The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-05
THE GRAND OCEAN TRIP
PECULIARITIES OF THE NATIVE
FILIPINOS.
Soldiers and Savages Thronged the
Beach to Welcome the Transports
and to Learn the Latest News Of
the Wsr-Tropical Scenes and Fun
In the Native Canoes.

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A. It has been delayed in the mails,
but is interesting even at this time:
Philippine Islands. July 2S, 1S9S-We
are once more on land, and as l have
little spare time will try to describe
our situation, and some of the peculiar
tiles of the natives, or "Filipinos," as
they call themselves.
We got orders on the morning OF the
Dist to get our things ready and pre-
pare to land. We all whocDed and
yelled when that delightful command
WAS given. and in less time than it
takes to tell it, we were in heavy
marching order and in line, ready to
get on board the boats
AS soon as the command was given
we marched down the gang plank.
single file. on to some cCmical boats
which the natives use for houses. They
are made OF bamboo, and contained
several apartments. each one of which
was covered with small bamboo, woven
together in a very intricate manner.
When the first men stepped on board
the boats, they stepped very lightly
fearful that they would break through,
and all were amazed to find that even
after hundreds of men we're aboard the
boats seemed as firm as ever.
All were transferred to the native
boats at last, and the boats were at
tached to tug which pulled for the
shore at point about three miles
south of Manila. The tug pulled us as
near the shore as it could, and then
pushed them w to within about so
yards of the landing place, that being
as close in as the boats could go.
We found the beach covered with ma
tives of all ages and sizes; also a great
many soldiers who had arrived in the
first expedition. They gave us a hearty
greeting, and We're very anxious to
hear the latest from home.
The water was waist deep from the
boats to the shore. Those who did not
want TO wade could get aboard a ma
tive canoe. or could be carried on the
backs Of the natives for whatever we
wished to pay them for their services
What jolly time it was; the men
climbed into the canoes so thick and
fast that in nearly every case they
would be tipped into the bay. Those
who got ducking in this way would
get even on their more fortunate COM
rades who were leisurely riding ashore
on the back of a native. They would
order a charge, some one would trip
the Brownie. and down would come Mr..
Bluecoat with splash into the water
When the landing was finally yccom-
DliShed, the command fall i'm was
given. We stripped off our clothes and
commenced the work of carrying our
camp eouiDage and grub from the
boat to the shore, where guards were
placed over it. When everything had
been. landed we buckled on our knao-
sacks, fell in line and marched south
about one-half mile through thick
groves of palm and many other beau
tiful trees, and on past he tented field
of the boys that had landed before u.s.
We soon tame to pretty opening,
surrounded by tropical trees, and the
scene OF 2 recent battle between the
insurgent and Spanish forces. We got
some entertainments, halted, unslung
knapsacks and were marched back to
get our camp outfit. When we re-
turned with the first pack, some OF us
pitched tents while the others went
back for the rest of our equipage.
AS soon as everything was in proper
order we partook of a delicious dinner,
consisting of hard tack and bacon, |
which we ate with the same relish one |
would eat piece of clay and a dish of |
raw scorpions. AS soon as we succeed |
ed in forcing that intoIour bread bas-
kets we began the work of straighten-
ing up the camp, which occupied our |
time until late in the afternoon. Then !
battery 3 landed, and we all went |
Down to give them a helping hand, and |
also to see our Manti comrades. We |
found them all well and in good sDir-
is. Cheers went up from each battery,
)ne for the other. AS soon as every
hing was landed, some of the boys
grabbed boxes. tents and other luggage,
While others tied ropes to the tongues
If the guns and lugged them up to
amp. Thus we kept on until 10 o'clock,
md not being used to working, we We're
almost exhausted, and were glad to lie
Town on our blankets when we got the
nance.
l was on guard last night so 1 am
1t liberty today Jim and 1 are lying
n the tent: the other boys are all down
lelping bring the rest of the guns to
amp. There was heavy firing last
light between the Spanish and insur-
tents, and today we are only a short
distance from the lines, so we can
asily hear the volleys. The cannons
cared all night. 1 could see the shrap-
lei shells burst. / have not learned
low many were killed.
/ was over to the insurgent hospital
his forenoon, when they brought their
rounded men in. and saw the rude way
n which they dressed their wounds.
here were 10 or 20 brought in while
was there. Some had a foot shot off, ]
theirs an arm. and some were pierced
trough the body,
These men here are small, but more
enuine grit cannot be found in larger
mes. The hospital corps would carry I
bern in. lay them on the hard floor,
ear OFF the bandages that had been
ut on in The field, and put on others ,
hey were handled in way that was I
lckening to witness, but they never I
lade a groan or carried on like they {
ere hurt at all.
[ soon became Disguised with such
ghts and wandered around to other |
laceS of interest. We visited an old
eserted Spanish church, and from '
here went to the insurgent recruiting
fice, where we saw number of Span ,
n prisoners. We then went to the ma :
We market place, where they were t
cling all kinds of fruits and other !
lings too numerous to mention. Some
the women made cigarettes while !
Tiers sold them.
The people here live in peculiar huts,
instructed of different kinds of bark, {
aves, etc. They have very strange 5
avs. Everything is carried on their T
eads. They can't talk English, and 6
My Door Spanish. :
We were very much surDrised when ! I
e saw their horses. They are very e
nall, the largest weighing not over b
70 pounds. 1 guess we Will have to 2
Ill the guns ourselves, for it would 6
Ike too many of the horses to do it. +
looks comical to see the insurgent S
lvalry. They are passing to and from t
le battle-ground both night and day.
hey have number of fine guns that
ere given to them by Dewey
1t is awfully stormy here. We have !
0t been dry since we left the ship. !
here is not much sickness in cam1 :
Te are all well and feeling fine. :
WAR OEN LARSEN. :
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