The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-23
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
OF the Dead and Wounded in the Mon
tana Regiment.

tana Regiment.
Great Falls, March 2o-Among those
who went to the Philippines from this
city to battle for Uncle Sam was Seth
Dibble, bugler to company A and re-
cent graduate from the Great Falls
schools. His parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Ed D. Dibble, yesterday received the
following letter from him, which gives
additional details regarding the wounds
and deaths in the Montana regiment.
Dibble himself being of the wounded
In the General Hospital, Manila, P. l..
Feb. u, lS99.-Dear Ones at Home:
The war with the F'ilipinos has COM
menced, as you already know. 1t
started at about II o'clock on Satur-
day, week ago.
We-that is, company A--were held
as reserves in quarters until the next
day, when we went out and were in the
trenches, on the firing line, for so hours,
during which time we repulsed several
night attacks.
Thursday night we We're relieved by
company B, 1st Montana, and were off
duty for "a hours.
Friday afternoon we were ordered to
have everything ready to move forward
or backward, to have our belts full of
cartridges, with an addition of 100
rounds in our haveTsacks.
AS soon as the company was ready
We formed a line of skirmishers and
then waited for Dewey and the artillery
to cease bombarding the woods, SO we
could advance.
At last we started and were at once
met with a heavy fire.
l was with the captain a little in the
rear of the company, and we had just
got started when Clarence Briggs, a
member of company A, fell.
I found one Of the hospital boys and
took him to where Briggs was and then
went on to the front.
We were within about a mile of their
trenches when up they got and you
could see white hats in all directions.
We were pouring in volley after vol
ley
Our boys. who would advance until
they found covering and then lie down
and shoot. now sprang to their feet and
made after them as fast as they could
run.
Just at this moment T was struck and
down l went, all in a heap.
Major Adams soon came along and
fixed me up, and in a short time two
Kansas boys come along with
stretcher and carried me to the field
hospital, from where I was taken by
steam car and street car to the gen
eral hospital.
I was wounded in both legs. the ball
passing through the calf of the right
leg and just above the knee in the left
leg.
Both are only flesh wounds and made
by a Mauser bullet so it is not at all
serious, and I will be over it shortly
1t was terrible battle and I don't
think the San Juan charge was in it
with this one.
Our officers proved themselves heroes.
Lieut.. Clarence Boardman stood Just
behind his platoon, with revolver in
hand directing the fire this way and
that and shooting at every black devil
he saw.
Six of company A were wounded
Dolph Charette, a bullet tearing his
gun all to pieces and splitting his right
thumb; George Roardman, slight wound
in leg; Corporal Bruneau, wounded in
the left side of his head; Jack Billiard.
bullet cutting a piece out of his right
cheek and passing up through the rim
of his hat; Briggs. shot in the neck, the
bullet remaining near his spine; and
myself. in both legs.
| tell you, company A got into about
the hottest part of the fight.
Lieutenant Colonel Wallace was
wounded quite near me on the field
Clarence Briggs died last night, He
was unconscious from the time he fell
until he died.
/ am receiving very good care here
and will be all right in a day or two.
l received your letter, written on
Christmas day, while l was in the
trenches.
Well, so long. Love to all. Your son
and brother, SETH.