The National tribune., 1899-09-07
WITH THE 18th u. S. INF.
Letter From Ohio Boy Serving In the Philippine
Islands.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: While
looking over the many different papers that
are i'll camp, came across one of your
ing the date of May IS, 1899. was some
what surprised to see it in the United States
Army of to-day, for all of the men are young,
and would not care to read it.
My father, being an old veteran of 81 and
65, has been a constant subscriber of the
paper for the past 10 years, and it coming
into our home every week, led me to read
ing it. | soon grew as interested in its
contents as he did, and would look forward
from one week to another and anXlouSly
wait for the next issue.
This one that found, Ihave read, and re-
read, until have it almost by heart. | sup
pose you will be somewhat surprised to re-
ceive a letter from the Philippine Islands,
but 1 will try and give you a little story of
my experience as a soldier.
My home is in Gordon Darke County, O.,
where my parents still reside. On the oath
of December last 1 went to Dayton to be
sworn into the service. [ left Dayton, o.,
for Columbus Barracks, o., where the 18th
U. S. Inf. was stationed, on the same day,
| arriving there at > p. IN. The next day,
Sunday, was Christmas. 1t wasn't the
Christmas to me, though, that my former
ones had been. How [ missed the good
dinner and the little dainties that my
/
| that day, for dinner, ate my first Govern
ment meal. But it didn't exactly suit me,
as | went down town and bought my din
ner. OF course, it was dinner composed of
| plain, wholesome food, but | could not ac-
custom myself to that kind of meal at
| once.
| remained with my regiment at Column
| bus Barracks until Feb. Ii. On that date
we boarded special train, composed of 16
| Wagner sleeping-cars and two baggage
| cars, for New York City. We arrived at
Weehawken Station in New York City at
2:15 p. N. on Thursday, Feb. 16. We were
Immediately ferried across East River to
Government Pier No. %, where the trans
port Sheridan was anchored. We boarded
the Sheridan at 4 p. M, same day, and re-
manned in the harbor until the following
Sunday, when at 2: m. we steamed slowly
docks to see us start and TO bid us farewell.
| On our way out of the harbor we passed
Gen. Grants tomb, the statue of the God
dess of Liberty, and the three forts-Ham-
| ilton, Hancock and Sandy Hook.
Our voyage across the Atlantic was un-
leventful, seeing only three boats on the
voyage, until We drew near Gibraltar, when
we saw many boats and sailing vessels.
We stopped at Gibraltar long enough for
the CommiSSary to take on a supply of
fruits; then proceeded on our way, stopping
next at Malta. Here we went ashore and
were lIlSpccltU ny tle illSIi OIICeIS Vi Tie
British army, also by some English Lords.
After spending the day on the polo grounds,
which in former days had been Napoleon s
parade ground, we're returned to the Sheri-
dan, and after coal, ice and provisions had
been loaded We heaved anchor and pro-
ceeded on our voyage.
We also stopped at Port Said, Suez City,
Alden and Colombo, where again we went
ashore, and also took on another supply of
coal, ice and provisions. We made no
other stops, except Singapore, where we
coaled upagain, steamed out of the harbOr,
and were soon on our way once more.
We steamed into Manila harbor and
dropped anchor at 10 a. M, April IA, being
just two months on our way from Columbus,
o. We came ashore at p. m, same day,
and camped in the walled city that night,
and at p. M. on the next day we broke
camp and marched to the firing-line, about
seven miles from the city. Here we per-
formed outpost duty until May 3, when We
received orders to march to Mt. Arayat, at
which place we were TO cooperate with Gen.
Lawton. We took st. Louise by storm,
also Candaba, but had no battles of any
note while on the march.
At Arayat we were ordered to proceed to
San Fernando, which We did, arriving here
June S. The troops stationed ut this place
at present are the 51st Iowa boys, the nth,
10Th and 9th U. S., Battery G., Sd Art, and
Troop Il of the 4th Cav.
Aguinaldo with force of 5000 men have