The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-15

There were white flags flying on all
the buildings. We then returned to
our camp and next morning, Feb. Sti,
three companies went out and took
that town. SO that was the way we
were scouting and patrolling, guard
ing prisoners and now and then into
little skirmishes, until on the after
noon and evening of Feb. all the
Idaho companies got an order to re-
turn to quarters and 1t was rumocej
that we were going to have a rest
for day or two. But it turned out
different, for we scarcely got time to
change clothes and take a bath when
an order came for us to be ready TO
move at moments notice so it was
one more night to sleep with our boots
on.
Friday morning, Feb. 10th, it was
fall in" and throw out skirmish lines
and search all the native shacks and
buildings. That lasted all forenoon
and when we were back to quarters
an order came for us to move at any
moment and just as we were about
ready to have dinner assembly blew
and it was fall in" We had about
seven miles to go to the firing line on
the other side of Manila and We're 20
go in another brigade under commlpd
of Major General Macarthur. on our
way out there we had the pleasure
of playing government mule and help
ing to haul artillery, which is a vely
nice job for a swaddy when he IL load
ed down with extra ammunition. How
ever we got there just the same at
about $50 p. M, and after the bat
teries were set they looked just as
well as if the regular mules had hauled
them out, instead of the limitations.
We then fell into our places on the line
and were ready and our regiment anG
the batteries that we took out were
all General Macarthur was waiting
for at exactly p. m. the signal shots
from the batteries could be heard.
ORDERED TO ADVANCE.
AS they rang out ten seconds apart,
which was a signal that it had started,
we got an order to advance. We were
alongside of the Manila and Dagupan
railroad, one battalion of Idahos on
one side and one on the other. The
troops on that part of the line were the
Dakotas, Twentieth Kansas, Idahos,
Montanas and a detachment of the
Third artillery with rifles. And as we
advanced, the niggers We're retreating
We never did get in close range of
them that day, but the Montanas and
our battalion drove them across the
track and the boys on the other side
were having the sport. 1t was just the
same as a rabbit hunt, one Kansas
l.. 4. l.,
looks of the dead nggers that / saw
there afterwards. They must have
had great sport We took the town
of Caluocan where the headquarters OF
the railroad are and also their shops;
and then We kept on agoing and finally
when We stopped and threw out oul
lines for the night, we found out that
we had advanced three and one-h hall
miles in that short time, and we camp
ed and, waited for our hard tack anC
coffee to come.
1t had not more than arrived Wher
two companies of Idahos-and | hap
pcnel to be in one of them-got orders
to return to the batteries and guart
them, 50 that was the first time | haC
the pleasure Of walking on the railroad
track of this island. And we did have
one HI of a time going back-darl
as could be and the soldiers had I
work train cut putting in rails anC
fixing the grade that the niggers haC
torn down. However, we found the
place and had to stand watCh-nearll
all of us. We also mad some prisoner!
to guard. | thought that was th'
longest night l ever put in. We haC
nothing to lay on but the mud and we
rice grass. and you bet | was glad /,
see daylight coming that morning,
That morning after our lunch it wa
mule" again, as the artillery wa
wanted at the front. and the road ther
was very rough. But we finally got i
there and it was put in place and il
first work was some niggers i'm tn
trees, as there were a few rows .
large mango trees, very branchy ant
t.lleG with black skins close To on
lines, who We're continually picking
away at our boys The artillery sent
few sChrapnels into the trees and, gad
to see those niGgerS fall out! 1t wa
like shaking ripe plum trees. Tha
would keep the rest of them quiet 70
the time being. 1t was quite a sigh
and shops taking out all the engine
and cars and coaches; and at . a. N
Feb. 11th, when we had not had tn
town fifteen hours we had trains of al
kinds running, as the work train ha
done good work the night before an
| they were running out some train
with grub and others with ammunitio
and even ran out trains loaded wit
| distilled water SO we then com
menced 70 live high, as all the tim
| since the hot time started there wa
an order for double ratiOns, if neces
| sary, as they did NOT want any of tn
| men to so hungry; for a hungry ma
is not much good. Everything re
| mained very quiet the balance of tn
day except now and then they woul
| fire a few Volleys at the nigGers I
keep them in their places.
DOING GUARD DUTY.
| on Sunday morning, Feb. IL, "
| started as usual with volley hrin
| after everything was quiet for a fey
| hours. And at about a. m. there wa
| quite a lively battle for few minute
| i'm which four or five Americans WEI
wounded but after the artillery openo
it soon quieted the niggers. On thu
afternoon we got orders to load OF
extra ammunition and blankets on II
cars and We're ready 10 go to Manil
and expected to go to our own brigaC
but we did not get a chance to ride, {
they did not have cars enough. SO 81
OF our companies hiked into Manil
while the other two remained at Calico
can and rode in that night. being Il
first American troops moved by rail c
the island. We arrived at our quarter
at about 6 p. m. Sunday evening an
all pretty well Worn out, for we WEI