The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1899-04-28
IN THE FIGHT.
An Albany Boy Tells of
Facing the FiIipinOs.

A letter from Roy Saltmarsh TO hi
mother, written in the trenches:
Flying Column with left wing O
Wheaton's B'g'de near Guanolupe P. l.
| March Is, 1899.
Dear mother;-
We have been having some hot times
during the last few days and are now
stopped in native huts for rest. Sunday
z. Nj. wes left Cuertelde Espano and
marched in the first rain of weeks to
San Pedro Macati, where we slept i'll our
dog tents that night. We had one hum
dred more rounds of ammunition issued
here making from 200 10 $50 rounds per
man. In addition to this We carried
blankets, pouches, tent, ratipns, extra
clothing etc. We got out about 8 A. M.
Monday morning and extended skirmish
lines about miles to the Legunade
Bay, We being on the extreme left on one
bank of the river. The gun boat "Hor-
net" steamed up the river in advance OF
US. Stotenburg's brigade was on the
other side of the river. Monday night
we reached this place which is on the
bend OF the river. The river branches
like the letter Y. Tuesday about eleven
o'clock Co. and & with the colonel and
adju. Major ard Adj. and our officers
crossed the river on small boats and
fanked the city. Other companies of
Oregon and Regulars fired from the bluffs
this side. We had some very hot fight.
ing at 800 yds. We sneaked up behind
the sugar cane while plantoon engaged
them from the rear OF our lines. After q
short three hours fighting we retired. and
recrossed the river and passed the night
al the same place. Yesterday We went
over the same ground and while at our
old firiug line, the other troops effect
ed landing from the right branch Of
the river into the town. Our two COM
panies pushed on up the river in line
OF skirmishers. each man two PAGES from
the man in front of him. About q mile
farther up We we're surprised at a place
where our line had to pass on an expos
ed bank OF the river with no protection
whatever. We dropped at once to th g
ground and answered with a good strong
volley from our long Toms. 1t took
about an hour and half to disl ge them
from this position. We were on perfect
ly level ground without even trees for
protection while they were 100 to $50 yds.
away on the.other side of the river be-
nird the best kind of trenches about
feet deep and loop-holed. Finally we
heard the boys ringing the church bell
OF the city, heard the good old cheer
break out and saw the fires of the burn
ing houses and knew that the city was
ours. We stood right up then and
pumped the lead into them and soon |
had them going. As soon rs one start |
ed to run he exposed himself and went /,
down. The wonderful part Of it all was
that while the bullets went all around US |
US and above US not one of us
was killed, only few scratches. Tues
lay Dodson the reporter and Oleson Of |
20. E were both shot in front. After We |
routed these we went on up but night |
coming on We came back here again as
it woul1 be dangerous to have two COM |
panies out there alone. Tne Washing
ton and Oregon boys are working shoul- |
der to shoulder and arc like brothers not !
one cold-foot in :he companies. Graft
ing is good. Lots OF chickens, pigs, |
radishes etc.
Ny shoulder is sore from shooting,
otherwise am o K, have shot about |
lbs times in the last two days.
None sick in the company. Fine |
green cOrnelies ga1.Ire.
G. E. not here. Boys swirn in the river |
every night.
The boys were held backIso long: they |
,an hardly be restrained now, they smell |
powder.
Very few Americans killed 20 far.
The natives ant hit balloon.
The country is alive with chickens and |
1ucks and the 'chinos' who drive bull |
ARTS spend tie day in ioraging for our
upper and breakfast. They are fighting /
'ver in the city and suppose we will go
over and flank them again.
GoOdby for the present and will write
irst chance. Lovingly, Roy.