The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-08-18
5rom Sar- dway 111anila
MANILA, P. l., l
June 16, 1899. I

My GEAR sister,
thought 1 would write you brlei
description of what have beer
through since l left San Francisco.
AS our regiments career is about
ended in this land of what any true
American breads worst Of all earthly
things, war, will endeavor to explain
our experience in brief sketches, be-
ginning at Frisco. AS you know oul
regiment was held in Frisco for siz
months, thinking every day that the
next sun that would rise over that
city "the pride Of the golden West, y
we would have orders to embark fol-
Manila to assist our beloved comrades
in taking that place, which for years
: has tbeen under the strict and
cruel rule of the Spaniards. But our
eagerness was all in vain.
We had given up all hopes of ever
seeing the Philippines when on Oct.
26 orders came much to our surprise to
pack everything and be ready to start
for the wharf at $50 a. m, on the fol-
lowing day. But the news now caus-
ed very little cheering as the boys all
knew that their duty had been per-
formed by their honored comrades and
they now cared more to return home
to take up their positions and be with
friends, relatives and sweethearts
again, but to our misfortune we could
not do as we liked, we were to go as
ordered,
On the morning of the 9th we were
all ready for our departure from camp
Preside. At the sound of the bugle
we marched out of the gates, as cheer
after cheer arose from the many friends
that had come to bid the boys goodby.
Arriving at the wharf we were soon
aboard the beautiful old ship Indiana,
that once started Gen. Grant around
the world, she was slow but has never
failed to reach her destination. AS
she weighed anchor the band played
the air that always quickens Amer
ican hearts to double stroke, "The
Star Spangled Banner"
Everything was as quiet as the dead
while not only the soldiers uncovered
and stood at attention, but all that
we're in hearing. A sudden thud and
rush of water reached our ears and we
were off. The band now played that
old but glorious air, "The girl l Left
Behind Me-" Cheers now arose and
many sad goodby was heard, as it
must be remembered that some of our
Jay Hawker boys had somehow lost
their hearts with some of the Frisco's
fair sex.
Now we could only see a few white
handkerchiefs waving and at last we
passed Fort Point then out the Golden
Gate. We at last found ourselves
straining our eyes to see the last
glimpse of land we would probably see
for week. Then something else drew
my attention from the shore to the
deck. what is the matter George?"
asked of my chum standing near.
"Oh, hi! am d-n sick" And the
DOOR fellow leaned over the railing
again. I, of course, felt sorry for the
poor fellow but looking down the rail-
ing 1 saw he was not the only one. 1t
became common sight to see from
fifty to seventy-five feeding the fish
with that dainty lunch that had been
carefully prepared by the ladies of the
Red Cross society and served to US at
the wharf.
Speaking of myself 1 did not happen
to be one of the unfortunate
ones that evening but | thought of
that little verse. she also serves who
only stands and waits" But / was
feeling rather under the weather, so l
preferred bunk to waiting. l was
awakened about midnight by what L
though, by the noise, was the
ship coming to pieces, She would
seem to lay on one side then roll to-
the other, it was done so quickly that
it kept US busy holding on to keep
from being rolled out onto the floor.
AS she turned over there were guns,
haversacks, knapsacks, canteens, belts
mess pans and other things to numer-
Gus to mention; the boys, not know
ing much about the ships rolling, had
not made fast to something, we're 'go-
Ing from one side of the ship to the
OF Ter.
Well. / did not sleep much that
night. Next morning We got out of
cur hunks alright as the sea was
smoother. Now and then every
one was making search for his be
longings, and after most OF them had
said their morning prayers, as you can
hear most any time day on board
ship, things were restored to their
respective owners.
We now heard the bugle sounding
u. l. -.