The Dickinson press., 1899-01-21
Our Manila Letter.
Manila. Dec. lst. 1906

Manila, Dec. lst, 1893.
DEAR MIR. AYERs:-It is quite a while
since l have written you, but affairs have
been so quiet here, since we entered the
city that l did nor think it worth while.
For a time W. were constantly expecting
trouble with the insurgents. Several
times We were ordered to sleep with our
arms by our sides, and to be ready to
move at a moments notice. But as moth
ing came of those scares, w soon got
used to such orders; and they failed to
create any excitement. On the morning
of Saturday, Sept. 10th at 900 a. M, just
after inspection the assembly sounded.
We "fell in" in a hurry thinking that we
were surely in for a fight; we were
marched down the street but were halted
after going a short distance and finally
sent back to quarters with orders to be
within bugle call. We were kept this
way for two or three days until the scare
was over. Since then we have been do
ing garrison duty with an occasional tour
of outpost.
This kind of life is very monotonous,
especially in a place like this. You are
probably curious to know how
we pass away the time. Well, there are
the daily drills and calls, etc. to be at
tended to; besides these there is o
much to do. The men spend their time
in various ways; playing cards, reading,
writing sleeping or walking around TAX
ing in the sights. Anything to pass
away the time.
We are always on the lookout for mail
from home. Our quarters are just along
the edge of the bay; and when a ship
comes into the harbor, she is generally
spied out by some of the boys. Then you
can hear different ones specializing ON
how many letters they will receive. A
mail from the United States means a
great deal to us; they don't come very
often. have not received a paper from
you every week, l suppose they we're
lost in the mail. l have heard several
complaints of letters gone wrong. How
ever, some n in the company generally
gets a copy of the PRESS, and we make
that go around.
We have been waiting and watching
to see what that Paris peace commission
will do. We hope that we will be sent
home soon, but | must say the outlook is
not very encouraging. W. have done
what we came here for. We did not en-
list to do garrison duty in a foreign coun-
try. Most of the soldiers are young fell
lows, who are anxious to get some sort of
a start in life: While none of us are sor-
ny we came, we do not want to be cooped
here in a garrison for two years; while
we might be doing better and spending
our time more pleasantly at home.
We are still having unpleasant weather.
1t is not so hot as it was, but it is warm
enough, and rains necessarily. This is
supposed to be the dry season; but how
it can pour! as an old sailor put it: "In
the rainy season here it rains all the time
and in the dry season it rains most OF the
time" do not mind the warm weather
but miss the snow. A person tires o.. the
everlasting green foliage. and rank IN
dergrowth. The seasons of the year
bring no changes in the appearance Of
the landscape, as they do in North Dako.
ia; SO there is nothing to look forward to.
The natives seem to stand the heat with.
out any inconvenience; and go about
bareheaded and half naked, under the
suns most powerful rays, when we would
have to stay under cover, for fear of sun.
stroke.
Some of the natives have quite a tai.
ent for music. The insurgents have
some very large :regimental bands, mum.
bering about a hundred men each. They
play some very good native music, also
a few American. tunes. A ~favorite Sc
lection is "Over the Waves" waltz
which they can play to perfection. W.
are always glad to hear music; every few
evenings n of the U. S. bands gives; a
short open air concert up on the Lunette
The Lunette is a famous driyeway.an
promenade, along the bay, outside the
walled city, in the centre of which is
band stand, at present the place is light
ed by arc lights, which make it almos
bright as day. Here every fine evening
the citizens turn out for a drive or wall
to enjoy the fresh breeze, which general.
blows from the bay. Last evening tn,
band of the l4th U. S. Infy. gave a con
cert up there. 1t was a lovely night ant
there were thousands of soldiers ant
residents out for an hours recreation
The band was playing, and the peopl
were lettering around listening, whel
they struck up a medley of, national airs
The piece changed into Dixie" and 20,
ought to have heard the cheer that wen
! up from the soldiers; soon the piec
changed into yankee Doodle" and tn
soldiers chcered again. The concer
r ended with the "Star Spangled Banner.
At the first note of that tune, ever
: soldier came to "Attention," and doffe'
his hat. 1t was a pretty an,
!, inspiring sight, the soldies a
standing uncovered, dressed in thei
white uniforms, while the band playe
that best of national airs. And the Who'll
scene was lighted up by the brillian
electric lights. AS soon as the piece wa
finished nearly all the soldiers left fo
their walk.
Another good Office our .reg't. band
IS perform, is to play for a few hours at tn
N hospitals on the afternoons Of visitin
days. Different times-I have been up a
y the hospitals visiting some. of our boy
who are there, and they all seem to er
joy the music so much.
r.. We have IL men on the sick report.