Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-07-19
The Rations Consisted Of
Plain Rice.
Walked Many Miles In Their
Bare Feet.
Climbed Mountains and Waded
Through Streams.

Some idea of the hardships that are
endured by the soldiers in the Philip
pine Islands can be gained by reading
the letter from an Akron boy, who has
,taken part In Que of the greatest
marches In that far away country.
James Hanlon is q trumpeter in Com
panyY L, Of the 22nd infantry. He
was in the command which crossed the
island five times, being ordered from
one place to another according to the
whims of the General in command.
For days the soldiers lived on rice
without salt. Their shoes were wrecks
and they marched a considerable part
of the 472 miles in their bare feet. His
letter follows:
San Luis. p. l., June Is. 1900.
ITO the Editor of the Democrat:
II left Fort Crook. Jan 26, 1890.
Sailed from San Francisco Feb. /, 1890
via Honolulu. II. |, Arrived in Manila
March >, and went into trenches at
San Pedro Mncati. Took part in adj
vance on Pasig Pateros and Tagnig
March II to 20, inclusive. March 25
took part in the engagement driving
the enemy out of tln trenches before
Calvocan and on March 26 was in
charge on Malinita church where Col.
Egberl was killed. Was held In re-
serve throughout the remainder of the
Malolos campaign. April s. occupied
trenches at Pasay. April II,
Joined General I,awtons fanking ex-
pedition to the hnrth of Manila On
this campaign, lasting from April II
to May 20, the company marched
through mountain passes, over hills,
forded streams and sklrmished with
bands of the enemy almost every day.
The principal towns passed were Nor.
zagaray, Augat Baliang, San Miguel.
Mayume, San Isidro, Cabio Arayat,
Candabo and Mexico, joining Gen.
Macarthur at San Fernando. Took
part In the advance of Aug. 8 and the
engagement of Sept. 2S, in front of
Angeles. resulting in the capture of
Perac, Oct. IL. Left Angeles for out
post duty at Arayat. Left Arayat
Nov. 10, and by wading through
swamps and crossing streams without
bridges, arrived at Cabanatuan Nov.
II. Received orders there to proceed
to headquarters OF Gen. Lawton mt
Tayng, arriving there Nov. %. Two
days later began ascending the noun.
tain trails. The zigzag paths at some
places being scarcely wide enough to
afford foothold. Between cliffs and
preclpices assembled five times no less
than 5000 feet and as often descend.
Ing to valleys below to obtain water
and shelter for the night, living on
rice without salt, A store OF rice was
found on the trail at an old Spanish
Barracks. Our shoes wore out. Only
a few had covering for their feet, We
endured hardships indescribable. The
battalion finally reached Bayombong
ON the sixth day of the march, Dec Q
On Dec. Z, we received orders to re
turn by way of San Jose trail Ar,
rived at Puncan. Dec. IL, and there
received orders TO return to Bayom
bong, which was again reached ny
repeating the hardships OF the pass
tho third time, Christmas day, Com
pany l. made "A reconnaissance to Du
pax and AritaS, distance of 20 miles
Here rescued three wounded Filipinos
They had been abandoned, one being
la Lieut.. Colonel The next day re
moved them to the hospital at Bayom
bong. jan I, received orders to pro
ceed to San Luis and traversing III,
difficult pass for the fourth time, W,
reached this place Jan II. The tota
distance travelled from the time W,
left Arayat TO return to San Luis wa,
4I2 miles
yours truly,
JAMES HANLON.
"Trumpeter Co, l., a2nd u, S. Inf.