Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-06-08
LETTER FROM LUCKIE
A MEXICO SOLDIER BOY TELLS
OF HIS TRIP TO THE FAR
AWAY PHILIPPINES.
WITH THE TWELFTH REGULARS,
Fred Luckie Gives an Account Of Hi
Journey From the Time He Left
New York Now at Manila
Thinks the Fighting
Win Soon be Over,
WITH THE TWELFTH REGULARS,


hae received the following interesting
letter from her son, Fred, who 10
with the 18th United States Regulars
at Manila, P. l.:
MANILA, P. L., April 24.--My dear
Mother: We were marched onto the
deck OF the Sheridan In the Brooklyn
yards on Feb. IA, where We waited
until the ship was loaded with our
goods. Finally, everything was all o.
k. on the boat; then we were assign
ed to our hunks and at O'Clock the
trumpet sounded the call to quarters
and we retired for the first night on
the waters to dream OF the loved ones
we left at home.
February IS ct O'Clock we had to
get up after having good nights
rest; had breakfact and then went
upon deck to look at New York City,
which was across the waters In full
view. Our band played part Of the
day.
February 10 being Sunday every
thing was more quiet than usual. We
weighed anchor at 8 o'clock to leave
on our long voyage. On passing out
OF the harbor all the boats whistled q
salute, and a multitude Of people came
down to bid their sons, sweethearts
and husbands goodby 1t made me
feel lonely in no one not telling me
goodby, but knew there was one at
my dear home telling me gpodby.
For the first few days l wasn't feel
ing very well, All the boys laughed
at me, but told them ssThere would
come a time" On Washington's
birthday our band played national
pieces.
On February 90 the sea was very
rough and our vessel rocked terribly
The sea gulls we're flying all around
US. The next morning was a very
dismal one, the sea being rough; II
was raining. On February 26th we
got up at the usual time, had inspec-
tion at two O'Clock, and passed Q
sailing vessel.
On March let we were about 25s
miles from Gibraltar, and spent the
evening in looking at lighthouse ii
the far distance; we thought IL to bt
ON the coast of Spain. On our way
we passed two Men-of- f-War-one
German and the other Russian. They
saluted US by dipping their colors.
On March Sd we entered the Bay o.
Gibraltar. This is one OF the strong
est forts in the world. You can SCI
vessels of all nations In this port
There is signal station on top Of th'
rock, and trains can be seen going u
the rock,
We were not able to land there a
they raised the yellow flag over us oI
account of measles; and March 4th q
| 8 O'Clock we sailed out into the Med
itteranean Sea, which Is go calm an'
blue. We could see the northern coas
of Africa. The weather was nice AMI
warm.
On March 9th went on guard. M,
post was at the stern OF the boat and
the sea being rough, made me quit
sick, and was excused until the las
relief.
1 March the sth we steamed into th
grand harbor of Malta on the Malt
island. The view Of the city is yer.
beautiful; there is a wall around 4
The inhabitants are mostly Arabs
Italians and English. This island be
longs to England. We all went o
shore and lined up before the Custor
House, while our band played "Go
Save the Queen" In respect to th
English people. Then we marche
through gate or arch called Victori
on to the narrow streets to the Eng
llsh soldiers parade grounds, wher
we were received by an Englis
/ staff; after a speech BY the aoverno
we warohed four miles out into th
} beautiful country. The streets are
paved and the houses are fiat on tol
and the people cit on top OF then
We marched on until We got TO b
, park where we rested and then "
, ate our lunch; We then drilled for OF
hour and about O'Clock we marche
back to town. The natives MAD
, money by selling fruit to the Amel
leans. We. got on the barge al
, went back to our homeland mayl
, we we're not tired.
. got pass to visit Malta on Mart
/ 10. left about Q O'Clock, went aero
!, in a small boat which cost me .
: pence, 10 cents In our money! we
through the city In q hack and g
out at the Governors palace. II
9 city is very ancient; ! was told By
= euide that Il was built elk hundrl