The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-09-12
Coke Davis in the Philippines.

Co. .'E," 3Sth Infty.. L. S. Vols,
Lipa, Luzon, P. l., July -, 1900.
AS am now at leisure will write you
g short letter. There is no certainty
as TO the time I'll have the opportunity
to do so again. The prediction l made
some time ago about the condition OF
affairs over here before the election
and the rainy season advanced has come
true. Nearly every detail, escort or
detachment coming in and leaving here
encounters the enemy. For several
months the papers have been writing
about the LadroneS. even saw the name
mentioned in official orders, well if YOU
call skirniSh line two miles in length
with firing line. support and reserves
ladrones then l havn't another word TO
say about it. Detachments from my
company have been in four fights since
July lst, and six days ago in three miles
of this city three men We're killed and
four wounded in an attack on the wagon
train, in past ten days more men have
been killed and wounded in the 3Sth.
than was lost from Dec. 9th, to July
18th. Does this look like the natives
are now peacable and the Insurrection
over? II so why is it very few Regi-
ments can be spared and the regulars
from the States are on their way to
China? l say this to prove that it is all
bosh that some of the papers are pub
fishing about peace, peace. y Few
days ago we were on our tip toes eX-
pectlng any moment 10 be ordered TO
China, now since the Insurgents have
become so active we have all the fight
ing we want TO 80 up against right
here. Since the 9th Infantry had her
first engagement at Tien-Tsin, myself
have very little TO say about taking the
trip. That looks too much like war to
suit me. see from the papers more
troops have been asked for by General
Mc.Arthur. Well this doesn't look very
much like the volunteers will return
home beginning Nov. lSt, this year,
even if this be the case my regiment
will be among the last if we return in
the order we reached the Islands. My
opinion is the present volunteers will
be discharged here next June, and the
present organizations made regular
ones wedding out those officers who are
incompetent. 1t is either an increase
OF the regular army or more volunteers
which is it? I am interested if such be
the case, having served the Govern
ment for two years just as soon stay
with Uncle Sam as any one else. If there
is any chance OF promotion. There is
now a vacancy as second Lieutenant IN
the 3Sth, but don't expect the lightning
to strike me. Several Sergeants have
distinguished themselves being sent out
in charge OF detachments they captured
several prisoners and contrabands OF
war. First sergeants are handicapped
they are kept busy with the company
records, getting up details, guard
mount etc. etc. When I think there
will be no scrapping and the order calls
for now-come, you will see me on the
detail. The last hike took, marched
. miles from a. m. to $50 p. m. my
feet are still sore maybe they are cold,
will draw wool socks ncx: issue. any
way | succeeded in capturing rifle al;d
some ammunition. Here is how | cap
tured 1.-THE Lieutenant in charge sent
me with ten men 10 Barrio to search
it while he searched another, found 4
bolo on the top OF bamboo shack as
this was pretty good proof the niger
in the shack was soldier told him to
get his rifle, well he couldn't Saby any
thing, could see from his actions he