The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-18
Others.

Chief Of Police Frank Robling FRI
day received the following letter from
Lieutenant Thomas Murphy, OF this
city, at present serving in the Philip
pines, and who was formerly MEM
Der of Company c, OF the Thirteenth
regiment, then under Captain Robling
The badge mentioned in the letter ac-
companies the missive and is a very
odd looking speciment of police au-
thority. 1t is merely a short strip OF
leather upon which is the legend, "Po-
licia de Bacaca," or police of Bacaca.
The letter follows
Legaspi. p. l., April Goth, 1900.
Dear Friend Frank:-Things are still moving
over here Two companies went out on a
scout last week and were aInbushed; one man
was killed, another wounded The point where
they had the trouble an old hangout for
the Filipinos. After the companies returned
our colonel received letter from the major in
the Filipino army, which read on this orders
~ see you stll send your troops up here to
bother u.s. and row I will give you little
notice. In the first place, ! would like to
know what you want II it is gold, why don't
YOU go and work for IL like do. But il 1t
is fight you need not wear your men out by
sending them up here. Just keep them at Le-
gaspi and l will come there, and when | come
it will be with FIRE and sword"
lie also saws:
'I know this will be bad for both of u.s. but
when | get through with you don't think you
will want to send any more of your men to
bother my town" Signed by major
of the Filipino army, whose name | have for.
gotten.
These are not the words he used, but as near
them as | remember.
Well. after the colonel read this letter he said
"Well, will catch this fine major when he
comes, but in the meantime we will go and
give him a little more on his own ground" So,
last night, fifty men 81 Company | went out
and surrounded one Of the majors post. | don't
know how many men there was at it, but we
killed ten and wounded several Others. | sup
pose the major will think our colonel is a mean
man.
The place this little fight took place is about
six miles from Doraga, where we have one
company The roads are all intrcnched and the
Filipino army use one Of these trenches as a
post where they stop all people that coming
in with hemp, and compel them to pay the
Filipino government SS for every bale that
comes in, and then turn it over to this major.
Among the killed was one lieutenant, and of the
four we captured one was a captain. ! think
after a few surprises like this | believe they
will let us alone and go to some other part Of
the island.
| am having a big time in this Godforsaken
town. am police officer of this post and
have a hard time with natives. to get them to
clean up around their property.
We have sixty prisoners and keep them busy
tearing down the trenches built a short time
ago.
Say, Major. wish you were here with old
Company c. Say, we could do some work.
We had Just the kind of men for this work.
Our great trouble is we have very few troops
here. For instance, we have three companies
here and three towns to garrison. So you sec
II we send out many men at one time we have
to leave the towns without enough troops TO
Quell any disturbance that might occur and as
here is so many people in his town who would
do most anything 20 get us, we are obliged to
get out in the night and get back in the morn
ing.
Our general is very proud Of this regiment
because we are killing so many Of the coored
gentlemen. My battalion alone has killed over
400, and God only knows how many we have
wounded
send you in this letter policemans badge
OF Office with the Filipino government
found it in one Of the government buildings in
Balacay (police Of Balacay).
| receive your papers with every mail, and |
am very thankful to you for them / mailed
you a small Filipino nag. Its history is:
we first went there The building was after.
ward burned.
Remember me to all the boys, and II there is
anything over here you want let me know and
you shall have il.
With best wishes Of success remain as ever
Your true friend, Tom.