The National tribune., 1900-10-18

in a day and sent out apparently full
fiedged soldiers from the Quartermaster'
Department which they had entered q few
hours before in their citizens dress. II
was n pleasure to watch the progress of
both drill and discipline, the transforma-
ton of men clothed in all sorts of gar
ments and hats into well-dressed soldiers
in khaki suits and helmets.
THE RUN-ARoUND.
The officers and soldiers of the 26th Inf,
U. S. v, will never forget the run-around
at Plattsburg Barracks. This was pa
rade about one mile around. AT first we
started at a double time, going one-quar-
ter way around. gradually increasing the
distance, until finally the companies be-
gan to compete, and some managed to go
around twice at double time.
There was little time for fancy drills
and dress parades, but opportunity was
found for each company to do its turn at
the targets until every man made some
sort of n record, standing, kneeling and
prone, at distances varying from 200 to
500 yards. This practice proved useful
when we met insurgents in the mountains
or were chasing bandits over the hills, for
we could set the sights better as n result
of our experience at the targets and more
readily drop our man.
ORDERED TO MOVE.
The latter part of September we were
ordered to the Preside at San Francisco
and to get ready for the Philippines.
Our route was in line with Boston,
Providence and other large places, and the
regiment stopped over in each to parade.
Immense crowds welcomed US, and there
were cheers and music everywhere. These
were happy days for officers and men. But
time went quickly and in a few days we
81, Ill ra%n
after camping at the Preside for about
week we took the transport Grant for
Manila.
Many of the defects in the training Mt
Plattsburg, due to lack of time, were made
up for while on the transport. We had
officers schools daily, at which were stud
led camping. marching, outpost duty, and
all that concerns active service in the
field. The Surgeons lectured on drinking
waters, care of the health, and in the use
of the ''first-aid packages" After officers
schools each officer took a non-commis-
sioned-oficer class and there continued the
work of instruction.
STRICT DISCIPLINE.
Discipline was maintained to a high de-
gree, much to our benefit, and when we
arrived at Iloilo the General in command
praised the organization.
At Iloilo we were informed we could
find all the fighting we wanted by going
about one mile to the north, near Jaro.
There was no mistake in this informa-
ton, for some of US were curious enough
to see if we had been correctly informed,
and we went about 200 yards out of the
lines at Jaro toward Balantang, where
the fight of Nov. 21 occurred. The insur-
gents in the trenches about 500 yards dis
tant opened fire upon US without effect
other than to make US realize the dan
ger of the situation and retreat. Then
should try the experiment again, as Off
GERS We're not over plentiful, and none
could be spared without handicapping the
service.
OUTPOST DUTY.
Our first work was as outposts about
Jaro. One company and a section of an
other company were needed 10 properly
provide for the outposts around Jaro on
the side next the enemy's Notifications.
The companies were taken in turn and it
was q novel experience, 1t being practi-
cally the first time we had had q real
taste of war and had been under fire. We
did many things that we learned not to do
after q few months experience. 1t is re-
markable that some of US were not shot
or boloed. But the native soldiers proved
to be inferior shots, although they occa-
sionally managed to make bullet tell.
The outposts were changed each morn
ing. The day our company went on we
received reports that that night had been
selected for an attack on the outposts.
During the day l remained with the part
of the company in the ruins Of an old
burned sugar mill, out from Jaro about
25O yards, and so near the insurgent