The Green Forest tribune., 1899-10-19
FROM n. E. RESELL.

| ter from NJ. B. Russell, which gives an interesting account ot part Of his journey to the Philippine Is- i lands:
 ON BOARD THE U. s. TRANSPORT BELGIAN KING EN ROUTE TO MANILA.
 Sept. l9, 1899.
 DEAR SISTER MARGIE: - The first and third Batalions of the 34th are now well on their way to the Philip pines, We are steadily drifting westward at the rate of II knots l IS miles) an hour. Our transport sailed from the dock at San Fran. cisco on the Is, at } p. m., while cheers vent up from tho mouths of fully 25,000 people, and every steam whistle ln the city was wide open. Of course, this demonstra ton, together with the realization Of our fond hopes for actual ser vice made t indeed a happy event,
 shall not attempt to tell you all that takes place on this voyage, but will try [" give you an idea of whatlife is on transport This is the first trip of tbe Bel lgian King to the Philippines, but is one of the best transports now in the service. It accommodates about 1900 persons, including crew and passengers, besides it carries all necessary rations for the trip.
 Qaitea number of our boys are sea-sicIl, but so far-I have escaped that sortof nnpleasantness. Our voyage this far has been smooth enough, considering everything. While there is nothing to create excitement like there is in travel. ing by rail, yet we have many ways to create amusement. At night we have Kangaroo court, dances and boxing contests. Court seems to be the favorite rastjme. have the very distinguished honor of of being Prosecuting Attorney for this great marine tribunal, which has been regularly m session every since We left Frisco, We try both civiA and criminal cases. have not yet lost case When one is convicted tho punishment is a plenty. Some of the boys while away quite deal of the time on the#apper deck smoking, reading, and rehearsing bappy. reminis- cences of the past Some of us find employment In looking for the sea serpauts We have seen so many pictures ot. As yet We have not been able 10 see any.
 Sept 20. We sighted two steamers today which we all though to be transports returning with soldiers from Manila, but closer inspection found they wero only freight boats, Our company was asst igaed to the tables on hur- ricane dock, where we eat our meals, and we were the first ones to sight the approaching vessels.
 We have inspection twice a day, bat l have been assigned to duty which relieves ne from inspection, and am very glad of ii.
 Sept. 21. Orders were issued this morning that all soldiers on board must take bath. 1t prob, ably appears to you that for goo men to take q bath on a ship would require quite g time, but 1t doesn't. The men prepare them seIve in their quarters, a company at time, and arm themselves with d towI and bar of saltwater soap and repair to the upper deck, there water is turned on and with a whoop all dart under the spray and proceed to washing in a hnr- ny. It's lots of fun to go bathing on a transport.
 Our shi p's crew is composed mostly of Chinamen, The boys don't like them very much and 1t is snot intrequent that the guard has to be called out to settle some dispute between ;t member Of the crew and soldier, but the guard is generally late and as $ conse quence the Chinam4n gets the worst of Il. Yhe guard house Is