Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1904-10-27
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Interesting letter concerning life in Uncle
Sans employ in that remote country.
Parang Parang, Mindanao, P. l.,
Aug. 23rd, 1904.

would appreciate word from the far
away Philippines.
As you will no doubt remem Der, Twas
in Tam Doang when last heard from and
therefore my chatter will begin with
the start from that point. On July 18th
was doing my regular tour of guard
duty and was in position to hear the
latest rumors, so in the early afternoon
Company A., II Infantry was ordered to
get ready for field service at once and
would leave that night for Parang
Parang. Everything was in hustle |
to relieve Co. A. men from guard and to
fll the guard with new men from other |
companies. This was accomplished by |
supper time and all was quiet again,
but, alas, how long did it remain 50! l
heard an officer tell the sergeant-major
tnat Co. B., 23rd nifty, was to go along
with Co. A. and for him to be prepared
to relieve our men and detail more in
our stead. The 1st Sergt. was soon no
titled of this, and | must say he had his
troubles for as soon as retreat was over
the men had gone off for their usual
walk and but few were in the barracks.
Runners were sent out to all parts Of
town to notify all members of the com
pany that we would leave by boat for
the field at 9:15.
In the rush they had forgotten us
poor fellows on guard until $40 when
we were relieved and told to report to
the company. When we reached the
barracks everything was moving brisk
ly and as soon as tattoo was blown %
D. m.) we were answering roll call. We
came aboard IN punches for many were
late in getting the word. The boat
waited until 9:3O and when the anchor
was up we short but one man.
Next day we reached Parang Parang
and went ashore and stopped for the
night. Next day we stayed here get
ting rations, etc. The following morn
ing we made start for the boat which
was to take us TO Cottobatto, On reach
ing the dock we found that the boat
would cary hut one company. So "a"
company went a. board and we marched
back up the hill to await its return in
the afternoon.
At $3.50 we were again upon the bosom
of the deep blue sea headed for Cotto-
batto, This place is situated inland on
the banks of the Rio Grande river,
which is navigable for nearly 100 miles.
As we neared Cottobatto, we could see
the boat carrying Co. ga" anchored in
midstream. Then we knew that we
would not stop but few moments FIT
teen minutes for coal and we were off a
gain. Soon darkness settled over the
little vale and all was still with the ex
ception of the two little boats which
were blowing their way against five
mile current.
At 1890 we tied up to the bank and
went ashore and soon all we're tryinG
to get little sleep, but did we sleep
guess not How could we when the
mosquitoes were million strong a
gainst each man. We had mosquito
netting with us but no way to use it but
to cover our faces, and that was worse
than none at all, for they would get un
derneath and it seemed to me they hat
lost the entrance and could not get ou
ag in. We fought mosquitoes unit
300 a. N. when the whispered wore
came "to get up, get two days ration
on your back and be ready to hike a
once" The start was made inside of 3
minutes.
This was the morning of the 10th an
our troubles had begun. by this tim
it was well-known fact that we were
as the boys say, 'n the Cottobatto val
ley after Ali" Datto Ali is one of To
most treacherous Moro chiefs in tn
island, and reports said he had at thi
time 5000 followers. When ne bega
war last March he was in fortihe
place called S4rania from which he wa
driven early in the struggle and sine
that time be has been killing ever
small party of soldiers he could cate
and on some occasions be has attacke
as many as two and three companies q
soldiers when marching through hi
country. I think this Will show yo
what we were prepared to expect.
We bad gone about a mile after lea
ing the river when the guide lost b
way. Here we stayed until dayligh
We knew we were entering a swan
but what did we ind at dawn. Mu