The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-01-20

tiers 1t brought was the follOwin
, from Erie Taylor, written to hi
home-folks at Culleoka:
On BOARD STEAMER ZEALANDIA
IN MANILA HARBoR, Nov. 20 1895
My Dear Mother and HOmefolks:-
After long and tiresOme VOYAGE W,
cast anchor here in The harbor abou
half way between Manila and Ca
vite. 1t was raining when we an
chOred, and has been raining evel
since. The band has just struck VI
a lively march, and [ almost i'm
agine 1 am back at the Presidio OF
"dress parade"
Deweys fleet is anchored off a few
miles from us toward Cavite. The
Raleigh came up near US last nigh,
and threw her search light on US to
ascertain whether we were friend or
foe. suppose she was satisfied, for
she did not "shOot u.s." The harbor
here is large one, but deer
draught vessel can't go up to the
city on account of the sand. We
wilt have to gO ashorG in small boats,
and so will our baggage be trans
ferred.
We may be on the ship for a week
or ten days, for | understand Eng
land and Germany object to U. s.
landing troops here. Then too, quar-
ters have not been prepared for us.
Two health officers came out early
this morning to see about the health
of the men. They had little to do,
for don't believe there is a single
man in the hospital. We were well
all the way over, with the exception
of sea sickness. l had several at
tacks of that after we left Honolulu.
for we had some awful rough wealth
er. Water sometimes went over the
Hurricane deck, and but few of us
got here without several good
drenches from the waves.
wish you could have seen US at
breakfast Sunday morning. The ship
was rocking fearfully; so hard that
we had to hold our plates in one
hand and hold on to ropes or railing
with the other. When we did turn
loose we would go scooting across
the deck, and get up with our break
fast where we didn't want it. Some
times four or five of us would be
tangled up together, or else big
wave would break over on us and
spoil our breakfast. saw the ship
pillow through wave at least twenty
feet higher than the bow of the boat,
and the water washed the boys
around without any mercy. 1t
washed Co. BIS mascot overload.
Poor fellow We didn't even stop
to see him sink.
We have just eaten supper, and |
wish you could see our sunset. The
sun shining on the city makes
it look so pretty. There is a group
of white buildings over on the edge
Of the city, and from the ship pic
tnre very much like the Cen ennial
Exposition is presented to our view.
Lieutenant Pitcher sent cable
gram this morning to Nashville say
ing. ARRIVED safe last night. All
we'll" 1t will be in the American
tomorrow.
We passed a volcano last Tuesday,
from which high volumes of smoke
were boiling forth. 1t looked like
round hill with not a particle of
vegetation on it. We were in sight
of the Isle of Luzon all day yester-
day. Sunday night when we retired
morning when [ came on deck we
were going toward the sun. We had
gone around the island during the
night.
We did not especially enjoy our
Thanksgiving dinner-most of us
were too sea sick. We had added
to our usual fare, stewed peaches,
dried Clipped beef, tomatoes, and
some little hard ginger snaps. I
was on guard that night and as
was on from 2 to 3 o'clock in the
morning | was thinking of turkey.
cake, etc., for it was between 2 and
p. m. at home, and you were just
having your good dinner.
We went to bed on Monday night,
the 18th, and got up Wednesday the
18th. Didn't have any Tuesday. 1t
is Monday the 28th at home now.
The people here look like the ma
tives on Honolulu. | did not write
you after saw Honolulu. It is the
prettiest place 1 ever saw. We gave
parade while we were there, and
marched around the Queens pal
ace, which with its beautiful
grounds was lovely. President Dole |
stood on the front steps. We saw
all the tropical fruits growing there.
We also gave public drill and had
a good crowd to watch the per |
formance."
Mama, don't be uneasy about me.
| never felt better in my life, except |
that am little hungry. They give |
us often beef to eat and 1 won't |
eat it.
The Sergeant told me that IL I |
would go down and help scrub the |
sleeping quarters L would not have |
to go on guard. L went and did the |
work and am relieved from guard |
duty TO night.
The climate is very pleasant here
in the harbOr. L haven't had on |
my coat since we left San Francisco. |
Your weather is cold now.
L will write more when we go |
ashore. The mail leaves to morrow.
We brought 60 large bags of mail
with us,
am 10000 miles from home, but |
my thoughts and love are with you.
[ hope to see you all at least by 1900.
My love to you everyone and to
my friends. Ask the boys IL 1 may
join their Club when l get home,
though 4 know I'd be ruled out after |
the first meeting.
God bless and keep you all until
| return. Yours lovingly,
I'm