The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-23

| the 10th of June, but it was the most
interesting of the campaign. as ii was
the nrst time We were on the defensive.
Inc negroes made a combined attack
On the city of San Fernando on that
DAY. They We're about 9,00u strong, and
formed complete circle around us
under cover of darkness, and ut the
preak OF day started to advance on us,
put rallied to accomplish their object.
our regiment held the southwest posi-
u. .loh IN the line, and we were quartered
IN some bamboo huts about 400 yards
from the outpost lines. There were
Iour OF us occupying a small cottage.
DICK wells OF Stevensville was with
us; perhaps you know him; he used TO
work on the Times. Just at he break
OF uay we We're awakened from cur
peaceful slumbers by a 32-inch shrannel
shell bursting in the rear of our ,eIace
we rolled over and said good r1crn
ing to our new visitor and decided
that 1t was just a little too early 70
get up. But the negroes didn't think
that way, for in less time than il takes
TO tell 1t they sent seven more .herIs
Whlch were dropping within close
range OF our camp. We took vote on
whether we should get up or not, end
came to the conclusion that the hest
thing to do was to dress, and before
we were dressed, we heard the familiar
sound. call to arms blow Then fail
H. ana IN less than 20 minutes our COM
pany, along with NJ company, were
sent out to reinforce the outposts which
We're In an open rice field We saw be-
fore us skirmish line of about 300
negroes advancing and pouring in a
heaVy fire, not more than 500 yards off.
wen, 1t didn't takesus long to dep!oy
as skirmishers, and by the time we were
within 400 yards of us. We were 1r-
defed TO commence firing at will. For
some reason better known to the neg
groes they stopped coming and fell be-
hind rice ridge, and as our fire was
too much for them. they started 10 le-
treat. Wen, we didn't do a thing 10
them. We gathered AZ dead and
wounded from our front. Made Il
good negroes while our loss was one
Killed of NJ company and Robb of our
company wounded in the leg. While
we We're engaged the Kansas, Iowa
ith and Ohio infantry were also kept
ouSy. The total loss for the day vas
600 killed and wounded negroes, while
our loss was killed and 10 wounded
III the negroes will only muster up cour-
age to attack us a few more times, l
don't think it will take long to kill the
negro army off. That was their first
attempt at a determined attack and
is more than likely they viii not De so
foolish as to try it again. Things are
at standstill now, as it is impossible
for the troops to advance before the
next dry season. All fighting until
then will be on the defensive
we expect to be relieved from all
duty by the 5th of August, and on
our way home. And if I don't charge
my mind, will visit at Hamilton for
about ten days My health is not as
good as l would like to have it. I think
about five months more of This life
and / would be a good American SOL
der. We have been without fresh me at
for a month now. and take away fresh
meat from the 'swady' and you break
his heart. Everything in the way Of
eatables is very high-priced, eggs CELL
ing at S1.20 per dozen, chickens S1.00
apiece. Two months ago you could
buy eggs for 20c dozen and chickens
at SOC apiece. The death rate for Ma
Mia 100000 population) averages "a
a day. The way it looks now IT will
take an army of 100, goo strong and
about six months of aggressive cam
paigning to settle the negroes. COR te-
fore they are licked we will have to
capture every gun they own, for you
might as well look for the Narld to
come to an end as they to sure lder
their guns and ammunition. The negro
army is being reinforced daily, and
they are being supplied with guns and
ammunition from somewhere. Aguin-
aldo is personally in charge of their
troops for the first time His first eX-
perience was on June 16. and we could
tell the difference. as it was through
fear of their great leader that they
stayed and fought as well as they did |
The negro makes a good foot racer, but
when it comes to advancing on an en-
envy he hasn't got the heart. When
they started to retreat the other day
an insurgent officer shot several of mis-
men down, but it did no good: they
will not stand There is one thing |
can say: if the average negro was as
brave as the officers, we would have
great deal harder time. for a drawer
set of men never stepped on a battle |
field. They don't know what fear is.
1t is a very common thing, when ad-
Vancing On them to see their officers
flashing and pounding them and trying |
to make them stand their ground. But
l don't blame them, for it would take
the best soldier in the world to stand
up before the American army
We'll, as taps have sounded, which
means lights out will have to close |
Give my regards to all.
'P. S.-1l a. m. and still raining
Well. as l expected, our anchor chain
broke some time in the night, and
when We woke up this morning we
were floating around somewhere on the
high sea. We have just passed a trans
port and hand them this letter
GEORGE"