The record-union., 1899-08-10
ON THE FIRING LINE.
THE PART THAT WOMAN PLAYS
IN WAR.
Extracts From a Letter Of May
Stevens Boysen to Her
Mother.

The Oakland Tribune" has the
following concerning we'll known for
mer resident of this city, who is at
present in the Philippines:
Mrs. May Stevens Boysen, the Cali
fornia lady who distinguished herself
on the firing line in the Philippine cam
paign, has written letter to her
mother, Mrs. A. ]. Stevens, who is at
stow, wife of Councilman Barstow. The
following interesting extracts are
taken from the letter:
Can it be possible that my work at
the front has really gotten into the
papers? Well, it takes a small fire
to make a big smoke. doesn't it?
This is how it happened. Curiosity
took me out at first, for I did not be-
lieve I would be allowed to stay and
being there naturally 1 turned to and
helped the boys-only to smoothe the
damp hair from their brows, to wash
their faces with cool water and give
them a pressure of the hand that
seemed to them a mountain of comfort.
MANY boys, in the delirium of pain,
would call Mother I would just take
them in my arms as though I were
their mother.
Poor boys. Some of them died with
their heads on my shoulder. And now,
as I think of those days, long past, yet
ever present with me, cannot control
myself, for thinking Of my own who
might have been in their place.
General Wheaton's heart is so big
and kind that after a battle, and he
learns our losses, we know his SYM
pathies are with the fallen and the
friends who are left in far-away, dear
old America
Il am glad, beyond expression, that
I have been able to do something to re-
lieve the poor, suffering soldiers, for
only those who are here can realize
the discomfort and difficulties under
which we labor
"On Monday, the 10Th day of June, I
was down at linus, and it was the only
time l was in serious danger, for when
the reinforcementS were sent out I was
entirely cut off, but I got into my car
riage and put out as fast as possible
for Bacoor, the next town, where there
is a garrison. Every man had to go
out to help the reconnaissance party. I
was very anxious to accompany them,
but General Wheaton would not allow
me, as it was an open country and
there were no trenches for protection.
Major Belle Reynolds is here in
our hotel. She is very nice, and al
though she is over go years of age, she
is handsome still-tall and straight and
withal lovely woman.
II have a cane from the wood of
the Spanish flagship Reina Christina,
with the toredo holes all through it.
1t also shows the scorching from the
fire. A native went down in two feet
OF water to saw it from the hand rail-
There were cinders and mussel shells
all over it when he brought it up. My
friends all envy me my prize.
Chaplain Flemming of the Colo
radios is a friend of mine, and has been
much interested in my work here, call
mig me the Red Cross nurse, after the
Helen Gould and Astor style, meaning
l am here on my own responsibility
"A pathetic incident occurred in our
hospital that brought tears to our
eyes. A poor young Filipino girl was
brought in with broken leg. Although
so young, she was a mother. She had
lost her baby, and it was pitiful to hear
her cry. She was running away when
the bullet hit her, and she could not
tell where she had left the child-poor
thing! We have made her as comfort
able as possible, but she still mourns
for the lost baby
II have the satisfaction of feeling
that l have accomplished some good.
tits a balm to me for all other trials
/ have endured-and they have not
been few. However, it has not been all
clouds without some sunshine, for I
have just received a present from some
of the boys have looked after in the
field.
ut is a Spanish decoration of silver
and beautiful enamel such as is worn
by the Chief Justice. 1t is a rare
souvenir, which prize highly, and as
we hope soon to be on our way home,
shall be proud to show it to my
friends"