Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-06
A SOLDIERS LETTER.
An Augusta Boy Writes from the Far of
Philippines.

The Journal is permitted to publish
this morning a letter from f. w. PEREZ
val. son of w. l.. Percival of this city
who is now serving as a private in the
| United States army in the Philippines
Young Percival was a member of tn.
LIST Regiment. Maine Volunteers, ana
went with it to Chickamauga. After h,
was mustered out, he was still anxiou.
to lead soldiers life, and going t.
New York enlisted for three years in
the regular army. He appears to be
well satisfied for he reports that the
troops in the field are well fed and
cared for and that the climate in the
Philippines is healthful despite the fact
that it has some drawbacks in the
rainy season.
Mr.. Percivlls letter was not written
with any idea that it would ever be
published. but it is exceedingly inter-
esting for the side lights it throws
upon the everyday life of a soldier at
the front. 1t was written to his broth
err Wallace +. PercivaI, and reads as
follows:
Dear Brother: p' H. 1887
| am sitting under a bamboo tree with
loO rounds Of ammunition around my
waist ana 81 rounds more on nv Shout.
der. You see | nm ready for business.
though | fancy the folks at home would
smile II they could see me now. barefootel
with my pants rolled up To my knees.
beside me are 10 SPANISH prisoners who
country is a puzzle to the men and Off
GERS, ana the leaders come in for consid
cradle criticism-hut YOU know it is a sol
dlef privilege 10 know exactly how a
campaign should NJ conducted. | was on
outpost duty for three days. recently. on
a diet 81 gold fish salmon and sugar
cookies. There was no way of getting
hardtack II us. We are now getting Il
rest "i wv" weeks after which We are to
go on the north line. We are sleeping in
DOG tents ana getting a shower about
every night
When the 18th Colored Regiment arrived
here they made a racket for us. The
t'ilininos began to run the minute they
landed. and doubt if some of them have
stopped vet. The cOlortd troops were full
OF ginger. They commenced yelling
VaInoose. which means move on. Well
they wanted 10 go on the firing line 1t
once 50 they put them there. Now they
want to do garrison duty 1t isn't a snap
on the lines by any means COMPANY i
to which | belong. is doing garrison duty
native SOVernment-mayor, police
street cleaning department. etc. 1t does
puff them up in great shape and they
strut around here bigger than McGinty.
The police arrested a negro the other daN
for getting drunk and trying to run the
town. and he was given ~ days breaking
stone for the streets.
Corregidor has population of about
800. Like the greater part of the best
people here outside of the professional
aSitatOrs. they see the benefits of Ameri-
can control. without which any kind of
stable government would be impossible
About half a mile across the pond are
the Indians and the bow and arrow gang,
about 5000 strong. This island guards the
main entrance to the harbor and the
only one to Manila 1t has one of the
finest lighthouses in the country. The in
surgents have attempted To come across.
and We have had scrap with them every
once in while. The battleships patrol
every night
we have two dogs with us. One of them
belongs to me. He looks after the tent
while am on guard. l was gone four
days once and sent a fellow for my to.
bacco. He came back and said the dog
wouldn't let him have it. There are about
IS monkeys in camp. and they run riot
nights. stealing shirts and shoes and
working the kitchen for bareback. We
are simply here for four or five weeks to
relieve the volunteers: The place is like
a summer resort. We go in swimming
every night and morning when it doesn't
rain.
Jimmy Mack and Foss Pierce are both
! well. They are in a co. of the 18th In.
fantry. Buster Noble is in A Co. of
the 9th Infantry. Tell Charley McGrath
that his uncle, James McGrath. is in \
Co. Of the 18th Infantry and sends his re-
CARDS.
The big cable ship Hooker is on the
rocks right off the island, so the village
is full of soldiers and sailors. 1t is very
warm here during the day. but at night
it is fine and cool. Well. | guess l will
close now. for l get relieved in few min
utes. Give my regards to all my friends
at home.
With love to you all.
L. w. PERCIvAL,
Co. /, 18th Infantry.