Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-20

brass cased Remington ball tore away the
fleshy part of the lower arm and as we are
only 90 miles from a surgeon, and l was
the only one who knew anything of what
should be done, l did the best could. l
have a supply of medicines and two instru-
ment cases which are almost invaluable
even to one who knows no more OF the
healing art than l do. In the afternoon
we went down and destroyed the pits, cut
away the foliage and did all we could to
put them out of business at that place.
Last night there was rush of bolo men
into town, which frightened everyone mot
many in town and caused a sortie to be
made by ourselves, on the festive fools
who, as usual, skipped. SO it goes on and
when it will end | don't know. Some
things are evidently being done under the
advice or direction of men who are some
where else than at the front, and who
stand back bowling and directing that so
and so be done, never hearing a shot or
smelling powder. For Just one week we
should like to have them here scared suf-
ficiently by the shot to stunt their growth.
April 81 wrote yesterday about our
little row the other day. Last night they
popped in again and tried to make of with
our mules, which came up with the last de-
| luck, and there were three who feel bad
today. zone continual round of pleas
uren This forenoon the scouts and de-
tachment from company d left and l am
here with my 30 men to hold the blooming
town Once a fight is well on, or the first
shots or volley fired one does not mind it as
much, though every time a chunk of lead
strikes "clus by you are apt to wonder If
it was a chance shot or if they really have
| singled YOU out. 1t is the waiting and con-
| stantly expecting when you know that
they are close by and waiting and watch
ing for YOU that turns the hair gray,
leads to strong language and nervous pros
tration. | have a squad out now after
beef, and if they get in without trouble
shall be surprised. | am short of rations
and am obliged to forage some, though it
| is rather risky.
The last earthquake we had here made
me think of all the good advice ! received
| in my Younger DAYS in Sunday school class,
and yet the natives said it wasn't much OF
a show anyway. Well maybe not, but
am afraid these natives are either very
! forgetful or they are not closely related to
the immortal G. w. Anyway l don't
believe l care very much for shows of this
kind
Were you here this afternoon coulo
give you good time in looking over tbs
old place, showing you the Notifications
and in the morning l could, had | not beer
ordered to keep away, in less than an hour
take you where you could see as nice
bit of sharp-shooting as you would
wish to see and if you have a real, honest
strong stomach for a fight you could keel
on up the mountain for a mile and you
would not require red rocks to keep YOU
feet warm. Why we don't get more mel
and get up there l can't say, but frankly
say don't care to go up with 30 men, Of
even some times 30 either | know some
thing about it now, and dug a well thu
time | was there, that is, pressed tn
earth so firmly with my body that pushed
it down so far that it formed well. Tn
niggers were right on top of a 30 or A
foot bluff, and was right up front whei
they opened fire, and you can bet we stoo
no possible show to get up the cliff, an,
had not men enough to go around eithe
flank, as it was a trip of more than tire
} miles through a dense jungle, and fror
that point we would have to cut our wa
) step by step. Later on, as l have write
} before, we got to their rear and spoile
that business. j. L. ELMER.
, AID Regt. U. S. V.