The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-10-05
FROM THE PHILIPPINES,
Interesting Letter From Charles
Henry Wissner Descriptive of
His Ocean Voyage, Homo.
lulu, Manila. the Phili-
pinos, &c.

From letter just received from Mr..
Wissner by Hon. w. Scott Alexan-
der, of this place. we are permitted to
publish the following extracts which
will be of interest to many of our
readers:
S. S. TARTAR, August II, 1890.
wish ! could reproduce to
you with this pencil the exceed
ing loveliness of this ocean voy-
age. Since leaving 'Frisco-three
weeks ago tomorrow-there has
been nothing to mar the beauty
of what the sailors claim to be an
unparalleled trip at thisseason of
the year. The stay at Honolulu,
the banana groves, the tall cocoa
nut palms, a dip in the surf at
Waikiki, were like dreams after
nights and days of sailing under
cloudless skies and over smooth
waters. One who survives such
a voyage as this will have many
yarns to spin to open-mouthed
listeners around the fireside or
pleasing recollections with which
to beguile many hours in later
life. Get out your map of the
Pacific Ocean and follow the wake
of our ship across the waters.
From Frisco we sailed south
west to the islands of Oahu and
Honolulu. After leaving Honolulu
we sailed due west along the Dist
parallel of latitude, and will con-
tinue to do so until we are due
north of the island of Luzon,
when we will turn south to Ma
Mia. Our transport is u Canadian
Pacific Steamer, called "Tartar. "
We have on board about 1900 en-
listed men, besides the officers of
the 1st and Bird Battalions of the
18th Regiment, and fighting Joe
Wheeler OF Alabama. Every pos
sible provision has been made for
our comfort. We have elegant
shower baths, three good meals
a day, well furnished library,
and just about enough work to
help us from growing too lazy for
any duties ON shore. The food
is good, and well prepared. You
know | have been in continuous
service now II months, and | can
truthfully say that my most
pleasing experience has been my
experience on board of this trans
port. The first bugle call is
sounded at e. 40 a. M, at 6, we are
on deck, washed and dressed and
ready 10 answer roll call; at Z,
mess call sounds; at 9, guard
mount for those who go on guard;
at $40 we go through calisthenics
for Is minutes, just enough to
supple us up a little bit-then the
days duties are over, save eating
the two meals-until 6 p. M,
when We have Retreat, with the
band playing the "Star Spangled
Banner" to the accompaniment
of the low splash of the waves
with the sun setting like ball of
fire in the western waters.
There has been very little sick
ness ON board. One fellow went
insane from too much brooding
over home and loved ones. The
personnel of the regular army at
present is superior to even that
of the volunteer in the Sapnish-
American war. Men have learn
ed that they can serve their coun-
try as well as regulars, as voiun-
teers, and that they will have bet
ter treatment and be better look
ed after than with u lot of poll
ticianS wearing soldier straps.
Although we are near the equator
it is still very comfortable. We
have had steady breeze from
the northeast ever since leaving
Honolulu and the nights have
been cold enough to warrant Il
blanket. My health has been
perfect and l enter the campaign
feeling fully equal to it.
Sunday, Aug. 20.-We have
just passed the islands of Cami-
gum and Fuga-the northern
coast of Luzon is in plain view to
the south of us. We will have
been four weeks out tomorrow.
1t seems long time to be sepa-