The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-07
WITH DEWEY'S FLEET
AN INDIANAPOLIS BOY WHO WAS IN
THE FIGHT AT MANILA.
Letter Received from William b. Orr
His Confidence in American Fleet.

Mrs. w. H. Bockstahler, of 27l5 Ash street,
has received a letter from her brother Will
Orner, who was with Admiral Dewey's
squadron in the fight at Manila bay The
young man has been serving on board the
Baltimore in the capacity of an engineers
yeoman He has been in the navy about
three years. Prior to entering the service he
lived here with his mother. Mrs. Mary
Orner, superintendent of the parcel room
at the Union Station. For several years Mr..
Orner was a clerk at the Union stock yards.
His letter to his sister was written while
the squadron was at Yokohama, Japan, and
bears the date of April IL. No word has, of
course, been received from the young man
since the battle at Manila and the family
is naturally much concerned about him. The
letter to his sister follows:
1--WE arrived here about two hours ago
and the American mail boat arrived few
hours ahead of us, so got your letters. We
had fair voyage of sixteen days from
Honolulu, had fairly good weather up until
midnight day before yesterday, when we
struck a gale that was dandy. We had
the ship hove to for about four hours, but
she rode it out nicely We had severe head
winds the remainder of the way into port.
We are here to take on coal and will leave
about Friday for Hong-Kong China TO join
the rest of the fleet The latter place is two
thousand miles to the south of here.
Lille, my coming out here was not
matter of choice for when we received our
orders to sail the captain also received
orders to discharge no one from the service
by, reason of expiration of enlistment until
ordered to do so. We have men on board
now whose time has expired. but cannot
get their discharge for the above reason.
At any rate | would not want my discharge
now for in the event of war 1t would look
rather strange for fellow to take his dis
charge and not re-enlist. ! am not sure that
/ will re-enlist but of course will be COM
"A n M 9
will lay at HOng-kong until war is declared,
at which time we will proceed to Manila
and take that place; There are seven of
us in this fleet-the Olympia Boston, Petrol.
Concord. Raleigh and Baltimore and an old
river boat We have an excellent captain
and he is fighter from the word go and
YOU can rest assured that we will either go
straight to hell or victory wnen we follow
him, and we will go quick. which is another
consolation Spain has only three ships at
Manila worthy of mention. but has some
good forts on the islands We are carrying
seventy-five tons of ammunition for the
fleet, the Mochican having brought it to us
at Honolulu.
We have had the ship ready for action
during the entire trip. as all the world knew
we were taking a cargo of ammunition to
Hong Kong. but we did not sight a thing
after leaving Honolulu until we sighted Cane
King, at the entrance to this harbor. We
received the first news to-day that wo have
had for just one month from the States
We are now feeling better since we a least
have a cable connecting us with home q
thing we did not have in Honolulu =
Give my love TO ma and Billy and tell him
we are now looking for glory and arc only
waiting the word from Washington 10 start
the muss. BY the way. a strange in
cident occurred while on the trip over here.
On the afternoon of my birthday, March
1--we crossed the $50 degree meridian and i'm
consequence set the clocks ahead tWenfv "
four hours and as a result lost April l. II
seems strange to wake up and find it April
=. But of course in returning this same Way
we have two days of the same date. that
Is, IL you arrive there ON Sunday the next
day will be Sunday also. To-day is Monday
with us, but Is Sunday with you II seems
strange. but 1t is nevertheless true Well. /
must now bring this TO close 4 can as
sure you that If we do mix up with Spain
this vessel will give a good account of her
self and should we go down you can rest as
sured that we took some OF King Alfonso's
subjects along with us.
Remember me TO my inquiring friends
and don't work yourself up to nervous pros
tration about me, for I know of no one
that | would trade places with right now
not even the mayor of your beautiful town
see that Mr.. Lewis is candidate for the Of
flee of sheriff. Let me know when the cleo
ton comes off SO l can forward nv con
gratua lions or regrets, as the case may he ;,