Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1899-12-14

UO1O0U 0AA OAUO BAA Us A1C44 10
not a bad looki e city and for even
tants, we found it fairly clear and
healthy, Notwithstanding it's occu-
patton by Spanish troops. I had the
honor and pleasure while there,
of working as telegraph op-
orator in the Offices Of some of the
greatest Of American sailors and sol
dlers and saw both Admiral Dewey
and Gen, Otis daily for quite a
while. Admiral Dewey did me the
honor of speaking to me several
times about affairs connected with
the telegraph Office, while [ was on
duty in Cavlte. and I found him a
most gracious, pleasant gentleman
in his dealings with his subordi-
mates. / have been asked by several
people who and what is a Filipino
and if he is the savage uncouth, bru-
tai beast that he is pictured in the
papers? My answer Is no! / having
spent thirteen months among them,
have had a good opportunity of
studying them and their habits, and
should pronounce them far superior
to our American negro from a point
of education, bravery and lntelll-
gence. It has been my good fortune
to see Aguinaldo on one or two Oc-
casiOns before the outbreak OF the
war, and there is not, even among
| our American Generals now in the
Philippines, a o distinguished
looking soldier, or one whose face
shows as much courage, intelligence
and intellectually I am afraid that
had Mr.. Mckinley waited until
Aguinaldo was captured to have
would have had to wait for an in
definite period. The Filipino out
break took place about 9;45 P. M,
Saturday Feb. 4th, '99 and from this
time until we left tor home, life was
very exciting, most too much SO
for us ALL The American soldier on
this occasion was found to be as
equal to the emergency as hereto
fore and a volume could not tell of
his deeds Of valOr performed III the
service of his country in that distant
cline. We have been victorious yes,
but at what a cost! oil. StOtsenburg.
of the gallant 1st Nebraska, Egbert,
Diggles. Smith, Lien, Logan. Viii
liams and hundreds Of other brave
officers and men who lost their lives
over there, testify to the bitterness
of the struggle and the valor of the
opposite side. No more of the WAL.
Now for our voyage homeward
bound.
On the 1st of Sept. '99 we receiv-
ed the glad tidlngs prepare for
home" and on the 7th day of that
month set sail, aboard the transport
"New Port" for the land of the free
and the home of the brave. What a
cheer went up from those aboard,
when the whistle sounded and the
wheel began to revolve. We had a
Sergeant aboard belonging to
company who was quite a Wag. and
when the vessel started with her
nose pointed homeward, he ran up
the rigging and dotfing his cam
paign hat, ba1e farewell to the city
Fare thee well, Manila;
Fare thee well Forever,
may emigrate to HI some day;
But to Manila-Never!"
It's needless to say we endorsed
his sentiments and uttered a most
fervent Amen. Our trip from Ma
Mia TO Nagasakl where we were to
Nagas XII is a most delightful city in
habited by kind people, ana our
five or six days stay there, was one Of
the most pleasant of our lives. They
are a gentle refined people whose
harshest cuss word is stupid" and
are deserving of a high place am ng
the enlightened nations of the earth
After leaving N~agasaki, Sept 10Th,
our troubles commenced and we were
| all heartily glad when on DC 9th the
lights of San Francisco doomed up in
the distance, and we were once more
in Gods country. We had three weeks
of storm after leaving Nagasaki, lost
three life boats, and ome of US thought
we might never get home again. Nine
of the sick soldiers died before reach.
ing port, and take 1T all in all it was
the most terrible experience aver gone
through by us At any rate none of us
San Francisco 1870 P. M. Oct. 9th,
most of US, toe happy to sleep,
wandered about the boat until day
break in order to see our native land
again, with the first rays of the rising
sun. What a happy lot we were. and
when a few hours later, about nine
O'Clock, an excursion boat with sever
al hundred of San F~rancisco's fairest
and bravest came out to meet US, with
a band playing Home Sweet Home"
we felt that we wore indeed il Gods
country, and that country is always
"home." San Francisco the metro
polls and garden spot,of the Golden
West delights in honoring her return
ed soldiers, and showered US with favors
and blessings. Her people are more
like Southern people than any [ have
ever seen in my travels. Full of hospi-
tality and ~graciousness. l made quite
a stay in San Francisco and while
there made some YER warm friends.
Their kindly treatment of me will al
ways live a greer spot in my memory
and so say, and say it over again,
God bless the good women and men OF
San Francisco.
Yours Truly,