he Seventeenth Regular Infantry and a
battalion of the Ninth Infantry advanced up the Rio Grande from Calumpit
over the old Apilit road under the leadership of Major Kobbe of the
Third United States Artillery. Early the next morning the "Laguna de
Bay" and "Cavadonga" started up the river and most of the way kept
within view of the troops on the shore. Occasionally the gunboats moved
ahead and daring scouts could be seen calmly looking into vacated
Filipino intrenchments. The enemy was encountered several times along
the shore as far as San Luiz and all intrenchments were bombarded by the
"Laguna de Bay" some distance to prevent a repetition of the disastrous
surprise of the day before. When San Luiz was neared white flags could
be seen floating everywhere, and on arriving there it was discovered
that the whole body of insurgents had disappeared into the interior. The
boats remained at this position during the night, and early the next
morning resumed the advance ahead of the infantry up the waters of the
Pampanga. During this journey large numbers of Filipinos were met in
cascos with their families and all their earthly possessions, making
their way down the stream. About noon the boats reached Candaba without
a hostile shot having been fired during the whole day. Here Major Grant
was met by the Mayor of the city, who stated that he had forced the
soldiers to evacuate in order to prevent the bombardment of the town and
the subsequent loss of life among the people of whom he was guardian. An
evidence of the hasty departure of the natives was found upon entering
the town, for a guard list giving the names of the officers and
enlisted men of the guard was found posted on the walls of the town
hall.
This ended the fighting record of the gunboats under a Utah commander.
From this period until June 24th the boats were utilized in carrying
supplies and towing soldiers, laden cascos and wounded men up and down
the Pampanga. On May 24th the rebel commissioners, General Gregoria del
Pilar and Colonel Actia, who had gone to Manila to negotiate peace with
General Otis after the crushing defeat of the insurgents at Calumpit,
were taken on the gunboats and conveyed as far as Candaba. They had
expressed a wish to go by way of the gunboats, as they had no desire to
cross the insurgents' lines at San Fernando because General Luna was in
command at that place and there was strife between the two Generals.
Pilar showed great interest in
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