Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-13
UNFOLDING THE FLAG
WashingtonianS Fighting With the
Braveu28th Infantry
In The PHILIPPINE SERVICE
An interesting Letter Written by
Sergeant Dayton.
THE DETAILS OF DAILY DUTY


Sergeant J. Waldo Dayton Of Company H.
2sth United States Infantry. resident OF
Washington. has written an Interesting let
ter TO The Star from the Philippines. de-
scribing the work OF the regiment. in which
are enlisted more than a hundred volun-
teers from this city. He says:
I'VE see by the papers Of Philadelphia
and Newark accounts of bravery and gal
lantry Of the 18th Regiment. U. 8. ". now
stationed In the Philippines, which has
earned reputation there as the Fighting
2Sth-' In fact. the papers from the Quaker
city claim this regiment as 'Philadelphia's
Own.'
Now. while the greater portion OF the
men In this regiment are from the vicinity
OF Philadelphia and Newark, there are
about one hundred or more from Washing
ton 1t will be remembered at ...e call
for troops for Philippine service in June.
1S'9. Lieutenant Beatty. formerly captain
i'll the 10th United States Immunes, and
arter"ard captain of Company A, w. l..
L. G., was given the District of Columbia
to recruit company. He being we'll
known and popular officer. quickly secured
the required number. among them being
Sergeants Dayton and Stilwell and Privates
McRea and Tierney of the W. l.. I. c.. Cor
poral Barghausen and Pussy, Trice and
Proctor. formerly of the 1st District Of CO.
lumbia Volunteers. Ennis Williams was
also member of that organization. There
are also Sergeant Landsburg and Corporal
Doone, formerly of the 4th Virginia Voun-
teers. and PriYates Ward. Drummer. Glynn,
parker' hamerly and several others whose
names cannot be ascertained at present,
but who are all doing their best for the
honor OF their home city
The 18th Regiment is officially reported
as the heathiest body Of men ever mus
We left Washington on August 9 and the
next day began our duties for Uncle Sam,
after being put through a most rigid physi-
cal examination. We found things very in
tefesting for while. spending week at
Mount Graetna for target practice. On Sep
TENDER % we left Camp Meade for San
francisco. drilling In several large towns
and on the Prairies en- route finally arrty-
Ing at our destination on October L, where
we were given warm reception by 'Fris-
cos hospitable people. We marched about
I'VE miles to the Preside. where we went
into camp. spending the next three weeks
at hard drilling and skirmish work On
October 25 we boarded the transports Tar
tar and Newpert for our long Journey to
H Maa and after sght days Of pleasant
half hour afterward. with the band playing
The Star Spangled1 Banner and every one
cheering. We dfbpped' anchor in the bay at
Honolulu, the garden spot Of the world
stopped at Honolulu.
Next day We were taken ashore and
marched through the city. where we beheld
some Of the most beautiful villas. sights
long to be remembered. We also visited the
old volcano. The Devils Punch Bowl and
Queens Bathing Beach Next day we re-
ceived orders to resume our journey. which
was regretted by all. owing to the enjoyable
time we had had. After twenty days Of
more quiet sailing We entered the China sea.
nndlng a severe storm raging, and getting
our first taste Of rough weather. Some very
amusing incidents occurred during this
storm At mess time we used the wide
buiWarks of the vessel a table and often
the waves would wash over the Sides filling
our dishes with, salt water and making the
deck so slippery that we had all we could
do to keep on our feet. Several times some
uniucky chap would leave his own meal,
much against his will. and land In front OF
another fellows ON the other side Of the
ship. owing to the awful rolling Of the boat.
Once, when the ship gave sudden iurch, a
corporal. who seemed very dignified at other
times, actually did, wing and buck dance
across the deck and landed unceremo-
niously In large pan Of hot mush He
afterward said it was the warmest expe-
Renee he had ever been through
That afternoon about o'clock we
sighted land. and soon were passing Cor
strongest Notifications were supposed to
have been. In an hour we entered Manila
bay. one OF the finest harbors in the world.
everybody being on deck to catch the first
glimpse of the city. On our way in we
passed several of our warships and gun
boats at Cavite. and what remained Of
Montojo's feet. At dark. We dropped
anchor about two miles from the city.
which, by its numerous lights reminded a
great many OF us Of New York harbor at
night. a.
The next day was spent unloading
stores and mail and receiving visits from
the omcials and others. among the number
being our colonel. who was formerly a can
tain In the 5th Artillery. Col Berkheimer
has earned an enviable record for fearless
ness and gallantry. setting an example that
70 rotlo
Manila, All Ashore!
After being on the water for so long a
time. we were eager to get ashore. but
were not allowed to do so till next dav
when we were taken off In lighters. and
landed at the dock near the quartermas-
ter's depot. all curious to see what our re-
ception would be. The regiment was
formed. and headed by our band we nro-
ceeded up the 'EscoIta.' the principal thor
ous sars , OF Manila: to the Mesig barracks.
Spaniards, where, after q good supper we
retired for the night. using Mother Earth
as bed. Next day we received orders to
proceed Immediately to Bacoor. a small
village about twelve miles south of Manila.
TO relieve the 14th regulars. who had been
attacked the night previous We boarded
cascos tnative boats) and reached our des-
tlnatlon about O'Clock in the evening the
water being so shallow the boats could eat
no nearer than about 100 yards from the
shore. With 200 rounds Of ammunition two
days rations and a heavy blanket roll we
jumped overheard in water waist-deen and
waded ashore, every one feeling good and
anxious for scrap.
I'VE had no trouble in Bacoor with the
exception of a few skirmishes, and in a
wee %esk 90, or so the 14ih left for Manila, the
linus. distance Of ten miles. We were
kept at this dGty for a month eyerythine
being quiet. and We were beginning to- think
t mst,nn ,6ss oyer when got nfor-
opened up. January we were ordered To
move on Tancanluma, about three miles
from linus. and with the 5th Artiiiarv
(Riley's battery we started the advance
The 3Sth and 45th Regiments were In the
reserve with q detachment of the signal
corps. the whole being under command of
Gen. Wheaton, who was present with his
staff. 1t was a very inspiring sight and
long to be remembered.
I'VE arrived at linus about 10 o,cIock
and learned that the 'gugus' were strongly
intrenched just outside the town and That
detachment Rf the 4th regulars then sta
toned there. had been attacked early. that
morning resulting In the death of Iieut
Cheney. four Of his men and the woundine
of several others. Our orders to advanre
on the rebels the next day were counter