The National tribune., 1902-09-25

should have made before the hostilities
began, our regiment continued to do pro-
vost duty, with the exception of the third
battalion, which was stationed along the
pipe line and was having almost daily,
or rather nightly, experiences with the
enemy.
Those Of US who remained were eager
to get into the field. We were tired Of
barrack life and provost duty, and we
wanted some Of the excitement of actual
campaigning. Besides, We knew that our
time was practically UP and would be so
officially in a short while, and feared we
would be sent home without getting in the
"mix-up' at all. This was prospect
that caused gloom to settl: down upon the
Oregon quarters, from the sspel's room
to the guard-house, for the res .s.,lard-
house squad" was as eager COy nce
fighting as any others. / remem6o
when the attack upon the city came
the regiment turned out, half dozen
these regular inmates Of the calaboose
begged and implored the privilege of turn
ing out with their companies, and the Col
onel made a general Jail delivery in con-
sequence.
At our officers mess the outlook for
getting into the field was discussed daily.
We knew the Colonel was doing what he
could at headquarters to get us relieved Of
provost duty, but We could not refrain
from contributing our opinions at mess,
to ourselves, however, and not to the
Colonel, who did not mess with the line
officers. Judging from those who did the
most talking and showed the most feel
ing, and comparing their work in the field
later with that Of the ones who did not
the general proposition that the fighter in
camp and the fighter in the field is not
always the same individual.
l bear in mind particularly one officer
who actually made himself offensive by
his continued harping upon this subject
and the disgrace to the regiment Of not
getting out where it could fight. He was
going to feel SO badly over it that he
would not go home to face the people with
such stigma upon him. Yet when we
finally got out where there was some pref
ty hot work to do, his conduct did not
shed any special amount Of glory upon
the reputation Of the regiment. In con-
trast with him was another officer who
protested all the time that he did not
want to go out; that provost duty was
good enough for him; that he was not
hunting glory or bullets, and that he
would be perfectly satisfied to 60 home
without firing shot. This officer proved
to be one Of the coolest, bravest and most
reliable in action Of all.
A YOUTHFUL HERO.
1ue Suue Iuie uO UOuDL QelO ROOO
among the men as well, though l was not
in a position to know which Of them did
the most advance talking about their
anxiety to get out where the bullets few
l do know Of ono illustrative incident,
however, in my company, which shows
how impossible it is to "size a man up"
just right before he has been tried by
fire. Among the privates was a young
fellow who was very nervous and excita-
BILE, good natured, jolly, willing to do any
thing to please, and yet the butt Of COM
pany jokes because of his excitability.
He shook like q leaf when there was any
special duty to perform or we turned out
to an alarm, and because Of these evil
dences Of timidity he was generally joked
about having "cold feet" and being afraid.
Joking others about "cold feet" / have
discovered, is favorite way some have
of trying to keep their own warm or hid
ing their chilliness from observation.
When the company Joined in the charge
upon the Filipino intrsnchments in front
Of Malabon,, this boy was with us, and
went with the rest Of the yelling, eharg-
ing and shooting crowd. Before reaching
the trenches he was shot through the
lungs and fell. Refusing aid from some
OF his comrades, he tried to get up and
follow, but could not. and then with the
use Of his gun for support, he began
to make his way slowly to the rear. He
soon came upon a man lying upon the
ground with q wound in his leg and stop.
ped to help him, endeavoring to tie 4
bandage around it from his frst-aid pack
age.
The litter bearers Of the Hospital
Corps were following up the line very
closely, under fire, and they discovered
him at his task of mercy They saw that
he was far worse wounded than tho man
he was helping, and they told him to set