The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-09-14

5ss # .5# ..5 WOI
Likes The Philippines.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF CUsroMs, 7
y SuR1eAo, M1NDANAs, p. l. =
s ~ July Is, 1900
Dear Sir:-I received your welcome
but tardy letter today by 5. S Roesaris.
When I received your letter, July
"a, 1900, and for three months pre-
vious I was on special duty as clerk
in the above office and interpreter.
I have put most of my time on
special duty since I have been on the
Islands, first in charge of wood and
water and camp policing, then as
signal man on thetransrort Castellano
antt then in the Office.
have now been relieved and am
doing soldier duty again.
have passed through two battles
in southern Luzon and a lot of hiking.
1t will suffice to say that standing up
and being shot at by Mausers and
Remingtons IS not pleasant or des-
irable vocation. I would prefer haul.
ing baled hay with Polly.
Now am getting coolt r-headed and
in the battle of Lubed was only
thinking about NY own shooting.
They killed two men from our CON-
pany there and we got thirteen of
theirs. have just returned from a
three days hike into the interior of the
province. The insurgents were re-
ported to be there in force and accord
irgly so men had a hike to perform.
It conforms to our hiking in Luzon
except there weren't quite SO many
hills.
When we got near the town march
ing indian file with 10 feet grass both
sides of the trail, our native guide dis
covered a trap SO arranged that when
we got within it's limits one of them
could pull a string and myriad of
of bamboo spears would jump from
tho grass and strike in about the
vitals. The guide went behind the
row of grass and sprung the trap
then after chopping up it's mechan-
ism with bis bobo, or rice knife, he
came back and cut the spears and we
passed through unharmed. As soon
as We got out of the grass VIC doubled
timed into Spanish line to the front
and giving yell started through the
town, when got to the center the towr
was vacated, 30 we assembled. ard
staid there over night in the tribuna
or court house.
Next morning after burning a few
Of the insurgent chiefs houses we hi
the trail and got here last night, dirty
ragged and foot-sore.
am on guard today and this is th'
first time have had to write since
started this. have not seen Leol
yet, he is in Luzon; north of Manila
and l am down here in the northern
part of Mindanao. l hear from hin
regularly. Ralph Richards, died o.
pneumonia. If I had written thret
weeks ago I should have called thi:
a most uninteresting place; and mcs
undesirable place of residence. Now
all is different. I have undertaken
a pleaeant and agreeable task, viz
teaching household of Spanish girls
the English language. One of them
who rejoices in the cuponious appela'
ton of beauty, is especially interest
ing to me and has aroused in me the
passion l supposed was dead, and
filled an aching void in this existence.
all things take on a bright hue and
soldiers life in the PHILIPPINES is not
such hardship after all.
Nest of the men in the company
are wishing they were out of the ser
vice, but I look at the bright. side only
and CLEAN every particle of pleasure
possible in this life instead of pessi'
mieticly seeking out the disagreeable
parts and dwelling upon them.
My father is doing we'll in Colorado
and enjoying fine health. I have 9
film of me in front of my shelter tent
and as soon as get some prints of il
I will send you one.
Remember me to the family anc
such of my friends as you see and tel
them if they don't know what else tt
do just write to me ana I will answe
them.
B. company is garrisoning this par
alone and we have had no attacks
yet, but our third battalion at Caga