Middletown transcript., 1899-05-13

to close. Hoping this may find you all
well and that l may hear from you soon,
am the same Loving Nephew
GARRETT c. PoGUE,
Corporal Co. K. 1st Colorado,
Manila, P. l.
From the land of the "Orient and Occi-
dent, Incidents and Accidents"
March 4th, 1899, 8.45 P. NJ.
My Dear Aunt:-I have much to tell you
and very little time to do it in, and if l
cannot finish it tonight, will atmy first
opportunity. One month ago this very
night and hour, the real history of Manila
will date, and when the news was flashed
around the world, under the ocean, to far
away America, it must have been
thunder bolt in the thousands of homes for
those who have fathers, sons, husbands
and brothers here in the army, and now,
instead of looking for the glad tidings of
home coming. in the papers, they are
watching with dimmed eyes and heavy
heart that long list "and which is steadily
increasing every day." of the dead and
wounded. I'VE will suppose its one of
your ideal summer evenings. such as you
have in dear old Delaware, in the month
of June, calm, beautiful and all nature
seemingly at rest and peace. The very air
heavy and sweet with the perfumes and
fragrance of flowers and blossoming fruit
trees, the young moon looking down on
this scene of quiteness, sweetness and
purity, nothing to disturb the stiffness or
break the sound of the soft whispering
breeze as it scarcely rustles the leaves. We
will still suppose you are sitting out infIont
of the dear old comfortable home, drinking
in this beautiful soul inspiring scene, listen
ing to the hum of insects, the chirp of a
bird to its mate. 'Tis only the good who
can fully appreciate these specimens of Gods
handiwork thu subtle voices of nature that
knowledge of his ever present peace giving
rest to the soul and body. When suddenly
there comes sound TO your ears from the
north bourne to you on the still sweetly
scented caressing night Winds there comes
another, you start to rise when you hear
clear and distinct the sharp singing crack
of rifles, louder and clearer do they seem
to be, increasing in volume and rapidity
You ale chained to the spot, breathless,
your lips are dry, your ewes ache with the
then unshed tears, you tfemble with sudden
fear. Then you hear the dull heavy boom!
of cannon, it makes the earth tremble and
shake, aud as the echo dies away you hear
it again, this time the terrible reports are
blended into one, only more savagely and
vicious, the air Yibrates aud quivers, sud
denly you hear galloping hoofs, ahl it's q
messenger riding for life with orders, what
orders? you ask yourself, and here comes
even more. You see men running hastily
in different directions. you hear strange
commands, voices speaking quick and
sharp. and as.you stand there, you hear the |
rumble of heavy wheels, the sound Of steel |
shod hoofs of galloping hoses, The shrill
bugle notes and down the quiet street they
come in cloud of dust. Sifaiuing every /
nerve you lean forward to look closer you |
see six splendid horses 8 riders (driyersl |
urging them with whip and spur, you see |
three more blue shirted brawny fellows
sitting with folded arms erect and careless
on an oblong box, and between the two |
hind wheels you see long bronze looking |
lube glistening in The moonlight, following
closely in another team of six. this is the
,aisson Ammunition wagon You stand
and shake as gun after gun, caisson after
ssisson rush past, and it dawns on You,
who aad what they are 'Tis battery 20.
ng to the font going where it's needed
badly, where the lines are sore pressed.
You cannot help but admire and pity those
,-ave, cooi-headed fellows who face death
md danger with smile and q jest, and as
ron turn to go in the house aud away from
{ all, you hear the steady tramp, tramp,
ramp, Of marching men, again you pause
md look as company after company, regi.
nent after regiment come swinging up the
-rets, thefr aCCOutreuents gfisteniug, the
teady clink, clink, of tin cups against the
aYolet scabbards aud canteens. Tall
!. apping fellows all, and dressed in the
equation brown uniforms of the tropics.
his j. not dress parade, there are no f1y-
lg banners, enlivening strains of music
'oni bands, no admiring throngs to follow
nd 10 cheer them, but steadily and silently
ley march on grim and determined, look
ig neither 70 the left or right, forward and
nwaed. No loyed ones are there to wave
lem fearful farewell and as the column
still passing, you hear gruff command:
pen order, march, and as hey file to the
ght and left you see coming from the op-
5site direction a big numbering army ann /
1lanee with its four powerful horses trot- .
ng down the street. You look closely and
j! what do you see? You count Que, two,
rec, foar, five, yes six, long, silent forms,
Isif. blood-stained, blackened with pow
'r Nov you know what it means, now =
~ see what all that terrible fling meant,
is harvest of death, this awful side of
ar, tears flow unbiiden, your heart seems
break with the intensity of cruel pain. y
on hear an angry roar Of vengeance from (
thousand voices. as the order is given to
ose up. forward, double time. mar chi |
urrying to avenge their comrades, and
y you hear one constant steady boom z
ornl and The long rolling rifle yolleys t
g continual cracking, like q thousand f
nch Of fire crackers being set off at once a
~ know that battery has got into position
is sending Its death messengers into
J ranks Of the enemy. Y0u hear distant e
sefs, shouts, curses. come 10 you now b
i changed In less than an hour. Your z
lrt bleeds as y0u offer 4 silent prayer for 2
tory ard the brave men Once more
are startled as the big bells begin fo
out fafiouslys the sky i red and luFid.
nv. IA. -. e