Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-07-07

shore is "long aud shingly" / walked
to the edge where the last wave had
come, with my toes up to the wet sand.
Just then larger wave came rolling
in and in spite of a double quick re-
treat the water came above my shoe
tops. We waded into the water about
knee deep and waited for a wave to
come which went over our heads, lifted
us off the sand and gravel and washed
us shoreward. That was a real de.
light The only unpleasant feature
was the cold water and cold wind. 1y
the brisk rubbing with towel after
coming out all chilliness was removed.
One soldier was dressing near the
line where the water had been coming
when suddenly and Unexpectedly a lar
ger wave rolled the water farther back
and over his clothes. That was fun
for the rest Of us. Well, he laughed |
about as much as any of the rest OF us.
Some of the boys entered an old mine
OH the shore when wave came and |
splashed water all over them
We went from here to Lime Point Oh |
the south side of Golden Gate, climbed |
its sandy heights TO the fort and saw |
some Of the monster cannon. a SCI:
try prevented US from seeing the six
teen inch dynamite guns. This is u
beautiful fort 1t is back of a natural |
bank of earth which is several yards |
wide which is faced next TO the cannon
with stone embankmant. A very
large glove Of eyei green trees, etc, Is
back of IL, About quarter Of u mlle
back OF the top of this ridge In a deep
pit In grove are twelve mortars which
are to throw shells into the ocean or
bay at any vessel that is to be destroy
| ed. An engineer farther up where Ii e
can see gives the direction, etc. The
| enemy could not locate these mortars
Across the Day Oil the opposite heights
| is another fort. There are mines plant
ed in the bay. Other forts are located
farther up the bay. Just across the
ridge from our camp and on the shore
of the bay is the garrison of Preside.
Yesterday we saw monitor as it was
leaving for the Philippine Islands. 1t is
the first war vessel have seen. Much
interest was aroused AS it came into
view. 1t was followed by very large
steamer loaded with coal for Dewey's
fleet. During the last few days there
has been considerable sickness in Camp
Merritt. Diphtherla, pneumonia and
dysentery are the complaints. Only
the last is found in the 5lst Iowa. We
have had no deaths. There have been
several in the other regiments. A
great many have been vaccinated. We
are to be Oh tomorrow.
There is great deal Of anxiety about
going to the PHILIPPINE Islands We
have been fooled several times. We
were told we were to go on the third
expedition, then it was denied Again
we were Informed we should go, only
to find that the reverse was true. All
want to go to the scene OF battle.
Most of the boys dread being sent TO
garrison some fort. But many are
ready for any order, no matter what 1t
may be. We have no reason for com
plant. We have plenty to eat. Tae
variety is small, but the amount is SUI
ticient. On the train we had canned
beef OF very poor quality. Here we
have good pork smoked and fresh
beef. Today noon we ate beans, pork,
bread and coffee; supper: beef, toma-
toes, potatoes, coffee and bread.
/; A lecture and panorama views Of Ha.
wall was of great interest to US. Those
islands must be very beautiful indeed
Panorama views of soldiers marching,
} of the burial of the Maine crew, trains
loaded with troops for Manila, caval-
~ men OH parade, ETC., etc, are real
life like. 1t looks real. The men ETC.
move just as ii they were alive These
are free and occur every night. Ere
auently there are entertainments also
free. Along with the good is found
the evil. There are SO many saloons.
Some groceries sell strong drink.
Houses Of low rerute and theaters Of
the lowest type are numerous. 1t is
sad to think that they are patio lied.
The reputation of the 5lst Iowa is
good. 1t stands higher than any other
reg't. We heard praises on. our com
ing. We hear them still. We have less
guards, less disorder, less drinking
and less arrests.
The boys ale permitted to be ont ~ d
and 90 where they please from R3treaU
, (roll calD at 7.30 up to l1.30 p. m. AT.
ter that they must give all account of
themselves and receive some sort OF
, reprimand the following day. In other
, Regis. the limit is 8 p. m. That is the
usual limit, the hour when the tattoo
) is sounded. This bugle call is oeauti-
! full one. We love TO hear it.
Last night we had precious prayer
A and song service in the \. NJ. &, A
) tent in our Reg't. Next SUNDAY eve
q the boys are all invited to attend the
9 California St. NJ. E. Church. They
, promised to take care OF 600 II they
: came. A camp fire service is announ
q ced. We hope 70 see at least oOO sol
4 diers there. The Red Cross society
: furnishes postal cards, stamps and pa
per to the soldiers. One day they gave