Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-24
Interesting Letter from a
Former Augusta Boy
Describing the Trip from Pacific Coast
to the Islands
Ii Most Graphic and Particularly Interest.
Ing Style.


Seattle. WASH. now lieutenant of Co.
F, I'd Oregon Volunteers, will be read
with interest by acquaintance and
everybody interested in the war. as be-
ing one of the beet descriptions Of the
trip from our Pacific coast to the
Philippines. SO far published. The let
ter was originally published in the
Seattle Daily Times:
"At sea, Thursday, June 16. latitude
IA, longitude 159. A few days ago we
were in the far West, now we are in
the far East. The first time was ever
there. (Having passed the 1S0th meri-
DAM
I'VE have the same scene to look at
day after day, and about the same
routine OF work. 1t Is very warm. and
gets warmer as the sea grows smooth
err. We have had the best kind. OF
weather, the light wind being with US.
The breeze lessons each day. which
causes 1t to grow warmer. We have
an occasional smart shower of short
duration. The sunsets are beautiful.
The monotony today was broken by
the Charleston having a target prac-
tice with her big guns. The first Of
the kind I have ever seen. The shells
striking the water at long range, look
ed as though they would smash most
anything that they hit. We expect
that in three days she will show US the
real business. We have learned that
we are to touch at the Island Guam
q md toka IN tmo email Cpop;oh u,,u
boats that are supposed to be there.
We don't expect to have much to do
about 1t. only keep at a safe distance
and let the Charleston get in her work.
We only hope that il there is a scrap
We will be near enough to see it; don't
expect them to make much of a fight
unless they have been reinforced.
I'VE have been going at the rate of
only 10 miles an hour since leaving
Honolulu. in order to save coal. We
should have been most to the Philip
pines now If we had gone at the proper
rate of speed; as 1t is, we will be 10
days longer. yet.
This lazy way of living is spelling
us all. If it keeps up much longer we
won't be good enough to be a police
man when we get home. This constant
wondering about what Is going on in
Cuba and what battles have been
fought here and there makes US all
long for news. We hope to hear some
thing that will make up shout for joy
very soon now.
There is very little sickness and
very little complaints to be heard. on
ly we get awful lazy. We have set
ting up exercises, drill in the manual
and officers school every day. There
are lots of books and papers. but guess
l have read them all. just imagine US
at sea for a month, and nothing to see
but few flying fish; sometimes there
will be dozens of them come out Of the
water and go flying away over the
waves for hundred yards. for all the
world like flock of quail, and as fast,
too.
This Island of Guam has one town
of about 5000 Inhabitants of the same
class as we shall find at the Philip
pines.
Tonight all our small boats were
put in readiness to lower and the COM
panionway put out, SO everything
would be ready at a moments notice
to disembark. They say that there is
lots of nice fruit on the island, 80 we
hope to be there two or three days.
The other expedition may overtake us
there.
Every night when the flags lowered
and the band plays the ''Star Spangled
Banner" and we stand uncovered,
just say little prayer for you and my
babies at home. There is real bright
star that comes out in the west before
any other every evening, and call it
wife, and I always think Of you when
see it.
Today is Sunday. and 1t Is very
warm. Commander Philips just made
the remark that 1t is not so warm;
some OF you fellows may be in the
southwest corner of hell by this time
tomorrow This is the easy way that
he has of speaking of our possible
danger at Guam island tomorrow. We
expect to get there early in the morn
ing. and of course don't. know what Is
In store for us there. The latest or
ders are from the Charleston for us to
keep close together. as we can be out
OF range. In order to land quickly in
case anything should happen to the
Charleston. There Is small fort there,
but not many soldiers. and we could
get away with them easy. We don't
expect anything to do, but are to be
ready for anything that we don't ex-
pect. 1t will be relief to see land
anyway.
Monday, 20th. Land IN sight; all !
up early to see the enemy's land. The.i
first 'gunboat' sighted proved to be q !
Jap merchant. No other boat could be
found in the harbor, but great was the
cheering when the Charleston one mile |
in the lead, fired upon the fort in the
bay. The expectation of seeing a ma
val battle thrilled US all. for we knew
that that meant q land attack for us
also. Great also was our disappoint- |
ment when, after dozen shots were
fired. the fort made no reply and not |
another shot was fired all day long.
We lay outside watching the small /!
boats from the Charleston going and |
coming between the shore and ship,
and wondering 'wat-fell?' The fort
proved to be unoccupied. The gover-
nor. hearing the shots. went out to the
Continued on page -