The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-03-10
LETTER FROM MANILA.
Interesting Letter From Erie Taylor In
the PARKWAY Philippines.

MANILA, =. l., Jan. 20, ls90-Ny Dear
MOther:-I think | have written three
letters home I'm the last week, but the
Iealandia leaves tomorrow and | can't
miss such a good chance to send mail
home.
The boys in the tent next to me are
singing "The Girl | Left Behind" and
their singing, interspersed with laugh
ter, would do your heart good. Yet
they long for home as they now take up
1.-THE Old Oaken Bucket"
Coco news was impaired to us to-
night. Capt. Gillem said he had it from
good authority that the First Tennessee
Regiment would return home on one OF
the Eastern ships now on the way here;
and that Gen. Otis said all the volun-
teers would be on their way home by
the first of May. Capt. Gillem said our
regiment would go by way of New
York and go into camp at Fort Thomas,
KY, for awhile. Now won't that be
too bad? TO be started home and then
stopped so near yet so far away. If |
can't get away to run down to see you,
some of you must come to see me; but |
know it will take loaded Springfield
to keep me in camp long.
One of the boys has Just said that
there were three ships he would never
forget. The Maine, because it was the
Xealandia, because it brought him here
and lastly the ship that takes him home,
and that he'd love the last far better
than the others.
The excitement has ahated some
what, but there is no telling when it
will be aroused again. Soldiers are
attacked almost every night on their
posts, as you will see from the papers
send you.
m .o1d;o,. That ,.-oro cont 20 T1o;lo
have not been able to land yet. The
poor Iowa boys have been on transport
ever since the Sunday after we left San
Francisco, and / know they are com
pletely worn out.
Company l., leaves for Iloilo to-mor-
row. Now that makes guard duty stili
heavier. | go on guard on an average
of every two days, and if we have much
more guard duty l think we will have
to stay on all the time. We only have
companies in Manila now, and have
so much camp guard duty. Those in
barracks have to guard only the doors,
| wish you could go into some of the
churches here. The inside is grand
with its fine wood work, statuary and
| paintings | never saw anything to
equal it. IT is almost worth the trip
over to see them. When we think of
the time that has passed since their
|
| mahogany floors, seats, tables etc. So
handsome and massive are they that
at home they would cost fortune.
The chandeliers are beautiful. | am
| sorry all this is not where American
people can see and duly appreciate.
During certain hours people can be
seen kneeling on the floor In prayer,
not moving for hours. One can't help
being impressed by their humility and
| l,,,r h,
terry is beautiful and interesting, but
have not been there vet.
The wall around the old city, with its
sally-ports, draw bridges and mOat, the
guns on the wall, and Notifications on
the outside remind us of Roman his
tory descriptive scenes. Yet it's just a
| big Exposition" to be visited by tour
lists, who will be numerous hereafter l
hope.
Beggars here are numerous and their
pleadings are most pitiful. They squat
on the side of the walks, and tender
hearted person has to give them some
thing.
Mahogany, camphor wood and ebony
walking canes sell On the street for p
cents American money. There is a
large table cover, beautifully embrOid-
cred in gold that will sell for $40.
Mail is expected Wednesday, and oh
how glad we will be to have news from
home. Just now "Nellie Grey" comes
in sweet home sounding notes to me,
and it takes me back ten thousand
miles over seas, mountains, deserts and
plains to my own mama, papa, sister,
brother and other dear ones.
But | must close and go to bed, or
rather to bunk"
Tell Mr.. Lander | hope to get home
in time for the HERALD Reunion, il
sister will invite me.
Goodby, dear ones. All of you write
often to Your loving son,
ERIE G. TAYLOR.