The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-06-16
With the Washington Volunteers.

The skirmish near Taguig church
April 18th, was undoubtedly one of
the hottest for time of any vet
fought in tile island. For a few min-
ntes it seemed that no man could lend
hand to help wounded comrade
without himself being hit, but despite
this fact no one hesitated moment
to do everything possible for his DIS
abled associates. A few incidents will
give an idea of the fierceness of the
fire and how the boys behaved under
it.
When Private Dickinson, of Com
pany II. was hit, he fell in very ex-
posed open place, but was SO severely
hurt that the men with him were
afraid to move him to cover. One
man ran out to bind up his wound
and received a bullet through the
right side-a slight wound. He sought
cover to care for his own wound, while
a second comrade hurried to attend
Dickenson. He also was hit, when a
third comrade undaunted by what he
had seen and seeing the heavy loss of
blood sustained by Dickinson, went
out from his cover OF brush and bound
up the wound. The three then, seeing
how fierce was the fire, there, actually
carried several stones and formed
small breastwork to protect their
wounded comrade. Then hospital
corps man having come up, they ran
on to join the firing line
Private Clark, of the same company,
was injured by the explosion of his
gun. While Private Howard was
binding up Clark's wound, a bullet
came crashing through the brush and
pierced Howard's thigh. Clark then
turned around and bound Howard's
wound.
A few minutes later Robert Hovey
was hit by Remington bullet, which
shattered his ankle. It must have
have been terribly painful wonnd,
yet as | bent over him to cut off his
shoe and bind up the wound, he for
got all about himself and said: "Give
my gun to Clark. / heard his had ex-
ploded." Poor fellow; he did not know
that Clark was disabled.
When / had bound up Hovey's wound
I left him in charge of Private Ankeny
OF Company F. Within minute or
two as soon as he heard his brother was
wounded, Corporal George Hovey, also
also of company HI, hurried back to
take his brother to the rear In this
Private Ankeny assisted him. They
had gone but a few yards when Corporal
George Hovey received Remington
ball in the back, which lodged in the
intestines. He merely said ::'"Careful; J;
I'm hlt," then steadily lowered the
improvised stretcher to the ground.
This momentary act required great
presence of mind and unflinching
determination, because be had hardly
done so when he fell over in a heap
mortally wounded.
Private Clyde Woods, of the same
company, was shot through the shoul-
der. His comrades turned to assist
him, but he told them to 60 on fight
ing, and he would make LIS way back
to the doctor. They would have stop
ped him, but he was gone before they
could prevent 1t. On the way back
he was hit again in fatal spot, and
died this morning.
These incidents are not cited as show
ing especial bravery. These incidents
are not cited as showing especial brave
ry. They are illustrative of what all
the men did or would have done under
the circumstances. They are men Of
intrepid daring. cool courage or grim
determination, as the circumstances
require. ! pay no eulogy to Capt.
Steinman, who led this company
through this terrible fire. He needs
none from me. Words are weak to
describe the manner of man who can
win such loyal devotion of men Of that
ph;al, l,o hos xuo,, Carr p