The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-11
ANACONDA NEWS.
SOLDIERS in MANILA
James A. Callahan Writes About
the Montana Boys There.
BUSY DODGING BULLETS
The Insurgents Are Very Treacherous
Not Much Fighting Lately-Lieuten-
ants Greenan and OLeary Are
Well Liked by the Men.

Private James A. Callahan of Com
pany X, 1st Montana, writes the fol-
lowing letter to the Standard from Ma
Mia, under date of March |. It reads
as follows:
To the Editor of The Standard.
February q opened up warm as US
ual with all hands on the firing line in
the trenches. with an occasional fire
from the enemy, mostly sharpshooters,
Who are either cross-eyed or close their
eyes when they shoot. Their shooting
is not very effective any more than to
make the boys keep below their
trenches. February % was another
quiet day on the line. At noon they were
firing the salutes of the nation in the
bay in honor of Washington's birthday.
At 3 p. m. Company X changed posi-
tions on the firing line and are now in
the main support of the regimental
headquarters. We had a coed nights
sleep in the trenches with no disturb
ance. On February %. at 6 a. M, the
trouble for the day began by an uprls-
ing of armed insurgents in the city of
Manila, who We're about to take pos
session of the railroad, which would
have caused our forces great incon-
venience, as it would have cut off our
communication and transportation of
supplies and ammunition. Company l.
of the Montana contingent was sent
back to the city to assist in the protec-
ton Of life and property under the
command of Lieutenants Bradshaw and
French. They were fired on by the in
surgent mob as soon as they reached
the city limits, in which Lieutenant
French lost his life and several others
were wounded.
Whilst they We're having their little
trouble in our reartwe were having ours
on the front The enemy treated us to
a surprise party this morning by throw
ing three shells over our lines from
heavy gun they had mounted the day
before. We could plainly hear the
shells go over our lines and we were
under the impression that they We're
still going, for no one heard them eX-
plode or saw them drop anywhere. They
then formed a skirmish or firing line
skirting the timber. They We're en-
trenched in for the purpose of doing
battle with US, undoubtedly with the
expectation of assistance from the
armed forces of the city coming out and
attacking us on the rear, but in that
they were foiled by the shrewdness Of
our officers. Who never sleep or are
never caught mapping. The enemy was
driven back by our outposts. Our lieu
tenant, Phil Greenan received what
might have been a very complicated or
dangerous wound If it had not been for
the revolver which he carries in hol-
ster at his hip The ball struck the
butt of the revolver aud was thrown
out of its course and cut across his ribs
and caused a very slight but painful
wound l think Phil is good fer the
balance of the campaign when he es-
capped that leaden messenger The in
surgents have kept up a continual fire
on our trenches all day and night keep
ing us very close to our work, and the
weather is very hot to live in trenches.
The transport Scandal arrived in port
from Frisco with the Goth regulars U.
S. A., the first to arrive since August
last. The troops here at present cam
not advance much further, as the line
extends in length % miles across the
island, which makes the line very tn n
without reinforcements.
On February "a everything was quiet
along the line with but a little bit of
kick among the boys in regards to their
menu for the day. There was no meat.
1t consisted of rice and apple sauce for
breakfast, apple sauce and rice for din
ner, and as lead was not thrown too
promiscuously around the cooks they
cooked us some rice for supper for a
change.
February 25 opened up with heavy
firing along the line, mostly between
the, outposts of both parties. Our out
posts We're annoyed by the enemy try
ing to advance upon them
February 26 was very quiet along the