The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-06-27
SANTA ANA. P.T., Apr. 25, 1916


DEAR BRoTHER:-I received your
lettcr few days ago aud was glad 20
hear from you. am oujoying the best
Of health and am getting accustomed
To army life in the Philippines. We
have been on the island nearly three
months. We left New York Bay on
the evening of Nov. Goth amid the
cheering of people and shrieking Of
whistles from tug boats. The last point
of land visible was Sandy Hook. We
reached Gibraltar in twelve days. We
were certainly glad 10 sight land and
everybody was in the best of health and
spirits. Gibraltar is magnificent
fortress. was told twelve thousand
soldiers were garrisoned here.
Our trip through the Mediterranean
sea was grand. Malta, an island in the
Mediterranean, is one OF the oldest and
most historic places in the world. IT, is
beautiful spot and | enjoyed IL very
very much. Suez canal Is another place
of interest. There are some beautiful
places along this canal. II cost Uncle
Sam 500 apiece for man to pass
through here, in all costing over $4,000
for the transport logan to pass.
Singapore, India, was our next stop.
II, too, is point Of interest. There
are all classes of people to be seen here.
We stayed three days. During this
time we coaled. a good many of the
boys went ashore and reported a good
| time
On Jan. 4th. sailed in Manila Bay,
where Dewey made himself famous.
On 9th we went ashore and camped at
Malata, on the outskirts OF Manila. /
went down to Manila and there saw many
sights both strange and queer. There
are great many Spaniards here and
not few Chinese. Their stores are not
as good as In the States, but there
churches are grand and they pay
marked attention to their religion.
On the 18th we moved by rail Ia dis
tance of forty miles, north OF Manila.
From there we marched to San Pedro,
Mag galang, ten miles In the interior.
We were there two months and then
came to this place.
While at Magalang the "insurrectos"
fred on us number Of times. This
town is at the foot Of Mt. Arayat to
which point number of expeditions
were made. Gen. Grant took four com
panies and three guns of Co. +, lst Ar
tillery up. My company was advance
guard General Grant seems to be a
fine man and the men all had confidence
in him. This mountain is very steep
and difficult to ascend. 1t is thickly
wooded with valuable woods, such as
mahogany, ebony, rosewood, French
briar, and other hard wood. The guns
had to be left near the base of the
mount while the men moved slowly up.
The "insurrectos" had left. We found
their outposts and trenches. 1t would
be hard place to take when once To-
Gated there. believe they left on ac-
count of no water there. Co. A,
25th, negro company, had quite a
fight here some time before this.
Some places steps are cut in the rocks
to reach higher points; other places
ladders are used.
Since coming TO this place santa Anal
we have not been fired on at all. Every
thing moves along smoothly. The whole
company has been issued cots to sleep
on and we are now very comfortable.
The rainy season will set in in a few
weeks and we will be hemmed in for
several months.
The natives here are yellow people
and not so large as Americans. They
of sickness is among them all the time
and you frequently see eight or ten
funerals in single day. l have told
you before how they conduct funeral.
For work they use large animal
called caraboo or water buffalo. They
also have small ponies which they drive
to little two wheeled cart or buggy
Easter is just over and they had q
great time, grand street parade
many balls and feasts. The padre or
priest is very popular here and seems
to take an interest in the soldiers.
One curiosity saw is plowing fish
out OF the swamps. ] also have seer
the natives digging for them. Some
large fish are caught in this way. How
would you like to fish in this way?
There is only one company stationed
here. San Fernando the second city or
the island is ten miles from here. 1t II
situated on the railroad. The railroad
is one horse affair and nothing like
the roads in the States. 1t was seized
by the soldiers and now run by the gov
ernment. 1t has been fired on severa