Evening star., 1898-08-25
WAR IN PHILIPPINES
Diary Of a Member Of the LIST Oregon
Volunteers.
FROM CAMP TO HOSTILE COUNTRY
Robert Smith Tells Story of Voy-
age and Conquest.
CAPTU RE OF LADRONES

| Mr.. Robert Emmett Smith of 3O07 p
| street, a survivor of the late war, a mem
| Der of the Grand Army of the Republic and
| formerly lieutenant in the Old Guard,
| has received letter from his son, Robert
| Smith, who is now at Manila, in the Philip
| pine Islands, a member of the 1st Oregon
| Volunteers The letter is, in part, fol-
| lows:
! We arrived here after an eventful voy-
! age of thirty-five days from San Francisco,
| Cal at o'clock in the afternoon of June
| 80. We came into the harbor amid the
| deafening salutes from Deweys fleet, and
| the whistling of all the other crafts in the
water.
"The Baltimore and Charleston were in
! the lead, and our three transports-the City
of Pekin, the Australia and the City of
| Sydney-with $500 volunteers on board,
bringing up the rear.
AT the Ladrone Islands we captured all
there was in sight so far as soldiers were
concerned. At the island and near where
| the Charleston blew up the fort l got two
! fine shells and small piece Of the
| fort.
Dewey has US between three battle ships
| teEight-the Olympic, the Raleigh and the
Baltimore. The bay is alive with the fleet
| and coaling vessels. Every few minutes
| they threw the searchlghts on all of the
| ships, and it is truly a picturesque sight.
I'VE are at Cavite tonight and expect to
| go into camp at the Cavite barracks tomor-
| row. I'm three days more the second trans
| ports will be here, and then we march on
| to Manila All our boys are feeling fine
| and anxious for fight. In case | should
| fall Go not grieve after me. Certainly a
| life given in the cause of liberty, and that
| liberty emanating from the grandest coun-
| try on the face of Gods footstool, is simply
| dying men should die. Instead of she'd
ding tears of regret a n soldiers fall
| of gladneSS should flow freely. AS | looked
| out on those skeletons of Spanish vessels
| with smokestack sticking out of the wa
ter mere and there l thought how much
! more would be our cup of consolation to
| see the water lined with such wrecks
Grand Ovation.
| In addition to the letter, which was evil
| IDENTIFY held pending the departure Of
| mail steamer for Hong Kong, he says:
AS 1t is July l and l have a few minutes
to spare, shall write little more. Ad-
| niral Dewey has just left our boat for the
| Islands, after long interview with Cen
eral Anderson. As soon as he and the staff
returns 1e an OF US will be taken ashore.
| Ialk about patriotism asserting itself /
| never saw its equal. While Captain Glass
| of the Charleston firing on the fort at
Guam Island, during the short interval be-
| tween shots the cheers from our three
boats made one continual ovation At the
| time the stars and stripes were placed over
| the fort old glory never fiuttered more
proudly' and there were thirty-six feet of
| her, too.
Soldiers Dinry.
1 have kept a diary of evtns, which is
| as follows:
May l3, 1SDS-At Portland, in Camp Nc
| k1nley. Muster at pm. in heavy march
| ing order, taking oath to support Constitu-
| ton of United States
| Saturday, May 14-Usual drill and daily
| routine.
May 16-All is activity in camp, every
thing being packed up. Left camp at go
| pm, arriving at depot at 6:3O p.nl.
May 17-Traveling all day: beautiful
! scenery through Oregon valleys. Cofree
| three times day. People overlooking
| in Rough river
| May lS-Arrived at Oakland, Cal. at
| ESQ; arrived at Frisco at 330 D. m Lunch
| az ferry landing furnished by ladies of
req req Cross Society. March to Camp Pre-
std1o. distance six miles. All cobble stones
| in streets. Had supper at O'Clock and
| took in sights at Frisco.
| May 19-Completed details at pitching
camp; place quarantined on account of
measles. Boys all kicking, as girls are ex-
cluded from grounds
| May a-Usual drills and routine. Took
| bath in bay; slight rain.
May 21-All is beautiful now, Leave of
| absence granted to promenade with girls
| to United States barracks.
| May 22-All quiet. Took car ride and had
| nice time.
May 23-Rained all day.
The Embark ation
| May 24-Broke camp at 6 am, and went
to wharf, preparatory to taking steamer
Australia. Went aboard at 5 pm, pulled
out in stream at o'clock, and half an
hour later dropped anchor for night
| May 25-Hoisted anchor at 2:3O D. M. and
| left bay bound for Manila Thousands of
| people lined the wharves and house tops.
| Bay alive with all kinds of crafts loaded
| to guards.
| May 26-All is water about us. Boys
feenng strange about stomach and sides
| OF ships lined with volunteers losing their
! breakfast.
| May 27-All feeling little better today.
| May 2S-I feel out of sight. Sea is a tonic
for me and boys can't Understand how l
| keep food from coming up.
Sunday, May 29-Chaplain holds services
al and many hymns sung. Boys say singing
| is bum, as all are seasick.
May 30-Decoration day services by chap
| lain.
May 31-AH are better, and in good
| humor.
June 1-sighted land at pm. 1t is the
Island of Molaki, where lepers are kept.
Sighted Oaho at pm. Arrived in Homo
iuiu at $50 pm; grand welcome by ma
| English. saluted by Bennington and
Charleston. No sleep, as Kanakas sere-
naded ships all night
June 2-Leave of absence and took in
town. Met young Carlyle, late of wala
Malla, Wash. He was first lieutenant of
Home Guards All is free to u.s. street
cars and hotels. Stores Of all kinds out
with banners across walk. aloha" is the
motto, meaning welcome. All speak the
English language and quick to take Of
fense All want to be annexed. Boys all
feeling gay, too free booze.
June 3-Troops march to queens palace
that is now used as public and executive
building. Banquet served on lawn. All
kinds of fruits and delicacies. Visited ma
tfcEal prison and found everything to be
as modern as in United States. Saw one
shade tree efghty-one feet in width.
Departure From Honolulu.
June 4-Left dock at $50 am, amid
cheers from thousands of people on
wharves. Charleston takes lead
June 5-Sea is full Of flying fish; queer
looking objects.
June 6-Daily routine. All sick again,
officers more SO than privates.
June and S-Usual routine. Sighted mail
Sfa