The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-06-12
RENNER WRITES
OF THE FIGHTS
He Has Had With the Natives In
The Philippines.
HOPES BRYAN WILL WIN

AAOA AS1 ADAs NAAN w AAH AAN
Soldiers Are Against Mckinley and Think
the War is Practically a
Succession Of
Murders.
Mr.. Charles Renner, Of 1901 West
Seventh street, has received the fol-
lowing letter from his son, Corporal Ed
ward Renner, who is doing duty in the
Philippines:
Sorogon, F, l., April IA, 1900.
Dear Father: AS I have some spare
moments shall try and write you a
few lines as I do all others at home.
AS I sit down to write this letter my
relief is at rest and l will not go on
guard until p. m. I came Off at IL m.
have had my dinner, which was
beans baked, fresh beef, coffee and
bread, and it is now 1 o'clock. Well,
father, things are going along slow and
all in this toavn Is slow. About every
week or so we go out for a skirmish
of few miles and generally run into
a bunch of Niggers armed only with
bolos, long knife that Is as sharp
as a razor. With one chop they can
cut one in two. They weigh about five
pounds apiece. Well 1t seems like
murder to shoot them, but you know the
rules and regulations Of the army and
we must do our duty for the Niggers
show no mercy with soldier, for I
know that from experience as this Is
what happened to me on the night of
the Goth of March: I and three men
were on Cossick guard and we were
rushed on about midnight and only for
quick action we might have been cut
to pieces, but / was the only unlucky
one in the bunch. AS I advanced upon
one with my bayonet I was cut in the
arm, about an inch long and only about
half an inch deep; but will say for my
self that I got my man in the stomach
and he died two days after, and not my
first one as I was one Of the sharp
shooters and we did good work. as our
discharges will show on our muster out.
Well I was out of the business for 20
days but it is now almost well and do
duty. Shortly after l was cut our Co.
NJ was called upon to go to Sengoadi, a
small town where the niggers were re-
cruiting for their army and as 1 was
unable to carry gun I was ordered to
man and says he knows soldier when
he sees one and gave me pistol and
said could go along. We started; 1t
was 16 miles over mountains and
through rice fields in water up to our
knees. We got there at 4:15 p. m. and
all were gone so we went on to Bakou
and on the way were attacked from
both sides Of the way. Well we all let
go few rounds and all was over. We
found four dead and five wounded. We
put some other niggers at work bury
ing the dead and made the others that
were wounded walk IL possible and
those that could not walk were sent af-
ter. Well we got to Bakou about $3.50
and 1t was dark as pitch and trying to
rain. We took possession Of a large
stone house for quarters for the night
We put out only two guards in front
and in the rear Of our quarters. About
one hour after we were asleep we were
called to arms and the town was on fire
and small fight on hand. We were
not slow at getting up and started. We
were met by about $50 men; about ter
with guns and the rest with boloes. AL
we could do was keep up small firing
until morning and thought we could
clean up the Niggers in the morning
but as light dawned there was not 0
Niger in the town and ten houses were
burned down. We found only two
wounded. One died that day and the
1other is in the hospital yet, getting bet
| ter. Well we stayed in Bakou five day.
| and then came back to Sorsogon an
| left fifteen men and a tent at Bakou ant
now the town is all burned but twelve
houses-all stone or they would hav'
burned long ago. They set fire to thu
houses by shooting fired arrows into tn,
roofs and they are soon in flames ant
no attempt to outen them is made.
| Father, how Is the election going?
suppose Bryan will be elected and
| hope so. ! think that this war over her
will go against Mckinley. II we shoul'
come home before November I an
sure all of the soldiers would vote 70
Bryan, from the way they all talk here
/ suppose that we will come home be
fore our time Is up as all that Is lef
here Ia a few bands of robbers.
Well ! must close for this time a
I have written enough this time. &c
letters from home every mail. abou
twice a week, and all Is well, and all
well here. Lieut.. Yost is in Co. d a
Legaspu, go miles from here and ha
done quite bit Of fighting. All tn
Canton boys are well.
Good bye. Father and all at home
Regards and best wishes to all.
/ remain your son.
CORP. EDWARD RENNER.
Co. M Forty Seventh regiment, u.