Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-03-23
SOLDIER BOYS MANILA LETTER.
Clyde Baker Writes an Interesting
Letter From Cavite.

Cavite, p. l. Feb. 10, 1899.
DEAR ONES AT HOME:
AS we are in our quarters today /
thought would write you few lines.
| We Just received word that the insur-
gents are advancing on our outposts Sc
We must be ready to go at moments
notice. We arrived at Cavite on the
9th of February and landed. We have
very nice barricks On the morning
of the 9th we were called to arms and
marched to San Pooky, a little place
connected to Cavite by small piece of
land. The insurgents set the whole
town atire and tried to blockade our
march. We went to the fire and
waded water and mud and the insur-
gents fled to their intrenchments. then
we formed skirmish line and took in
the whole country to the out skirts and
camped within one mile of their camp.
We expected they would attack us
but they have not yet so we put out
guards and out posts to give the word
of their advance. On the night of the
10th Companies G., l. and M received
orders to 60 back to Cavite so about
clock we marched back and when
we reached our quarters we were all so
tired that We could not move. 1 went
to bed early and how I did sleep, /
never woke up until the first call
sounded.
This morning we have orders not to
leave quarters for we may be called
out at any moment. AS we went
through the city some of the boys got
some very nice relics such rs books,
cloth, silks, beads, knives and any
thing one can think of. We are awfully
anxious to get shot at the black fell
lows. On our march we captured one
officer and four or five natives. One of
the boys got cut by native but the
native was killed after all. / think the
insurgents must have left the night be-
fore and left just few to burn the
town. We heard this morning that
the insurgents advanced within n
quarter of a mile of our outpOsts
Sunday is the day they do their fight
ing so think we will fight tomorrow
| The fight at Manila commenced on the
day we landed which was the heaviest
battle of the war. The Charleston and
Manadock did fine work throwing
shells in the ranks The infantry on
land kept the enemy on the move all
| the time. They made breestworks
with their dead. Light loss to the
Americans but heavy loss to the insur-
gents.
We got mail yesterday and I got
three letters from home. l was very
glad to hear from you and hope you
will soon get we'll. like the Philip
pines very well. We were first at the
United States, then to Honolulu, then
to Manila, then to Iliolo and now at
Cavite, very nice travel and seeing
some fine country. l am we'll and
having a good time. 1 have bought a
chest already and can put most all my
stuff in it. 1t is handy [ tell you.
Most all the boys in our company have
boxes. We have to use mosquito net
ting. The mosquitoes here are great
big ones tell you. If they get at you
they will nearly carry you off. They
are awful. We have q fine kitchen,
two large wells and three bath tubs so
we can keep clean. We have seaJn
rooms and have plent,1 of room. We
drill one hour each day and have in
spection once q week. We! will get
cots as soon as they can make them.
Every thing is made of bamboo and all
the native huts are made of bamboo
with thatchIroof. The churches are
made of stone and decorated beautiful.
ly inside. All the weapons are is large
knife.
1t is just like regular army here we
have to keep our clothes clean, wash
our belt and brighten our cartridges
for guard mount. I like this very
much. Wilson sends his regards tc
you. He is we'll and fat. We both
know the good time the young people
are having at home. We are now
using the things we got for Christmas
and think great deal of them indeed
They come very handy. 1 hope you
all keep we'll and hope to meet you
all when 1 return if return. 1 hope
this letter if it is short will reach you
in safety. You only need to put two
cent stamps on the letters you send
here. I think will have to close fol
this time so good bye. Hoping to heal
from you soon I send my love to you
all. Your loving son.
CLYDE w. BAKER.