Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-05-11
THE AUDUBON SOLDIER BOYS.
Some Letters From VIII Wilson
From Manila.

Through the kindness of III. b. Will
son we are permitted to read and use
portions of his letters from his son,
Will, some of whose letters have been
occasionally published in these columns.
The Iowa boys have been seeing more
active service recently. Indeed they
have been in some rough fighting. The
other day two batallions of their regi-
ment commanded by Gen. Hale cap
tured San Fernando, a capital city of
the interior country. They had to
wade through two wide streams to
make the attack and they had to cross
one while under fire of the enemy, but
obey gallantly pushed on and drove the
PhiGpponies SQUIRTING away. That was
about week ago. 1t takes letters a
long time to come to us from there.
The last one received from Will
was dated April End and is given below ::
Manila, p. L., April End, 1899
DEAR PARENTS AND ALL.
Well guess it Is about time was letting you
hear where we are at. Or, do you know already
by the papers? We came across from Cavite
| oil the Goth of March, leaving Cayite in charge
of Co. &. and |. OF the Third battalion, who had
been stationed at TT. Rice. Dewey landed mar
ines to take care of his navy yard. Everybody
| expected to see a hard battle at MalOlOs and
some said that our forces were not strong
enough to take it, but they aid with ease. We
are stationed in the walled city. We are in
charge of thousands of prisoners, the arsenal
powder magazines, etc. One battalion Of the
23d regulars were here when we came, but they
left the next day; for the water works where
they left They had u hard fight They came
back just after dark last night but not so many of
them us when they left. We are hoping to get to
the front when the next regular regiment gets
here. am afraid that you folks wish will he
gratified for our chances for fighting are slim.
We have nice quarters here but our accOmO-
datiOns are not so nice rs we did not bring any
thing with us but our KNAPP and hayer-sacks and
| equipments. That's the reason | am now writ
ing with a led pencil and using my tin plate for
| a table. AS this is Easter we went up town to
some Spanish churches and watched the per
| formances. 1t was grand. We visited three
churches. Heavens! how pretty the Spanish
| girls were dressed up today. They were simply
lovely. They have changed some in their
| opinion of us soldiers for we are not at wal
with their country any more, and as we are
protecting them right now from the Insurgents
they give us an occasional smile, that is II they
can do so without their mother seeing them
| The ROnark arrived the other day with supplies
and recruits for the 23d regulars. 1t also
| brought little mail, but not much Clyde got
IA letter from his mother, but that's all the mail
| we got. Well, can't say as to when or where
can write again. just thought would let you
| know that we were all well and feeling good
| Goodbye. Write often. Excuse my writing
| Clyde sends regards to all. WILL WILSON.
In another letter written March %,
referring to the report that the Iowa
soldiers would have to be mustered out
sixty days after the conclusion of peace