Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-09
ONCE FOUGHT WITH "BoBs.-
The Story Told by a Convict in a Min
nes0ta Jail.


nesOta Jail.
From the Minneapolis Journal
The Otter Tail county Jail CMinnesota) is
at present sheltering man who has seen
service under Lord Roberts Of Kandahar
and who spent two years pursuing Bushe-
way, the Burman Aguinaldo, and was one
of a command of 5000 soldiers who finally
surprised and slew that intrepid chief. The
man is Patrick Callaghan, alias John Muir
ply. CalIaghan was sent to Saltwater for
holding up and robbing a man near one of
the river bridges in Minneapolis about
three years ago. He served under the
name of John Murphy, and proving an ex-
emplary convict, was soon released on pa
role. He was sent to the Evans farm four
miles south of Fergus Falls, and on Friday
had disagreement with Mr.. Evans
whereupon the latter is alleged to have as
saulted him, inf1icting several really serious
wounds. He states that he desires to go
back to Saltwater, and is now in jail
awaiting the arrival of the state agent
A silver medal, bearing the image of
name and the superscription, Burma
1ss5-1Ss7.'' led to the discovery of his iden-
tity, and his story regarding his service in
the British army, and his bravery in the
documents from the British war Office
which he still has in lis possession. In
speaking of his experiences while in Lord
Roberts command, he says:
Il was sent from Madras to Rangoon, at
the outbreak of the Rurman war, and
'Bobs,' who was at that time commander
in-chief of the forces in India, accompanied
the troops and took general charge of the
operations. We captured Mandalay, and
the Burman king who was one of the most
cruel individuals who ever disgraced hui
manity, was sent as hostage to some
point in india 1 don't know lust where,
His troops scattered. and under the gem
eral direction of Busneway began war;
fare exactly similar to that which Aguin-
aldo is nov waging upon the Americans.
Lord Roberts established his headquarters
rawaddy in detachments in pursuit of
Busheway and his scattered bands.
Every soldier in the army fairly wor-
shipped Roberts, or "Bobs," as We always
called him, and the reason they thought so
much of him was because he treated them
right. He was just the opposite of Wolse-
ley. When we were tired out with forced
marches he would allow us a drink of rum
in the evening, while Woseley wanted to
cut every soldier down to a cup Of coffee
and some quinine. Then he would allow US
extra rations in cases of exceptionally hard
work, and he always looked out that we
got our clothing money. Wolseleys idea
was always to cut down expenses, and the
private soldier was the man who suffered.
but Roberts always treated us right and
the men were always ready to fight to the
death under his orders.
1--WE found the Burmans plucky fighters.
but as they were armed with Anticipated
against our Martins, and the warfare re-
sembled that which is now being carried
on in the Philippines, although we lost far
more men than the Americans are losing.
The Burmans were short of ammunition,
and sometimes loaded their muskets with
nails and other materials, and, as the guns
were great unwieldy weapons, a discharge
from one Of them seemed like whole vol
lev. In one battle We lost forty men and
were compelled to retire, On securing REIN
forcements we again advanced, and on
reaching our former battle ground, found
that the enemy had cut off the heads and
otherwise mutilated our dead, and had then
hung them up by the feet. They were a
far more cruel people than the Filipinos.
and when fghtingywe never fired our last
shot, every man desiring to have means
of putting an end too himself in case he
was in danger of being captured. We had
learned that the few prisoners which the
Burmans had taken had been put to fright
full tortures, and we did not wish to share
1--WE had several companies of Sepoys
with US. They always fought fairly well,
march and everywhere else They are not,
equal to white soldiers. although 1 think
they can be dependedaupon and will do
some good fighting in case England ever
crosses swords with Russia for the pos
session of India.
I'VE pursued Busheway for months, and
finally came upon him unawares He was
encamped in valley and had about 5000
Of his men with him, when we came upon
him 5000 strong. A volley from the heights
above was the first intimation he had of
our presence in the vicinity. His followers
fed after brief resistance, Busheway hay-
ing been killed early in the fight. His
death did not put an end to the guerrilla
warfare. however and do not believe that
the capture of Aguinaldo is going to re-
store order in the Philippines The Bur-
man warfare continued until we had suf-
ficient force to place garrison in every
town of any considerable size, and Keen it
there for some time: and If the Filininos
are anything like the Burmans that is what
is going to have to be done over there
81 left the service on account of sun
stroke. having been stricken while riding
pony on the banks Of the Irrawaddy."