The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-12-15
OUR SOLDIER BOYS AT HONOLULU.
Entertaining Letters from D. F. Burbank
-"P0r' and "Swipes" the Food and
Drink of the HawaiianS.

Entertaining Letters from D. F. Burbanh
-"P0i" and "Swipes" the Food and
Drink Of the Hawaiians.
Camp Mckinley, Honolulu, H. l.
Nov. 2, 1899.
l received letter from Ebel
Oct. 20, and your letter yesterday, so viii
try and answer all in one letter.
Well, we returned back to camp Fri
day after marching around the island o.
Oahu. The first night the boys all gath
cred around the campfire and sung and
told stories till really thought 1 was
back with Co. G, and to the old soldiers
that night brought back to their memo
ries the early days of soldering in the fal
west when they dared not light match
for fear they would be attacked by In
dams. They would lie on the ground
gun in hand, and talk in low whispers.
Oh, how wish l could have soldiered in
those days, for / long for something dan
gerous and exciting to happen every day.
Well, that night, though many song
was well sung and grand pieces spoken
| by grizzled veterans burnt brown by the
tropical suns heat, was quickly spent.
We hardly realized where the evening
had gone when the distant notes of taps
floated on the breeze of that still moon
light night, and soon candlelights and
fires were extingushed, and the camp be-
came as quiet as if there were not man
within mile, although there were 200
men sleeping on the ground in their
blankets with only pup tent over them
for protection through which we could
very plainly see the stars in the heavens
above.
The second day it commenced to rain,
and it continued to rain for nine days.
We forded mountain streams with the
water up to our waists, and for many
miles we marched on the beach where
the waves came up to meet us.
| suppose you want me to say in this
letter that am sick. No, am in the
best of health since returned from the
march. Most of the boys are back from
the hospital. Nearly all had malaria.
Earl WILDER left here the I'd of October
and is in Manila fighting before this.
Bert Weatherby is here yet, looking after
the officers horses of his regiment. am
going on a pass and will see him tomor-
row.
Camp Mckinley, Honolulu, HI. l.
Nov. %, 1892.
/ received your letter of Nov. 8 yester-
day, the 22d. wrote you Nov. 5 on our
return from march around the island,
and now will send you little write up
of the trip. If it had been good weather
could have seen more to write about l
am busy studying on the heliograph now
a-days so could not set my mind on writ
ing long story.
Batteries A and N leave for Manila to-
morrow, and as yet we know not wheth-
er X and | will remain here or go to Ma
Mia, or go back to the states. hope we
will get move on to Manila soon.
The reason it takes 80 long for my let
tiers to get home is that the government
has chartered all the Pacific liners for
transports to take soldiers to Manila, 80
there are not many going to the states,
but every day one leaves with soldiers
for Manila. There are six in the harbor
now. / am enjoying good health and
weigh more than ever did before which
is 197 pounds.
A PRACTICE MARCH AROUND THE ISLAND OF
OAHU.
Batteries X and / of the 9th Artillery,
stationed at Camp Mckinley, Honolulu,
H. l., made ten days practice march,
around the Island of Oahu, with Capt. A.
S'aker IN command, and First Lieut.. d.
w. Ketcham and Acting Assistant Sur
geon Donald Maclean.
Leaving Camp Mckinley on the morn
ing of Oct. 18th, at 7:3O a. M, we reached
Moanalua, our first stop on the march, at
1890, having travelled about ten miles.
This was an easy march and fully enjoyed
by ALL. Mrs. Damon, resident of Moan
alua, treated us with kindness such as we
shall never forget, not only allowing us
to camp on her property but donating
dainty and appetizing supper. We re-
greet that we were unable to thank her
for it is very rarely that such
kindness is shown soldier in Honolulu.
Reveille sounded at 4:30 next morning
80 that the boys we're well on their way
to Pearl Harbor when old Soils rays
peeped from behind Diamond Head.
This was terrible march through mud
nearly up to your shoe-tops, and after
through this for twelve miles,
we reached our camping place footsore
and weary.
The boys found themselves located on
a beautiful grassy slope, surrounded by
tropical trees and plants Of many varie-
ties and sizes. The place is known as
Redmond Grove, and is situated short
n - .