7 and advanced to the little village of Santol in front of an outpost of the Nebraska regiment.

This was the same point from which the insurgents had been compelled to retire on February 2.

An American outpost challenged, and then as the insurgent patrol continued to advance the sentinel fired, whereupon the insurgent patrol retired to blockhouse No.

7, from which fire was immediately opened upon the Americans.

This fire spread rapidly down the American and insurgent lines and both forces at once sprang to arms." [226] General Otis's account of the opening of active hostilities follows:-- "On the night of February 2 they sent in a strong detachment to draw the fire of our outposts, which took up a position immediately in front and within a few yards of the same.