The record-union., 1898-12-21
A DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
AN INSPIRING SCENE UNDER
MANILA'S WALLS.
Dress Parade of the Third Artillery
Described by a Young
Sacramentan.

In Camp Quartet de Meisic, Manila,
P. l., November {, 1898.
Eds. Record Union:" Thinking you
would be interested to receive mes
sage from the Philippine Islands,
from one born and reared in your city.
so will take the liberty to write YOU
The islands have wonderful resources,
but they never have been developed,
because of the blighting influence Of
Spanish rule.
1 viii try and give you a description
of dress parade Of the Third Artil-
lery that occurred to-day. The Third
Artillery is we'll cared for and is situ-
ated in the Quartet de Meisic, in the
northern part of the new city of Man
lila. 1t is about three miles to the
Luneta, a large grassy spot where mil
itary exhibitions are usually given. So
We have quite a march to reach there.
At AIS p. m. the bugle blew assem-
bly,, and four battalions of the heavy
artillery were soon on the march.
| The regulars undergo a rigid drill
twice a day, and consequently are
much better disciplined than the vol
unteers AS we marched through the
winding streets of the city, past the
! Escolta and over the Bridge Of Spain,
sented a fine appearance in our white
clothes and helmets. Everyone turned
to look. as with Kraggs shouldered, we
marched by with the swinging, regular
! gait of the trained soldier.
| After passing over a wide driveway
with many interesting sights, we
marched upon the Luneta- More beau
! tiful sights, more interesting proceed
! i'm no kGan LOT RI
| faced the gate of Manila Bay, and
through it we looked out over the
| China Sea- the sun glowed golden be-
hind a ragged strip of clouds, and the
whole West was gloriously bright as
! the setting sun slowly sank in the
! tropical sea. To the rear a beautiful
rainbow was outlined against a dark
! ened sky, made so by some wandering
| shower.
! North and south of the Gate" the
| mountains retreated, beautiful in
! their forest coverings. To our right
in the bay, grim war vessels, trans
| ports and other shipping lay peace
fully at anchor. The fishing boats of
! the natives were outlined on the hori-
zon, while to the front rose the power
/ full Luneta batteries. At our backs
| lay the ancient, huge vine covered
walls of old Manila and the two moats,
and my mind was filed with scenes
| of the 18th of August, when these
walls bristled with guns and soldiery.
The birds We're sweetly singing a fare
We'll to the dying day.
We We're suddenly aroused by the
| command to come to attention. The
band of the First California Volun-
teers struck up a lively air and march
ed up and down before the batteries
Then we came to a parade rest, and
| a bugle blew retreat The band
then played that wonderfully inspiring
piece, the "Star-Spangled Banner" :"
! Under the conditions you can imagine
how it thrilled our hearts, because we
had fought for the dear old flag and
We're still serving under it. Everyone
was enlivened by the stirring strains
| We then made four immense wheels,
coming to a 'port-arrns as we passed
| the commanding officer, then to the
command of rights. forward, fours
right" We began our homeward march,
Where we did full justice in the light
OF the camp fires to the hash, coffee
and bread that awaited US. Yours
| truly,
HAYWARD REED, Battery L, Third
! Artillery, u. S. A.