Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-25
NEWS, VA SUNDAY, DECEMBER p, 1898. PRICE
REMEMBERED A FRIEND.
One of the Pennsylvania Isoys Writes an
Interesting Letter.

ohe OF the Pennsylvania Boys Writes an
Interesting Letter.
The following Letter will fully en-
plain itself, and will prove interesting
to the people, here:
Allentown. Pa, Dec. 81, 1885,
Mrs. j. A. Gault, NO PIP Twenty
fifth street. Newport News, Va:
Dear Madam,-You will no doubt re-
member that While sitting on your front
porch on the evening of July 9th, three
soldiers happened to come along look
ing for bakery where they might get
something to eat, but instead of direct
ing them to the desired place. you invit-
ed them in and gave them good sup
per. L was one of them. The other
two We're Corporal Orange NJ. Frantz
and Frank Lynn. You may still have
our names ON slip of paper, and your
name and addresS-in a small memo
randum book which l supposed was
lost with some of my clothes that were
lost in hospital-turned up a few
weeks ago. Since YOU so earnestly re-
quested US to write you a letter upon
our arrival at Porto Rico, I thought it
was still time to let You know that
we are all safe at home.
Our regiment, the Fourth Pennsyl-
vania, with several other regiments,
embarked and left Newport News for
Porto Rico July %. and after a voyage
OF alomst six days arrived at Arroyo,
P. r. We We're in camp there about
ten days when we were ordered to
Guyana, a place about six miles north
east of Arroyo. Immediately upon our
arrival we We're ordered to line up for
an attack upon the 'Spaniards, who were
entrenched a mile or so north Of the
town, but just before the attack was
10 be made we got orders that the peace
protocol had been signed and that hos
tilities should cease.
The first platoon of our company
CD was then sent to town to guard
municipal buildings, &c. I happened
to be one of them and was sent to the
Jail. I had charge of squad OF twelve
men, and we had charge Of the Jail and
all the prisoners eight or nine days, un-
til relieved by the Fourth Ohio boys.
"On the 2Sth of August we broke
camp and started on the march to
Ponce, a distance Of about forty-five
miles, where We embarked for New
York. arriving September 9th. After we
arrived there our regiment was sent
home on a sixty day furlough, to be
mustered out of service, but could no,
go further than New York. I was taken
to 9. hospital suffering from typhoid fe.
yer. After week In the hospital II
Brooklyn, was removed to Philadel-
phia, Where I remained until was able
10 so home about the middle OF Octo-
Der. Our furloughs were extended ten
days, when we were finally mustered
out November 18th.
while no one is sorry for the exper-
fence he had: yet, we were all glad 10
go home, feeling satisfied that we have
tried to do our duty.
"A great deal more might be said
about what We had to go through,
&c, but time does not permit. The
boys will ever remember, Newport News.
At no place did we receive better treat
ment than at your place. Many poor
fellow was cheered and encouraged
through the kindness shown him by the
people of Newport News.
Company B, of which I was mem
Der, is the only company in the regi-
ment that came out Without the loss OF
a single man, although it was close
call to some of them Through my
sickness I was redrred to i15 pounds.
II must come to a close, thanking
you again for your kindness, and wish
ing you all merry Christmas and
happy new year.
Yours respectfully,
wv. A. RUCH,
Formerly Corporal Company B. Fourth
Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry"