Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-24

fore We got across, but after We got into
the water we did not lose man, and
not a man was seriously wounded. l
caught stray Mauser bullet in the top
of my hat. but hats are cheap. The
water actually looked like II was boiling
where tn bHlltts struck around US, but
beyond a good scare we came out all
safe and sound.
/ was back at headquarters for my
supper, and the sergeant in whose charge
We were gave me severe scoldlng
for stealing a gun and going 10 the
front but / saw a light i'm the old boys
eye that told me he would not report
me to the officers, and 1 was satisfied. L
had seen fighting came out unhurt, and
could stand a lecture After supper the
old sergeant caught me under the stair
way and shook hands with me, saying:
you are not a good soldier, but you
are a man. and here's my hand"
On the Sd of April was assigned to
Company "G," Twenty-third Infantry,
and put on police patrol in the outer city,
among the native shacks, In Toudo and
Bucaudo districts, where the fire and
fighting had taken place on February I'D.
After about ten days patrol duty l was
detailed company clerk, temporarily, and
While occupying this easy position / went
out several times TO MalOlOs and Calum-
Dit. ana had a few shots at the negroes.
/ also went out with the secret service
men on several night raids, in which we
arrested five officers and several soldiers
from the insurgent army, who were in
the city as spies.
HE CAPTURED a COLONEL.
also trailed down and captured a
Filipino colonel, securing in the room he
o-c,,FfI .prugh evidence ia cDuyict him.
This ! did unaided, except by a Meztzo
girl, who said she liked me, and VINO
gave me a description Of the man, and
directed me as 10 his whereabouts. On
the 18th of May we were ordered here
Jolo) to relieve the Spanish garrison, and
expected that We would have 70 fight Tor
a landing. Much TO our surprise, and L
am sure to the disappointment Of ma
iority of the boys, We found all peace
and quiet, and the Spaniards wild to get
home. Jolo is a beautiful little place
of about 800 inhabitants, mostly Chinese,
and is entirely surrounded by a stone wall
pierced for rifles every three or four feet.
It's streets are bAl and straight, lined
ON both sides with delightful shade trees.
The four plazas. or small parks, are well
laid out. and filled with tropical plants,
trees. and flowers, which are as pretty
and bright as they are fragrant. We are
! about sixty miles from Barneo.
THE sULU ISLANDS.
Jolo is the largest of the extreme south
ern group Of islands, generally spoken or
as the Philippines, but if my memory
reaches correctly to the dim, distant days
of my schooling, the American geogra-
phies name this southern group the Suiu
Islands. The natives. who are called
Noros are q Mohammedan race, entirely
antaeonistic to the FilipinoS in religion
| and all else. They are ruled over by
| chiefs OF provinces, eight in all, who are
;, governed BY a Sultan. The Spanish have
| Maid for the peaceful possession OF this
| city the sum of 5000 per annum TO the
Sultan. and 500 per year TO each provin-
c,al chisf one of these chiefs, living
near this city, is almost as powerfui as
| the Sultan, and every now and then they
| have a fight. A few days ago ne sent
| word TO our commandant that ne mac
/ challenged the Sultan 10 hsht, ana II
| they came near the walls OF the CITY We
! must not interfere, as they would no.
| ,ro,bIa MS. our officer notified him that
| if any armed body came near our wal
! aud aid not halt when ordered, we would
| e. an them. Whether this had any eff
feet do not know, but the fight did not
! take place.
The Sultan visited our commandant Ind
| .,,,os,ed the same tribute that the
snaniards had paid He was promptly
informed that his claim would be referred t.
80 washington; that we were sent mere
70 - mis- Mace. and would pay nothing
untu ordered 10 do so. but would nold
UNI nIocs wi ct armis" The Sultan was
perfectly satisfied, and issued pr pro, ~
| pc hts naople telling them not 10
10 must now close, and VIII only say
,hat after three or four months OF goo
health have been brought ~S me 10 in s~s aS
p'1"' The doctor says It's only indiges-
ION and that / will soon be oh again
Letters are scarce, and " men o ore IS :
precious as diamonds. so write cary
I'd often 10 Your old friend.
anu c. IRVING CARRINGroN,
comnanv 90" Twenty-third Infantry
Iolo. p. j.