The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-23
IDAHO BOYS.
n, Aboard the Transport on tho Journey TO the
Philippines,


Philippines.
Following is an interesting &C
count of the daily life of the 1st
Regiment Idaho Volunteers on
the trip from San Francisco to
Honolulu. 1t is from the pen of
Sergeant Major D. L. Bailey of
Meridian, and we are indebted to
Mr.. Sim Bailey for permission to
publish the sketch:
June give pulled out from San
Francisco for the Philippine Islands.
We marched on board the Morgan City
fine little steamer, on Sunday, June
26 about noon. The ladies of the Red
Cross came aboard with sandwiches
and coffee and hard boiled eggs and the
first regiment Idaho volunteers, gave
them hearty three cheers. There was
much confusion on board the boat in
ouartering the men. There was 700
men on board besides the boat crew
which numbers about 30 men. l was
assigned to room 90 just at the foot of
the central stairs, a very good room
with four hunks. The quartermaster
sergeant the commisary sergeant and
myself occupied the room alone which
gave us one extra bunk which gave us
place to put our extra things, and
made it far more comfortable for US.
The room is 7x9, low ceiling, round
port hole, 10 inches in diameter, looks
out over the sea. About 6 o'clock we
pulled out into the bay about a half a
mile and cast anchor. When we left
the dock the crowd cheered themselves
hoarse, and the vessels along the
wharves footed their whistles, and
every handkerchief waved, and a good
hearty God bless you" was in every
mouth. We went to bed early and
awoke the next morning much refresh
ed. We had trod for the last time per-
haps our native land, and surely for
months we were out on sea Of adVen-
ture. God knows what will be the end.
AS lay on my bunk with the swish OF
water ringing in my ears, took re-
Prospective view of my past, especially
the last few weeks covering my en-
listment, and the leaving of my home
and family for the war, and l could
find no fault with myself for being on
the boat waiting for start on the ex'
petition. If it were all to do over
again would do it but not in the same
way. have no time at present to
carry out my ideas on paper, but | have
carefully went over the ground and
while my heart aches and my eyes
swim in tears, find 1 would have to
make the same great sacrifice if had
to meet the same conditions.
June 27-This is a great day, the bay
is full of boats big and little. From
every craft flies a multitude of flags
and bunting, the meaning of them al
is Greek to me, they are hurrying about
the bay stopping at the ships that are
about to sail for the far east, and Civ
ing hearty good cheer to the brave
homeless boys who are leaning over
the gunwale, hanging in the rigging
upon the upper andlower deck, in fact
every place they could hand on to ge'
near the visitors or to get into piair
view. Here comes a fine boat with
band of music, the bands play and thu
people shout themselves hOarse. Oul
boys are wild with enthusiasm. An
other boat comes and bombards ou
ship with oranges, thousands of oran
ges are thrown, the deck is fairly GOV,
cred. Here comes the Call dispatch
boat, it comes up and puts on ant
takes off the mail, the boats are crowd