The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-17
LETTER FROM PHILIPPINES.
Soldier Boy Writes TO HIS Mother, now Mrs.
II Byrd Lewis, and other Friends.
Barugo. Lcyte. =. l.. July l.. 1901.

Barugo. Lcyte. T. l.. July l.. 1901.
DEAR MANA:
Arrived here O. h. after very tire
some voyage. We werein Manila e days,
but did not 20 ashore: we then went to
Catbologan. Samar, where there is a
brigade Of over 5000 men in the field.
fighting the Gugus in the mountains.
Next went TO Paclotan, leyte with
~" Co.. and,on 10th arrived at Carigara,
headquarters Of my company, which Is
divided into ( detachments-One under
the captain at Carigara, 30 men at .IarO.
under Sergeant Mulberg 30 men at Alang-
Alang under Sergeant Slaten and the
same number under command OF myself
here came here n few days ago 10 re-
lievc Sergeant Shaughnessy, who was
sick and had To go 10 headquarters for
treatment ! am practically Gar here,
my say goes and is absolute, having
but one over me, the captain who
who never NEEDLES in local affairs. The
Prcsidcnte, Chief of Police. and all town
oiliciales confer with me every morning
and Lord knows,at times it is very hard
To keep a straight face
So lar have not had. as in Caguas,
Porto Rico any ecclesiastical functions
To perform. as the people are intensely
religious and would not think OF civil
marriage. The Padre is a nicelittle chap
and speaks excellent Spanish. which the
rest do not \ majority cannot under
stand one word, and when | want to talk
have to speak Spanish toan Interpreter
and have him translate TO Nisaya, so
heaven knows how far the message is
conveyed from the original English idea
There i no postoiIice here, unless ! am
it. but we have telephone connection with
headquarters and cable to Manila
and thus learn Of dOings in America about
a year after they happen. We are living
in my mind anyhow-Over mine that
may explode at any moment, and have
10 rely on all inside information AZ to ris-
ings. Our native scouts and police who
are at present faithful, but who may turn
around at any time, and il they dom my 30
men would wind up like Custer outhtin
1876. The people are kind, religious and
open-handed, and for manner and morals
would compare very favorably with our
best people in the United States. | have
a good crowd of men, the only trouble
being they do not always get the best OF
whiskey but it often gets the best OF
some Of my Mlesian subordinates. The
day came there was fight over the old
saying Did McCarty hit McClusky wild
a stick or wild his fist - One took the
stick side and the other the fist, and the
result is that one is in durance vile await
ing charges.
Things are peaceable now, but on the
island Of Samar they are fighting hard
and may have to go on hike to patrol
the straits between the islands to keep
out the insurgents The straits are as
wide as the river in front OF your house,
and man could swim them easily armed
with bolo and rifle.
am very well and eating good grub
and plenty of it, and when not on duty
going to bed at p. IN. and getting mp at
Sam.
Send this to all thefamily with instruc-
tions to forward to all Others. | have so
much on my hands now that ! can't
write to all individually. Write and tell
them all to write to Manila, simply put
ting company and regiment, and it will
arrive safely With best love to all, L am,
Most affectionately your son,
JOIN {. FAIRFAX.
sorr+ IN II 11th L = Infantry