" Headquarters 28th Regiment Infantry U. S. Vol.
Perez Das Marinas P.I. Jan 9th, 1900

Assistant Adjutant General,
Wheaton's Expeditionary Brigade,
Perez Das Marinas P.I.

Sir,
I have the honor to report that at 6 a.m. the 7th instant the force under my command consisting of the First Battalion, scouts of the 28 and a detachment of the hospital corer 28th Regiment infantry, U.S. Vols., and one section of Battery "F" 5th Artillery, proceeded towards Noraleta P.I. on a reconnaissance under orders to make contact with the enemy at "long range" deceive them into thinking that the main attack was to be along that road and having accomplished this, retire to my camp to Binacaina.
I had every disposition to carry out these orders to the letter and in this spirit, but I also appreciated from the first that having encountered the enemy it would depend a great deal upon his conduct as to what the result would be. The Battalion of the 28th Vol. 4 companies, numbered 423, hospital corps 5, section of artillery of about 10 men.
Passing through Cavite Viejo without opposition, the first signs of the enemy were discovered at Barrio de Batamitan between which and Barris de Putol is a Stonebridge over the Mindlot river. On approaching this bridge we were received, when at 500 yards from it by
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a shot that was thought to be schrapnel, but which proved to have been a rocket; this same appliance was frequently used against us. Immediately afterwards musketry fire came from the bridge, which was barricaded, and also from the entrenchments lining the enemys side of the Mindlot river. The Artillery at 300 yards distance opened upon the defenders of the barricade. The scouts were at once put into position, behind a little paddy or dikes or cover, replying to the musketry fire of the insurrectos. The enemy were confident and defiant, cheers arose from their whole line to the left of the bridge. They kept constantly sounding the charge “Viva la Filipino“, arose through out their line. I have witnessed no such spirit on the enemy's part since their mistaken battle of February 5th last. It was evident that we were not to win without a struggle and that the enemy were determined themselves to be the victors.
The cause of all this confidence on their part is now evident. From the body of the killed insurgent commanding affairs after the engagement was taken a detailed map showing the particulars of their entrenchments all joining to show that the whole force defending Cavite Proper as well as along the road we were advancing on, were in front of us. They outnumbered us, overlapped us in our single line, on both flanks were in their chosen entrenched position, and they knew both the strength and the composition of our force this having been noted by them as we marched out. On our right and to the
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right of the road and field piece, companies B. and D 28th Regiment were put into position to subdue if possible the fire from the barricade and the enemies left. Meanwhile anticipating some opposition at this place, Lieut. Col. Leonard, 28th Infantry, with companies A and C had been separated in Cavite Viejo from the column, sent to the left with orders to turn the enemy to the right, by a detour through the rice fields, soon as the latter were reached, the two companies were deployed and advanced against the enemy to their right of the bridge;
after in the engagement became warm in the center and on our right, I looked for the advance of the turning force and sent 2 officers at different times to convey my orders that advance and perform the duty assigned to it. This not having the desired effect I went my self to this position of the field, when I arrived the companies were halted, most of the men laying down, part of them being held in reserve and the whole except reserve discharging shots at several hundred yards distance with the enemy, I immediately ordered the whole line to advance and placing the reserve in the line on the extreme left, took charge there where “A” company proved to be pressed straight to the front. The enemy remained stubbornly in the woods, firing and only gave way when our line was not to exceed 100 yards distance. The contact with “C” company was fairly well maintained on the right of “A” until the latter retired to the thickets and woods. Pressing
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on across Mindlot river, part of the enemy were overlapping our left, were driving off to his right and rear, the others towards the bridge in front of “C” company.
After “A” company had moved past the enemy's line it moved directly towards Novaleta a half mile, when it moved by the right flank to the main road on which we were marching when attacked, the bushes and trees it seemed prevented the center and left of the enemy seeing this turning movement. They were apparently occupied by the attack in front, and as a result “A” company was formed squarely across the main road in the enemy's rear, and in this order closed in on their line. As we arrive within about 100 yards of their lines I became very apprehensive that we might be fired into by our own troops in front, I ordered the men to give three cheers; this served its purpose, but also notified enemy of our presence, they at once broke to their left along their entrenchments, but in doing so were compelled to run a guantlet of musketry fire at "close range", first of "A" company then B and D, the scouts and field piece from the front, "it was a slaughter", 65 dead bodies including that of the Insurrecto Commander, were found within 200 yards of trench. I did not have any of the space occupied by the enemy to their right of the
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bridge gone over to find either dead or wounded, the extreme left during the movement, 9 dead bodies were passed as we moved by their original line.
We had no facilities for taking care of any other save our own wounded, but the surgeon was ordered to apply first aids to these wounded insurrectos who lay near the slaughtering place.
Fighting ceased at 9 a.m. having been in progress for one hour and a half. Recalling my instructions I deemed it my duty having successfully tried conclusions with the enemy, to soon possible retire to my morning camp and thence to Imus with my command; thirty-two stands of small arms were picked up near where so many of the enemy were killed, but the rest of the field was not searched for them.
We lost none killed and had only 8 wounded, none seriously, 2 of these were Light Artillery men, 1 from “B“, 5 from “A” company 28th Infantry. I felt particularly grateful to Major Morgan 28th Infantry, to Capt. Reilly 5th artillery and Lieuts. Terrell and Lyons and Capt. Campbell 28th Infantry, for their conduct so coolly and intelligently displayed under heavy and closely delivered fire; I especially noticed the cheerfulness of Capt. Birkham, commanding company “B” and Crenshaw of company “A” urging their men to exertion and gallant conduct; this was more particularly the case regarding the latter, he led his company in the
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turning movement with conspicuous gallantry. The other officers did not come immediately under my eye so as to particularly attract my attention, but I know from the result that all did their duty. As for the enlisted men, I could not have asked more of them;
Their conduct it truly can be said was worthy of veterans. They had a reputation won on the rifle ranges in of the U.S. for marksmanship and they fully vindicated it on the occasion; Nothing could exceed their soldierly spirit.

Captain C. W. Foster 6th Artillery accompanied the command as a volunteer, I am under obligations to him for service rendered as aide in the field, and also for timely and wise encouragement given the men under a close and galling fire.

Assistant Surgeon Peed, 28th Infantry with the members of the Hospital Corps administered their office for tender relief and mercy to all both friend and as practicable foes alike, where ever suffering called they instantly were found, adorning human nature by their consistency.
Among the mortally wounded was “Ex Private Charles Johnson“, a deserter from the 6th Artillery, who in uniform of Major was found on the field, having expiated his crime at the hands of former companions in arms. The disparity in the casualties on the respective sides to this conflict must strike an casual observer as remarkable, and this all the more so when the situation of the parties is considered. That the enemy should have suffered
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the losses they did was due to their being maneuvered into a trap, but considering their perfectly entrenched position, the undoubted bravery, and tenacity of the personal of the insurrectos there assembled. The small number of our casualties cannot be explained except by conceding that the enemy were very poor marksmen or had bad ammunition or both.
The arms and ammunition taken were turned into the Ordnance office at Imus.

Very Respectfully,
your obedient servant,

William E. Birkhimer
Captain, 3rd Artillery,
Colonel, 28th Regiment Infantry U. S. Vol.
Commanding

This is the retained copy belonging to Colonel Birkhimer himself! In overall fine condition. Some very minor old tape along the edges which affects nothing. This material just never comes on the market anymore. If you like battle content, this is for you!