The Anaconda standard., 1899-12-17

not permitted to go beyond the city
limits, the lines established by the ar
ticles of capitulation. AS had been an
nounced in regimental order the day
before, all unnecessary work, drills,
etc, would be dispensed with and only
the regular guards, cooks and police
of camp would be required At this
time the Montanas- were furnishing
guard on the Escolta. the principal
thoroughfare, the Bridge of Spain,
where at times during the day, owing
to the congestion of trade, the streets
We're SO blocked that for an hour at d
time not wheel moved.
The first event of Christmas day
was the opening Of our 'Aguinaldo,
as the Christmas box is called in Span
ish, and little we dreamed then that
in six short weeks we would be pursu-
ing another Aguinaldo-a Christmas
box which the administration, l am
sure, would be most happy to receive
on this Christmas day, though a year
delayed. Some days before the trans
port Pennsylvania had cast anchor
with Christmas freight for the entire
Eighth army corps, and Major Duvat
and his assistants had been untiring in
their efforts to deliver in time Tlese
precious bundles to the different regi-
ments 1t was one of the bright spots
in that desolate and dreary service.
Much amusement was caused over
IDG contents u lllDSL VI lllS pithd
Such shouts of laughter would go up
when one of the boys would exhibit
heavy underwear, woollen hose and fur
gloves that a fond and doting mother
had carefully selected to temper the
cold winds, little dreaming that her
boys one desire under that blazing
sun was to be clothed in only a pleas
ant smile. Cigars We're sent by the
hundreds and if there is one luxury
that iS within the reach Of the in
Luzon it is tobacco. Casey, the butt
of the regiment, who became famoue
afterward for hauling down the British
| flag at Caloocan and hosting the Amer
| lean banner in it's place, was given a
| Christmas present in the shape of his
| freedom from the guard house, which
| was his accustomed haunt, not that ne
was vicious, but simply young and
| thoughtleGs. When reprimanded by his
| captain for the flag episode and told hc
might cause US trouble with England
| he replied:
"Shure. captin, me eyesight is failin,
| and | thought it be the flag of the nay
| gurs and not the dunn British"
1t was believed by the uncharitablt
| that it was malice aforethought will
| Casey and he was trying to aVenge The
! treatment his ancestors had received d
| the hands of the English for so MANY
| generations, but as the insurgent flas
is very similar to the Union jack
think Casey was given the benefit o
| the doubt.
| Had some of our sympathizing fr1end
! and relations been present at the boys
| dinner upon that Christmas day the1
would be wondering what to suppl!
| them with this year that would no
| seem poor in comparison, for the tabl
fairly groaned under all the fresh veg
| etables, fruits and good things tha
can only be found at that season II
the tropics. In the evening the office"
were invited to attend a banquet a
the First Reserve hospital, given osten
sibly by the physicians on duty there
but in reality by the Filipinos from
whom the hospital supplies were pur
| chased
| Twas informed by one of my hosts tina
they had arranged the entertainment
written and prepared the menu an
| decorated the rooms and table. Gu
| respect for the FilipinoS doubled whe
we looked about and saw with Wha
artistic skill they had managed the at
fair
The rectangular dining room wa
tastefully decorated with evergreens
palms and flowers. The American an
insurgent flags, in each others embrace
was the especial feature of the decora