The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-10-19

In his Endorsement OF the nomination OF
Kenneth p. Williams. General Chanee says:
Not again in your military career, nor
In that Of the men accompanying you on
this arduous undertaking. win conditions
likely arise that will offer you the oppr-
tunity Of rendering such unheard-of and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS services to your coun-
try
This may be ooor grammar. but II IS the
very highest praise from a man who IS not
given 10 gushing. and Admiral Rodgers.
commanding our Asiatic Squadron. follows
IL up by saying:
This marine detachment CWalleTs rear
guard would undoubtedly have persisted to
q man had II not been for the interchangeable
exertions Of Lieutenant Williams"
Before following both rescued and rescu-
ers into the labyrinth Of Samar. into which
they ventured. without a clew. with no
other support than their own manhoo and
courage II Is, perhaps. permissible 10 ex-
press the hope that the sluRg1sh channel
through which the award Of honor medal
must pass may be accelerated by a glance
at this simple tale OF military ski and
manly daring.
Just the other cay a medal OF honor was
granted fcF a deed done thirty-three years
ago. At this rate. Williams. though he has
extreme youth IN his favor. may not live 10
wear the reward he has 50 Worthiiy Won.
Without wishing to initiate our British
cousins IN the extreme hbsrality with. which
Ehey confer the Victoria Cross. we might
with advantage try to. emulate the speed
with which they bestOw it
How LIEUTENANT WILLIAMS
WON HIS GLORY.
How Major Waller ACCOMPLISHED his
Journey OF leo miles and how his rear guard
was lost and rescued at the last possible
moment Is a long story. which I can only
take up at the pehnt when. thrown upon
their own resources by the failure. Of a ma
tive carrier tOICeiver Walters orders. Cap
tain David b Porter. a chip OF the old
Porter block. and Lieutenant A 5. Viii
Jams. the only officers remaining with the
rear guard. came together IN consultation
as 70 the best method OF saving their col
umn. composed OF thirty-nve men. already
exhausted b. a journey Of two weeks IN the
wilderness
II was a dreaTy New Years Eve the gal
liant band had spent three GAYS before me
expedition was spkt into two colGmnsl. cut
ting Its way inch by inca and foot by foot
up the jungle OF covered ountain that
forms the divide OF Southern Samar. Long
after midnight they gained the crest OF the
mountain and fefl asleep on their axes. in
the belief that their suherings and hare
ships were over. that with the morning they
would catch a glimpse OF the sea. or al
least OF some mountain torrent. or the great
trail emblazoned on the Spanish maps that
would lead them TO BasSay. the goal OF the
expedition But the motnng Iigne drought
no sight OF the dancing sea, although il dis
closed the pitiful condition CT the marines,
who were shoeie@ and covered with trop-
zeal sores. chafed from. Wading constantly
IN the water, and win limbs Unnamed py
the tnorns ana bites OF the mountain
ieeches which always tester,
MAJOR DECIDED TO GIVE
Up PROJECT.
There was no sight Of the sea, but there
was a stream going almost due west. the
desired direction. and this they followed,
carrying with them all that they could.
their rides and a little bacon. just enough
TO grease and give a taste to the sRild po-
tatoes upon which they hsd subsisted for
SO many days. Suddenly the stream 10
which they chung as 10 a lite line made a
quick bend and emptied into a river which
nowed due east. the direction from Whica
they had come. This moment Of dlsap-
polntment tried the metal OF both officers
and men, but II there was a thought there
certainly was not a word Of despair.
Al last, after looking the situation over
the situation which became more desperate
on closer examination and with the passing
OF every minute which brought them 50
much nearer Observation-Disclosures Waller de-
cided there was no help for IL His project
OF crossing Samar must. in Difference to the
condition of-his men. be given up. The
river where they stood was the Surabao.
that empties into the sea on the east coast
at BaTonEon and they must follow 1t.
This method Of retreat. however. proved
not SO easy as It first appeared. Raft after
raft was built 20 noat the expedition down
to the Sea but from the nature OF the wood
these RATS one and all sank under the
march was resumed. with oficers and men
LHE