The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-10
AS TOLD BY A SOLDIER
PICTURES OF THE SORROwFUl.
SIDE OF ARMY LIFE.
Story of the Volunteer Paymaster
Who Went to the Philippines-
Hnrdships Endured by the
Soldiers Wives.
Major J. A. watrous, U. s. A. in Kansas

Major ]. A. Watrous, U. s. A in Kansas
City Journal.
Sorrowful and pathetic stories found
ed on army experiences are numerous
painfully numerous. The number of
such stories has rapidly increased since
1898. when the army began to scatter
to Cuba. Porto Rico Hawaii and the
Philippines, and naturally, for In such
a distribution OF the forces there Tos
widespread separation of families.
which, in itself, Is sorrowful and often
extremely pathetic.
1t was no easy task for a father,
! regimental or company commander,
surrounded by happy band of chill
dren, to part with them and their
mother and sail 10000 miles from home;
nor was 1t light task for the
young lieutenant to say goodbye to his
bride or sweetheart. Then. too, what
thousands of heartaches there where
when fathers. mothers. sisters and
brothers parted from the brave men
who went as soldiers to the way-off
islands to do valiant service beneath
the starry banner. the beautiful en-
blem of the country that they and their
officers were willing to die for. IL need
be- wonder IL the great public stops
to think of these things when II reads
of the little army that never fails to
whenever an emergency arises.
A year ago this month beautiful
and accomplished daughter of Nepras-
ka became the bride of lieutenant in
the 22nd infantry. They spent their
honeymoon at the home of the groom,
at Baraboo, in Wisconsin, and later on
were the guests of Congressman John
j. Jenkins of the same State. In
October the 22nd started on Its second
tour of the Philippines. With 1t went
a dozen or more of the newly married
couples, but Lieutenant Harry Parshal
| and his Nebraska bride concluded. after
giving the subject much thought. that
| il was best for her to remain with her
| parents at Valentine until the regiment
| should become settled in it's distant
| camp on the island OF Minandoa.
Subduing the MOros.
The regiment was quickly engaged In
| the work of subduing the Moros. upon
| it's arrival. and some months passed be-
| fore Lieutenant Parshall felt justified
! in sending for his wife. But early in
| February matters had so shaped that
| he wrote asking her to come. The
| letter reached her late In March, and
| with a heart full of gladness she hur-
| ried In the work of preparing for the
| long journey to meet the one man who
was more to her than all the rest of
the world. The last of the prepara-
| lions had been completed, arrange
ments for transportation had been
| made, and within two days she was to
| say farewell to father and mother,
sister and brother, and enter upon the
long long journey to the Philippines.
| Who can picture, who describe, the
| grief the unutterable sorrow of this
young bride the next morning as she
picked up the daily paper and read in
the cable news from Manila the name
| of her husband In the list of those who
had died the day before2 Indeed. why
| attempt? Drop the curtain. The scene
| Is too sacred for the public's gaze.
| Lieutenant Parshall had participated
| with his regiment in Its many cam
paigns and distinguished himself by
| acts OF daring bravery, was favorite
| with both officers and men, all Of whom
Joined In tenderest sympathy for the
sorrowing one away, back in the home
| country.
The young officer was sick only n
| short time His death came suddenly,
In July or August his body will reach
his native city, Baraboo, when the hap
| by bride of year ago will witness the
burial of her hero.
| Among the volunteer paymasters who
went to the Philippines in 1900 was
| Major ]. S. wilkins of Ohio. His second
pay trip over there was one of the hard
est paymasters were called upon to
| take. They were obliged to travel
long distances on horseback. climb
mountains. ford rivers and pass through
an enemys country where the danger
| was always very great until the rebel
| lion was subdued. His health was not
of the best, but his courage was equal
TO anything. The labor was too great
and the exposure disastrous. He re-
turned at the end of six weeks with
lungs seriously affected and the loss of
one of his eyes
Physical Wreck.
/ The latter was destroyed while
marching one dark night through q
forest, when lirab struck his face
one OF the branches penetrating his
| eye. He was sent home. but at the
end of two or three months returned
to the islands and again took up the
work. as a captain of regulars in the
pay corps. His health was such that
he took his life in his hands every
time he went out upon a pay train. and
when, at the end of his tour OF two
years he started for home. he was a
physical wreck and mentally so weak
| ened that he was no longer the cheer
full. hopeful Captain wilkins his friends
had known and loved. He was oblig-
ed to remain in San Francisco for some
time before he could stand the Journey
to his home. After gaining some
strength he reported for duty at Chica-
go but ii was soon found necessary &c
send him to a hospital. where he was
examined by a retiring board. whose
report favored his retirement. The day
after the order was issued placing his
name on the retired list. news came
that Captain wilkins would climb ne
more mountains ford no more rivers
that his day of rest-inal rest-haC
come.
Another paymaster in the Philippines
was Major William Monaghan. He
too. was from Ohio. and had been z
close personal friend of President Nc.
Kinley who appointed him. Just be.