Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-24
m u MANILA.


swering the salute and then learned
ior the first time that the two coun-
tries were at war! The gunboats that
were thought to be in the vicinity had
not been here for some time and their
whereabouts were not known. Tues
day Companies A and b, Oregon Volun-
teers, and a detachment Of blue-jack-
cts were sent ashore after company
of Spanish soldiers and their officers.
56 in all. AS they passed by the Pekin
the band played the Star Spangled
Banner and they were cheered on by
everyone to their first battle. They
went to do, and perhaps die, but they
met all the soldiers and the governor
and staff coming out to surrender: and
when they came back by the Pekin, all
gave them the horse-laugh. This end
ed the battle of Guam, and may they
all end likewise. Out Of - shots fired
at the fort, IL hit it and demolished 1t;
no one hurt.
Private Hutchinson of Company NJ.
Oregon Volunteers. died this morning,
the immediate cause Of his death be-
ing heart failure. He was buried at
sea this evening and given a soldiers
funeral. One poor boy not to return
to the loved ones at home, and who
knows how many more? 1t was a sad
sight to see his body sewed in canvass
and covered with out flag. slide off the
plank into the sea. At the conclusion
fired, the band played. taps were
sounded, and all was over.
"Wednesday-Many of US went on
shore and visited native village.
They seemed quite intelligent and glad
to get rid of Spanish rule; they were
taxed for everything-in fact. for all
they could pay. Their streets were
clean and their houses quite neatly
kept. The men We're clothed with
straw hats. thin .blouses and pants; the
women with a sort of wrapper. They
eat and cook about like Indians. Plenty
of tropical fruits of all kinds. l made
several views, and got some shells of
the natives for keep-sakes. The gov
ernor and all the officers left families
on the island: suppose they can get
them sometime.
''Thc island is left under the charge
of an American citizen there. We left
for the Philippines this afternoon. If
a Spanish gunboat should turn up
there tomorrow. why it no doubt
would be under Spanish rule again.
and our flag would come down. There
are about 5000 natives there and a very
few Spanish.
Friday night June 24-Am on guard
again tonight, and as l am writing the
dark. villainous- faced Spanish COVER
nor and one of his staff are in front of
me, talking in low tone, and no doubt
are wondering what will be done with
them at Manila.
Il don't believe we would be used
quite as well as they are if we should
be captured by them. We understand
that this governor had 40 native pris-
oners shot not long ago because they
couldn't afford to keep them. The
weather confines very warm, and
nearly every hour or two there is a
hard shower
while we were in the harbor of
Guam there were some immense. ugly
sharks swimming around the ship
looking for some one to take Q tumble;
they were at times at the top of the
water, and we could have shot them if
we had been allowed to do SO. =
JUNO VCiis We INV Ca
pect to be in sight of the Philippines in
the morning, and in two days more at
Manila. This is deuced long time to
be out of the world as far as news is
concerned.
TT has begun 10 blow hard and we
expect it will be very rough to night
50 / am going to complete what writ
ing ! want to do before it gets too
rough. This time of the year it gets
pretty rough in these parts at times,
SO they say; suppose l shall have to
be sick again If it does. l have had
my sea legs on for a long time now
and l should hate to spoil it all.
AT. our officers school every day we
are instructed by 14th officer, and it
is wonderful how much learn about
warfare that I never dreamed of be-
fore; but l find that 1 can give most
any of them pointers on rifie-shooting
The boys all take great interest in
their studies on war and drill. We are
very fortunate in having the Nth with
us. They are very rigid about disci-
pline on the ship, and the punishment
is the same here as in the field. One
poor boy was caught asleep on his post
Saturday night Ga regular; don't
know what his punishment will be yet.
I'VE sighted the north end of the
Philippines day before yesterday about
10 o'clock A. M. In the afternoon
about 3 o'clock we sighted a steamer S
smoke coming up over the horizon
dead ahead. and in moment all was
excitement. The Charleston signalled
form column, and headed for the
smoke and we followed. The steamers
smokestacks and military tops showed
up first and then we knew it was a
man-of-war, but we had on our war
paint in case we needed it. 1t soon
proved to be the Baltimore, coming to
meet us. We gave her a hearty well
come, and all felt as through We were
ready for the whole Spanish fleet now.
Just think. during this whole trip this
was the only sail or smoke sighted. We
expected lots of news from her, but
she gave her orders to the Charleston
and away she went ahead of us for
Manila. That evening was the most
pleasant one of the trip, the sea was
smoother and you should have seen
! the sun set; it was the grandest sight
l ever saw. Yesterday we got up and
| found it rough and stormy, and 1t grew
rOugher all day long,