The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-08

Horace H. Smith, a Utah boy, who
is a member of troop z, Fourth United
States cavalry, has written a letter
from the Philippines to his fellow
members of the James A. Garfield Ly-
ceum. The letter is dated Feb. %, in
the trenches at Panay, on the right of
the American lines. Trooper Smith
writes:
AT the time of the outbreak. Feb 4.
blockhouseS L and Is were occupied by
j. troop, and a line of earthworks be-
tween the two were also held by d
platoon from the same body. This was
the position at the time the first shot
was fired, and also when the firing
ceased. Part of the time, when the
engagement was the hottest these po-
sitions We're reinforced by portion of
the Fourteenth infantry and the North
Dakota volunteers.
by many people it is claimed that
the hardest fighting of the 5th was at
this place, for the insurgents held an
admirable position in trenches where
500 Americans could hold at bay an
opposing force of at least 5000: and
from these trenches they poured an in
cessant fire into the American lines,
but. fortunately for us. they We're too
high. From our position we returned
the nre with good results. and the way
our Krag-Jor%ensens cracked told the
enemy palmer that words that our
''pickaninny guns"-as they have
named the carbines-were useful for
other purposes than ornament, and
that, contrary to Aguinaldo's teaching,
the steei-coated bullet would not glance
off.
While we in blockhouse No. Is We're
passing our jokes between volleys, the
Fourteenth infantry were ordered to
advance the pnan1X'S trenches The
task was a difficult one, but never a
man faltered. and when they were de-
ployed as skirmishers, we knew that
they would succeed before returning to
their old position Owing to the
dense growth of brush and trees we
could not see their movements, but
the constant crack of their rifles told
us plainly enough that they were adj
Vancing by rushes, holding their
strength for the final rush on the
trenches The boys had finished a
hearty meal before going out, and in
less than an hour from the time they
left the blockhouse we heard a mighty
cheer, followed by others just as
hearty.
Now the boys in blockhouse No. u
could see the enemy retreating, ever
and anon one falling to rise no more.
That night the Fourteenth had estab-
lished headquarters at Pineda. having
L
and Pineda and on to San Pedro Ma
cati, where they now await our at
tack. Towards evening we We're re-
lieved and for another night slept on
our canvas hunks in the quarters.
Three days later we returned to the
blockhouses, remaining there until
p. m. on the 9Th. when We returned to
the post long enough TO eat supper.
The march was resumed and con-
tinued until after midnight. and when
daylight dawned we found ourselves
near Caloocan. having marched about
twelve miles during the night. The
battle of Caloocan was fought that day.
and was, as You know, a signal tri-
umph of American arms. Three troops
of the Fourth cavalTy-E, G. and C
were held in support of the left CEN
ter, and it was here that I saw some
of the other side of warfare. This
country was deserted by the native
residents, and the woods We're full of
chickens. This was soon discovered,
and then the fun commenced. Inside
of two hours we had rounded up about
thirty chickens. and SO the troop had
chicken for dinner. We also captured
4 calf. and then we ate veal stew. At
this place. which we have dubbed
Chicken Camp" we remained until
the 18th. though on that day we left
the hallowed spot to sleep in the
trenches that night, occupying posi-
.tion on the left of the Third artillery
and to the right of the Montana in
fantry.
we moved about mile farther to
the right on the 18th, and remained
here, camped in a cemetery, until the
next afternoon, at which time our
captain was ordered back to his old
position in the First division, Second
brigade, commanded by General An
derson, then holding the extreme right
of the line. Three hours march under
the burning tropical sun, over dusty
roads brought the troop back to its
old position, where we now are.
1--WE have been very fortunate so far
in having good weather. for campaign
ing, ordinarily, is not hard. but when
attended by rain il becomes both dis
agreeable and often dangerous, owing
To the malarial nature of the country.
During the day we remain at camp,
where we occupy three bamboo shacks,
but as night comes on. each troop takes
up its position in the trenches. where
every man rolls himself in a blanket
and sleeps as securely as anywhere.
Some gather leaves to soften the bed,
and then peacefully sleep beneath the
tropical sky. to dream of feather beds
and loved ones at home.
'Nigilant Sentinels make this posi-
BILE though the festive mosquito is as
tenacious as d book agent, and the re-
suits are more painful.
How desolate the county looks nowI
Where once were hauuy homes all is
desolation and ruin. The native shacks
scattered all over the battlefield of
few days ago sheltered so many sharp
shooters that ii was necessary to burn
them all down; and now should the old
time ownar return to his little plot all
his former possessions will be repre-
scented by a heap of ashes-an eloquent
reminder of his poverty. The American
advance was so sudden that the natives
had no thought for other than personal
safety. for in one place / saw a wash
ing of one family. part of the clothes
wrung out ready TO be hung out to dry.
the rest still in the water. Over an
other heap of ruins a dog bowls dis
mally, while the wind signing through
the trees nearby means, 'Nevermore.
nevermorei Women and children
move around with far-away look in
their eyes, which tells plainly enough
that father, brother. son or husband
will never again cultivate the rice
field or garden: will never more Shout
der gun for Filipino Republica.'
The desolation is complete. and the
mound in the distance marks the grave
of Filipinos buried in the trenches they
themselves dug.
is equally sad Though the American
losses have been comparatively small.
the pathos OF the picture is not made
which surrounds the reports that 90
comes of the fighting. and then the
saf-r~xr an mo fcl, lar -