Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-11
The COlOred Troops Have Trouble.
FINE COUNTRY.
MUD, BUT NO ARMED FILIPINOS- SCOUTING
UNDER DIFFICULTIES BEASTS
OF BURDEN
La Iona, P. L, Sept. 2sth, 1899.

LA LOMAs +. l.. sept. 18th, 1899.
Dear Editor:
Nothing of Importance has trans
pired since my last letter with the ex-
ception of q skirmish here and there or
an attack upon some outpost. One
Battalion of the oath moved up to San
Fernando. which is the only movement
of this department. The dry season
has made itself manifest by the cessa-
pours. Last week we went TO Manila,
which since being under American
rule has become to be known as the
leading citv OF the Orient. found the
shipping in the harbor going on so
smoothly as to remind one Of New
York or Philadelphia, while the Quar-
termaster's Department had its usual
hustle.
A DIRTY CITY.
Manila is very dirty and reminds one
OF typical old Spanish city with it's
big walls which surround the Governor
Generals palace, now occupied by
General Otis, the American Military
Governor General. The streets are
narrow. dirty and uneven. Even in
Ehis state those who were first here
says it is l0096 better than originally.
II such is the case I wouldnt like TO
have seen them in their worst state.
Commercially, one can see the city's
Improvements on his second visi'.
Every form of business even to the
typical boot-black stand can be seen
running on the American plan by
Mongolians. Europeans and Americans
and at comparatively lew prices.
think ere long Spanish Manila will
be thing OF the past, and Manila will
actually be al American city.
Silver Is the standard for use here
and although the big Mexican dollar
which contains 100 cents is twice ae
valuable as the American dollar it's
market value is only one half that of
an American dollar.
The boys are in fairly good health
and enjoying life as easy as possible in
the tropical ann. A good deal of the
work is lifted from their shoulders By
the invaluable Chinee coolie and the
Fiilipino-non- -combatants. These wor-
thy laborers perform all manner OF du-
ty. They are possessed of wonderful
endurance and they are equally as
proud Of their celebrated pack stick as
OF their endurance.
HEAvX LOADS CARRIED.
This pack-stick is about 316 feet long
and on each end they can suspend zoe
pounds OF any thing -ou can fastened
thereon and they can pack and go "a
hours, stopping occasionally for rest.
1t has been said, if such an arran ge-
could bs made they could carry q
wounded soldier on each end of the
stick.
The sturdy Filipino with his caribao-
cart does ali the hauling. The caribao
is some what similar to an American
OK or steer only he is possessed of
about half his endurance. He cannot
work long in the hot sun without walk
ing In hole OF water. He will stop
at every hole of water he meets in his
journey from La Iona TO Manila and
return distance OF four miles. His
fastest record is said TO be two miles
an hour. So he is pretty tedious ami
NAL TO follow but every one realiz es
his Importance and woe be unto any
man who strikes, abuses, misleads or
causes any Of the above to leavs q
command.
As soon as the dry season comes on
in full, we will have mules and wagons
so we make the most OF the above
transportation until that time.
Last Tuesday by prearrangement,
promptly at 2 .. M, the sentries on
post were relieved and everybody pre-.
pared for trip breakfast which was
served, and dinner issued.
ON SCOUTING DUTY.
Company K. 25th Infsntry was going
into the interior on scouting duty for
the day. Promptly at A. NJ, the ad
vance guard with 1t. Bates and SerRt.
Saddler in command moved out follow
ed shortly afterwards by the main bo-
dy, with Lieut.. Harrison and Sergt.
Greenwood in command.
We moved straight along the road
TO Neuvalitcha. 1900 yards from camp
is big forest which haa not been PEN
etrAted before and everybody wonder
| ed how the country looked beyond. We
! moved into the bashea and into beau