The age-herald., 1900-09-21
MAN MEASURED II
 FOR HIS COFFIN
Alabama Soldier Counted Dead
 on the Field.
SAVED BY.A LOOKING GLASS
Miles Nelson's Graphic Story of His Terrible Experiences in Five Bat ties in the Philippines, and
 His Narrow Escape

Miles P. Nelson, lately quartermaster of a company in the S9th United States volun- teer infantry passed through Birmingham Tuesday morning, en route from the Phil hppnes to his home in Dadevile Six months of suffering have worked sadly on this volunteer soldier. and the ravages of tropical fever have reduced his weight from l76 to 102 pounds. He left this coun- try one year ago almost a perfect speci- men of physical manhood, and today re- turns physical wreck.
 MT. Nelson tells an interesting and thrill Ing story of his recent experiences. He was engaged In five battles and in every in stance the Americans were victorious.
 During the last battle in which he was engaged, Sergeant Nelson fell to the ground exhausted from the terrible rays of the tropical sun. He was taken from the field on stretcher and fever rapidly developed After remaining in the hospital at Manila for weeks his life gradually ebbed away until one day he sank into q catileptc state and the surgeons pronounced him dead.
 MT. Nelson says he was perfectly con- scious of his surroundings, but he could neither speak nor move a muscle. He was then lifted from his cot and taken into the dead room preparatory to being em- balmed before being sent to America for burial.
 Measured for His Coffin
 Ills measure was taken and a coffin set aside to receive the body. While washing the body the men began humping him to sec if there were yet any evidences of life. The feyer-stricken soldier was conscious of what was going on, and though filled with horror at his fate, he could not speak. Fin ally the surgeon placed looking glass over his lips and nostrls to see if any breath could be detected The small amount of breath left in the lungs soon caused mois- ture to spread over the glass, and it was known that the soldier lived MT. Nelson says he was then rubbed for two hours and at the end of that time he was able to speak. He gradually grew better and through the efforts of Congressman Brewer secured d discharge from the service.
 He says three men died en route to San Francisco, but he managed to survive the trip of twenty-six days duration, and after remaining in hospital at San Francisco for thirty days, was allowed to proceed to his home.
 Thrilling story
 Sergeant Nelson says he knows of one Filipino who fell from a shot fired by him. It was an exciting experience. A detach- ment of twenty-five American soldiers were conducting a wagon train of supplies through the island of Luzon, when they were suddenly fired upon by a party of Filipinos hid in the bushes lining the edges of the road Nelson ran into the bushes tor protection and as he did so he saw a Filipino run across the road training his gun. The Filipino saw Nelson at the time Nelson saw him and raised his gun to fire. By this time he was In clear place and Nelson took quick aim and pulled the trig- ger. At the crack of his gun the native soldier fell dead. Nelson started to get the gun as trophy, when body of twenty five Filipnos sprung out of the bushes and fired on him. He says he dropped to the ground and escaped unhurt. The rest of his detachment quickly came to the rescue and the Filpinos were routed. several being killed.
 Sergeant Nelson says he Is quite well ac- quainted with Captain Hardeman from Bir- mngham, and states that the captain is in good health and Is brave fighter.
 MT. Nelson left for his home in Dade- vile yesterday, where he hopes to recuper- ate his health in the red hills of Tdllapoo- Sd.