Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-09-28
IRA HOLDROOK HOME.
HE has SPENT OVER A YEAR IN
THE PHILIPPINES FIGHT.
ING THE INSURGENTS.
HE HAS HAD ENOUGH OF IT,
Tells That More Men and a More
Competent Leader Are Needed
to Conquer the Natives in That
Far Away Country.

Ira Holbrook, a son OF Mrs. G.. M.
Holbrook, of this city, arrived home
September 21 from years. service as
a soldier in the Philippines. He was
a member Of Company l, First Neb-
braska Volunteer Infantry.
On May 10, 1898, Mr.. Holbrook was
mustered into the service at Lincoln,
Neb., and short time thereafter he
left for the Philippines group, where
he landed on July 21, 1898, while the
Spanish were still In possession. On
the day after landing his regiment had
brush with the Spaniards; two or
three more skirmishes were had with
the Dons before the taking of Manila
on August 10. After this Holbrook
was on garrison and outpost duty 10
and around Manila until member Of
his regiment AIRED the opening shot Of
the war on February 4, 1893. They
were on the firing line from that time
until the regiment was recalled to sail
for home last month.
After the battle on February 4,
which lasted three days, the Nebraska
boys assisted in taking the pumping
station. After three more battles the
First Nebraska was ordered to the
firing line on the north. Here con-
tinual skirmishing was kept up until
March %, when a heavy battle was
fought. This battle was continued for
three days and some hard fighting
was done.
The last action Holbrook was in was
the assault on Maralaeu,1 ,12 miles north
ofManila. The battle started at O'Clock
in the evening while a portion Of the
Nebraska boys were fianking body
of the insurgents, and about 20 min
utes after the action opened Holbrook
was struck in the right shoulder by
Remington bullet. He said II felt
like someone had struck him with
sledge- hammer. The shock did not
knock him down.
The ball entered at the shoulder,
where IL severed the muscles, and
ranged down his back passing through
the back OF his right lang. Being
helpless he withdrew from the action
and was taken to the hospital train an
hour later. The train reached Manila
at II p. 10. ana tho wound was not
dressed until next morning.
Mr.Holbrook said to day that he did
not suffer any pain until fully half
hour after being shot. For so days
he remained in the hospital and said
that he received the best OF care. In
the action In which Holbrook was
wounded there were about 1000 in
surgsnts killed and a great number
wounded-14 Americans were killed
and wounded. He was discharged
from the hospital the latter part Of
June and spent some little time in and
around Manila with the idea Of enter
ing into business after his muster out,
which came soon after his discharge
from the hospital, An order from
Gen. Otis that no discharged soldiers
be allowed business license in Manila
prevented Holbrook from staying
there. On August 10 he set sail for
home on the transport Sheridan and
landed in San Francisco days ago.
He expects to return to the latter
place in a few weeks.
Mr.. Holbrook said to LEDGER re-
porter:
"DuriDg the first six months ! was
In the service the food was bad, but
since then the boys have been well
fed. The life in the islands is a hard
one and it is necessary that the men
be well fed to retain their health. OF
course it is hot there but not nearly so