The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-29
BOYS OF BATTERY D
INTERESTING LETTER FROM
THE MILITARY CAMP
Some of the Boys Have Sailed for Ma
Mia and the Rest Will Soon
Follow

Preside, Cal, May 26 1S9S.-(Corre-
spondence of The Herald) Battery ID, or
at least what there is left of it, is still &C.
cupying the Third artillery barracks at the
Presidio.
Twenty-Five of our men-Dixon, Whitney,
Tansing Rector Silver, Ward, Myr!ck
Simmons, Campbell, Cathelin, Crow, Boyd
Durham, Horswill, Hackland, Lance
Leighton, Lingo, Niemeyer, O'Connor,
Twomey, Van Craigh, Weber Hansler and
Dearberg-and like number from Bat
terry A, left yesterday for the Philippines.
and the rest of us are to follow in about ten
days.
We are all highly elated over the pros
pect. especially in view of the fact that
the selection of Batteries a and d to go to
the front was due to their efficiency and
good conduct.
Capt. Geary of Battery is in command
of the advance detail and Lieut.. Barry is
consequently now their senior officer. Be-
fore the detail left Messrs. Dixon. Whitney
and Taussig were regularly appointed SER
geants and Messrs. Rector, Silver, Ward,
Myrick, Simmons and Campbell corporals.
Frank Willard has been appointed first
sergeant of the battery, but the balance
|
yet been selected.
Your correspondent has been detailed as
battalion commissary clerk and Frank Fl.
Henderson takes his place as battery clerk.
This afternoon all four batteries turned
out to wave a farewell to those who have
gone ahead, and though the vessels were
quite far out in the stream, STILL with field
glasses. we could see the waving hats and
handkerchiefs.
Last Sunday the battalion was presented
with flag by the citizens of Sacramento.
1t is quite an elaborate affair. but no more
so than the one presented to Battery D
upon it's departure from Los Angeles. The
ceremony was very impressive and when
the entire command uncovered and raised
their right hands, swearing to defend the
flag and the country of which it was the
emblem, whenever and wherever neces-
sary. a more impressive scene could scarce
ly be imagined.
The ladies of San Francisco are very
kind and bring us all SORTS of good things
to eat. However, this does not seem to de-
ter any of us from appearing in the mess
room at every possible opportunity.
The Red Cross society has given each
man in the battalion an identification
medal of aluminium. on which is stamped
the battery and battalion and a number
corresponding to the number on list filed
with the society.
Dee Ford has been occupying a cot in
the hospital for two or three days, but the
doctor assures us that he will have him
out in another day or so. With this excep-
ton and the usual run of colds and sore
threats the battery is in excellent health
and most of the boys complain that they
are getting fat.
Our table has been exceptionally good
the past two or three days. Last night we
had pie for supper and tonight we were
RECALLED with stewed prunes. which, though
not much of a luxury in common life, Is
still enough of a change to be greatly rel
ished here.
The battery is fast getting into military
trim. Some of us have everything we need
now and the balance are being constantly
fitted out. The things most needed now are
overcoats and shoes. We all have uni
forms, hats and guns and most of us the
army underwear.
There are very few complaints of any
kind now. Some are still grumbling about
the fit of their uniforms, but the tailor is
faat remedying the faults.
The idea of a battery fund is looked on
with great favor by all. Subscriptions are
already coming in and the uses to which
the money can be put are numberless.
1t is getting dark, and the only lights fur
nished are candles and very few of them
The work day is over and the majority Of
the artillerymen have started for a little
stroll before "call to quarters"
ROBERT B. PARSONS.