The battle above the clouds

Abstract

"It was a battle above the clouds I saw the youngest and bravest Filipino general trying to align his men to detain the American forces who were pursuing him, so that he could protect the retreat of Aguinaldo, I saw him arrange his soldiers from trench to trench, appealing to their pride, their valor, their love and loyalty to country. He was mounted on a white horse in the midst of the cracking of our Krag rifles. Afterwards one of our soldiers climbed the top of a rock and fired in the direction of General del Pilar. We held our breath, not knowing whether to pray that he might miss, or ascertain his aim... Then we heard a shot and young Del Pilar fell.

"We climbed the mountains where the Company had succeeded in despising of the second battery. Other companies ascended the peak and now were above the clouds.

"Ten men were dead in the first battery. Later we disposed of even the second. One hundred yards farther was the body of the General, flying across the path. I had never seen a similar one - so distinct from the others. I guessed that the form and face was that of a distinguished gentleman and an officer."