The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-08
Our Boys Abroad
One in Luzon;
Another in Porto Rico.

here are two letters from Wichita
knights Grant. One from Joe Campbell
son OF w. P. Campbell. who has re-en.
listed and tells of the renewed war II
the Philippines The other is from
Charles Roseo Thomas with the Fifth
United States cavalry in Porto Rico and
was written to his sister, Miss Mae V
Thomas, who lives three miles west OF
Wichita.
Joe CamDbelrs letter is as follows:
Bacolor via San Fernando, P. I.
August Il, 1899.
Dear Father-Since my last wiling there
has been general advance on the north
The morning Of the 9Th at l a. m. our
regiment marched out Of San Fernando,
in light marching order, waist belt. sling
belt, four hard tacks and a can of
Eagen's best, between four men, which
was carried tucked inside Of blouses, one
hundred and sixty rounds and gun.
1 was sick at the time with a bowel
complaint and the doctor refused to al
low me TO go on the expedition. Colonel
Bells object was 10 get through the
enemy's line, and behind him if possible,
which had not been before undertaken.
There Is a fine turnpike graveled high
way between San Fernando and Bacolor
with rice fields on both sides. The regi-
ment was marched out about half way
on the turnpike when the column was
turned of 10 the right through the rice
fields and across branches of water,
through mud from ankle to knee deep. It
Is about five miles (American) from San
Fernando to Bacolor. The regiment man
aged to get between the eneny's outpost
One battalion managed to get behind the
town, when it was deployed in skirmish
order. Our battalion was stopped just be-
tween the town and a considerable body
of the enemy who were encamped to the
south of the town The other battalion
had marched straight against the town,
surprised an outpost of fifteen men and
ore officer and killed them all without
losing or getting a man scratched. From
then (daybreak) on until ten o'clock there
was a great deal of powder burnt on both
sides. Our losses were two killed and four
wounded. Captain Alternately of 4 COM
pany was wounded in the left forearm,
making the second wound for him since
coming TO the Islands, and identically in
the same place. Major Braden Of our
battalion cd was wounded in the left
leg above he knee AS tor the eEcmy
they made a Stubborn Il, istencC. Had us
surrounded twice, anda well formed sky
mish line at one time had one company
(E, the one I belong to) with the ambu-
lance containing the N.Ipoed CT: of AMI
surrounded, bat or company never got
man touched. They hal guns and .,nIu-
niiIor plenty, bat CAM OF hit a Gock 0f
barns. If there had been Americans
against us there wouldn't have been any
left to tell the tale.
reported for duty the 18th, ana have
been on two scouts since. Day before
yesterday a soldier was out foraging be-
yond Guaqua and was fred on. The scouts
went out that afternoon and found a body
of insurgents beyond Guaqua veriously es-
timated- from fifteen TO four hundred.
Yesterday the scouts started before day
break and got into Guaqua about seven
had been sent out as a protection TO sig
o'clock. Our scouts are twelve strong.
They had been sent out as a protection to
signal men. When they got into Guaqua
they realized there had been a reception
prepared for them. Every body was oct
of sight. All houses closed. Guaqua is a
town OF ten thousand people and COM
posed mostly of large stone houses with
high stone walls. II IS built on two
streets in the form of a T, with large
church and piazza at the left corner. They
had to approach from the bottom point,
and marched in two bodies into town
-.
Our scouts were working in pairs. When
the insurgents opened on them from win
dows and from behind stone walls. Our
men had better positions to fire. from as
they had placed themselves so the enemy
couldn't show up without receiving shot
from our boys. Our boys killed a captain;
a brother of General Rial, who has COM
mand of the enemy in this district. They
also killed two soldiers and wounded
twelve and captured six Remington rifles
The captain set a brave example to his
men and tried to gea them to charge but
our boys killed him and all who attempt
ed to come to him. They made desperate
efforts TO get his body and csrbine which
was Of the latest pattern, new and Of
German make Our boys executed a
flank both to the left and right and
charged and after securing the csrbine
left town. Nv company CD was sent over
TO their support with orders to clear the
town. We went in double quick. While
flags were flying from every house. We
found about forty insurgents outside and
beyond the town, but beyond our limit |
which was 1900 yards
tn1av
another night move.
1 do not know what your ideas are in |
regard to expansion. We are generally on |
opposite sides of the fence For myself. |
this is my country A fine climate as one I
ever seen I would like q commission and /
hope my friends will do what they can to I
aid my aspiration and they will always 1
md me in the line Of duty. With love |
TO mother ana all. Your son.
f. ]. CAMPBELL
Care Captain H. steere, Co. Z So United /
States Volunteers.
Young Mr. Thomas letter, next fol-
lows:
Mayaguez, Porto Rico.
September 2. 1889
Ny dear sister, received TWO letters
from you today and was as ever. glad to
hear from home. ] am now stationed at
San German and viii remain three weeks
longer when l viii return To Mayasuez.
we are having target practice and il Is
great sport We shoot with pistol az
the figure of man standing from ten 10
a hundred yards range and with q Carbine
d. -. - ,,,7 s,o,-t5srs of a man from, I