The Daily Texarkanian., 1900-06-22
PHILIPPINE LETTER.
SAN JOSE, P. L. MAY 6. 1900.

to the hghtlng line. Got there ana
heard the 28th regiment fighting
the Insurgents. 1t lost 2 men but
killed several negroes. Next day
our battalion was spread out in
skirmish line-marched IA miles
through rice fields in a marsh and
l saw my first real Insurgents. We
had an awful time wading through
mud up to our knees-got there at
IL o'clock and remained until morn
ing. Were given three days ra-
tions to march to Talisay. The
wagons could not 60 over the noun
tains so we were told could get no
water on this march until we got
to the town-flled our canteens
and started. The day was hot
our water gave out and several of
the boys got exhausted and had to
halt to rest-our thirst was terri
Bile. We were ordered forward
the trek men rose to their feet and
moved on-fnally we reached the
top of the hill and sat down
to rest-no water yet. We could
see from this hill a lake about
eight miles off-were nearly perished
for water. Forward again, and
the men started down, Soon zip!
came Mauser bullets. We knew we
were going to have scrap for that
precious water-laid down to avoid
the bullets, for they came now like
hail. Then we commenced firing
in about 5 minutes were ordered to
charge, and not needing the bullets,
underbrush or anything else, we
went there quick and the Lnsur-
gents left. We got water-it was
warm, but never did anything taste
sweeter. Stayed there until next
day, then marched on at noon,
When we stopped to get dinner the
cavalry passed us. Just after din
ner we heard shooting and knew
the cavalry was in a scrap. Hur-
ried on, but it was over when we
got there. They had been ambushed
lost two killed and four wounded.
We we're standing in the rear of the
pack trains, thinking of no danger,
when the Insurgents opened, Now
the way we made negroes run, was
caution. We rugged up litters
out of bamboo and carried the
wounded soldiers miles into Sor-
zaza. Many of us did not know how
soon we would be in the same fix,
groaning every step, Forty men
of my company were left here to
guard the wounded, the balance of
US we're sent on Z miles to take an
other town, | was one of 40 men
put in front as advance guard 1t
was thought there were 1900 In
surgents there, and we did not ex-
pect snap, so we marched near
until they opened fire, and then we
commenced to work our Kraigs to
the best of our ability. We were so
close that their volleys fairly deaf
ened us, and we could plainly hear
the commands of their officers
they fired high at first, and the bull
lets went through the tops of the
trees, sending showers of leaves
down-once in a while bullet
would hit the tree that | was be.
hind, and make me duck. My gun
got so hot l could hardly hold it.
Soon we heard them blow the trum-
pet to retreat, then our Lieutenant
told us to charge across the bridge, |
and give them h. With yell
you could have heard four miles,
those forty men leaped to their
feet, ran across thebridge, through
the rife pits, tore down a double
row of sharpened stakes, scaled the
breast works, climbed up a steep
cut and repulsed those negroes.
Then we had the roll called to see if
any was missing-no one hurt-the
corporal had the stock shot off of
his gun, and two other men had
holes shot through their hats. We
learned later that we had killed 2OI
negroes in this engagement.
| will write more next time. The
boys health is as good as can be
expected, In one engagement that
! did not write of, a man by the
name of young got killed-was one
of the best men we had-was a
corporal.
! want to see you all very bad.
If live l will be at home June 80, ,
1901.
MACK NJ, TAYLOR.
38th Reg, Company T.,
Catarrh Cannot be Cured