The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-08-18
IN THE PHILIPPINES,

Eugene Travis has received the
following letter from Sergt J. A.
Dowdy, dated at Tloilo. May. 9th,
which we are permitted to publish:
l will attempt to tell you of our pres
ent condition and whereabouts. Wea
in barracks Gan old cathedraD at La Paz
/ mile north of Iloilo, and we are very
nicely quartered. With the exception
of a few shots occasionally everything is
quiet We have had some hard scraps
here, and have put daylight through q
number of the natives, but the so-called
insurgent army--at least the main body
has retreated to Santa Barbara, town
5 miles back of Iloilo. Every few nights
they give us a call.
Since Colonel Smiths death Lieuten-
ant Colonel Childress has been colonel
of the regiment. He is beloved by all
the boys, and is fine officer, but you
remember how all. the boys liked him.
Our outpost lines are on the banks Of
Jaro River, and the rainy season set in
last week. 1t rained six days and nights,
and when it rains here it simply pours.
The water came out of the mountains in
torrents, and our barracks were 4feet
under water. When we first came here
we could not imagine why all the houses
were built so high from the ground and
why the people lived In the second story.
We understand it now.
The view hereis monotonoUs. Sugar
plantations and rice fields abound as far
as the eye can see, except to the north
miles away rises the black uneven lines
of a range of mountains. These noun
tains are the'honaes Of tribes of savages
who fight with spears and knives. It is
our intention after we lick the rebels to
go after those devils.
We have not pushed the fighting here
as at Manila, for, as you probably know,
we have only sufficient force to hold what
we have taken.
Since the rainy season set in our out
post stations are on the second floor OF
houses, and in posting guards we have
to wade or go in boats.
have heard nothing of Tom Farmer
since the night February A of the bat,
tie of Manila. Perhaps he has dis
charge. He had in his application then
Presume that he went with his company
to Cebu February %, and hope that he
lis all O. K.
Well, Eugene, have often wished
that you had come on to Manila with as
but never before so much as I did yes
terday. We had a company birthday
dinner-yOu remember, we have been il
the service one year yesterday-and
must say the dinner could not have beer
excelled in the army or anywhere else
Our menu included such delicacies a
beans, mashed potatoes, eggs, all kind
of pies, jelly, jam, dcughnuts, cake, tea
coffee, cigars, and above all barrel o
beer. 1t was a glorious time in Compa
ny I, and I thought of you several time
during the feast and wished that yol
were here, for I known you would hav
enjoyed it hugely.
We have a good time gathering an
! eating the fruit found here. Bananas
cocoanuts and mangoes grow in abur
= dance. Rice, sugar cane, tobacco ant
! cotton are the chief products Of the is
land. Iloilo is next to the largest shir
ping point in the entire group. Of til
Philippine Islands.
a Business has greatly improved her
4 within the past few weeks. Fire almos
destroyed some part Of the city. but IN
= few months you viii hardly Be able {
81 tell that uoilo ever had a 1s Sine