The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-04-13
A Newsy
Manila Letter
Tells Many Interesting Things About
the Islands and the People.

The following interesting extracts
are from letter recently received by
Mr.. G. f. Cory, of Ft. Scott, who
kindly loaned 1t to the REGISTER.
After describing their arrival at the
islands the letter continues:
Balsnga, Luzon leland,
February 2, 1900,
We brigaded with the 3rd and 25th
regulars, the 25th being colored
regiment, and l must say more
gentlemanly or nicer looking lot Of
soldiers Ia not on the island. They are
great big, strong, healthy looking
boys and they would rather fight
than eat. They are well pleased
with the island and it seems to agree
with them.
Decem Der 1st. General Fred Grant
and staff who had been assigned to
the new brigade, five companies OF
our regiment, troop G OF the Bird
artillery and one company of the 4th
cavalry left for Angelus for the pur-
pose Of cleaning the insurgents out in
the province of Bataan. Company q
acting as advance guard was fred on
just beyond Porac by party of 100
insurgents. They charged and rout-
ed them, killing q captain and seven
privates. The dead captain was
wearing the sword and belt which be-
longed to Naval Cadet Welborn G.
Wood, who was captured and killed
by the insurgents in an expedition up
the Ourani River. We encountered
no more insurgents until the morning
of the 7th at Dianalupihan. Upon
approaching the town we were fired
on by the outpost, and deplOying as
skiTmishers we opened from the east
side, while the Third regulars who
had come up from Pillar, opened up
from the south. The "goo goos" re-
turned several volleys and fled to the
mountains. We entered the town
and found IL almost completely de-
serted, with the exception Of seven or
eight "goo COOS o." After obtaining
quarters we set out to find something
to eat, the provisions In our haver-
sacks having run out, and our pro-
vision train was about five miles be-
hind, owing to the awful condition of
the roads. We found plenty of sweet
corn and sweet potatoes, aud the way
we bonn bsrded the few chickens we
found In town was caution. While
we were cooking fire broke out in the
north part of town and in less than
two hours 40 bamboo houses were in
ashes. The church and other fine
buildings were saved only by tearing
down the surrounding buildings. In
stead of soldering we were soon
turned into fire brigade, General
Grant acting as chief.
On the morning of the 9th we COM
menced our long march over the
mountains to Subig Arsenal.
Shortly after our arrival the Battle
ship Oregon, the bull dog Of the
American Navy. and the cruiser
Baltimore of Dewey's fleet, sailed
into the harbor, ready to take the
town, and they were disappointed to
find us already in possession as there
WAS considerable rivalry between the
Army and Navy rs to who would
capture the town, and We succeeded
only by quick forced march across
the mountains. Captain Myers and
a detachment of $50 marines from the
Oregon landed, and took possession
of the town for the purpose of
garrisoning it. We remained there
for three days viewing the sights and
accommodating in the surrounding
country. While going up the river
we discovered large boat, which
was the property Of Aggie himself.
1t was almost new, was carefully con-
cesled liz the bend .of the river in
dense foliage and was well stocked
with provisions and ready for use.
1t was built by Hong Kong firm
and must have cost some six or eight
thousand dollars, as it contained the
latest improved machinery, and was
furnished handsomely.
Subig Arsenal is a town which has
long been under Spanish control.
The fine government buildings and
Spanish Barracks are evidences Of
this fact. Spain, also, maintained
her navy yard here, and it ia certain
ly fine one and will be Of great SER
vice to our governm emit, as 1t contains
much costly ma ohinery which is in
good shape. The harbor is also an
excellent one. The boat we captured
was taken to Manila by n detachment
from the Baltimore. IL had been
used by Aggie in getting around the
island to d ifrerent points, but of late