The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-08

According TO letter received here
from a private, the United States SOL
| dlers expected the conflict with Aguin-
| aldos forces at Manila and were not
sorry when it came The letter in ques-
| tlon was written Jan. 5 and was re-
ceived in Scranton March 4. The wri-
| ter is a member of the Montana infant
ry regiment. He says, in part:
"I haven't done much in the letter
writing line for some time, but we have
| had so much excitement and work that
/ there has not been an abundance of
! time to spare. The insurgents threaten
the town every day now and we are all
on the go all the time, either guard
duty which is doubled, or some extra
duty. We go on outpost duty every six
! days and are on constant duty twenty
| four hours. 1t is rather exciting to
| be on OUTPOST and for a man with a
nervous temperament, it is no snap.b but
| rather very hard work. We are right
out to the insurgents lines and expect
an attack at any moment. We carry
our guns loaded and shots are eX-
changed every night. We are having
some good experience though and there
really isn't much danger. The insur-
gents are a crazy lot and Uncle Sam
will either have to give them free gov
| ernment or fight. ! have an idea he
will fool them. however, and while APP
| parently giving them what they want
| will, In reality, give them nothing.
Il have to spend a good deal of money
for meals as I never will become ac-
customed to government rations al
though they have improved recently.
! We have a good cook now but it is
hard to keep q fellow in the kitchen
long, as it is very disagreeable work
and cOnfining too.
WATCH THE CAVALRY.
I'VE have some mounted cavalry here
now and they make very good appear
aance although mounted on native
horses which are not much larger than
a Shetland pony. The natives look
pretty hard at them when they parade,
and don't know what to make of it.
1--WE went on outpost Saturday even
ing and got back this morning Mon
day). We had a quiet time of it, but
it rained all night Saturday night and
we, of course. all got soaked to the
skin We expect mail in tomorrow, but
it is uncertain. This letter will go di-
rect to the United States so you can
judge how long it takes for a letter to
reach you from here direct.
"A long time ago ! visited the Isle
de Cuba one of Dewey's marks, and
obtained a piece of Mahogany off her,
which 1 had made into a cane. got
the cane yesterday ] had it silver
mounted and 1t is very pretty.
-Four of our officers got busted out
yesterday and sail on the next steamer
for home. They were all fine fellows
but didn't stand in with the push. They
associated with We common privates
too much, l guess.
Il saw some cotton and coffee grow
ing yesterday while on outpost, and
also visited the Leper hospital the other
day. The sights 1 saw there were very
disgusting to say the least and I shall
not attempt to describe them Ihands,
feet, faces, etc, falling Off. l will tell
you all about it some time.
Il have a pet monkey and he is a
devil. Steals everything he can lay his
hands on and is full of mischief all the
time EIe hates the natives and chases
the native kids all over the street.
also have little dog. You will see
them both If they survive the trip 70
America. Rumors Of our speedy return
to the states are now the order of the
day. but they don't fool me any more.
OTIS CUTE TRICK.
"By the way Otis played a trick or
the Spanish soldiers yesterday. He is
sued an order that they were to be
paid off and allowed freedom yesterday
AS a consequence, about 1900 of them
who had Joined the insurgent army
marched in to get their pay. Well they
have their pay coming yet. They were
all in a bunch awaiting IT, when the
Twenty-third regulars came down the
line double time, surrounded them and
have them yet. They will be sent away
, soon. They are all trained soldiers
and their disappearance will weaker
was a neat trick and deserves praise
The boys are all stuck on Otis and
guess he is the right man in the right
place.
IT am going to get new clothes fol
the ones l had burned when l had the
small pox. get them this a. M. anC
am waiting for the lieutenant to com,
D down with me to draw them.
THE weather is getting very warn
here now but it will gradually ge
worse for three months. 1t is the dry
season and lasts for that length of time
p My monkey sits on my shoulder a!
70 | write this and he Is apparently very
I much interested. l am as home sick n!
the mischief nowadays and all l thinl