The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-02-09
Ta1kc ON THE
5 By Chaplain G. c. Stull
{ Of the First Montana Volunteers.

~ oiluPIollI v. ". Otuil
( Of the First Montana Volunteers
This is the sixth Of a series Of inter
views by a Gazette representative with
Rev. 9. @. Stull. late chaplain Of the
First Montana, and the pastor Of the
M. E. church in this city. The inter.
views will cover all phases of the Phil.
ippine question and give our readers
accurate information az to the islands,
the natives and their customs, their
capability for self-government; the war
and its causes and the merits Of the
conflict; the %capability Of General Otis
as a commander; impressions Of Ag.
uinaldo, the rebel chief, as cleaned
from a personal acquaintance by Chap.
lain Stull. In short, the interviews
will be an accurate history Of the Phil.
ippine war. i%nterspersed with interest.
ing "reminiscences Of the soldiersaapd
the natives, and The Gazette consider
that 1T is fortunate that Reverend
Stull has consented to publish, for the
first time, his experiences in these col
umns. The Interviews are published in
q conversational strain. the questions
Of the reporter being omitted in order
that the narrative may not be discon-
nected or marred.]
"Having natural curiosity to still
further explore, while times were
quiet, we were enabled to obtain a
steam launch and 60 down to Corregi.
dor island. This is situated about
thirty miles from Manila. We found
a fort and revolving Lighthouse, a large
church and several fine government
buildings. At one time there had been
quite a wharf where the various vessels
of light drauRht had been able to touch
and where they were able to tie up for
some time. Corregidor island original
~ was intended for a health resort for
tired Spanish officers and their families.
This tired feeling would occur when
ever the Filipinos would become
worked up over some atrocity OF some
indignity placed upon them. Money
being no object, the buildings were
fitted up with a graet deal Of care and
no little luxury. There we're but few
natives acting as servants, who were
permitted to live upon the island, aud
they on the tongue Of land projecting
toward Manila, while the other part
of the island, facing toward the open
sea. was held and controlled by the
military forces then there. Ascending
to the light on the highest point of
the island we discovered one Of the
latest patterns, that was operated by
electricity, and would throw a light
many miles out to sea. This was par
t,cularly acceptable, inasmuch as there
were may islands rising abruptly that
we're a source Of constant menanoe to
vessels entering Manila bay. The fort
was in keeping with the old forts that
we discovered in various parts OF Lu.
ION, a large square on the top Of a hill,
also overlooking the entrance to the
bay.
"The question has often been asked
how it was that Admiral Dewey was
enabled to get in with his feet without
in contact with the submerged
torpedoes or being discovered by the
who we're then on duty and
had the means at hand Of communioat.
ing with the forts at Sangley Point
and at Manila. This is easily ex.
planned when it Is understood that there
are two channels leading from the open
sea into the bay; the n on the left
entry being the wider, was the n
usually used by all vessels, whether
gunboats or trading boats, coming from
the southern isle. The narrow Il to
the right Of Corregldor wal rarely used,
because at low tide there was more or
less danger of the channel being missed,
and the boat striking upon some one Of
the submerged reefs that were to be
found therein. But Mr.. Dewey had
evidently taken careful soundings and
had chosen the narrow channel, when,
under of the darkness, he was en-
abled with his fleet to pass through this
narrow channel and come into the bay
unobserved. It was a dangerous feat,
but was in keeping with the character
Of the man, who absolutely knew 0
what fear was. and was perfectly will.
ing to take such chances as would
bring him the greatest amount Of sue
cess. COrregidor has since been made
one of a number Of hospital stations for
soldiers, and at the pres
ent time has accommodation for some
two thousand sick. 1t is a delightful
spot and one could enjoy rest and rec
for many hours or for many
days, were his business or military
condition favorable.
IA diversion from the life that
might be found upon the island was to
be found in the fishing, for, hiring n
boat early in the morning. one could
20 out in sight Of the channel aud by
noon bring in a mess of fine fish.
of this, he might row across to
on the Oppoeite side. and