Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-05-03
FROM THE PHILIPPINES.

western ocean and for the first time in
nearly three years set foot ON American
soil. am not yet able to realize that
j am home. It seems like the great
hills of Subio Bay or Corrigidor We
even find it hard to drop the pigeon
Spanish we used to talk to Filipinos and
often find ourselves addressing some
one to receive stare for an answer.
PECULIAR SCENES.
With Manila decorated by the sons of
Erin In honor Of their patron SAINT, the
Artillery band stationed on old Fort San
cheering multitudes, we boarded the
lighters in the Pasig and in company
with the 3rd U. s. Infantry swung into
the bay TO embark on the transport
Thomas" When the last of the 3rd
Infantry boarded the lighters, fifteen de-
luded native women (their mistresses)
turned away in tears, while the Artil-
cry Band played, 1.-THE Girl 1 Left Be-
hind Me" a sentiment under the cir
cupstances peculiarly appropriate and
this is a daily example of how the Ar
my pacify and civilize the Filipinos by
deluding the females and returning
home to be worshipped as heroes, the
officers are no exception to the rule.
<At II .OO u. III, NlhICh 1OJlts
Chaffee visited Col. Page and as he de-
parted the matches were closed and prep
arations were made TO depart at 100 D.
NJ. Everything being ready the big
ton anchors were drawn up and the big
transport glided down the bay; about
half way down we passed the battleship
Kentucky at target practice.
About 4:S0 we passed Corregor Island
and out in the China Sea about dark
Subig was passed and a mighty cheer
rent the air as we passed, from the 25th
detachment; gradually we followed the
Zambales coast line and another cheer
went up as we bid adieu to our home
for nearly two years, another cheer was
proposed and readily responded TO for
our brave boys who had the moral cour-
age to remain in their adopted home
TO protect their offspring.
OUT AT SEA.
Next day we were well out at sea with
nothing but sky and water TO look at.
On the 21st we passed the Island of
Formosa where the celebrated teas of
that name are cultivated, it was here
that we got our first taste of cold wealth
er ano consequently the decks were
quite empty and room was plentiful.
Toward evening the sea began to get
rough and continued so during the voy-
age. On the evening of the 22nd the
hugh ship began to pitch and in this
condition came in sight of the Japanese
coast on the morning of the 23rd, arriv-
ing at Nagasah at 1856 a. IN. The
japanese quarantine officers came
aboard and were a fine lot by which TO
judge their hospitable country.
Nagasai Is situated on both sides of
a deep but narrow bay; it has a decided
Oriental appearance with an occasional
Occidental tinge. The high type Japa-
nese dress in European style and with
the Russians and English constitute the
commercial element.
NO DOCK THERE.
There is no dock at Nagasaki, but the
bosom Of the bay is covered with a
unique class of lighters called sampons,
for about five cents in American money
They take passengers ashore from the
ship.
They are very scrupulous and prefer on
ly American money, but will use their
own IN making change, but in this they
are very clumsy and do not begin to be
as clever as the so-called heather Chi
nese and Filipinos. There are all sorts
OF original sights. the principal public
conveyance is the jinrikisha which is
pulled by the owner, they seat only one
and If your wife happens to be along you
Will have to ride in separate rigs or fore
go the pleasure of ride.
Another novel sight is the coalinC of
vessels by women and girls; they form
line from the collier to the vessel and
pass 1t in small baskets, thereby loading
on 10000 two thousand tons in three
days.
GERMAN GUNBoAT.
After more than three days of this
novel sight seeing we weighed anchor
and dropped down the channel passing
German gunboat and the United
States Cruiser, New Orleans, the crew
of the latter cheering as we passed.
We soon entered the broad expanse Of
the Pacific Ocean, about ten days out a
soldier OF the End United States Infant
~ died; his body was embalmed and
brought to San Francisco. Aftert his the
voyage was uneventful and ON the morn
ing Of the Goth day out from Napasaki
and the 2Sth day from Manila we pass
ed In the Golden Gate to the tune of
Home Sweet Home.
IN QUARANTINE.
After the usual quarantine and Gus
tom inspections we were landed here.
This is a cool place but more work for
soldiers to perform than at any other
post was ever in. My service began
at Washington, d. Q. March 24th. 1899.
and expired at Nagasal1i,3 Japan, March
23rd, 1902. but am still in the service
and with my comrades of the same ex-
periences. will be for some davs yet.
We have served three years, but are
still kept here digging sewers, breaking
rock etc. while the clerks are making
ready to discharge Us. Quite a novel
experience.
RIENzI B. LEMUs.