The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1899-01-19
FROM MANILA.

Mr.. Rob McCulloch, in Philippine Is
lands, writes to his mother in Marietta
as fellows:
MANILA, P. l., Nov. 80, 1898.
My Dear Mother-Things are about
the same as they were at Cavite, only
we have more comfortable quarters
and not much drilling to do, dress. pa
rade one hour each day, the rest of the
time is ours. We have been in Manila
five weeks, SO have seen every thing
and place of interest. do just as lit
tie as possible, rest under the shade of
the trees in the morning and take a
walk every evening. The scenery such
moonlight nights, and beautiful Span
ish women are simply out of sight. The
climate is beyond our expectations and
hotter than blue blazes.
Manila is city of about 10000, a
prehistoric relic born into existence
when Spanish monarchy ruled the
world. 1t is said that old Manila ex-
listed in 1900. The buildings We're CIV
en- to monasteries and converts CEN
turtles ago and where the dark robed
disciples of religious superstition trod,
are today disconnected by the rough
tramp, tramp, of Uncle Sans soldiers
| don't like the natives; they are
crafty and treacherous and inclined to
be stubborn. suppose they inherit
these traits from their Spanish ances-
tors. They are not really worth the
sacrifice that the U. s. is making in
their behalf. Old Manila is called the
''Walled City" 1t has a stone wall
about 80 feet high and in some places
the same thickness. The streets are
very narrow and dirty always crowded
until 10 p. m. Street cars, water
works and electric lights are some of
the modern improvements. Flowers
are very scarce, but tropical plants
grow in great profusion. 1t is said
gold is in the interior, also cannibals,
but have no desire to hunt either.
Seven miles from here are the wrecks
of eleven sunken Spanish gunboats.
We were quartered in the old Spanish
barracks in Cavite for two months.
This is the building where the Spanish
dead were piled after Dewey did it,"
Americans are in the minority here,
outside of the army. / think | could
find native of every nation on earth
in Manila. They are the greatest beg
gars l ever saw. Most of the people
wear wooden shoes or none at all.
saw most comical sight few days
ago. A young native was going to
church, he had on a very nice linen
suit, white, pretty good looking hat,
watch and chain, silver headed walking
cane. 1t had been raining and was very
muddy. The monkey" was walking
in the thickest of the mud stopping at
every pool to wash his feet, for he had
no shoes.
The boys are very anxious to go
home, but l fear it will be some time
before we can crafty our. hopes and
hunger. The officers seem we'll salts
fed and have the best the island af-
fords. Well, we are making the best
of it, eating our slim rations of half
cooked beans and hard tack. On pay
day we go up and draw our little $15 80.
and so the time passes. Some of the
boys spend their "Deveno for dozen
centa vo veno" and get on a jag The
poor boys do this to prove their love
for odd Glory
Ihavn't seen Harry Cole. Is he an
officer or private and what regiment
does he belong to?
This leaves me we'll with the excep-
ton of home sickness. The Doctor
says there is no cure for it in this elm
ate. With love,
Rob MoCULLoCH,
First Montana Volunteers.