down some trees and burn some huts so the view of the boats' gunners
would not be obstructed, which duty was performed under a straggling
fire.
Admiral Dewey visited the gunboats on the 21st, stating he would send
two rapid-fire guns for the "Laguna de Bay." That was the object of his
visit, which was short. The same day General King and his staff came
aboard and were taken up the stream. Word was soon afterward received
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