The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-01
Artillerymen Disappointed That
ley Cannot See Service.
TIRED OF GARRISON DUTY
BUT THE LIFE Is NOT WITHOUT
ITS PLEASURES.
Rides About the Bay and Through
the Golden Gate = The Defenses
There = Angel and Alcatraz Is
lands = Funerals Numerous, But
the Utah Boys Escape.

Presidio, San Francisco, Aug. 2S.-We
have read with interest the accounts
which have been given from time to
time of our comrades in Manila, ana
we were stirred with various feelings,
according to our dispositions. When
we read of the battle at Manila, and
the conduct of the Utah boys there, we
were glad they made such a good
showing, but at the same time 1t made
us feel a little envious. But that has
passed now and we are only sorry that
our services were not required.
Now that white-winged peace hovers
around us, we feel that our duty has
been done and our services are no
longer required to defend our flag
against it's enemies. We wake up each
morning and realize that another day
has dawned upon us, and speculate as
to what it will divulge. But day after
day passes and we receive no orders.
Most of us have given up all hopes,
but, like a drowning man, some still
cling to a straw. We had hoped to
get at least one fight, but the cup has
been dashed from our lips, and as we
gaze at the scattered fragments of our
wishes, we realize that our war ex-
perience is at an end.
FEEL THEY HAVE DONE THEIR
DUTY.
Garrison duty may be all right, but
the volunteer troops want none of 1t.
We can SubSiSt on poor ratiOnS, face
hardshipS and dangers in active serV7
ice, but now that it is all over, we are
ready to lay aside our soldier equip
ments and once more become citizens.
1t is a great disappointment to be un-
able to fight for our country, but we
are resigned. We feel that we re-
sponded to the call of our country in
time of trouble: that we served faith
fully during that time, and our obliga-
lions are paid. What will be done with
us We do not know, but whatever
comes. we will meet it like soldiers.
TRIPS DER THE WATER
But our life at the Preside has not
been without its sunshine. Besides the
trips around the city, we have had
boat ride on the bay. The government
tug leaves the dock at the Preside
on Thursdays and Fridays about 1:3O.
On those days a certain number of SOL
dierS are permitted to ride upon it
free, and many have availed them
selves of the opportunity thus offered.
The other day Sergeant Stevenson,
Corporal Voyce and the writer decided
to take the ride. Accordingly, after
obtaining passes, we started for the
boat. 1t is strange what a deception
the water is. AS we approached the
shore the sea seemed hardly to be
ruffied by a wave, and when we walked
out on the pier the waves looked very
small. "A fine day for a ride" We
thought.
NAL DE MER.
A few moments later the tug pulled
up and we all jumped aboard. had
never experienced seaSickneSs, and be-
lieved it to be more ina gination than
anything else; but what a change l
underwent. No sooner had placed my
foot upon the deck than l got the
full effect of the boats motion. Two
or three motions up and down, and my
brain began to reel, and a knot gath
cred in my stomach How l wished
/ hadn't come, but l was ashamed to
back down.
l forced a smile on my face and tried
to jest with the boys, but it was a
poor effort. The boat started away
and l then registered solemn vow
never to leave terra firma again
Voyce came up with Sergeant Steven
son, and they remarked, Isn't this
just fine" Their voices came to me
as if from a distance, but L smiled
"a wan, sweet SMILE" and family an
swered, You bet
They went up into the bow of the
from stem to stern to find the center
and, going there. stayed until l felt
better. Then L noticed Stevenson and
Voyce coming back, but with a serious
look upon their faces. There was
something touching in the pathos of
the forced smile as they responded to
my question of Feeling all right"
Just fine" was the answer. but
knew better Then a poor Washington
volunteer leaned over the rail, looked
at the water and said, Il wish | hadn't
come 1t won't take much more to
make me sick That broke the ice''
and we all three murmured I'VE feel
that way too.
1t was surprising to see those Tit
tie" waves. They got up and smashed
the tug first one way, then another. and
sent spray flying over everything and
everybody, yet the bay was considered
very calm that day. Finally the boat
stopped at point at the northern side
of Golden Gate and from there we had
a good view of the battery of 10 and T.
inch rifles mounted on the cliffs These
guns are over 500 feet above the sea
and are said to be the highest in the
world. From there we headed for An
gel island, and stepped to deliver some
freight and take passengers.
ANGEL ISLAND.
Angel island is barren looking
place, but the garrison is very pretty
one. From there we headed for Alca-
traz island, which lies in the middle of
the bay. We noticed a number of bar
relS anchored about and the boat gave
them wide berth. When asked about
them the engineer told us they marked
the place in which are planted subma-
rine mines.
ALCATRAZ ISLAND
Alcatraz is rocky island, which
rises sheer from the waters edge to
height of about 200 feet On top of
this is built the large military prison
and the barrack and quarters of the
officers and men who garrison the
place. A number of large guns are
mounted on the island and make the
place formidable fertilization. From
there we went to Fort Mason, which is
on the mainland, and thence to the
Clay street wharf.
THE TRANSPORTS.
Here we disembarked and went to
the Red Cross rooms for supper. The
ladies always have a supper spread for
the boys. We then went around and
saw the transports Arizona, Scandal
and Australia. The Scandal and Ari-
iona were fitting up for sea and the
latter was almost ready to sail. They
were beth beautiful boats and the Ari-
iona was the largest that ever entered
San Francisco.
couple of days later the Arizona
sailed for Honolulu with troops on
board. As it passed the several for
tifications the guns doomed out sa-
lutte and as it passed the Presidio we
We're all out to cheer it as it passed.