The Green Forest tribune., 1899-12-14
HIS FOND HOPES REALIZED.
Corporal M. E. Russell Marching For
 ward to the Line of Battle.

Oct 3l, 1899.
 DEAR READERS OF THE TRIBUNE
 Tonight gives me the pleasant op- portunity of again writing to you. I am happy to say that am still alive and in the very best of health.
 The day we landed we were Imme- diately ordered to report to Gen. Me- Arthur at Pasay, and on the following week we were relieving the Thirtieth Infantry, from whence we went to an Pedro and took charge of the EXaming Post. We are now well on our way to report to Gems. Lawton and " WheeIer. These two generals are ih command of the firing line, so feel thatI will yet tell you all of some things that trans pire in actual battle. In fact, vigor oHs campaign is now OR. The Ameri- can troops are marching to the front and the tilipinos are retreating t9 the mountains with heavy losses
 Beyond al doubt we will make an attack tomorrow afternoon, if the re- ports are true as to the location of Aguinaldo and his men,
 We left San Pedro this morning. Boats were used to transport us into Manila, via the Pasig river, one of the largest streams on tue Island. On arriVingin the city our regIment board ed the train for san Fernando, arriving here at 3:30 this afternoon. and we are now comfortably located for the night in deserted Filipino residence. It l. a fine structure, the lumber used in 1t mostly all being mahogany. There is iots Of fine furniture in tie building.
 Ishali not attempt to give the geog- raphy of the country, for you all have become more or less familiar with that in the last two years, butt will say that the Philippines are fne group of islands. There is an abundant crop of all kinds of tropical fruits, such as bananas, oranges. coeoanuts etc Rice Is one of the chief products.
 There are quite number of Ameri can merchants here and they are eer- tainIy enjoying regular klondlke. When the war is over this will be fine country to locate in. There are now five American papers in the city of Manila Printers get s 50 per day gold. There is quite discrimination in money here. One of our dollars Is worth two dollars in Mexican money, therefore iC is not unnatural that the first thing that the natives learn from ns is that we have the best money.
 We have fared reasonably well since we have been here, only missing two meals, although our supper tonight Woa on the seant order, the bill of fare being canned beef @fhor8e," we call i0 hard tack and coffee, but we had the consolation of reliohing it along side the officers.
 Of course, it is only my prediction, but from what l can observe since my arrival here, but am going to prophe- sy that 1 will be in the United States long before this war is over. The Filipinos are in as good shape, if not better, than they were when the war commenced. They have so many advantages over us, all of which are very detrimental to the prosecution of the war. They can secrete themselves in bamboo sWamps and await an op- portunitv to make all efiectuaI fire on the American troops, then retreat with I out even being seen ny us. Then, tits almost useless to chase them as We can't make very great headWay through { these swamps.
 Taps have sounded and it is impos- sible Cor me to write any more this time. With fondest regards to all, am As Ever,
 NJ. B RussELL Go. l, 34th U. $. Vol. Int.