Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-03-07
SOLDIER BOYS
EXPERIENCE
William ]. Longenberger Writes From the
Philippines.

ASAAo I6Ll6T QG-
scribing the experience of an American
soldier in China and the Philippines is
from William J. Longenberger, "a Danville
boy. The letter, which was written at
Manila on January Sth, is addressed to
the writer's mother, this city. Relating
to China the letter reads:
On the 4th of September with tw elve
others was put on guard over six boat
loads of provisions for the troops at Pc.
kin. We were 10 days making the trip.
Our food was very poor. There was a
Chinaman on my boat who could speak
little Euglsh and he used to accom-
pany US out through the country in
search of chickens, eggs and whatever
we could find to eat. On one of our
trips we killed young COW, which we
dragged to the boats with the help of
three Cinnamon, whom we forced to as.
slst us. During our trip l was fired at
once but not hit. / did guard duty at
Taku from September "a until October 4.
We had it very hard and got only every
other night for sleep. The water and
rations were bad. | was taken very sick
with chills and fever. There was no
doctor within twenty miles and thought
my time was up. When we arrived at
lien Tsn / could hardly walk. 1t was
rough cold night and had TO sleep on
the ground. The boys were very good
to me though and as had only one
blanket they covered me with theirs and
built fire and made hot coffee for me.
In the morning they took me to the
doctor. My temperature was 1O4 and
was ordered to the general hospital.
had typhoid fever. / was in the hospit-
al until November 9th.
We left China the day before Thanks
giving. ate my Thanksgiving dinner
on the transport Rosecrans; it consisted
of bread, coffee and rice. The trip across
the Red sea occupied 80 days. On TIE
sixth day we were struck with typhoon,
a storm such as few vessels live through.
Nearly all the soldiers got seasick and
couldn't get out of their hunks
We passed wrecked ship and life
boat with three Cinnamon in it. When
the poor fellows saw our boat coming
close they began to pray by kneeling
and humping their heads on the boat,
but we didn't try 10 pick them up. for
our Captain had orders not to pick up
any Cinnamon, besides it was too rough
to try to get near them. 1t brought
tears to my eyes as we passed them leav-
ing them to their fate.
The women of China are very good
looking, when they are dressed in their
best. for everything they wear is of the
finest silk. Their hair is done up very
slick and they wear sort of bloomer
costume
/ became acquainted with a wealthy
American, Walter B. Tuttle, who hand
les the exports and imports of the United
States government. A comrade and my
self were assigned to guard duty over
him. 1t was there that learned to eat
at rich mans table, as We took our
meals with him. There are two Chinese
interpreters associated with Mr.. Tuttle
and these invited myself and comradeto
a Chinese holiday dinner. 1t was fine
meal. Their houses are built of brick
furnished in the finest style of Ameri-
can art The daughter, of one. l9
years old has never had her feet bandag
ed and she looks like an American girl.
We landed at Maubau, Z. l., on De-
cember 90. The weather corresponded
with that of Pennsylvania in July and
August. Cocoanut trees are grow
ing on all sides around us, which are full
of monkeys. parrots and birds of the
prettiest colors.
We have been expecting an attack
from the Filipinos, but they havn't at
tackled us as yet.
WILLIAM J. LoNGENBERGER.