, 1898-10-10
"A MANILA LETTER
w. F. PEAsE WRITES FROM THE
CAMP IN THE PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS.

Manila-Just as the Boys Receiv-
ed Orders to Advance the White
Flag Was Raised Over the Walls.
Harry Houston has received the fol-
lowing letter from W. F. Pease, son Of
Mrs. s. w. Pease. county superintend-
ent of schools. Mr.. Pease is a member
of Company F. Wyoming battalion, and
writes Interestingly of the stirring
events which have happened since the
Wyoming troops reached Manila:
Manila. Aug. 81. 1SsS.-Dear Friend:
Since you would probably like to
know how things are going with US, |
will scratch o a few lines.
We had a pleasant voyage, as far as
weather was concerned, but were half
starved when we got here.
On the 31st of July we anchored in
Manila bay in the midst of seven
wrecked Spanish men-of-war and re-
manned on board until August 9Th.
We were transferred from the Ohio
to the Isabel, a small steamer which Is
used for landing troops. This steamer
took us to the small boats in which We
were taken ashore, eighteen men in a
boat.
The boat that Coburn was in upset
and he lost his sword, revolver and
belt. Sixteen guns were lost besides.
After we landed we marched five
miles to Camp Dewey, where we pitch
ed dog tents on bamboo platforms.
for which we paid a dollar apiece.
W. staid in camp two days and then
our turn came to 90 into the intrench-
ments. We left at 6 o'clock in the
morning and when we arrived at the
works, we were put in a swamp with
mud and water up to our waists. The
white flag was raised soon after 30
there was no firing on the picket. The
next morning we were relieved by the
Thirteenth Minnesota, the crack regi-
ment here, and marched back to camp;
cold. wet and hungry. The camp is a
peanut field. and lies between the main
road to Manila and the bay.
Every day the road is lined with IA
tives, selling fruit, sugar, cigars, Gig
arettes and beno, a native liquor like
| gin. For fruit and sugar we have to
pay %exorbitant prices, for the natives
work us for all they can get. Cigars,
cigarettes and gin are cry cheap.
On Saturday. the 18th, we were
marched to the head of the peanut
field and put in reserve behind the Ida
no boys. At $3.50 the Olympia opened
on the Spanish works, and for forty
five minutes the S%paniards were she'll
ed by the Olympia and Baltimore.
During the bombardment the steam
launch from the Petrol steamed up
close to the Spaish works, and deliver
ed a hot fire into the i~ntrenchments,
with a Maxim rapid-f fire gun, doing ter
rible execution.
As soon as the bombardment ceased,
we were marched out on the road and
through the entertainments and arriv-
ed in sight Of the enemy's outer works
Just as the Colorado boys captured
them. We were marched across the
swamp between the lines, oven the
Spanish intrenshments, o.d into New
Manila. which is separated from Old
Manila by walls and moats. We w.-a
marched through New Manila in double
time and passed the Colorado boys,
who were resting alongside the street.
AS we passed the band played,
"There'll Be a Hot Time In the Old
Town Tonight" This was done under
fire and the Colorado band received
great praise as 1t was the only band in
the field.
We came out at the northern edge OF
the town and were formed in line of
battle on the firing line.
Just as We received orders to adj
vance the white flag was raised on the
southwestern corner Of the wallis and
we were saved from making a chafSe
that would have cost many men. VI
We moved UP within two hundred
yards of the walls and stacked arms,
and rested. After resting for " hours
we were moved into barracks just va
Gated by the Spanish. Our nag was the
first flag raised over Spanish barracks.
AFTER we had put our equipments away
we went through the barracks, and
proceeded to take whatever we wanted.
w got shoes, clothing, cigars. cigar
cites. knives. and some 6ne swords and
machetes. About three hundred dol
lars in copper cents WA also found.
The Officers did not object to this, but
when the boys started to footing pri-
vate residences, an order was issued
preventing ~pillaging. and, as q result,
we have three men dn the general prh-
on.
The next day. the boys found the
wine cellar, and the non-coms. had
their hands full keeping the men from
getting drunk. We brought out stz
barrels of wine and two Of rum. end