Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-03
That Their Services Were Al
preciated at Home.
THE CHAPLAIN POPULAR
Captain Hills Wound Resulted in
Many a Black man Biting the
DuSt--French's Murder.
Special to the Inter Mountain.

SSio ~ IN
San Francisco, Oct. 3.-Said Colonel
Kessler today: 1.-The interview which a
local newspaper man had with me was
substantially correct. except that L ola
not say the climate and country are hor-
rid The climate is very hot at times,
but I should prefer it to that of Cuba, as
yellow fever is unknown there. AS for
the country, it must be wonderfully fer
tile and productive to sustain such a
population. OF its mineral wealth l
know nothing. The political issues in.
volved l do not care to discuss. My chief
concern is to get my m to Mon
tana in good health and spirits. They
are greatly delighted to know that the
people at home approve and appreciate
what they have done"
Many of the priyates are miners. Il
want to exchange my rifle for a pick and
use blasting instead of gun POWDER said
a stalwart son of Mars today.
| Surgeon Drumming reported today a
decreasing number of sick men. All are
cases Of a very mild character.
Captain Sanders of Company B is a
worthy" son of the warhorse. He re-
peatedfy requested to be sent to the front
| during the fighting, but Otis only occa-
sionally complied, having appointed him
q member of his personal staff. But he
never7missed a chance to get to the front
| when Otis would excuse him.
Colonel Mauser Johnson as Colonel
Kessler's colored cook was called, proved
one of the heroes of the regiment. and re-
fiectedu great credit on his race. He
handled a gun as well as the bravest and
took many a shot at the enemies of his
lcountry. He halls from Helena. Having
been a. depositor in the First National
bank there. and lost his all, he was des-
perate as a soldier and used to imagine
dents. as they fled from the advancing
troops. That nerved his arm and made
his aim deadly.
Governor Smith. though a. fine orator,
did not do any talking to the soldiers
while here. As he holds the democratic
doubtless concluded hat the less said
the oonest mended. The Montana resi-
jIents.of the Preside are not willing to
admit that they have wasted their time
quest and rapine as Mr.. Bryan affects to
believe, and has apparently made our
texcellent, governor believe. 4.
Chaplain !Stull is. qne, Of the most pop
lular men in the regiment, and the sol
diers swear by him.. His teaching n
texample Were of the best. His ministra-
lions We're gratefully received. He
shared in all the dangers of the battle
field and was a. splendid type of the
Christian soldier. He preached the
gospel Of cheerfulness and hope and en-
%couraged every man to do his duty.
The return Of Company F has had a
tonic effect upon Captain Hill, who is inn
proving rapidly. Colonel Kessler was
near him when a Filipino bullet laid the
gallant officer low. For a moment there
was a waver in the line. for the boys
couldn't bear the idea of leaving their
captain on the field. But succor quickly
arrived and instantly the commanding
officer sprang to the front and ordered
the charge renewed. Away went the
brave Montanians. routing the enemy
from the trenches and creating havoc
with their deadly rifles. Many a native
bit the dust in that mad charge. The
black soldiers of Aguinaldo will never
forget the day they almos killed Captain
Hill. Still less will they forget the time
they murdered Lieutenant French of
Helena under a flag of truce. They re-
ceived a lesson in civilized warfare on
that occasion which must have made the
rebel leader turn white with apprehen-
sion. That was one day when the Mon
tana regiment wasted no bullets, but
shot to kill. The American soldier, when
thoroughly aroused, is about the hardest
game on earth. and a good many black
men joined the silent majority because OF
the wanton murder of Lieutenant French
While engaged in a Christian act under
a flag of truce.
In order to present a proper soldierly
appearance during the parade through
Butte, a strong effort will be made to OBJ
tain permission from the government fol-
the soldiers to retain their guns and ac-
coutrements: But it is not certain that
SUCH an order will be issued, though ii
has been done, it is reported, in the case
of the Minnesota troops.
1t is probable that On returning home
the officers and men of the First Montana
VIII organize a society Of veterans in
connection with other regiments.
-