The San Francisco call., 1899-04-01
WITH THE
ARTILLERY
UNDER FIRE
Stanford Boys Graphic Story
of the Fighting at
Manila.

STANFORD, March 31-A letter dated
February IL has been received here from
David Burnett, who is with Battery A,
Utah Artillery. Burnett was Stanford $
big center in the football team. He says
his lot is cast among strangers and adds:
But I have not disgraced old Stanford ,
He continues:
1 have pulled the lanyard every time our
Maxim Nordenfeldt y has spoken, and 1t has
never made a move that I have not given q
hand Our battery has been quite lucky; and
so far has lost only three men killed, and they
were with my detachment OF tour guns. ] ne
fighting began Saturday night, February !. II
was drawing along toward taps and we were
lounging around quarters talking on the prop
abilities of an early return home, as our major
had already received an order TO that erect a
few days previously, and we expected 10 be
churn!ng along on an old transport with Golden
Gate as our destination. our quarters We're
only a little over a half mile from the line
where the two armies were drawn up-ours IN
The open; the Filipinos behind intrenchments.
Suddenly a shot rang out on the night air.
and few scattered shots were tonoWeq Dy d d
rafting volley. The fun had started. All
along the line red rockets-the sign Of an at
tack-shot across the sky. Every man sprang
10 his post. There were blanched faces ana
trembling hands. Officers and orderlies were
running about giving orders. once in while
q soldier would break in with The moonlight 5
fair tonight along the Wabash The bullets
were striking the sides and roof of our quar-
ters and coming through the windows. Along
diers marching out 10 the front. One by one
our guns ratified out TO take positions along
- line. and soon their hollow boom was as
hard loud above the regular volley firing OF
Ihe infantry Our guns were still left In camp
and champed in restraint like tethered
steed; for of all horrible things the worst IS TO
be left behind when fighting is going on at the
We little knew we would be soon llnder one
Of the hottest fires encountered in the FIRST two
days fighting. Our two batteries work twelve
guns. and by daylight all were out on the lines
r~al Hr
were held as a reserve TO strengthen any part
of the line which happened to need support.
Soon after daylight received orders TO go
to the aid Of the Nebraskas at Santa Mesa:
The insurgents occupied san Juan Hill. which
is heavily wooded and strongly fortified with
trenches and bloekhouses The san Juan River
runs at the bottom of this hill and divided the
two armies. Santa Mesa, occupied by the Ne
braskans, was q smooth slope stretching away
three-quarters Of a mile from the river. The
river WAS spanned by a stone bridge. ] may
add here thar the position held by the enemy
was considered inyUnerable and was a historic
battle ground. having figured in every war
which has taken place here.
Just at dawn we started with our two guns
land they were dreams, captured from the
Spanish. and of the latest modeD. We had to
draG the guns four smiles by hand but we
the road We passed regiment after regiment.
They gave us rousing cheers and we answered
them with the wave of the hat, we had no
breath 10 spare-we were going at double time
and the guns were heavy
At last We came to the firing line. For a
half-mile back the bullets had been dropping
around US. At every side We're great columns
OF black smoke where villages were burning.
A little 10 our right the Pasig where we had
tug fitted up a. a gunboat It's machine guns
were making horrible din. To the front our
two guns and the Nebraskans were in a hot
place, while on our left the insu ~ants were
making a determined attack upun our lines
They were returning the fire volley Tor voley,
and tell you the noise was simply tremendous
We were right in the crater OF the battle and
litter after litter passed US with the dead and
wounded, but we pushed on in sort Of a
dream. passing ever toward the front
Finally We came up TO first two guns.
The boys had lust carried a dead cor9rade
away We grasped hands but barely had nme
to exchange a few words when we went on
again. The stone bridge a point OF want
age which both sides coveted and we settled
the question by planting our two guns on it.
We had TO advance down open road fol
three-quarters Of mile and we had the COM
bined hre Oh the tlhpinos upon us. At last
we reached the bridge and threw our guns
around for action Insurgent sharpshooters
lay IN rite pits IN the canebrakes within 10t
yards OF Is. The bullets were striking all
around and several OF the boys We're hit
All the boys got under cover except few
OF US, who remained at the guns. The infantry
law down under tne bridge and along under !
raised road that ran up the hill from the
bridge. Every few minutes we would run our
guns few yards up the hill By hand. Every.
body who saw Us said they thought we cnuId
not hold our position ten minutes. and would
all be killed. The brow o! the hill above W..
sheet Of smoke and fame. On our right the
woods were full OF sharpshooters.
Our infantry advanced up the hill. using thC
raised roads as a breastwork, and poured vol.
10 protect our right II beautiful sight
that long sheet OF fame and smoke rolling VI
in front Of us Every gun went together. FOL
these volunteers are veterans now.
The few OF at the guns were almost eN
hausted and finally began 10 grunible at ont
another FOR not doing his share when we mar
70 run the gun to a position or swing
her around in another direction. We never
thought Of about fifteen Of our gun crew lyinl
around In protected spots. It seemed as though
that was the proper thing for them to do. Whei
the night first began I handed my canteen I,
one OF the BOYS lying near me. II was IN m.
way. We went on and ! thought I would dlt
FOR the want OF drink The other reflow.
had drunk al Of their water After everything
had quleted and 1 had about decided to liYl
without water the man to. whom | had handed
my canteen came on and gave II 20 me-
While We're holding the bridge our TIVE
guns back Of us ON the hill were throwing
shrapnel 0"er heads on to the enemy anc
] tell you It was sweet music 10 our ears tc
hear those blg shells whistling over our heads
and bursting Just ahead OF us with shrek
that sounded the death kEell to numerous ma
tives.
Al last we got them going and the Ncbras-
kans took the brow Of the hill with dash
BY this :ime We had but three shells left sc
we saved them for an emergency, and, draw