DIOCNO LETTER, OCTOBER 28, 1899

Exhibit 1276.

[Original in Spanish. Contemporary copy. P.I.R., 881.1.]

SANTA BARBARA, October 28, 1899.

(Seal) Expeditionary Brigade, General Headquarters.

The Commanding General-in-Chief of the Forces of this Island sent on this date, the following communication to Roque Lopez Commander-in-Chief of the Zone of Pavia, and Pedro Darroca, Chief of Camp San Miguel:

"Whereas it is probable that the enemy will shortly make a decided forward move; and to the end of avoiding disagreeable events and making up the deficiencies that naturally result from the present unorganized condition of all our forces, as immediate General-Superior Chief of the Brigade I order the following:

1. The Zone of Pavia is hereby divided into two Camps, to wit: Sambag and Balantang. Camp Sambag is sub-divided into four posts; Sambag shall be the principal post: the others, Jibaon, Ungra and Tacas. Camp Balantang is sub-divided, also, into four posts, to wit: Balantang is the principal post; the others are Ticod, Bitoon and Balagon.

2. Agustin Solis is hereby appointed Commanding Chief of the first Camp, and Quintin Salas Commanding Chief of the second Camp; and these officers shall appoint their post commanders, who also shall be officers.

3. The Chiefs of Camps shall report to you any news or incident that may occur during engagements, and you in your turn shall report the same to me, my Headquarters being established for this purpose in the Military Plaza of Santa Barbara.

4. Post Commanders and Camp Commanders are henceforward absolutely prohibited from leaving their respective posts even for a moment, and any violation of this rule shall be punished as treachery, and punishment shall be inflicted without having recourse to proceedings in writing.

5. Every Post Commander shall daily make an early morning inspection of his ammunition, and he will also make a similar inspection before entering into battle; and any noncommissoned officer or enlisted man who loses his ammunition shall be held responsible therefor and punished in accordance with Article 1 of the Decree of the Captain General dated March 12th last; and therefore capital punishment shall be imposed when proofs of guilt have been obtained as above mentioned. For the better and necessary compliance with this rule you will immediately send these Headquarters an exact report of the troops in each post for its defense, and the amount of ammunition for each man. Every man should be given the same amount of ammunition.

6. The foregoing article shall be understood to include the loss of blank cartridges, and the same punishment shall be applied.

7. Shooting should rather be low than high as provided in Article 2 of General Order of the Army of the 19th of March last.

8. If the onslaught of the enemy can not be resisted, an orderly and honorable retreat will be made if possible; and for the proper execution of this delicate military maneuver the following rules will be observed: 1st. The forces of Sambag will retire to the ground between the main road and the Pavia river: those of Ungra will join the forces of Sambag; and the Jibaoan detachment will retreat by Jose and Buyo if attacked on the left flank, and by way of Pandac to Pavia if attacked on the right flank. The Tacas detachment will retreat to the "Arguelles" farm.

All the forces of these four posts composing the Camp commanded by Sr. Solfs will rally at Pavia where they will take possession, and there they will make a general defense under orders of the Commanding General of Pavia. In case this town can not be held, all the forces will retire to Santa Barbara by way of Cabugao between the main road and the river. 2nd. The forces at Balantang, Ticao, Bitoon and Balagon from Sr. Salas' Camp will retire to Leganes, Zarraga, Lucena and Pototan; the object of this manoreuvre is to prevent the enemy from surrounding us in case they disembark troops at Banate and Dumangas. Upon making this manoreuvre the troops will try to gradually take possession of one town after another of those indicated, and effort will be made to communicate [to me] any news or incident of importance with regard to the attitude of the enemy. 3rd. It would be well for the Chiefs of Camps to provide themselves with guides familiar with these localities where operations are being had to assist in retreats as well as numerous other matters that might arise during so delicate a manoreuvre.

9. Ammunition should be economized, and no soldier should discharge his piece until sure of his mark, and by direction of the commander of the force; and efforts shall be made to haye each soldier carry with him one third of the total amount of ammunition issued him at the beginning of an engagement and in this way avoid possible calamity in case of a retreat.

10. Chiefs of Camps shall endeavor to provide each post with two or more stretchers and the necessary personnel for the operating of the same.

11. As the Militia forces are auxiliary to the Army, Chiefs of Camps or Post Commanders may dispose of them as such in whatever manner the requirements of the campaign may demand.

12. It is recommended that the Corps of Military Sanitation and Administration pay more attention to their duties so that the troops want for nothing when in campaign; and to this end the Chiefs of Camps may, through the Commanding General of the Zone, make suggestions to these Headquarters as to the improvement of said services.

The foregoing is communicated to you that you have the same faithfully complied with, and you shall acknowledge receipt of the same to these Headquarters, and forward these instructions to the Chiefs of Camps.

I transcribe you the foregoing for your information and guidance.

May God guard you many years.

(Signed) ANANIAS DIOCNO,
General Superior Chief of Brigade.