Evening star., 1898-09-15
"CAvITE, Philippine Islands,

G. I'd Oregon Volunteers. The letter is as
follows:
"CAVITE, Philippine Islands,
August 4, 1898.
I'VE are all as we'll and comfortable as
could be expected. There is very little
sickness that 1 know of in the brigade
The climate is a tough one. The days are
terribly hot and the nights almost intol-
cradle because of the pesky mosquitoes
We can keep clean, however, because in the
barracks we have triangular bath tubs and
plenty of water.
We are now well supplied with clothing
Our state government and the women Of
help and through the kindness of our good
Uncle Samuel across the deep blue sea each
mans outfit consists of the following: One
blue uniform, one uniform the color Of
sand, so as not to be easily distinguished by
the enemy; five overshirts. one campaign
hat two pairs of shoes, two suits of un-
derwear, four pairs or socks. two hand
kerchiefs, one wooden blanket one rubber
coat called a poncho), part of dog shelter
tenter, haversack. canteen, knapsack
Springfield rifle web belt and necessary am
munition.
Aboard the Transport.
While on the transport coming over here
We thought our officers generally were not
as thoughtful of the men as they should
be, and that they did not seem to care
Us from the commissary and hospital
stores. l managed to get in the sailors
mess and was all right, and, with the as
sistance of the strong and healthy looked
after and helped our weak and sick COM
rades. We came into Cavite after a thirty
1Ve days voyage with a loss of only two
by death and with very few sick Since
landing, however, our treatment has been
all right, and although We have some growl-
ers here, l do not believe there is a man in
the whole outfit that does not cheerfully
and willingly do his duty. or that has n
KICK or growl honestly due him on ac-
count of food, clothing or medicines
. Inc Spanish prisoners in the hands Of
the insurgents are praying for the Amer
leans to take charge of them as they are
IN constant fear of their lives. 1t seems to
me we Will soon have to disarm the in
surgents, as neither the natives nor insur-
gents are allowed within our lines and IT
is pretty hard for us to get pass to 20 be-
Eond our camp guard, and a good reason
mas 10 be given to secure one
L was through the prisons few nights
ego. The prisoners are a sorry-looking lot
or men end the prisons rough places Our
government has commenced to feed the
prisoners. and they now have to work for
living and for recreation A few davs
slrce L had eight of the prisoners clean.ng
the street in front of the officers quarters
and one of them, a. big greasy sulIen-
looking don, kept pretty close to me all the
time. and seemed to be sizing me up We
are getting on to their language pretty
well. ana can tell the trend of their CON-
Versatfon. They seem to be in better spir-
Its now. and are not so much in fear of the
natives and insurgents.
Insurgents Giving Trouble
We are looking for trouble with the In
surgents. They seem TO have an idea that
they ought to occupy Manila with u.s. and
1t Is said they threaten to loot the city and
nave everything their own way. A riot IS
liable to occur between the American SOL
diers and them at any time but we believe
we are equal to and can whip all the Span
lards and insurgents around here and 7
guess our superior officers will manage
ttlhgs TO suit themselves. There is a
liquor here. kind of native gin, that is a
horrible mixture. and makes the American
who INDUCES in 1t crazy and wild in a
short time.
THE Pennsylvania boys are the four
hundred of the American military arts
tocracy of Cavite and Manila. How the
rest or us 90 envy themi The whole army
Is talking about their fight of a few nights
ago at Malate. The officers all say that
the stand they made against such odds and
Under such discouraging circumstances was
q memorable one Our informal ton is that
the Spaniards had 815 killed ard 500
wounded, while the American loss was 10
killed and A wounded
The third expedition has just arrived and
We have received our second lot of letters
and papers from home We hope the newt
expedition to reach us from Gods country
VIII be composed of paymasters United
states eagles and the dollars of our dad
c1eS, as we have had no paw since we en-
listed. and all are dead broke"