Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-01
THE JOURNEY HOME
Interesting Sights Seen by Soldiers
Returning from the Orient.
FASCINATING FOLKS met IN JAPAN
A Smallpox Scare and the Fun of
Fumigation.
TRIBUTE To THE VOLUNTEER

Written for The Evening Star.
The value of the volunteer soldier during
the late war has been rated very low by
the majority of officers and correspondents.
1 do not know anything personally of the
Cuban and Porto Rican campaigns, but
do know that the state volunteers who saw
such hard service in the Philippines per-
formed all their military duties thoroughly
and well.
1t cannot be said that the volunteers
lacked opportunity as Generals OTIS ana
Anderson generally gave them the prefer
ence in all important movements. The gen.
erals had great faith in their bravery and
ability, and l never knew Of a case where
this trust was betrayed.
The only fault 1 ever noticed in the vol
unteers, when on the firing line, was their
over-zealousness. The next morning after
the outbreak of the insurgents February 4,
1899, the order was to advance all along the
line, which was done with a rush and
yell by all. A certain southern regiment
started off like released carrier pigeons,
and how they did get over ground. The
remembrances of coon hunting evidently
arose before them they went after the
brownies like mad and soon distanced the
other regiments. They had forgotten that
a line was to be observed with their COM
rades right and left, and it required the
work of several hours for the swift mes
sengers to notify the commander to return
and reform line with the balance of COM
mand. They reluctantly returned to give
up ground that they had won by hard
fighting.
In the capture of Manila the volunteers
were given the best assignments, which
were performed satisfactory to all. After
the surrender the most desirable station in
the city was given to the Oregon Volun-
teers. This was within the walled city,
guarding the palace and other government
nr1i11 lines fha fchti r,Cr hka
first six months fell to the volunteers with
the exception of a battalion each of the
14th Infantry and 4th Cavalry and detach-
ments of the Sd and 9th Artillery.
The hardest fighting on LuZon was done
along the Dagupan railroad, as the insur-
gents contested every foot of the way.
Their trenches We're the work of European
experts, and were in many cases made of
railroad iron; they were impregnabe and
could not have been taken if the Filipinos
had had the nerve to stay in them and
fight The insurgents could never get used
to the American yell INDUCED in while on
n charge, and it never required more than
one or two bars to drive the most valiant
of Aguinaldo's army from their trenches
like frightened rabbits AS they were al
ways digging trenches they had plenty in
reserve, so when driven from one would
drop back into another.
Tribute to Col. StOtsenberg.
The Nebraska regiment without a doubt
regiment in the Philippines. Their brave
and gallant colonel, Stotsenberg, was killed
while leading his men in a charge. He had
worked hard to get his regiment in shape
for battle, for which he censured by
the stdy-at-homes of Nebraska, who made
all kinds of charges against him to the
War Department. The colonel was exon
Grated shy ALL as it was sfted down to the
complaints of disgrunted volunteers who
disliked discipline. During January 1899,
all Nebraska was in arms against Col.
Stotsenberg for alleged tyrannical treat
ment of his men, but when the truth was
known public sentiment had changed COM
pletely, and when the brave colonel fell in
battle the entire state was shocked to it's
Today no name Is more revered in
Nebraska than Col. Stotsenberg's.
The Nebraskans accomplished more be-
cause they had the opportunities. The
karsans and Montana men, all big, rough
and-ready fellows, fought like lions, and
the Flpinos, one and all, heaved a big sigh
of relief when the last one Of the big west
ern volunteers had embarked for America.
| had the pleasure of making the trip on
the transport Grant from Manila to San
Francisco, in August, 1899, which was load
ed down with western volunteers. They
were a happy crowd, with the prospects of
home and civilization before them after
the hardships they had encountered. The
companies had plenty of funds, derived
from canteens, which their captains spent
with a lavish hand, and the tables were
loaded down with all the delicacies obtain
able. This was n happy contrast with the
trip going over, when they had to depend
on the generosity Of the quartermaster.
The government was very good to the re-
turning volunteers, as ample opportunity
was given at Japan to see that quaint
country and It's people.
Several days were spent at Nagasaki
coaling, while the boys took in everything
on land worth seeing. Within Il half hour
after landing every available jnricksha in
town was engaged, and it was a sight to
see those tough little Japs, perspir-
ing at every pore, pulling their little car
riaSes containing two big volunteers with
fans in their hands and broad smiles on
their faces.
The Japanese are good business men and
they were well aware that the volunteers
had been paid at Manila before departing
SO they put forth every legitimate effort to
separate the men from their money. with
great success. They had acted very nicely
toward us during the war, and L must saw
they allowed the liberty of their islands
when We visited them.
A Visit to Nagasaki.
Nagasaki is a beautiful port and will be
more so, for the japanese government is
very progressive and had several thousand
men and women engaged on public works
of various kinds when l was there The
main industry of Nagasaki Is coaling boats
and the harbor is always crowded with
steamers for that most necessary purpose
| The coal is mined a few miles away and Is
without a doubt the best revenue producer