The record-union., 1898-09-26

camped here. It was raining most all
the time, and we were in very bad quar-
ters here Sam and / could just creep
under the small shelter tent
On the evening of the 18th, two days
rations were issued to each man. we
knew then that the fall Of Manila was
at hand. At the next morning we
marched away toward the enemy. Our
trenches We're reached in a drenchlng
rain. We were in a bamboo jungle,
but very close to the Spanish outposts.
AT $40 the ships of Dewey began to
lombard. We were not a mile from
them, but could not see them. The bonn
bardment was tremendous. The very
air quivered and shook with the thun-
dering detonations. The rain came IN
sheets from the clouds. This lombard
ment lasted over an hour. During this
time a detail was cutting road
through the jungle to the open field in
front
Now the mile of American line began
to close in on the enemy. Our Captain
| ordered us over the trenches, and we
stumbled at double-quick toward the
front. The volleys Of rifle shots and
the swapping fire of the Gatling guns
}
away into a clearing, and we were form
ed into skirmish line. Our Captain or
! dered an advance. The Spanish
trenches were a half-nile ahead. The
Eighteenth Infantry was on our right,
and firing away at retreating Span
iards. We advanced across the field
under a heavy Spanish fire to their first
intrenchments. Beyond another embank-
| 4 .-1,
Many punches Of trees and houses
now broke the scene.
Our impetuous Captain now left the
infantry and advanced. I saw the
Spaniards here retreating toward the
city. Our Captain would not let us fire
or waste our shots. The Eighteenth
was firing away on our right. We
pressed forward alone, with Battery G
behind. We searched the houses as we
advanced, and this was exciting work.
Bullets were continually whiZzing
around. The insurgents were doing
some of this work. They are no good.
They don't how to shoot, and the
Spaniards are not much better.
AT last the walls of Manila came in
sight, and, to our joy, an immense
white flag was waving on the water
front corner. The Spaniards that had
retreated were massed outside the
walls to the number of about 5000. 1t
was Dewey's guns that did the work.
If the Spaniards had made a stand
many of our boys would have fallen.
General Merritt complimented our Cap
tain, and told him our battery was the
first to reach the walls. 1t was most
interesting sight-too much to write
about When the band played March
ing Through Georgia" at the head Of
the thousands of infantry that came
marching by soon our hearts were
thrilled.
At 5 p. m. that day had passed Won
derfully quick. We marched over the
walls and into Manila, the captured
city 1 was on guard that night. We
We're all wet, as we had marched
through water, bogs, etc. We ate once
on the 18th and once on the 14th. One
night we were ordered out, after all
were asleep, to resist a reported at
tack by the insurgents. 1t was an ex-
citing time.
Well, Charley, I will be glad if I ever
see home again. Only one man was
wounded in our battery. He was
wounded just above the knee, skin deep
| Cnsurgent bullet). He is a friend of
mine. We are quartered in an old
building now. I am we'll, but have a
bad cough at times. It is very warm
| here when it don't rain, but 1t rains
| most all the time. Your loving brother,
HAYWARD.