Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-06-07
Letter from Adiutant Roos.

of living. l doubt very much il you
would recognize any of the Lewiston
boys except Virgins. Our dress is rough
and dirty, our faces covered with boards,
some stronger aud larger and some con-
siderably thinner. You should see the
American soldier utilizing the resources
of nature with his own ingenuity in con-
structing articles of comfort etc. buckets,
cups, beds etc made Of bamboo. You can
hear their songs etc. and person would
imagine that they were at home among
their own people, far away from the
perils Of warfare. Yet these sa me men
have troubles, heartaches etc. know
them because they come to me almost in
variably with their troubles, some with
! sick wives at home, some who have lost
| father some mother, some child and some
money. They want TO 60 home one and
all, In our regiment there are only a
bout te n, who say they will stay and re-
enlist in the regulars. Yet the American
newspapers publish articles purporting
to come from Otis, stating that the volun-
| teers desire to remain. Our men don't
/ kick, or didn't kick until they thought
the war Dept. had enough time to pro-
cure the necessary troops. Had the
I'ilipinos been able to get into the city
on Feb. 5th by any strategic move,
don't think there would have be en-
enough OF us left to have told how it
happened, we knew we would have
trouble long before it came. You know
predicted trouble long ago. It could
not be avoided.
Our company is progressing slowly
but surely. 1t looks little now as
though the niggers would surrender and
ifthey don't within week 1t will mean
the annihilation of that portion of their
army providing our generals don't leave
another loophole.
In the meantime the rainy season
comes on, the ground is thoroughly
soaked and marching is beginning to get
difficult. Our embankment is built OF
gumbo soil and is about three and a halt
feet high and two and half feet thick
but during our last rain | took blunt
pole and pushed it clear through the EN-
bankment without any exertion what
ever, they won't stop bullet when they
are wet. My health suppose is up with
the average here. have crooked feet,
bambo itch. catarrh, a sprained finger,
numerous mosquito bites, gray hairs,
whiskers and hole in my trousers.
won't say where but probably worn
through by my saddle. Martinson is ex.
ceetlingly we'll, has bright red beard
a smiling patrioticai countenance, wears
his hat pited and had three bottles oi
beer yesterday.
Stanton bears the dignity of a com.
mission with the grace ofa society queen
has had his pants patched, his brogans
polished, affords the luxury of Grandpa
Wonder tar soap and parts his beard in
the center.
Wigginsis mourning for his beautiful
crop of rosy whiskers, He forgot to
lock them up when he "hied him to his
soft and downy couch" to try and dream
of a square meal at the Royal restauran,
at home, and a hungry "cariboa" Ia
water buffalo) niistook them for tropical
flower and calmly chewed them off and
then lay down and died.
l Gordon is the same King of sports that
he was at iiome-plays base ball with hi.
whiskers and occasionally takes shot
at Filipino sharp-shooter and mutter,
absently three strikes and side out"
| Tom Nance is drawing plans for hi.
future post at Lewiston. Says he will
have no "reville" or fatigue" calls ant
will have potato pancakes "three time
day"
Beckwith has been rusticating at ou
summer resort, "Corregidor Islor'
Hospital" for about six weeks. Diet on
Cracker and Matted milk"
Little still sighs for his Friso girl
Sergeant Scott, Commissary Sergeant O
B makes his trips out each day rushing
the grub for the Go. His smilin
countenance isn't marred except by fv
whiskers, he is a sure cure for the blue.
III Sergeant Keller leans slightly toward
home and dreams often of laying pip
and selling stoves, but hasn't as ye
figured out how to drain the rain out q
his particularly cozy abode. He ha
sworn never to cultivate whiskers for
IIliying. Ina recent encounter with tn
heat he lost both sleeves from his shirt
otherwise escaping unhamed.
III O what wouldn't we give to hav
Afford, F.. W. Stanton, Young Butle
and Hutchings over here to enjoy ?
well 10 enjoy Uncle Sans canned bee
hardtack and to experience the delight
full sensation Of various and sundr
beautiful insects crawl over you in you
sleep. or the delightful serenades ofthos
| pharse dogs and toads and lizards.
LOUIS y. Roos.