The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-23

the army OF the FOtOindc, ne SAID. i
participated in the battles of Fair Oaks
and Lees Mills and was at the siege
of Yorktown as lieutenant of the 104th
Pennsylvania volunteers. Those were
times that tried the stoutest heart, but
seasoned veterans of that campaign
We're no better soldiers than those of
the 1st Montana volunteers. From pri-
vate to commanding officers all worked
in perfect harmony from beginning to
end The boys fought as though they
loved the business. II was sight to
watch them wait for the 'niggers.' as
the Filipinos are termed, run from
trenches. There goes q niger some
soldier would cry, and lead went pour
ing after him. Some one else would
shout, there goes another and lead
would fly again.
'.The boys were in number Of the
hottest kind of engagements and under
a whitening fire. ! never saw the slight
est exhibition Of cold feet on the part
of the officers or men of Montana.
There is not a knocker' in the entire
command.
THE war can be ended during the
next dry season by vigorous cam
paign and sufficient men to occupy the
territory taken from the enemy. The
islands are rich and capable of great
development as producers of wealth.
''One of the saddest experiences of the
campaign was the death of Orderly
Marshal just two days before the tall
of Malolos We had just ridden to the
head of the command during n skirmish
with the Filipinos. / had just jumped
off my horse and handed the reins to
Marshal when bullet struck him
square in the forehead His was the
death of a brave soldier. I had been
closely associated with him on the fir-
ing line and his loss was severe blow
hA no MI O
of the word fear. His death made
lasting impression on the men and Off
GERS Of the regiment.
THE Montana regiment hardly knew
what rest was from the first outbreak
of the Filipinos, last February, until
they embarked for home. We lost Il
killed and 1O2 wounded, the third larg-
est percentage of any regiment in the
Philippines. The boys are heroes. every
one of then and entitled to every feel
ing of gratitude and pride Montana
can manifest when they shall have ar
rived at home"
Colonel Kaasler spoke in terms OF
highest praise of Lieutenant Cook
saying that he was one of the bravest
men under fire that had ever come
under his observation,
He is an ideal officer" said Colonel
Kessler. Cook don't know what fear
is. / was with him in many encoun-
ters. and his conduct made him the
idol of his regiment"
Lieutenant Cook was as warm in his
praise of his superior officer as Col
onel Kessler had been in praise of
him.
No Cold Feet.
YES" said Cook in answer ito a ques-
ton, 1.-The Montana boys saw whole
lot of experience which l guess they
will never forget as long as life shall
last. They took part in many severe
fights, but each succeeding battle only
made them seemingly more anxious for
the next. 1t was almost continuous
chorus of Mausers and artillery from
early in February until shortly before
the regiment embarked. The beauty
of 1t all was the harmony and good
feeling that prevailed among the Off
GERS and the men. All worked on the
principle that Montana men were in
terested in one another's welfare and
results We're most gratifying. Petty
jealousies and ambitions that worked
injury to discipline and good feeling
Of other regiments had no place with
Montana The boys idolized their col
onel; nobody shirked the firing lire.
There was no complaint over grub or
of favoritisn, or about wanting TO go
home. Cold feet were an unknown
quantity. We left 81 brave fellows ly-
worthy of his country's gratitude and
a. monument to mark the resting place
of an American hero. Our boys come
back, most of them at least, in sturdy
health and with quickened love for the
flag whose significance they now so
fully appreciate. Glad to get home?
Well. / wonder, but then we weren't
in any undue haste. Many of the boys
have little wives and sweethearts up
In Montana and thew don't make any
sweeter women in all the world than
those of the Copper state.
"The islands are a rich heritage, and
under wise government they are capa-
BILE of pouring wealth into the lap of
the country that rules them. The war,
I think, will soon be ended. A vigor-
Gus campaign at the opening of the
dry season, characterized by sternness
but strict justice Will soon bring the
FiiipinoS to terms.
Second Lieutenant Alexander Laist
looked the perfect picture of health as
he sat alongside of Lieutenant Colonel
Cook on the upper deck of the Zealandia
and listened to the eulogy that the Off
Ger passed on the Montana regiment.
Not 10 feet away Colonel Kessler chat
ted OF home and neighbors with ex-
Governor Richards. Just little dis
tance away with a leg that was shat
tered in the skirmish at the mouth Of
the Zapote rjver on July II. resting on
cushions. was Lieutenant j. L. Dono-
van Of the 21st regulars, one of the
heroes of the Philippine campaign.
Colonel Kessler, Lieutenant Colonel
Cook and Second Lieutenant Laist and
every man and officer on board spoke
with feeling hearts of the heroism Of
Lieutenant Donovan in one of the mos
thrilling fights of the war.