The San Francisco call., 1899-08-24
HEADQUARTERS
Sub-military district Of the Island OF
NegrOS.
BACOLOD, p. l., July 3

BACOLOD, p l., July 8, 1899.
To the officers and men Of the First Cal
ifornia Volunteer Infantry: Although my
promotion in a measure removed me from
the regiment, never until now, the eve OF
your departure for the United states,
have | realized that the ties which have
bound us together in a common service
were about to be broken, and that the
hour has arrived for me TO bid you all
gOod-by and God-speed. That cannot re-
turn with you TO California is TO me a
matter of deep regret, for truly covet to
the ultimate moment the companionshlp
of the officers and men who have served
me so faithfully, so Loyalty and so well:
The moment of your triumph for the
battles you have fought, for the trials
you have suffered, for the difficulties you
have encountered for the hardShipS you
have endured is about at hand A grateful
people Of a grateful country know all that
you have done and are prepared to receive
you with open arms. Accept the homage
of their oVerfoWing hearts as your re-
ward, and enjoy your triumph unbenttled
by carping criticism of the deeds of 9TH
ers or twice told tales" of yours.
Before parting with you, never perhaps
to meet you all again, let me say that in
nothing which | have done to secure mil
itary efficiency have l been actuated by
anything of personal feeling or dislike. If
| have been severe, l have been severe to
secure that discipline without which
armed men become mere mobs, inefficient,
tickle and uncertain; but in everything
have tried to be just and impartial, and to
visit severity only on those VINO seemed
to deserve it, without regard to rank, pre-
vious condition or friendship.
To the very few who thought | should
have taken steps TO secure an earlier re-
turn to California let me say that in the
interest of that same discipline / have de-
clined TO petition higher authorities to
cancel the solemn obligation we entered
into with the country TO remain IN her
service for two years unless sooner dis
charged. AT what time the services OF the
regiment could be safely dispensed with
was a matter for higher authority, not for
me nor for the regiment to determine, and
an unlimited suggestion TO change the
plan of campaign would have been just
as proper and more respected than a pc
tition to be permitted TO go home. Even
had it not been question OF discipline,
common decency and decent consistency
alike dictated that a regiment which had
asked the privilege of being allowed to
volunteer, not only for two years, but so
long as the trouble continued, and to be
sent to the front at once, should be the
very last to attempt, directly or Indirect
ly to desert the country at the time when
the services Of every soldier in the Philip
pines was most required. However that
may be, l am certain that any false opin-
ions which fattened on the soul-destroy-
ing monotony Of January sickened and
died in the stirring month of February
and that every soldier of the regiment
now feels that il was better to leave the
Government unembarrassed by requests
which could not be granted and untram-
meled by petitions which could not be
heard.
In conclusion let me thank you for the
faithfulness and honesty of your service;
let me praise you for your patience in the
dull routine of barrack life and for your
endurance of conditions new and trying to
you. Let me commend you for your alac-
rity in responding to every CALL and honor
you for your unfiinching courage and
bravery on the battlefield.
Good-by to you ALA pleasant voyage
and a hearty welcome home Yours as
ever, JAMES f. SMITH
Brigadier General United States Volun-
teerS