Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-04-27

26 at Dagami, Island of Leyte, where he
was then ouartered with a detachment OF
men TO hold the place. The letters give
full description of voyage aud events from
time of leaving Malta Dec. B. to time OF
writing, Below are extracts from the let
ters. On ,o,o
DAGAMf, IsLA LEYTE, Feb. 2G, 1900.
The next stop was at Port Said for one
dav. Dec. 6. The concentrated essence OF
all the iniauities and all the vices of all
continents finds itself at Port Said. This
place has been very aptly termed "a sand
bordered hell" and contains the nastiest
people l ever saw. We started down
through the Suez Canal about p. NJ. and
passed three ships during the night. 1t
was a very interesting trip as the search
light in the bow threw sufficient light on
both banks to make everything visible IN
a very distinct manner. We reached Suez
about 1890 A. M, Dec. Z. Made very
brief stop there to drop our pilot, search
light apparatus, and take on a pilot for the
Red Sea.
The VOYAGE from Alden to Colombo was
a,dream; beautiful days and most beautiful
nights. One of the many impressive sights
have seen is retreat" at sea. The band
discoursed the familiar yet always inspir-
ing strains of the Star Spangled Banner,
while the up wards of a thousand men and
officers watched with uncovered heads the
flag, that means so much to those far from
home, hutter from the masthead against a
background of gorgeous sky and sun
bronzed sea. There was always pause OF
a moment before recovering, and many a
man wondered if he should be fortunate
enough to return TO the home and country
of which that flag is the emblem.
We reached Manila bay Sunday morn
ing, Dec. 81, and the first news we had
from shore was of Gen. Lawton's death.
Jan. Is the 48rd left Manila with Gen.
Kobbe's brigade for parts unknown.
was on the "Salvadora" as l had supplies to
issue to the battalion on that ship. Satur-
day, the goth, we anchored in Sorsogon
bay and remained there till the 25th. The
47th was put ashore there and as they had to
be transferred from the Hancock to small
er craft, it took an age. We left one bat
talon at Calbayog, Isla Samoe and they
had a small fight but not enough of one
to require any assistance from the gun
boats. No one from the other two batta
lions was allowed ashore until night, when
/ went over on quarter master business
Calbayog is nasty little hole, and there
was no one there but "Chenos" China
mem, the niggers having all been driver
out. No American hurt
We next stopped at Catbalogan an(
scared up some little fun. The "nigs" sci
fire to the town aud opened up on tn,
troops with field pieces. The gunboat
Helena and Nashville soon raised "merrN
help with their batteries, but there was
good stiff fight here. One man killed anC
several wounded. The niggers did not g,
far out of town and the other battalion wa
sent ashore to polish up what had been
good DAYS work. We could not get with
in 400 yards of shore in boats and every
one tumbled out into the water waist dee
and waded ashore.
We had enough to do the next day an
when we got back to the ship everyon
was tired and sober for this was our frs
real fight. There is all the difference i
the world between fighting where you ca
see what you are doing, where your men are
and above all your enemy. The Both
took out an armed party to bury ma
that had been shot by one of my men tn
day before Jan 81 we started for Taclc
ban, Leyte, and reached there about 9 A
NJ Feb. /, having spent 60 days on tn
water since Nov. 10. The regiment ha
been dubbed the 43d Mariners, from il
prolonged marine experiences.
The negroes were given a chance to sui
render at Tacloban, but though they wish
ed the port opened they would not surrer
der, and after the two hours allowed thel
were up the troops began to land and tn
Nashville opened up on the batteries. W
had very exciting afternoon, and Their
was very fair crop of good niggers
most anywhere you wanted to find theI
that night, and a burial party was busy, S
Co. he fxup Aaxrc
left town for the interior that nigh
and have been on the go ever since. Yes
terday rode from here through Tananar
Palo and smaller villages into Taclobar
"a miles, reported to the colonel and rod
back, round trip of As miles Have bee
on the tramp constantly since we fir
came on to the island, and it can all /
summed up by saying long, hot, rainy day
spent in tramping in and through jungle
and swamps, through mud and rice field
from knee to waist deep.
No standing or open fight since the on
at Tacloban, but we have had brusht
galore. l believe there isn't man in til
battalion that hasn't heard the "blithe sin(
ing of the bullet" Shoot and run is til
creed of the native. They wont stand an
fight but you get it from every and all III
expected places, and if they were any kin
of shots there would be few of us left I
tell what we are trying to do. There al
many rivers on the island, mostly deeI
swift running streams, aud about the onl
arts of war that the natives are acquainte
with are the destruction of bridges and a
tempts at trenches where there are ford
The men are using the church for quarter
and | am using the quarters of the padr
who has clown" There are two bloc
houses built of bamboo across a swamp som
1000 yards away, and with the glasst
the other day, could see from the towe
of the church the 'nigs" going in and ou
l fixed the sights on the rifle use at 1876
yards, took a good look with the glasst
and aimed at the house on the left; no n
suit could be seen. Showed the sight up
notch and tried again; no movement
The third time l shot had the range, an
the way they popped out of that plaC
would have made you smile. But we hav
seen no more nigs there since. l was G
feet above ground and lying on the floor
the tower. These "Krags" are a wonder
full gun. The men have done some remark
able shooting with them at five, six, eigt
and ten hundred yards. There's not muc
use in using them over 1900 yards unlei
you are up in the air somewhere.
l move from Dagami the 2Sth for th
mountains, and expect to strike some {
the insurgents, as l have been out wit
small scouting parties in various direction
during the last week, and have felt fc
them till know pretty we'll where most {
them are. Have secuted through the eai
centre of this island until l think | kno
a