The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-03
Embalmed Dog Is What They
Call the Roast Beef.
A LETTER FROM MANILA
Complaints are Loud Against the Poor
Food Which Has Been Served to
the volunteers-On the
Firing Line.

ing letter from his son, Lynn N. Cham
berlain, of Company A:
"On the firing line, April 29.-I was
relieved from guard duty yesterday
and took the 2:30 train. On arriving
at the Pampang I found the railroad
bridge destroyed, so had to walk the
rest of the way. 1 passed very strong
entertainments on the opposite side of
the river and 10 small bridges before
reaching the next large bridge across
the Rio Grande. The ties and rails
had been taken away and the roadbed
was muddy from recent rains. 1
reached the river at dark and stayed
with the engineer corps, sleeping with
Walter Verge, who had been sent there
to join Lieutenant Bird, in charge of
the bull team. After a short walk
the next morning, l found the company
in the town of Apalit. Captain Moran
was in charge of the battalion.
Our rations are rather slim, except
sugar. We rustic rice and sweet po-
tatoes; they have quit feeding us EN-
balmed dog (roast beef.
Sunday, April 30.-We went out on
post duty, marching single file in the
muddy paths through the fields. We
had a jolly time, as several fell on the
slippery road. On our return next
morning we were mustered for pay. We
are quartered in bamboo huts. The
river runs by at the rear and we have
a large raft for a landing, and from
which to swim. 1t is amusing to see
the boys try to handle the native ca
noes; they upset SO easily. Company l.
has one of the finest houses in town.
A piano and other instruments were
found; some one is playing the piano
now.
Monday, May Ii got Krag rifle
this morning and moved up with the
third squad and found them engaged
in pig hunt Boots had knife fas-
tened on the end of pole and killed
one which we fried. My squad go on
picket duty tonight.
"Wednesday, May 3.-We are back in
Calumpit. We crossed the river this
morning in canoes and went on post
duty in the edge of the timber over
looking the fields. This afternoon We
We're relieved and marched back to
Apalit, where we found the regiment.
We have breakfast at in the morn
ing and advance.
Thursday, May Ave moved to the
railroad. A Calling and a Hotchkiss
gun were mounted on a handcar and
took the lead for a mile and a half,
when the big guns opened as though
they had found something. Our first
battalion was on the line with the Kan
sas battalion The rest of us lay back
along the track in the sun. Off to the
right we could see a battery from
Hale's brigade go into action. We adj
vanced slowly, Hale's brigade swing
ing around to the right. We were
crossing big field without shade and
our water gave out advancing on the
town of San Thomas. 1t was taken
after short, rapid fight. One Mon
tana man was killed and Captain Dill
Ion, commanding the first battalion,
wounded. with a few other casualties
and several boys overcome with heat
"Friday.-At 4:30 this morning we
went on outpost. AS we had to carry
our rations yesterday we found on in
vestigation one-third of a can of red
boss for breakfast. While waiting for
orders to advance, l am writing this
sitting on sack of sugar, using a
Mauser cartridge box for desk.
will admit that could eat good deal
more than I have; otherwise / am in
the best Of health.
May Cat 3 o'clock this morning
the first and third battalions started
out parallel with the railroad and about
a mile to the left. After marching a
mile and laying in the sun for over
an hour we went back to San Thomas.
In two hours we were ordered to San
Fernando. The squad was on fatigue
duty and was ordered back to the river
to bring up a days rations. Luckily
we soon met our wagons, faced about
and fell in behind the regiment with
them. 1t was so hot there were only
six men in the ranks when we arrived
"Saturday.-We had just blown the
lights out last night when volley firing
opened. We jumped to our clothes and
guns and were ready for work just
when it ceased At in the morning
my squad went on outpost nearly a
| mile from quarters. l like my Krag
| better than the Springfield, 'bobs,' as
we call them. A man feels safe when
he has five shots in the magazines. We
| are getting slim fare. The boys ex-
press their feelings about the grub.
Not loud, but deep, We were on out
post again last night and found the
mosquitoes more numerous than at any
other place I was forced to cover my
head with my poncho. Some of the
boys found leaf tobacco, so We make
cigars. which, though not artistic, are
well favored.
Monday night.--The outposts were
fired upon and our company sent out
to reinforce them. After our return
to quarters we captured two chickens
and a lamb. A large rooster was seen
on the opposite bank of the creek in
the rear of our quarters. Three boys
crossed over, while Athey and / re-
manned on this side. They started him
up and he flew across to u.s. Athey
knocked him down, but he got up
again. Harry struck at him again and
got the blow on my shin and cap
| tured him."