Richmond planet., 1899-11-18

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Oct. 10. 1899.
Dear Editor:- r-
October 9th viii long ba remember.
ed by the f0th. After two months Of
quisS and peace and the ceuntless
mum ber of natives passing back and
forth through the lines, We, had taken
it as granted that there was no enemy
within hun dred miles of our lines.
After SO many scouting parties had
gone out and returned and ell bringing
the same report-no sign of the ene-
my-we were still better satisfied.
Monday, October 9th, your CORE
spondent Was detailed for gusrd, and
assigned on No. ?, 9 day and night out
post, situated six hundred yards from
the trenches. On Monday on this out
post, like all others, were one corporal
in charge and three privates. two be-
sides us. The other two were 1st and
2nd relief, respectively, and we we're
third.
AN ATTACK BY THE RNKMY.
We he'd just returned from dinner
and lying down, reading when we
heard rapid firing on our right. Jump
ing up, we put on our belt; the firing
became general. We thought it was our
artillery practicin0, ss we could hear
the enemy return fire. we thought sure
it was the shsrpnel bursting. The other
day post had been in q long line, but We
didn't fall back, because we could not
see anybody. The fire every minute
was becoming hotter, and finally the
1st and 2nd section of K company
opent d up.
We had been placed on post and were
standing on a rice ridge about three
feet high and watching q clump Of
bushes. Our corporal and the 1st relief
fell back, but we didn't hear them
The 2nd relief was standing off where
he could see. Again, the corporal
shouted fall back, and as we turned to
go q volley was fired o good distance
overhead, es we rounded q clump Of
bushes another volley passed over.
head fortunately.
RETREAT covERED.
We then got in the road and ssarteC
in at the rate of 100 yards in 10 sec
onde. Several shots we're fired at US
but all went high and we soon reached
the trenches. A detachment of Bat
terry F. 4th Artillery is stationed her
scene to see them and L company GOV
er our retreat as we came in. Ou
company couldn't shoot because VI
were coming right towards them. W
were quite fRtigued after our run ami.
such exciting times. but were soon al
right and BILE TO take part in the fight
ing: but it wasn't necessary as g clum
Of bushes hid our section from the en-
emy and we didn't care to waste on
ammunition. as the orders all to fir
only when you see the enemy.
The other part of our company an
..Ie other company and the artiller
we're all engaged, and it was he
fight for over sn hour. The enem
soon retreated under cover of th
woods, about 26O0 yards of. All ou'
posts were doubled and we went o
again, bat not to lay down and reA
books.
About 2 q. M, x company move
out to where the enemy came close
and at Daylight advanced 20 the wood
It was quite disagreeable. as q slOS
pelting rain was falling. Lieuten1I
Bates made his report to the AdjutsI
by courier. We were ordered il
return courier from the Adjutant az
Corporal.
sLKPT IN THE TRENCHES.
Guilds detail went on guard agAi
that is our No. 2. We were soon +
lieved and enjoyed q comfortable res
We slept in the trenches the ne
night, but with the exception OF ie
random shots all was quiet. We q
expecting an advance soon on 81
Franeeso del Monte, where the enen
is said to be strongly entrenched in
church.
RIENzA B. LBMUs,
Company K, 25th Inf.
P. SILT was one of the 3-hill dsylig
attacks the insurgents there made.
they generally attack between nj