The San Francisco call., 1899-08-24

@@ ttE story OF the CaItOTnlanS in
the Philippine wars is one that
for the people of the State will
ever have an absorbing inter
est. II is the story of adven-
ture by field and flood, of triumph Of
arms in foreign lands, Of daring deeds
and valiant effort in a cause that called
forth the patriotic feeling Of every lv-
ing being in the State The boys of
California have we'll won their spurs
They have suffered the rigors and ter
rors of war. They have been in the
death-breeding camps of the Philippine
jungles. They have been in the
trenches, on the firing line and in the
storm and agony of battle. They have
seen their comrades die by the slow poi
son Of disease or the quick sharp sting
of the bullet. They are worn with i'll
ness and proud Of their triumphs and
now for the first time the story Of their
trials and their victories is. in com
pleteness. told.
Few viii forget the excitement which
attended the mastering in Of the First
California Regiment The streets We're
crowded with enthusiastic men and
women. The martial spirit was in the
air. The brilliant victory Of Admiral
Dewey was but few days old and pat
Eiotic ardor had reached pitch greater
than ever before in the history of the
State. The war with Spain had been
brought TO the very doors of CalifoT-
mans and the realization that sons of
the Golden State We're to take part in
the great drama Of the Southern seas
came IN the nature rather Of pleasure
than duty Governor Gage had issued
his proclamation on April % and on
Friday, May 8, 1898, the First Regiment
Infantry. National Guard Of California,
was mustered by Captain Darlington
into the service Of the United States
ana designated as the First Regiment
California, United States Volunteer In
fantry. From that day in the armory
at Page and Cough streets the First
California was under arms. It's long
series Of hardships, suffering and tri-
umph for the Stars and Stripes had be-
gun.
From the moment Of mastering in
there was no delay Homes We're sac
7ifced, self-interests were buried the
citizen had disappeared in the soldier.
and on the very next day. May :. the
regiment marched from its armory to
been a quick transformation. and the
city could hardly realize it. Crowds
thronged tn the Preside. where. day
after day, the volunteers We're learning
the rough lie and severe discipline #
the camp.
There :he regiment remained Until
Monday. May %. when the march. from
the Presldio to the transport City of
Of
were starting on the long journey that
was not to end until some had met
death and others the terrible hazard Of
asrare IN war As the boys marched
from the Preside 10 the transport they
were cheered every foot Of the way. On
Wednesday afternoon, May %. the Pc
king departed. Down the bay she was
escorted by hundreds OF gayly adorned
boats. Music and cheers, shouted we'll
wishes from thousands Of friends. the
boom Of cannon 8nd the shrin blasts OF
whistles sent the boys from California
on their way The hill tops of the city
we're black with people. and that night
there was sadness in MAN. homes that
knew for the last time the welcomed
presence of loved ones. War had begun
to nave a tragic meaning for Califor-
mans.
On Wednesday afternoon at o'clock,
June l. the Pekng entered the pretty
harbor Of Honolulu. The people of the
city WED with each other in enthusias-
tic greeting All that denonstrattve
feeling could indicate in good will was
given, and two days after the Califor
mans were banqueted by the citizens Of
Honolulu at the executive grounds. At
10 O'Clock in the morning on June 4 the
Peking again set sail No one consid-
cred It unusual that the American
cruiser Charleston should accompany
her. but the Charleston had business
on hand and the boys from California
were soon to know its import. The fol-
lowing day the Charleston signaled to
the Peking to stop at the island Of
Guam.
1t was not improbable that the Cali
fornians would know something Of the
terrors Of war long before the Philip
pines We're sighted. The Charleston
was commissioned TO seize the La
drones and the Californians might have
10 fight On June 20 the Peking and It's
escort arrived at Guam. The Spanish
Governor did not even know that
Spain was at war with the United
States. The warning boom Of the
Charleston's guns he thought was sa-