The record-union., 1899-03-05
OUR SOLDIERS AT MANILA,
CONDITION OF THE CALL
FORNIA REGIMENT.

Lieutenant Colonel Martins Re-
port to the Adjutant General
of the State.
Lieutenant Colonel Walter S. Martin,
Aide. de- Camp on the Governors Staff,
N. G. c., writes from Manila to AdJu-
tant General Peeler of the National
Grard of California as follows:
Sir: l send herewith a report on the
California troops in Manila. By Gen
eral Orders No. 5, dated August L.
1895, I was directed to report monthly
to the Adjutant Generals headquarters
my observations on the troops in the
United States service, and to make
special reports regarding the condition
and other matters as may be of inter-
est of the California United States
volunteers. Although I have not had
these orders repeated since the change
of administration, send this report,
and shall forward another shortly, more
general in scope
Manila, p. l., January Y, 1899.
To the Adjutant General National
Guard of California-Sir: l think it is
unnecessary for me to review the work
done by the California volunteers. from
their landing, and during the taking of
Manila. They made themselves con-
spieuous by gallantry, bravery and their
position always in the front, and by
good discipline and good spirit.
In the taking of the city, Colonel
Smith was able to lead them in first,
driving the Spaniards before him, and
when he appeared before the citadel
of Manila, there, in an assault upon the
walls he lost some of his men. After
various duties and transfers, the regi-
ment was finally attached as at present,
to the First Brigade of the First Di-
vision, with Brigadier General King
commanding, under Major General An
derson; although for some time before
the arrival of General King, Colonel
Smith was acting Brigade Commander.
During the peaceful occupation Of the
city, the regiment has gone on inSurlng
it's title to respect and praise, by its SOL
dierly conduct, good discipline and do
cility.
The duties of the regiment at present
are designated as interior and outpost
duties. in the districts of Erernita and
Pandacan.
The interior duty includes police and
guard duty in these districts, besides
special details at the various head
quarters and establishments belonging
to the military government of Manila.
The outpost duty consists in guards,
piekets and attachments, disposed along
the lines between ourselves and the in
surgents. These include many impor-
tant and difficult places. such as Pan
dacan. Pace and Singalon, and many
exposed positions in the rice fields and
tropical jungles which surround the
city on all sides.
The barracks occupied by the regi-
ment is the quartet of the Estado
Mayor in the district Of Eremita, near
the suspension bridge spanning the
Pasig River; therefore centrally loca-
ted, not far east of the walled city.
The quartet is large. with ample ae-
CON modations for the regiment, and
rather imposing in appearance. the
officers quarters are cOmmOd1ouS ana
comfortable, while the men have large
dcrmitories, well ventilated and amply
supplied with all the necessary appur-
terauces. The sanitary arrangements,
baths and latrinae are ample. The
kitchens. bakery and other adjuncts are
well fitted out and in good working
order. as will be seen from the In
spector's report, to be quoted hereafter
A regimental hospital was established
in the district of Eremita, on the Gale
Real, with the best results.
On January Sd the regiment was or
dered to embark and proceed to Iloilo
and elsewhere in the southern pro-
vinces. This was done promptly, but
after a long delay, during which time
the men We're aboard the transports, the
order was rescinded, and they have now
returned to their former duties.
l have at hand a report by Captain
w L. Birkhimer, U. S. A, Acting In
spector General, Eighth Army Corps,
dated December 10, 1898, from which l
quote the following paragraphs:
Military Bearing and Appearance of
troops-Fine generally.
Slate of Discipline-Excellent for
volunteers
Condition or Arms, Announcements
and Field Equipments-Arms good,
caliber 40. Equipment not perfect, as
about 25 men to each company have
leather belts and McKeever cartridge
boxes. Inc INDIVIDUAL mesS-hlts VI
many men not complete.
Troops Fully Equipped for Field Ser
vice-Not fully, yet not much short of
it.
Camp Properly Located-Barracks
we'll located for Manila. to this is added
almost every care that can be sug-
gested to add to the healthfulness of
the barracks.
The First California u. S. Volunteer
Infantry appeared exceedingly well
upon the whole at inspection, in their
new Khaki uniforms. In some re-
spects, however, they fell below re-
quirements, partly through unavoid-
able, and partly through avoidable
causes.
Under the head of unavoidable short
comings are (a) incompleteness of in
dividual mess-lSits; (b) having some
me.l equipped with black belts and Nc
Keever cartridge belts; (c) absence of
gun slings in some cases; I'D haver-
sacks and canteens not marked, as en-
joined in par. 279 A. r., and these are
desi gnated unavoidable because it is
understood that acquisitions have been
duly submitted looking to correction.
The pieces of Companies A, H, F and
C were found In particularly satisfac-