The Saint Paul globe., 1899-08-24


Results.
After fifteen months campaigning in
the Philippines, Private O. G. Sandstead,
Company G. First North Dakota volun-
teers, arrived in st. Paul yesterday on
his return to his home in Kenyon Mimi
He enlisted at the opening Of the war,
but was unable to get into the Thir-
teenth, and SO went to Varley City, N D.,
and took his chances with the First of
that state. Unlike the great majority of
volunteers, Private Sandstead had the
benefit of an excellent military training
before going to the front. He is a typi-
cal volunteer soldier every inch, tall,
straight and muscular Unlike the larger
number Of returning volunteers he was
unwilling to discuss the situation in the
Philippines and the actions Of his su-
perior officers, remarlling that a private
soldier was supposed to know nothing
but orders. A chance reference to the
criticism Of Gen. Ames led him to eX-
press an opinion, however. Concerning
Gen. Otis he would say nothing
when the Thirteenth returns" said
he, "there will be music in the air over
this Anles matter. The first we North
Dakota men heard Of the reports con-
cernfng him, IN which serious charges
have been made, was on our arrival at
San Francisco. We were posted next to
the Thirteenth on the 18th Of August, last
year. when the fiercest fighting of the
campaign occurred, and have been with
them more or less ever since. The re-
lat1ons between the two regiments have
been most cordial. and we have relied
one upon the other in a hundred trying
circumstances. This being true we heard
absolutely nothing in the Philippines
against Col. Ames. The Thirteenth regi-
ment seemed to consider him an excel
lent officer and a considerate and careful
commander. His bravery was not ques-
toned.
''Then, again, when I was taken with
typhoid and nearly laid on the shelf, I
was sent home on the Morgan City and
taken to the Preside hospital I was
there for several weeks, and during the
same period thirty men from the Thir-
teenth We're in the hospital. There is no
question but that Col Ames attention to
the men Of his regiment, and to those
OF us to which he was in nOwise bound
to show favOrs, aided Immensely in get
IAA1So 10 pll Jul IG6I AGAIN DIS rapidly as
we did. He was constantly at the hos
pital and spared no pains or trouble to
alleviate the suffering5 of the wounded
and see that the sick received the best
available attention and care. No COM
manding officer could have been more
devoted to the work, or more sympa-
thetic and helpful. Those who were in
the sick bay there will remember the
man who helped them, for things would
h9I hpl ,Ifp a.
been for him.
1--WE were perfectly satisfied with the
care given us at the Preside, and the
men of other regiments with whom
have talked express the same opinion.
When the Thirteenth arrives there they
will find the finest camping grounds I
have seen during the campaign. Large
tents fitted with floors and heaters have
been provided, and each company has it's
mess tent and kitchen. The arrange
ments are perfect The sanitary condi-
tiOns are excellent and the rations serv-
ed are far better than those which we
received when we first saw the coast
"What is your opinion of Gen. Otis and
his record in the Philippines?"
81 have ne opinion to express" re-
spoRded Private Sandstead. IF I were
a general l should talk, but ordinary SOL
diers have no business and no occasion
to do anything but obey orders and keep
clean. There has been too much discus
sion by volunteers of affairs which were
not their concern"
''WilI the Philippines form a valuable
acquisition to the United States?'
without question they will. The ISL
ands are rich in mineral wealth, hard
woods and other natural resources. The
soil is fertile and takes kindly TO the
cultivation of many valuable crops, in
Guiding tobacco. cotton and many other
tropical and semi-tropica1 staples. The
country is undeveioped, and capital in
vested is bound TO yield rich returns
after the campaigning is over.
More than half the volunteers who
returned on the Morgan City have been
discharged. Thirty-four will arrive in the
cities next week"