Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-05-19
PHILIPPINE LETTER.
Mark Craig, of the Twentieth
Kansas, Describes the
Death of
His Brother Curran.

The following letter was received by
Will *. Craig last week, from his brother
Mark, and, through Wills kindness, we
are permitted to publish it:
MALoLos, =. l., April 3, 1899.
Bro. WILL: wrote you several days
ago, but fuiled to mail the letter at once,
and then it was n week before had an
opportunity, to mail it, but will send it
now, and write u few more words with
1t. In the letter said something about
| q big fight that would come off soon
Well, the fight has come of, and, while it
was not much ola fight i'll many respects,
| it cost our family more than can ever be
repaid. a vacant chair in our family
circle will ever remain as a result of that
first days fight. You noticed in the pa
pcrs that he was wounded and died the
next day, but, of course, know nothing
of the manner of his death. | will tell
you the best can. Whileit seems so sad
to think of, his carly death in this foreign
land, far from home and kindred, the grict
is some what alleviated by his manner of
death.
Curran received his wound that proved
fatal on the bank Of little stream some
three miles from the place we started that
Saturday morning. As VIC began our
attack. we passed over plain for quite
a distance, and then entered the woods.
So far no one was hurt in our regiment,
but we had not gone far in the woods
when the bullets became so thick that a
halt was called, and we sent torrent "
lead at the natives We then charged
across an open space, expecting to drive
the enemy before us rs we had always
done before; but when within twenty
five yards of the insurgents trenches
and when wholly unprotected, we saw n
river In our front and between us and
the enemy. Some Of the boys were able
to get protection, but Curran dropped
down and went to firing as rapidly as
possible, and had fred three or four shots
when a ball struck him in the left flank,
shattcring the top of his hip bone, pass
ING through the body and lodging in the
back to the right of the spine, He fell,
and Joe Hetlin ran out to help him, when
Il bali struck Joe il the knee. BY this time
Dan was there, and carried him In, and
then ran back for Joe. Curran's wound
was dressed, as well as possible, aul then
sent to town. Il was p. m, before his
wound was dressed. Istopped but a
short time with Curran, and he seemed
so cheerful that | crossed the river with
the company, which was the first COM
pany across the river, and then went out
on post duty. Dan crossed the river and,
the company being halted, returned and
joined Curran as soon as possible. lie |
was with him till the last, and saw that |
he wanted nothing.
Currans wound was painful, but he did |
not complain, and did not seem to think |
that 1t was fatal. AT 1870 p. m. his |
mind began to wander, and at II p M,
he became unconscious, and remained
thus until death relieved him at 3 a. NJ.
He has joined the band of heroes that
have given their HIVES for their country,
and his body rests in peace in Pace Gem
terry.
For a week we have marched and
ought.
Malolos has fallen, and we are halted
ust beyond. What will be done with us
low we knownot. The insurgents failed
o make q stand at Malolos, and the
var is not at an end; but it Is thought
he volunteers will go no further. ,
Ircmain your brother, J. NJ. {. !