The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-27

Der and IT looks to be pretty fair size.
Cook and I are going to start a saw
mill.
tomorrow will be a busy day. We eX-
pect to get into Manila about 8 a. m,
and i hope he will get ashore Thurs
day. for l am awfully tired Of the
sea.
Aug. "a. 1sss.-Got in this morning
minutes. All well. Manila is ours.
VIII give particulars next time"
The following letter was received by
John Mcguire from Lieutenant Ken
nedy:
ION board transport ship Pennsylvania,
off the shore of Luzon. Aug. %, 1898.
My Dear Friend-Just a word TO you
to-day. We are now bearing down on
| Manila bay, and tomorrow we expect
to cast anchor in that historic spot and
there learn for the first time in more
than 30 days something about what has
been transpiring in the great word be-
yond the seas.
"Our trip over has been. insofar as the
elements have been concerned. a de-
lightful one. We experienced a sharp
storm the first day out from San Fran
cisco. and night before last we ran into
the tail end Of a hurricane about $50
ia NA lA' to1N NeNsN u aNN@NAAH 49,
by wise seamanship, however, we were
able to get out of the dangerous track
Of the storm, and a couple of hours
brought safety and contentment TO the
1900 souls aboard our ship.
This vessel has been scandalously
overcrowded, the food aboard has been
abominable for the enlisted men, and
the conditions for all have been trying.
The accommodations for the number on
board have been entirely inadequate
and some of the men have suffered
greatly in consequence but IT is fair to
say that the brave boys from Montana
have borne themselves as good soldiers
throughout all the trials of the trip, and
In spite of many temptations to the con-
trary, they have observed the demeanor
and conduct of good soldiers. / am sin
cerely proud Of the men from the sister
cities of Butte and Anaconda; no man
lier set of men ever wore the United
States uniform; they are brave. hardy,
generous. manly fellows, n If duty
calls them into the line of battle, take
my word for it you in Montana will
have no cause to blush whS reading
the record.
Some of the officers have not been
overly kin to their men. but in gen
eral. j believe, the disposition has been
TO make the best of all unfavoTable cir
cumstances. People in civil life at
home can have little idea indeed Of the
vicissitudes and trials that the common
soldier is called upon to endure on a
trip of his kind. l " always had
the highest regard-I have always
shown the greatest respect-for the men
who wore the Grand Army uniform:
hereafter. / take off my hat, not to the
officer who led his men through the ser
ried ranks OF battle, but to the brave
men who wore the blue of the private.
The officer is less deserving OF the APP
plause and gratitude of the people than
the unknown p%rivates in the ranks.
They share alike, Ii Is true, the dangers
Of the battlefield, but unfortunately.
they do not share alike the vic~issitudes
Of the campaign. / have often felt
guilty during recent weeks while lying
In a comfortable stateroom. breathing
pure air, surrounded by the luxuries of
modern steamship travel, waited upon
by a servant and eating a well pre-
pared meal three times a day, while
the men of my company have been COM
PEELED 10 eat tainted meat and mouldy
bareback or go hungry, n sleep in n
dismal dungeon where the air is as foul
as the Black Hole of Calcutta. No. my
friend, il is not the officer who should
receive the applause of the people. n
campaign Of his kind means sacrifice
for every one engaging in It, but 1t is
the brave fellow behind the u who de-
serves the nations applause and laurels.
"When | left San Francisco / ] had the
good fortune to bring with me a chair
which you had generously sent me from
Butte | assure you IL was greatly APP
preciatcd. and in this far-off land,
should we be called upon TO remain
here. / viii use ii i'm my quarters, and
IL win serve always to remind me Of
the generous hearts and the many old
friends I have left behind me in my
beloved state.
Il am with the greatest
anxiety to heal from my family. When
/ contemplate what may have happened
the broad sea | shudder lest the news
be unfavorable. God grant that my
beloved darlinEs at home have been
kept In as good health as when | left
them. Should you visit Anaconda and
have the time | want you to call and see
the children and my wife. A visit from
you would cheer them up, I know, and
be greatly appreciated by them all.
Please give my kim regards to
owen Dugan. Jim Lynch, Billy Nc
Dermott and Rod Leggatt. Tell them
| think of them very frequently and
that | hardly ever go to bed at night
but l say a little prayer for McDer-
motifs conversion. The heat is so i'm
tense one has to do but very little work,
and I am willing to stand the neat so
long as IL dispenses with labor. IL l
like these stands down here | may buy
one and send IL 10 the Press club. In
the meantime, without ceasing, l shall
pray for the preservation of the old
gang. and as for yourself, dear John, |
want you 10 believe me to be sincerely
and forever. your friend,
J. NJ. KENNEDY.