The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28
Ii OWING THE FLAG IN
THE WILDS OF FAR LUZON
Amid Hardships and Prvatons North Carolina
Soldier Dreams of Home and Urges Friends
to Remain There

ration. Our tea or coffee" was simple
rain or branch water.
Tho night passed away, and the morn
ing OF the fourth days outing was upon
us. The same old bugle sounded
"forward-march!" at seven o'clock: and
the army was on the move again. Hun
CRY. vet and tired, We trudged on and
on; not knowing when our journey would
terminate. The next night came on US:
to find US in worse shape than the pre-
vious one.
How hungry l was, am unable to
tell or illustrate better than to say that
we offered each other. as much as five
dollars gold for one bareback.
The morning of the fifth days outing
was well spent when the guide, who
was d Filipino, told US that VIC would
get cut on the beach OF east Luzon Is
land tomorrow afternoon. The news
was passed UP and down tho line, from
one soldier TO another, till there SEEM
ed to be new strength in every one
who heard the glad tidings that our
"hike" would be over tomorrow after
noon.
Night came upon us again 10 find ey-
erybody cheerful, Qf they were hungry
and wet and tired) and the officers
more lenient with the enlisted men.
Another one OF those luxurious camps
was set up. and the night spent in
sleep by some, while others were too
hungry to sleep.
The morning OF the sixth days out
ing came and the column was in line
as early as six o'clock, waiting for the
bugle to sound that the general was
A., tn
posed last days hike"
On and on. over some rugged noun
tain slopes, and through some deep
gorges and ravineg. We pressed until
some enc thought ne heard tho roar
OF the cannon on some hattleShip. which
was supposed 10 be bcmbarling the city
of Binangonan, whore we werc bound
IT was about four o'clock aud every
enc. held his ears open to hear the
reports of the cannon as she lombard
ed the city. as was supposed, Dark came
upon US and we were not in sight OF any
terminus; so the general (Robert II
Hall. L. 5. Al gave orders TO keep up
the march until midnight, and then if we
were not 1T the end of cur journey. we
would go into camp again.
We had a email mountain, about two
Thousand feet high, 20 encounter.
so that with courage ESQ common
AMONGST the American soldierS) sve be
gan to ascend the perpendicular sides
OF this, the last obstacle. succeeding in
covering its crest, about an hour later.
/ The command halt" was given for
the purpose ot SURVEYING The surrounding
country. The greatest pleasure / or any
Of the column over experienced in nv
life WAS here on the summit Of this
the last mountain TO be crossed which
We know, as the water OF the sea could
be heard as it rolled in waves against
the rocks below at tho foot OF the
mountain.
y messenger (rative) had come back
to US and told US that the L. S. chartered
transport "Garonne Seattle" was lying
at anchor for us ar "Binangonan with
plenty of Chow for our hungry stom-
aches.
"Forward-march" was again sounded
by the faithful buglcr and down we went
for three-fourths OK an hour, finally
reaching the beach. whore We made
camp again. Guards were put around
Us III double 10. we did not know that
the enemy had fed the previous day TO
parts unknown.
There was plenty OF rations for US
all. and We mado good use Of our time
while We had chance in filling our
empty stomachs.
Next morning at nine o'clock the
steam launch from the transport came
with seven whale boats" in tow to
convey Us aboard tho great ship which
was to carry us around the southern
extremity OF the island to Manila How
happy we were is left for you to imag-
inc. after having borne the hardest
brunt of our lives in the rcccat expodi-
ton
After going aboard OF the transport
our troubles did not terminate. as the
transport ran aground on coral rect
and caused a great deal OF excitement.
labor and delay in our voyage to Manila.
She was foundered for several days,
and could not get off the reef until some
large steamer would come our way
and help pull her off.
After several days on tho reef the L.
s. gunboat bennington" came our way
and rendered the desired assistance
after several attempts.
The cattle which the guaboat used in
pulling our ship of the reef broke
and became cntaDgled in the propeller
Of our ship.
Finally after about ten days we ar
rived at LcGaspi. small town between
Binangonan and Manila where we
foundered again on another coral reef
Here we remained for several days, not
getting to Manila until October the 9Th.
1900
From October the 4th until the 9Th
We did not have a change OF clothing and
were bare-footcd bare-headed and rag
ged.
Some OF US had very sore feet and
could scarcely walk. others were sick:
others were entirely broken down and
disabled for life.
This was the result of cnli5ting in
the army! For you have to obey all
orders, 1t matters not if you die i'll the
attempt,
transmit this record Of The Hall
Expedition" for the benefit Of the young
MANHOOD OF our country, 2oping that
theE may profit BY the experiences of
tneir fellow comrade and friend.
1hiE was The first of the service,
which ] saw in the Philippines, ana
since this, l have been in the midst Of