Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-08-10
LETTERS FROM WILL WILSON
Tropical Climate Hard to Endure,
Fighting on the Advance Line.

II, b. Wilson and family have jusr
received three letters from their son
Will, and we are allowed to make the
following extracts from them
San Fernando, p l., June 10, 80.
DEAR MOTHER AND ALL.
I've been sick again, and am in the
company hospital / guess my stomach
is no good any more, for had gotten
well after my first attack of sickness
and was just feeling fine again, when
| commenced to get cramps in my stom.
ach and couldn't eat. My stomach
fells better, but am awful weak and
l managed to get out in the fight the
other morning. The Insurgents tried
to capture the city and we all had to
confess that it was a we'll formed plan
and was nearly successful Our regi.
ment had to take the brunt of the at
tack. The attack came early in the
morning and we were awakened by
bullets cracking through our house
and the roar of the guns at the out.
posts. Everybody scolded me fol
going, even Clyde, but | can't sit
around when there is fight going on.
/ wanted to be in it and was, although
| was completely worn ont when l got
back. / was awful glad to get letter
from you, but awful sorry that you
those first battles. Don't worry SO
about me, Mother, for / guess l will
pull through. Don't think anything
about me being sick for it is nothing
serious and | will soon be we'll again.
June %, '99.-We received a large
mail last night which has been lying
on board steamer in quarantine at
Hong Kong for some time, but l tell
you it was welcome even if it was a
long time coming. We have expected
it for some time. We had another
fight at the outposts last night with
the Insurgents. | was on the sick list
at the time and should have been in
quarters, but | hate to miss fight
that the rest of the boys are in, so of
course had to be there. don't feel
quite so we'll today for it. doc" gave
me another lacking upsfo going out
last night. | guess / will have to stay
in quarters now, until l get back my
appetite and strengthen my stomach.
doc ." told me this morning to go to
bed, but L am not so sick as all that
It's too bad that so many of your
flowers and things frOZe. Alright, Twill
send you some lily bulbs if / can find
such things over here. If / can't get
any here maybe can IL Frisco. You
spoke about plant roots. l can't take
any of them, can /? For wouldn't
they die on the voyage? For remember
hat is impossible to get fresh water
during the voyage. There is a guard
placed at each water can and he won't
let us carry water away or waste it.
We have to drink what we want before
him and then go away
Present indications point toward
four regiments of volunteers leaving
here in side of the next three weeks.
The Oregons have gone now. OF
course our regiment will have to wait
until the second trip of the ship though.
We got many state Papers which
were full of stories of the insurgents
wishing for peace and that the war
was over, etc. That is all nonsense
for they haven't any idea of such q
thing. That is the reason we volunteers
are so tired of the thing. If there was
no regulars in the islands or if there
was any hopes Ofmaking the insurgents
come to terms soon we wouldn't mind.
1t rains quite often and quite hard now.
June %, go The last of the Kansas
volunteers left few moments ago for
Manila, and how they yelled. Well
may they yell for they have had hard
time since leaving Manila There is
report out that we will relieve the
Pennsylvania at Cavite as soon as
they leave for home, but it is false
report for we are ordered to get Krag,
Jorgensen rifles and stay on the line as
our regiment is in good condition.
guess the Montana regiment and ours
are the only volunteers on the firing
line now. Otis is using some of the
regular regiments now. The Oregon
boys bave gotten away at last and
guess the Pennsylvania and Nebraska
regiments and the Utah artillery will
go in a few days.
don't feel much like writing today
1 have little fever but it don't amount
to much. The company is doing out
post duty today. There are not many
of the boys out the company who are
on full duty now. Gen. Grant came
up yesterday. L don't know whether
he is going to take charge of brigade
of us or not.
wrote Ned letter yesterday.
owe Bertha letter and will have to
answer it soon as have put it off a
good while now.
The Grant is expected to arrive in a
few days and we will then get some
more mail I guess. It's welcome
article, both papers and letters. / read
every word in the Companions which
Gladys sent me, and the other boys did
too. Well it is nearly the 4th of July
again. l wonder if they will celebrate
III Audubon. | suppose so, and won't
you have great time? Well that is
all right if we ever get out of this hole
we will have good time too. Were
you surprised to find that l hadn't re-
enlisted? l don't believe person could
stay over here as soldier year with,
ont either dying or running his health
for life. Well / guess l will stop for ]
can't think of any thing else. Clyde is
feeling we'll and sends best regards.
hope YOU are all we'll. Love to all.