The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-06-17
BARRACKS 1T PHSACBO
LETTER FROM a 81. PAUL MEM
BEER OF THE FORTY-FITTH
ININA NTRE
FILIPINO FLAG OF TRUCE
II Is the Subject of II Poem by an
Undiscovered Kip
ling In the
Ranks.

PASACAO. Philippine Islands, April %,
l5J2- Dear Sir: I have been thinking that
I would send you a short article on sol
ders' life in the Philippines and let the
people know how all the st. Paul boys
are.
Landed al Manila Dec. p, 9S; disem-
b3rked ana Immediately took the train to
Caloocbn. where we were in barracks two
weeks. Left CaIoocau Jan. 6 on a fifteen
days march or hike" as We call It,
Finally arrived at Mac Jan. 19, where we
had quite a severe skrmish,- losing no
men, but two men were slightly wounded
Those wounded were Private Peter Hysk
and Private Kanable. Of Company II. Re
manned at Mac three weeks and then en-
barke3 on the transport Tartar not know
ing where we We're going, but after four
days sailing at last anchored in San
M5guel bay, landing the following day
i'm mud uD to our chins, and at the
same time We're under a terrific fire
The fight lasted about three hours. and
was very warm for the time being The
cueuy retreated. into the mountains and
our regiment marched into Calabango,
where we camped over night. The next
morning at 3 o'clock we continued our
march until night overlook US, and then
dad to camp in a rice field where the mud
and water were knee deep. Fhe next
morning we marched into Nueva~ Cacerces,.
where We expected to surprise a large
force Of the insurgept army, but on arriv-
Ing there tite 5ehenhy had retreated as
USUAL Bnd We met with no opposition
whatever. aRengainedsat Nueva Cacerces
three days. leaving there Feb. "a, making
a hard march TO PasacaO, where we are
now stationed.
We are doing garrison duty here, and
only Company II is at this place. We
have a very fine place here, and think we
Wll remain here for some time. We are
CHARTERED in a large stone building and
have good cots to sleep on, and in fact
have the very best of everything. The
town is situated on the coast and hence
affords d fine bathing place for the boys.
a squad Of fifteen men of our company,
Including myself, went out on a scouting
expedition about a week ago, and as We
were marching along laughing and talk
ing. our advance guard We're fired upon
by force of about forty insurgents, who
were intrenched along the road. We lost
one man, William Stone. who was shot
through the abdomen. Musician Hammis
was slightly wounded in the right foot
The fight was about the hottest that l
have ever experienced, and our small
squad had TO retreat down the road car
Tyiug he wounded as best we could, for
the enemy outnumbered US three to one
The following day our captain took a.
squad ofr+ilirty TIeR. out in the opposite
di"'ctfoua-aiid surprised the enemy in a.
forcc of about 100. killing ten and wound
ing fifteen without losing a man.
1t is extremely hot at the present time
and has been ever since we arrived here
The rainy season Will set In in about a
month and then l suppose We'll be
drowned out.
The following is a short piece of poetry
composed by one of my chUms in the
company. If you have space please pub
fish it, Hugo Wollny
Company H Forty-ffth United States
Volunteers
I'm humble private soldier
Tn The pay of ''Uncle Sam
Unknown to fame and fortune,
And to newspapers l am,
But ] want to give my comrades
Some directions, curt and plain,
That will serve to keep EN- healthy
Through the Philippine campaign.
when a flag of truce approaches,
From The F'ilipino's camp
Sound assembly Stand to arms!
See your powder isn't damp.
For your pluck viii soon be tested,
And Youll fancy hell is loose
In the close and deadly volley,
Covered by that flag of truce.
When the pleasant word Amigo"
Leaves a FiipinO's lips,
Let your hand drop instantly
ON the pistol al your hip.
Let your eyes not wink or waver,
And your posture never change,
Till that friendly Filipino
Has rctreated out Of range.
II you ask cup of water.
Have a doctor close at hand.
IF at night you seek a shelter,
Guard against the flaming brand.
If you're lying lone and wounded
On The battlefield apart.
Cheat death of barbarous torture
And put bullet through your heart
Aye, your nice. good Filipino.
Must be dead, sir, ''mucho" dead;
Better he IS safely sleeping,
With a rice patch DER his head
Best resolved to primal gases
In the starry depth of space,
For this twentieth century world
Is distinctly not his place.