Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-06-07
Letter from Manila.
MANILA, P. L., April 80, 1899.

~. for six weeks and under constant
]. have been permitted by the lieu
.an, to come to quarters, and so here
:. ,o.u;qht. But it don't seem natural
= hs here and not hear bullets whist
;ro over our heads, and all the boys out
- the line laughing and talking,
and | in quarters, safe from all harm,
citing letter home to you. Neverthe-
.ss am here and as told you before,
en- we'll.
left the line in cart at 4 O'Clock and
oc here about without trouble. The
lieutenant permits one man to come in
every day, and to-day it was my turn. l
90 out in the morning about 9 O'Clock.
When came in the cook, who bakes for
three companies, had supper ready, and
sat down to beefsteak, tomatoes and
bread and ate hearty meal. Then he
asked me if did not want to go down
on the Luenata and hear the band play.
said YES and went-the first time have
been at liberty to go where pleased
since the 4th day of February, and l felt
rs though were just out Of Jail. We
didn't have very long to stay, as We had
to be in quarters by 7 O'Clock, as nobody
Is allowed on the streets after that hour.
Before left the line, and before din
ner, A and F companies Of our regiment
had quite scrap with the natives, which
lasted about half an hour. Eight natives
and an Englishman were killed. The Eng
lishnlan was leading the natives. They
attacked A and F's outposts, which are
located about 900 or 400 yards distant
from where we are camped and on the
same line. The natives sneaked up to
about 200 feet of the outposts and turned
loose on our boys. AS luck would have
It, every one was in the trench and no
one was hurt; but how the natives did
throw the lead wasn't slow. Everything
was quiet in a half hours time, and all
left our posts and went to dinner. The
meal was but over when the enemy
started at it again; but the report had
not come up to our position when l left.
50 did not hear how it came out.
one Of the boys who came in said that
an attack on the line was expected. Just
my lnck' When am in quarters they
are liable to have fight. Yon don't
Know what it is to be out of fight here.
Every one wants to be in the muss.
l have just heard that Gen. Lawton
h's between 1000 and 5000 natives sur
rounded, that the leaders were holding a
council aud wanted to surrender, and
'AaI TWO generals from the insurgent
army were in consultation with Otis for
Terms OF peace. We all know, or think
We know, what Otis will do. It will be
seomplete surrender of the native forces
Internationally and within forty-eight
nou's' Otis is at point where he can't
''he' and must act quickly, for the
''aSon the men are becoming hostile and
"'u' more eager to fight every day. It
Swry hard to guess what may result If
something is not done soon. was on
'a'pos' last night, and had a very easy
Ayn' Of 1t. We were fred upon once or
'siee' the bullets hitting all around us;
Out no one was hurt.
see the Teller has long letter Of
4ne IN the issue of the 22d. Every one
aeie seems to think it all right. But I
1Ae an objection to make. In looking
WI 'ne locals noticed an item referring
myself which ! Immediately proceeded
Se' out OF the paper. That was the
' 'e'err'ng to me as being in line for
r ''''a'ion' don't like it in the least.
Asn | have done my duty as we'll as
,As, do not deserve a promotion on
D. ' score When was sworn in at
'e e''y took oath to serve my coun-
~ oae and faithful against all enemies
ever' and TO obey the orders of
:, superior officers" and SO in doing
s .as' nave done have only performed
N. n ''oi oath TO do. Hoping that
:. 'eiier will not commit such an error
saa. ! will do my duty to the end.
CO.. what l swore | would do, and l
'AA'' go back on my word. I,ore the
h .sa out Of the paper so none of the
! = would see it, as | didn't want them
" Josh" me about it
yon ohe Is talking of going home.
r. may hear of us leaving at any time.
a., lieutenant told us that no boats
A. 70 leave ports hereafter without sol
81 "'''eward bound. We are in hopes
Tim. vs. as 10 Our show to get home any
H., 'ee that the papers at home give Lew
: ~" boys all the glory and credit won
bow a. r. 1t is we'll enough that our
ua a Their duty we'll; but we mus,
with :, s, The Kootenay boys who are
arr ihey have done as we'll and
Lewis 1esefVing of praise as any of ths
ana Joys. They are all fighters
wan, one has shown the least fear,
ill., you TO have one of our pauers yiy,