Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-02-17
Letter From the 10th Kansas.
MANILA, P. l., Dec. %, 1898
DEAR FREED VERN:--

soon atteT our ult''oi ~ -"'''''
hardly expected a letter before Christ
mas. as did not think that you folks in
Kansas would awake to the act that
we were really going to the Philippines
at last. in time to send rs Christmas
greetings. Imagine my surprice ana
pleasure at receiving your kindly greet
ing, and that of my other friends, in
such an innocent looking calendar. My
sister had put little slip of paper in the
bottom of the box, explaining that
should not look beyound the month ex-
posed to view until it had passed, but
had looked through it before came to
her explanation. I don't think, under
the circumstances. that should have
followed the instructions, for when
"good wishes" are sent so far, l think
thev should be read when received.
We were all anxiously waiting tor
mail when the St. Paul came in, as we
had been here about two weeks, and on
shore about ten days. We thought that
we might hear from our "home folks" at
least. as they would try and write so
that letters would arrive shortly after
we got here. When we were beginning
to wonder if we had not slipped away
so quietly that they might not ma II
ont for several weeks after our departure
imagine our surprise and gladness at re-
ceiying one of the largest mails thatevcr
entered this harbor. Our regiment re-
ce,yed something like 1910 pounds on
the St. Paul. The number OF Christmas
gifts was remarkable. l guess every
body got something, and many received
quito number. Words would tail to
express our gratitude for the thought
fitness and kindly consideration shown
to ''thc boys in blue" so far away from
their native land. The ship arrived only
four DAYS before Christmas made 1t one
sc the nIeasantcst Christmases which l
have ever spent.
To all of my friends l return most
heartfelt and gracious greeting
Now, suppose, you will wonder what
hind OF country this is. | am AFRAID
that shall d,sappoint you. l DO not
believe that can tell you. We're to
rival Irving in "word painting do
not believe that could give YOU a cor
rect idea of this place. 1t is not at all
what expected it to be. 1t is tropical
uhat much to begin With, yet it is not
,,.,rlx so hot az I expcoted-nuw at
least. 1t is ALWAYS nice and cool SO that
have always had to put blanket over
me- to sleep comfortably. 1t gets quite
hot about noon, but we are not ailoWeu
90 .,o ont in the sun at that time of the
f,av except in discharge of some duty
such as guard duty We drill one
hour and a half each day-one hour IN
the morning, from 7 a. m to q a. NJ
and half an hour in the evening" from
4:3O D. III. to 5p. m
The health of the regiment Is good IN
do not know OF one IN our
(2nd) that is in the hospital
There is a magnificent hospital here 1t
has every thing that hospital can have
and the patients receive the best OF care
and TODD am told this by those VINO
10 =. be.n there. don't know for my
self and hope shall not find out; ana
according to present indications, don
think | shall.
The people here are the greatest con-
of humanity that l ever
saw or care to see-Chinese' Flipiho'
Spanish and l don't know what all
Our smallest men average larger than
th.;r harvest. The Filipinos are smaller
than tho Spanish, think They are no
account as soldiers. During the capture
of Manila they lay in the trenches ana
smoked cigarettes while the Americans
did the fighting. They are intensely
q fraid OF the American soldier and
don't blame them much. The think ne
Is regular fire machine, capable OF do
inc ANYTHING. They can't comprehend
WHY we get around so fast The never
do today what they can leave undone
iii tomorrow. They seem to be bright
and ouick-witted enough. They apprec-
late a Joke very much. In fact there is
much of the grown-up child about them
They can learn rapidly if they wish.
There is a small Filipino boy, about
twelve years old, should judge that
lives here, where our battalion is quart
cred. He can take stick qndgo through
the whole manuel of arms and give
he American commands, and hardly
ever make a mistake. 1t is very anus
ing to see him 60 through battalion par
AIDE. He will act out all the parts OF
company, officers, major and band.
First he will form the battalion, march
for pretend to march) the battalion to
The parade ground, Then he gives par
a De rest sings "retreat" without one