The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-06
WAS A TRYING ORDEAL
Privation and Hardships on the
Trip to Manila.
SCENES AROUND THE CITY
An Interesting Letter From Private
Baboock OF Company o-Evfdencss
OF Cruelty Found-ouardins
the Prisoners.

~ htI h1sDdLlos VIII ~ DutkE
with company @ of the LIST Montana vol
unteers and is now in the Philippines.
which adds another testimonial of the
horrors the Montana boys experienced on
their voyage to the Orient. The letter
reads:
"Cavite. Philippine Islands. Aug. "a
MY Dear wife: 1 hastily dropped you
a few lines on our arrival here on the
cath inst. and now that we are disem-
the old Spanish fortiications here. I will
endeavor to write you a longer letter.
From the day we embarked at San Fran
cisco until we ~disembarked at our desti-
nation In the Philippines 81 days of time
were consumed. And though there was
not a large percentage of k among
our boys and not a single death en- route.
which IL an exception and not the rule
among the expeditions that have come
across. yet IL will be remembered by those
OF US who belonged to the rank and file
OF the LIST Montana volunteers as one of
the saddest experiences and most trying
ordeals of our lives. which was fraught
from beginning to end will trials. priva-
tions and hardships. with one exception,
that exception being the grand, glorious,
generous and hospitable treatment and
reception we received during our short
stay dHnoue inc peopic OF honolulu. IN
surpassed In benevolence. as II was, IL
shines forth upon the memories of our
voyage as a single star from a sky other
wise o'ercast with clouds and gloom.
The life of a soldier under any circum-
stances In times of war must needs be a
hard one, but the life OF a transport SOL
der is, i believe, the most unenviable OF
all. the vicissitudes of which j will not
endeavor to pen you In this epistle mas
much as they are so indelibly recorded
upon my mind that I can relate them to
you from memory at any future time.
Sufficient TO say that IL was only through
the INFINITE kindness and mercy of a d.
vine and overriding providence in permit
ting us TO escape the terrors of the storms
and monsoons that are so prevalent upon
the China sea at this season OF the year,
that We are spared the necessity OF at
tempting to relate sufferings and horrors
that would be absolutely ndescribable.
But we are here. Notwithstanding. and
with the returning opportunities for ex-
ercise, pure air and additional freedom,
comes a revivification of the previously
dropping spirits of our boys, the willing
ness to do and dare and the heart for
any fate.
AT 10 a. m on the Path inst. we dropped
anchor In Manila bay. and ere the sun
had sunk TO rest that eve more than half
OF our command. through the use of light
ers, had been transferred TO the shore.
lO-udN we ma ourselves nlCelY uuartereu
In historic old Cavite. occupying quarters.
spacious indeed. whose walls are solid
masonry, with floor and roof Of tile. said
TO have been built 30 years ago. and up
to the time of the recent advent or the
frrepressible Admiral Dewey into the pla-
cid waters of this spacious bay, occupied
by the armed forces OF our mortal enemy
in this conflict. the queen regent of Spain.
and whom we found TO be upon our ar
rival here. even unto the defenses of Ma
Mia itself, a conquered and fallen foe
1T was sad to see the shade of disap-
pointment hat covered the countenances
of our comrades when the news was cried
out to us by a passing launch that Ma
Mia has fallen II was their hope and de-
sire that after the many hardships and
trials that had been borne and reborne I'm
their transit across the mighty deep, and
which grew fonder and keener as they
neared the scene of the post of conflict In
these waters. that they might reach here
In time to participate In the event hat
should remove from these islands the last
vestige OF tyranny and oppression that
for centuries has bound them down and
been so cruelty heaped upon their people
through the agencies of the relentless
throne of Spain. But there yet may be
something for us TO do, and II not we and
the proud state Of Montana may have the
satisfaction Of knowing that. should her
sons be bereft In the end Of an opportu-
nifty TO pear ner banner side by SIDE with
our country's emblem to the battles
front, II was because fate had so decreed.
and not to be averted by any effort of
their own.
From the doors and windows of our
quarters. which are located upon the very
not 300 yards distant, the wrecks of seven
of the Spanish war vessels that entered
into the unequal conflict on that eventful
day in May. when he wires clicked forth
the intelligence to the world that the two
fleets had met and the death knell of
Spanish reign in Asiatic waters had been
ounded, and the lives of EGO American
seamen. who went to their deaths at their
post OF honor in Havana harbor had been
avenged in blood. A little further to the
south and just around the point of land
on which our garrison stands. lie four
bay, more or less submerged, but mere
wrecks Of their former power and beauty. |
the whole Of them typical. indeed, Of the
faded power and glory of SPANS totter-
ing. trembling crown on these distant
shores. Aye! and monuments OF the cour-
the accuracy and unerring aim. Of our
noble navy boys
Though Manila has fallen and her sis
ter city. Cavite. are resting securely In
the hands of the Americans. yet all sem
blance OF war has by no means ceased.
ody We ianueu one OF our poye' |
belonging to the artillery here. was kill
ed and three others rounded by insurgent
soldiers. Liquor was said to be the cause. |
And during our first night on shore the
guards on picket duty from our own reg
iment fired upon a small band OF maraud-
ers, killing one and wounding two. The
wounded were brought to our own hos
pital and are being cared for by them.
occurs every night on the picket
lines. The insurgent forces occupy a por-
ton of the city Jointly with US. but no
confidence Is placed In their friendship
only so far as II Is policy for them to be- |
stow II to secure their own ends and
aims. Both they and our own forces are
Spanish prisoners here In the very
built by Spanish hands and means
and which. from every indication. have
been filled to OVERCOMING I'm the past and
whose stone walls and floors and ceilings. /
could they but speak. would tell of heart