The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-03-30
The FlLIPIN0SI
Julius Nelson Of Company {
Writes Interestingly.
BATTLE AT THE WATERWORKS.

ior'ttlth'S rNNcCttu'
MANILA, FEB. 20-Mv Dear Sister ::
As il is sometime since | received your
letter | will now drop you a few lines to
let you know how | am getting along.
| suppose you will hear about the bat
tie we had, long before this reaches you.
We had a hot time for two days. The
fight started from the outpost number ,
about $50 Saturday FEBRUARY {.
We fought all night and the next day
and didn't quit until four o'clock Mon
day afternoon. Then we went back to
camp, packed our boxes, rolled our
blankets, filled our haversacks full of
shells and started out again.
We marched about two miles toward
the water works and rested there till
noon.
Then we started for the water works
again which were about six miles from
camp.
We hadn't more than started when
the insurgents opened fire on us from a
hill where they had intrenched them
selves. We got under cover as o o as
possible and the Utah battery returned
the fire. 1t only took a few shots to
knock their trenches all to pieces. Com.
pany G was in the lead all the way.
After we got the insurgents out of the
trenches and got on the hill we could
see them going over the other hill.
= In a few moments we were on the
other hill and there we fought for about
10 minutes. l tell you the bullets flew
around us for awhile but we didn't no.
tice that so much for we were shooting
all the time as fast as we could load.
Five of our boys were wounded. They
are at the hospital now.
We are still at Camp Santa Mesa.
The regiment is at the waterworks
camping in shelter tents. If this trouble
hadn't come we would probably have
been on our way home within a month.
AS it is we shall have to whip the insur-
gents first and there is no telling when
we shall get away.
| haven't been feeling well for the
past week. l was in the hospital for
three days. The smell of the medicine
was horrid and | couldn't stand it. /
told the doctor l was feeling well and
got out of there and went out to Camp
Santa Mesa. Several of the boys are
there. Those that are not able to fight
guard the camp.
There..are six regiments of regulars on
their way to Manila. Three regiments
which left Frisco in January are due
here now, Then there are three regi-
ments from New York which sailed
around the other way. -"
1--WE have had quite a time with the
insurgents lately. We have one or more
scraps with them every day. l have
been in three battles already. Every
night we were on outpost duty from Z
p. m. to 6 a. m. 1T was no snap l can
tell you. A fellow never knew what
time:a native would jump out of the
bru b and hit him.
Sometimes a company of insurgents
would come.and fire a shower of bull
let's at us. In the day time we would
march up into the mountains and look
for the enemy.T Some times we would
find them but mostly we wouldn't.
Every day we? would burn a village.
The Washington and California regi-
ments have been fighting steadily for
two weeks. They are two miles north
east of us.
The last battle we had was at the
waterworks. Our captain was shot
twice and our second lieutenant once.
Both will recover We only have five
wounded besides Captain Lien.
After our officers were shot Co. M was
sent out to take our place.while we were
sent back to guard Camp Santa Mesa.
We were glad of the change. We
had been out on the firing line for two
weeks and during that time we hadn't
our clothes off except when we went in
bathing in the river.
The Mauser bullets are flying over our
camp at all hours of the day and night.
are used to them now and they
don't keep us awake any longer,
1t seems strange that as I am writing
you l can hear the II across the
roar and the rifles crack.
haven't got cold yet but l wish that
l was in the land of the living VIII re ]
could lay down in peace and get one
good nights rest.
When you see Mrs. Owen tell her
Frank is well. He is on guard tonight.
l will have my picture taken and send
it to you as soon as / have a chance.
Several of the boys have kodaks, but
we are too busy now
1t is getting late and | must close.
Remember me to the Spears and other
friends.
Your brother,
IIrT u-c NJ ..s |