The Columbus journal., 1898-10-05

| (Extraots from letter by h. T. Sim
mons to his sister, Miss Carrie.-EI
JouaxAI.J
August I.
Capt Kilian 10 expected here in abou
. week.
Tho soil hero il sandy and soaks ~
the water - last % il falls.
The natives dress very plainly. They
mostly dress in white, and their clothes
are always clean.
Outside Of fruit, which grows, natural,
they raise peanuta sweet potatoes, rice,
tomatoes. They hive mostly on rice,
6sh and fruit
The women sit around the camps with
baskets full Of bananas, cocoauuts and
other fruits to cell to the soldiers.
1 think what u to be done hero by
the army. viii be through with in one
or two weeks now.
The Spanish are getting nearly starved
out. It 10 rumored that they have
nothing now to eat except dog meat.
There have been no provisions shipped
into Manils for four or five months, and
there are between thirty and forty
thousand soldiers, besides three hun.
dred thousand inhabitants there to feed.
August IA.
DEAR Folks AT HoME:-
We have captured Manila, and have
possession Of the city. We came in yes
terday about noon and got located here.
1t was exciting and dangerous. Alto
gether We had twelve killed.
On the 18th We went into the breast
works, but all day We could see the Span
ish working, and our boys were mp to the
trenches waving their hands at them.
Yesterday We could hear rumors of
bombardment, and about $50 We went
back to camp only to stay about half an
hour, and then marched out with two
hundred rounds Of ammunition, forty
sight hours Of rstions and canteens Of
water. I was battalion trumpeter and
Am yet. We were in battalion formation
one battalion behind another, about q |
hundred yards apart, from the breast
works back to camp. All the batteries
we're to the front. We had no sooner |
got into line than Dewey commenced the |
It lasted about two
,Ours and was horrible. Then they
cheering in front, and Of
'ourse We knew there was some victory,
md We commenced to move, coming to
he beach, past the breastworks, waded
he river and marched up to the breast
works which Colorado had captured, and
lad Old Glory floating over it. Ofcourse
ve cheered, but We were not yet done.
Part Of US marched along the wall on the
'utside and on the beach in water up to
ur hips part OF the time. The rest were
inside the wall. Bullets were flying
hick, but We came to an opening and
right out in front Of q Spanish
ort containing 10000 regular soldiers,
nd the volunteers which We had driven
d. We expected battle, but as We
anne out in sight OF it, a white flag was
oating. Then the Spanish officers and
Governor General came, and the papers
7ere fixed. I was at the head OF the
'hird battalion and saw it all and talked
nth some Spanish soldiers. Then the
commended and We landed
ere.
August 16.
Peace was declared on the 18th, the
be city was taken on the 18th, and We
ave the city under martial law yet, and
will be till this war is settled
etween the Insurgents and the Spanish
mt Nebraska, I don't think, will stay
lere longer than they can get transpor-
alton. Some Of the boys are not doing
'ell as they cannot stand the climate.
Most of the time it is as cold here a.
ONE Of our coolest days in Nebraska, in
lay, but today it is just about like it is
here q moderate day in July. Well,
ye-bye, dear folks, 1 hope I'll see You
II soon. Truly, CHAs. T. MINER.
Arnistos, Alabama.
September 25, 1893.
w, a..ss.od ho.u &b< ,.ao..:aI. "A A. 90