West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-04-05
v. S. NAVAL SERVICE.
Another Interesting Letter from
A Preston County Soldier in the
Philippines.
George Erskinc Rodcheaycr Writes
Home 10 Ills Father.
L. :. Naval Station.
Cavi,e, Philippine Islands,
January ~. 1000


tents for the officers, as they are having a
concert aud supper tonight. As sit here
in my shack (of which send you plcture)
am listening to the Philippine band, aud
they have the camp decorated with lapenese
lanterns, and il is just like lawn party in
the United States, lust walked over to
yet drink, aud thought would come to
my shack and start letter to YOU. There
are about dozen ladies here tonight,
officers wives aud friends. aud they are en-
ioying themselves. but we priyatcs must
wait until we return before we can be happy.
Now do not worry about me, for I am well
aud in the best of health and hope YOU are
all the same had the fever for week.
hut we all got that before we were used 10
the climate. II is continuous summer here
aud this is the dry season. We are the
only company ON the out post now and ex.
peot to be here until the wet season begins.
which will be about the FIRST of April. That
just suits us for we will he in town for the
rainy season We do not expect any more
lighting, as the enemy is pretty well cleaned
out wrote To uncle John was in one
heavy hight and one skifmish. With this
letter will mail you paper giving an ac-
eouat of our fight, but will only say for
this time was with my company. heard an
awful whzzing of bullets, saw our men car.
ricd TO the rear wounded aud bleeding. Of
which two died. We kept on firing at the
trenches and smoke until their firing ceased
somewhat, and then | shall not forget the
noise soon The buglers blew To charge.
and then with the buglcs blowing and all
yelling, running and firing, we went across
the swamp in mud 10 our knees, some into
aud across the river and many of MS across
the bridge aud then we had to stop, as
nearly every man was exhausted, and then
assembly was blown and three cheers, and
then the Colonel started song, "My
Country lis of Thee" and then after rest
and some scouting we came back to Cavite.
and the army is stationed at this place now.
You will see the account in this paper.
we expect no more lighting; only guard
duty. But the guard duty is hard enough.
We are doing one day ON and three oft, but
the second day of we 20 out with the work.
ing party and make roads, cut thorns and
fix up bridges. But am glad to say it is
nearly all done now. But every day We
have to haul wood and water, and all the
water we drink is boiled, SO there is very
little sickness. want to say that think
the reason for my good health so Ear is from
the simple reason that do not drink and
that take care Of myself, and am going
to continue to do so, and ! am trying TO save
my money, and / wish you would take care
of and keep the paper and photo that ! send
you. am down here working hard, be.
having myself and earn every cent get so
am going to ask favor Of you and know
you will do IL. When I receive your next
letter am going to send you money order
for $50 and want you to put il in bank, or
II you can get lot in Albrghtsyilc or
Terra Alta, that could invest IL in. You
write aud tell me, and where It IS. but /
would rather have it in Albrightsyille.
Now think for me 70 begin with this
money can buy lot for hundred and
fifty dollars and pay for il. SO / can have
something 10 start on. Now ] want YOU To-
attend to this and write often and tell me
about IL, and know YOU will invest it all
right Read this TO Mollie. and tell her +
do not want 10 spcnd my money in drink.
but want this little bit 10 start home for
us all. and with Gods help aud by doing
right, hope and pray that all will come out
we'll. II you could get something, a lot say
for two hundred dollars, could pay for it,,
50 much every three months Now we ex.
pect 10 be down here about ono year more.
so II saved this much in six months could
save twice The amount in the next year II an
goes well. could have Il almost paid for
when return, aud rs am in the service for
FIVE years. would like 70 have something
when my time Is up aud have something 10
show for all am doing down here. left
The United States without a cent and have
gotten along all right and have tried O., do
what Is right and hope will be better off
when / return.
We arc 6yed very well now. Good dfv
shacks, good swinging hunks, and as We arc
the only company on the ont post, we have
good eating There arc three of u, I'm this
shack two corpofals and myself and we also
have q small stove of oar own. make and
have hapiacks, hot cakes and fried bread.
so you see wc get along an right and have
go21 Time lhc best way wc can. We often
wish 90 De back at home again bot do not
gen nome SICK. as Wc arc nearly alygavs
busy. Now J hope you will receive thc
money J send aDd That yon wilt invest b. well
ior mc. ] think ] can continue t0 save nv
money if keep from bad habits. + Guess
% is cold in Terra Alta now. bot arm SITTING
oUt in thc shade of our shack writing me
letter can hear thc noise of the sea ON
ihe beach, and 30 sounds like ola Cheat
nyer, but "Poco Tempo. and hope TO- re-.
turn and hear 30 roar again.
suppose ioitic viii bc bio woman
when return and ] wili hardly know her.
! am going 90 get my photo taken and viii
scnd you one. Icil looic was Glad to
h-'i nom Itr ] hope to receive youf other
letter soon and thcn ] w.u write AGAIN
ani picking up "a great deal Of Spanish and
fHipno language. $50 ] can talk to fhc
natives. The natives wash for r. srJ -
use Mexican money down here buf we .sn
gei paid in gold III wc wish. T takes two
Mexican dollars Co one Of ours. and have
been drawing ten "Mcx." a month and have
plenty 20 Dat. 7 hope this wil hnd Won alb
well. Tell Bruce ! would like to hear frsn,
nlm in one If your letters Ten him To- do
what s right. and to take my advice and
siay out OF ihc service With love aud bes,
wishes to you an. I will close FOR fhi. Time.
From your loving SON.
''ioRGE Z. kODFuFAvfR,