Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-01
oTTUMwA BOY WRITES.
Win Chambers With U. S. Army in
the Philippines.

tne FuiIlpPineS.
A letter has been received by E. A.
Chambers, who resides on West Sec
ond street, from his son, Win Cham
bers, who is member of Troop H,
Fifteenth cavalry of the United States
army in the Philippines. The letter
was mailed from Malabang, in the is
land of Mindanao, May 1, and did not
reach this city until June 49, Mala-
bang is at the extreme south of the
Philippine group of islands, being but
a short distance from the island Of
Borneo, and is the largest island in the
group. The Fifteenth regiment is en-
gagged in exploring this place. The
command marches into the heart of
the country, where the thick growth
of vegetation made marching almost
impossible, and here they were COM
PEELED to cut their way through the
jungle. The natives were alert and
were watching every chance to sur
prise the camp. but the vigilence of
the regiment would not permit it. Mr..
Chambers in his letter, said
Malabang, Mindanao, P. l.,
May 1, 1902.
Dear Father:-Since last | wrote
you conditions have changed greatly
in the Philippines and our regiment
has experienced some real soldering.
On April 8 we left the island of Luzon
for the island of Mindanao, arriving
here some five or six days later. Now
the, United States has never had any
trouble with this island until the pres
,ent time, and we find that, we are pit
ted against some pretty bad charac-
tiers.
6iEt Is Natives Are Savage.
These people are nothing like the
lFilipihos. They are more savage
lot and much more brave. The natives
of this island are a naked, 1.-THE, long
haired, savage looking people, and are
armed with spears and nasty looking
large handled knives called "bolos."
They are typical savages and are as
Savage as they look; besides being pos.
sessed of much courage Our regi-
ment is engaged in one of the most
extensive expeditions which has been
started in the Philippines. This island
of Mindanao has never been explored
by any known white man, but it will
not be many months before the Amer.
lean flag will be proudly waving from
every corner of the island.
Island Is Jungle.
We have already explored quite a
distance into the interior Of the island
and find its condition terrible. 1t is
simply a deep growth of trees and
vines so closely planted and thickly
woven that passage is almost impossi
BILE. There is also thick under
growth of vegetation through which
We are compelled to cut trails and fight
our way through.
9dI Troops Surprised at Night.
! Imagine yourself marching all day
through thick jungles, and when at
last you go into camp, tired and hun
cry, with a few pieces Of hard tack
and one or two slices of bacon to eat
iand3the damp ground to sleep on. with
'onlya blanket, df you haven't thrown
it away on the march) to roll up in,
and then after sinking into sound
sleep you are awakened by the sharp
report of the sentry's gun, and the
ibugle call to arms. Each troop and
company then form skirmish line
around the camp to keep off the ma
itives, who make the night hideous with
their yells.
5''5n Islanders Need Attention.
The islanders demand constant at.
tention, and a lookout is kept out at
all times in the fear that they might
surprise the camp. The natives are
known to be born fighters and when
armed with their bolos or spears are
a dangerous as well as most treach-
erous foe. Well father have not time
to write more at this time, although
i should like to, but hope to have an
opportunity of writing you further at
an early date. Trusting may hear
from you soon. remain,
Ii Your loving son,
Win Chambers,
Troop H, Fifteenth Cavalry, Manila,