Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-01-26
a Luzon Incident
From Notes Made Directly After the Fight and Suisse
quently Revised by Captain c. ]. ROLLS
34th Inf. u s A:

| twinty thousand rounds and rations
! for month. The captain, mebbe, sus-
picioned what might be comm when
he sent us to guard this closed port
agin the landin' of them roifies be the
jealous Jap Assault be wather an be
land. the siege of Curamau will go
down in hishtery with the battle of
Waterloo. Scream We divils! well
feed yer windpoipes on lead in the
marnin' Hold me wind, did We say,
Corporal Hogan, an no man can do
that without chokin'."
Il was 8 O'Clock in the morning of
dark night on the northwest coast of
Luzon. A detachment, consisting of
the corporal and FIVE men company G
were guarding the port by orders from
General S. b. NJ. Young. Secret in
formation had reached the general
to the effect that some Japs had a
small vessel sailing up and down with
in sight of shore, awaiting signals to
land fifteen hundred rifles for Tinio's
guerilla's, who needed guns.
1T is decidedly lucky for us that
the Spaniards built this brick and
mortar house with its small windows
to shoot from at pirates, but should
much prefer metal roof to the grass
and bamboo. Should the natives think
to apply the torch our position would
became untenable. There would be a
fight to the death or ignominious sur
render. with prospects of awful tort
ure. such as melted out to the unfortu
nate signal sergeant, whom their
fiendish children were permitted to
skin alive Your turn to watch now.
Muldoon. the rest lay low"
Whist, corporal" said Muldoon
after making his rounds of the lower
story or basement in which the sol.
diers had found reguge, when the
sentry had become aware of the Turk
ing insurgents and had given the
alarm.
We'll, say II" rejoined the corporal
Tear off the roof, Hogan--cut the
bamboo shtrips holdin' the FATHERS
and tumble 1t over"
your plan is certainly worth try.
ing, NIuldoon. The floor above us be
ing mahogany would not readily catch
fire: and with the roof gone the stu
alton would be greatly improved, al.
though bad enough still. Choose an
other to help you, Muldoon. II will be
ticklish business though, II the enemy
hears ye."
I Alright corporal. Crane, have ye
amy spunk, or win Private Muldoon,
G. 34th. procade to maltrate yer hand
some baby face. Crane. do We volun.
teer for the iaNb?"
Hear Muldoon talk, as II the sawed
off thing was the only soldier in the
army. Lead away. Irish, and don't
duck your head too often"
Crane followed Muldoon up the
stairway.
Now Crane" said Muldoon, in a
snbdued voice let me shtand on yer
shoulders Hold me fate tonight while
| cut the lashings. Move along, tell
We There goes a bullet through me
face. Biasht We! Why don't ye shoot
low. We divils?"
viii We come down, Muldoon," In.
CURED Crane anxiously.
Mary bit Shtep on an cut some
mo Shtep faster. Crane. The top is
done at lasht. Now for the lower fash.
Jennings. I'll take one soide. We the
other, Crane"
My arm is hit and bleeding badly
shouted Crane.
What harm is that" called sIul.
doom. It's no worse nor me cheek
Cut way now"
Using the sharp bolo. or long knife
with which nearly every enlisted man
in the army had supplied himself, the
bamboo thongs soon were severed
Muldoon and Crane rushed below
where bandages wei quickly applied
to the wounds, which we're found TO be
more painful than serious.
Me face is lopsided with the
shweilin',' muttered Muldoon.
We will rush up and push over
| iirst one side Of the roof and thin the
other. When we are all IN position
VIII give the word. Now, up with
We" and Hogan leaped for the stair,
way
AS each half Of the roof fell with a
crash. the enemy yelled and fired. but
not member Of the plucky little gar.
rison was hit and all escaped below
10 their temporary place of refuge.
Look at these chaps crawling from
beneath the debris, men. wonder
what they have been up 10 anyway -
said Hogan.
Let me at EN- with me gun.
grumbled Muldoon, and began shoot.
| ing
How long before daylight corpor-
az" inquired private.
1t Is too dark to see by the watch
ana too risky to strike a match. but
l guess 1t to be about 3 o'clock SIN
Two hours before daylight. The pitcbv
night was veil chosen for the attact
and believe the worst Is vet 70
come
want to know, corporal, when tn
black bastes will remove their 70
eoombeEt forms from this locality. Nc
face is twishtin' round over me Ief.
shoulder. II is a doctor I made"
groaned Muldoon.
II they don't get US before morn.
Ing. they may withdraw TO the pear.
est foothills. Any detachment Of
soldiers coming this way could then
be ambushed, neither could We aq.
cape" answered the corporal. But
hnshl What's that?"