Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-29
A SOLDIERS LETTER.
Private Fleming Writes About Life in
Manila

AND PEACEFUL PEOPLE -
SCENES IN OLD AND NEW MA
Mia - EAGERNESS OF soil
DIERS FOR MONKEYS AND REL.
ICS-oTHER MATTERS.
Charles b. Fleming. a private In
Company f. Twentisth United, States
Infantry. stationed in the Philippines.
has written a very interesting letter to
his uncle, II. ]. McGovern. OF this city,
OF which the following is an abstract:
The Wheeling and West Virginia
boys here all return thanks for the
copies OF the Register which you sent.
l cannot begin TO describe what have
seen since leaving San Francisco July
q. We had a fair trip to Honolulu.
We were there two days and took full
advantage OF our shore leave. 1t is the
most beautiful place l have ever seen,
but there are very few Americans there.
became acquainted with one Of the ma
tvs who was at the Worlds Fair with
the band, and talked good English. He
showed me where Queen LIS palace
was and through the governments
building. There is nothing like It in
the States.
| saw bananas and cocoanuts grow
ing wild on the mountains When We
left, the natives came down to the boat
and passed them around, and the band
goes down to the pier and plays every
night The band played America" as
the transport left the harbor. The Hon
olulu people think nobody compares
with the Americans. II Uncle Sam gets
the Philippines to be as peaceful he
will have accomplished wonders. We
left Honolulu August 5. and did nor
see land or vessel until we reached q
volcano ON the 18th. 1t was senc:ng..
out plenty of smoke, but no lava.
When we sighted land, August q
everybody on board cheered. Them
passed island after island, until
steamed into Manila Bay, August
with all hands cheering and a ne
American flag flying from the masts
There is still evidence of Dewey's work
in the bay.
Manila is so hot during the day
we don't stroll about much ur%6 81
sun goes down. We are CHARTERED in
the walled city. in the same barracks
the Spanish soldiers occupied. The
surrounding walls are Is or 20 feet
thick, and guarded by soldiers and po-
lice. The walled city is called Old Ma
Mia. It is made up OF residences and
Catholic churches. 1t appears funny To
see monkeys climbing about the trees.
You can buy them from natives foxs
cents each. Every discharged 50
takes one home. In the shape OF
everything Is carried away, from
tons to brass cannon. The cannon
very old and out of date. One |
was made in 1874, and another in 49,
We were told that relic-hunting sol
diers stole a cannon weighing 300
pounds and carried il aboard the trans
port, making the Spaniards very angry.
All the Spanish war implements arc
broken UP, loaded onto ships and taken
to China, where they are sold for old
metal.
We have 200 prisoners in the bar
racks. II you lot one out you have ia
drive him away. They get good food
and poor treatment, and say they want
to help the Americans.
New Manila Is more modern The
principal street. the Escolta, IL lined
with stores where everything IL sold.
The merchants are spanlards and Japs.
as the natives never get enough money
TO start anything but banana and cigar
stands. A good ten-cent cigar sells FOR
go cents hundred, but everything else
Is dear. We drink Pabst Milwaukee
beer, and I think you could find II at
the North Pole.
The Cinnamon and Filipinos don't
get along well together, on account OF
business jealousy. and soldiers are
often called out TO quell their disturb
ances. The churches are very old and
interesting
General Otis has his men IN good
shape, and when he starts In after tho
rainy season he won't stop until he
drives them into the sea. I Think the
talk about Otis In the States n caused
by Jealousy. II some Of his critics saw
this country they would better UNDER
stand the situation. | am attached to
his regiment, and know all the boys
like him. Only about one In every
twenty discharged soldiers enlist again.
The Indiana has just arrived, with 4
Wheeling boy aboard. He Is a son Of
ex-councilman A. G.. Harrell. He Is In
the Twenty-flrst Infantry.
r~Tr~r1 C.r~ T1%r-Tr.rrTr-r