The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-04-14


volunteers, has written an interesting
letter to his father, Maj. Edwards,
publisher of the Fargo Forum, in
which he describes the life of the
Dakota soldiers on the skirmish line.
The letter is dated Feb. 8, and was
written when the regiment was five
miles southeast of Manila. 1t says:
Company B, with the rest Of the
First battalion, is still here in the
bamboos in the edge Of one Of the
prettiest countries we have seen since
our arrival. For three days now we
have patrolled the road for half a
mile on either side of us. and had III
outpost out in the country some 200
yards. The entire company is doing
guard duty, each man getting in about
four hours day, and non-commis-
stoned officers q little more.
When we arrived here Sunday night
it was very dark. everybody was tired
out. Maj. White, who had done more
running in twenty-four hours than any
oEe in the army, l guess was so worn
out that he could hardly talk enough
to give the company commanders or
'ders. The major had been imposed
upon by someone. and had taken us
out of our way. He was SOFT yfor our
sakes. and we for him. The company
was divided into halves, Sergt. Thomp-
son taking the outpost with Hathaway
and Lewis as corporals. Sergt. Soren-
son had the patrol and was assisted by
Hummell and myself.
1t was hard work the first night, but
it was all so new and exciting. We
saw 'niggers" on all sidcs-they would
so by carrying white flags; we would
run 'em all out of the road and make
'em stay out Of sight.
The boys, some Of them, Schlansel,
Davis and Frazer went out after
breakfast before they lay down. They
brought back chickens.
was on guard at 4 a. m. Monday
morning, and got to Company G's quar-
ters in some way. I heard q noise.
Upon investigation / found Lieut..
*Getchell and Sergt Ellis down on their
knees under house roofing out chick
ems. So Company G had a good break
fast, too.
Wien daylight came we corraled the
neutral "niggers" and made them pick
chickens and dig sweet potatoes.
They are willing workers., too, and
never fail to remind us that they are
our friends-we believe in utilizing our
friends Now to-day we have IL little
roast pig, and more in sight.
This morning Sergt. Sorenson was
appointed street commissioner. He
had twenty natives under him fixing
up the street or road so that the artil-
lery may move out with greater ease.
We make the niggers clean the yard
and road and Go all our police duty.
Feb. 1O.-Several papers have been
sent out to the outlying troops. and
now we know how the battle started.
The natives insisted on our moving
back one of our outposts-the sentry
shot the man who insisted, and the
natives began to fire. All the troops
of the city were notified and soon were
at their posts. Firing was kept up all
night and broke out OH all sides of the
city but the south. The natives did
not attack us, so we waited until day
light. Soon after daylight numerous
natives were seen i'll the edge of the
woods, some 200 yards from our in
trenchments. They looked uncon-
cerned. and seemed to be watching
tAc uS III at our lelC.
When the time came, we were told
to pick out Niger and fire when the
cannon on the fort should sound. We
were strung along the trenches and
did rs we We're told-and after the first
shot not a niger was in sight, but
their reply came before we could get
two shots at them. From that time on
the fire was incessant.
Some ten Of us were back of the
graveyard. and could see nothing on
account of the tall grass, so we moved
to the left and Joined Company G.
Here the boys were pumping away,
across an open country, and just more
than kept up the fire. Mai. White
stood back of the trenches, looking for
things to shoot at. Every once in u
while lie would say: "Give me that
gum" he would stand up there, take
deliberate aim and hit what he shot
at. Lieut.. Getchell and Sergt. Ellis
did good work, and gave the boys great
confidence. It is wonderful how cool
and unconcerned Maj. White is: the
boys just love that man.
Sergt Bradley was on the left of the
line. but being SO weak with Gysen-
terry. he could not shoot much, so con-
tented himself by talking to the boys
and keeping them shooting properly.
Poor Brad looked badly, and was ill Mt
night, but he would not go back, even
after being relieved by Lieut.. Gearey.
The 1ipJ1tCnanf hipoSoIf p,ora ..:4 ;.