The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-27
WORK OF THE SIGNAL CORPS.
WHAT 1T HAS BEEN DOING
AROUND MANILA.
An Interesting Letter From Ser
geant j. B. Watkins Of
This City.

The Adjutant Generals office is in
receipt of the following letter from
Sergeant j. H. Watkins, formerly Ser
geant of the Signal Corps of Sacra-
mento, containing some interesting
DATA as to the work of the Volunteer
Signal Corps during the attack on
Manila.
MT Watkins has sent a fine set of
maps (Spanish) made in 1882, of the
city OF Manila and the island of Luz
Zon, showing that part of the island
near the head Of Manila Bay to be full
or small towns and evidently quite
th1ckly populated. The island has a
large number of apparently fine har-
bors also. The letter is dated Septem-
Der 9th, and the writer says:
L left San Francisco on board
the Newport on detached service
with Colonel r. E. Thompson, Chief
Signal Officer of the Eighth Army
Corps, finally reaching the Philippines
on July 10Th. Was ashore on duty
Tor a few days at Cavite, then re-
turned to the Newport, staying there
I'LL the 18th, then went out to Camp
Dewey, taking my station with
the company, and had my share of
sdC SASdS6UuSul OI the lOtH.
Most of the Signal Corps work
in fact, practically all of it-has been
confined to the construction and oper-
alton of telegraph lines. Within four
days after the landing at Cavite the
company had that point connected
with Camp Dewey and the Spanish in
trenchments further north toward
Manila) by telegraph line running
through Bakoor and Paranaque. Mes
sages could thus be sent direct from
the front by wire to Cavite, and were
from there signaled to the Newport by
flag, General Merritt retaining that
ship as his headquarters till after the
capitulation of Manila. The work was
done with practically no transporta-
ton, over roads thick with mud, in
pouring rain, and with many other diff
ficulties to overcome, and was finally
quite successful, requiring though con-
slant patrol and repairing of wires, etc.
(about twenty-five miles of wire).
ION the day of the bombardment and
battle lines We're advanced on the field
of action, five telegraph stations con-
Meeting the various brigadeS, etc, be-
ing maintained, and a line advanced
with the troops into Manila while I'M
der fire. So you see the Volunteer Sig
nal Corps has been doing some good
work here. At present, with company
of fifty-five men and five officers, we
are maintaining twelve telegraph Of
fees between the various headquar-
tiers, handling a large number of mes
sages daily.
Il am still with Col Thompson in the
office, located in the old Civil Govern
ment building, in the walled city of Ma
Mia, which will be recognized on the
map lying to the south of the mouth
of the river Pasig. The yellow spot
marked II on the plat of Manila walled
city shows our exact location.
THE First and Second Companies,
Signal Corps, are quartered in the
part of the city known as Eermita, just
outside the walled city. The Second
Company was too late for the fray,
haVing reached here on the 24th Of Au-
gust on board the Rio de Janeiro. Sup
pose you occasionally hear from Cap
tain Martin Wish he had been sent
out with US. But I am getting along
very nicely, and, so far, have felt first
rate. There is considerable sickness
though-mostly typhoid fever and dys-
EMERY. so a fellow has to be careful.
Give my kindest regards to the Cen
eral and all other friends in the build
ing.
viii probably be here till the end
of the year any way, as l don't see
any prospect of getting away. IN
doubtedly, it will take some little time
to settle the Manila question, and we
can't tell what day we may have to
put on our fighting clothes again, and
go out and give the insurgents good.
hard licking that they won't forget.
They are a pretty hard set and entire
~ unable to govern themselves. The
Spaniards, though, are quite tracta-
bic, and are evidently very glad to get
the protection Of the American army,
as the natives would undoubtedly cut
their threats if they were given half
a chance.
81 understand that General Otis has
given Aguinaldo a certain time in
which to withdraw his forces or suf-
fer the consequences.
Drop me line and let me know how
things are there. Why. / don't even
know who's runnig for Governor!
Send me a list of the nominees of all
parties. Very sincerely yours,
u. H. WATKINS.
Up. S.-Many suggestions as &c the
proper management Of a Signal Corps
have occurred TO me, but from what
have written you Will readily see that
much more attention should be paid to
telegraphing and wire construction
something almost entirely neglected
and the corps should be supplied with
proper instruments, wire, wagons, reels,
etc. for field telegraphy, and an effort
made also, to enlist a number of
skilled operators. electricians and line
men as instructors to this end
WATKINS"