Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1913-06-12
The Hopkins Letters
From the Philippines
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ADAMS

During our advance on Malolos our
company was peculiarly fortunate
from a numerical standpoint, but, at
the same time, VI sustained what, to
us, is as eyere a loss as is possible.
On the 9th day of March 1899 in the
battle of MarilaO Lieutenant Frank
II. Adams was shot and instantly
killed. We had passed the first strip
of bamboo and we're in the midst of
the second when we ran into an i'm.
passable barrier covered with a thick
growth of thorny vines, and were
compelled to move somewhat to the
left to enable us to go forward, | was
on the left of the platoon, and was
among the first out. Perhaps two
seconds before I looked my last into
the face of our beloved friend and
lieutenant. He was then greatly dis
tressed by the heat and fatigue, but
the iron will and steadfast soul OF
the man were taking him on in spite
Of an exhausted body. The next
thing | heard was the cry that Lieu
tenant Adams was killed. 1t first
made me sick, then furious. He was
an old time member of the company
and had known many of US from oul
boyhood and was like a father to us
His own burden Of sorrow was great
but | believe it made him even moro
sympathetic and ~considerate toward
us. During the time when our hours
were longest and our days the dark
est, and we were in our most turb
ulent moods, he used to sit and
talk with us, and by his patient cour
ageous example, and kind words and
actions, sooth u troubled spirits
and by his dry wit and humor tighten
our hearts and quiet our minds for
days to come. No mar ever went t.
him for assistance or advice but what
his needs We're supplied. | never saw
him out Of patience but once, and ]
have seen him in many trying and
eXasperating situations. I never have
heard him say an unkind word or do
an unkind thing. His standing among
the soldiers was such that never
heard Of his having to speak to the
most refractory soldier more than
once. In the departure of Lieutenant
Adams for the home of the true, brave
well beloved counsellor and friend
the army, a fearless and efficient Of
ttcer; the world a noble hearted and
generous man; and his family-let
the broken hearted cry of the grief
stricken wife and mother, which
reaches is ever here, speak for itself
Tuesday, March oath, 1899.
Rested and waited for supplies to
come Up. Only scattering fire.
Wednesday March goth.
Continued our march to Malolos,
passing over about a mile of flooded
rice fields. Forded three streams
Had minor engagements at Bocaue,
Bigaa and Guiguinto. At Guiguinto
Pennsylvania had a hot fight for the
railroad bridge, which we crossed un.
der fire. Lost no men while crossing,
but had a number wounded before we
got to the bridge.
This night about ten o'clock Captain
Englesby, while standing under a tree
saw two natives creeping along and
approaching our company lines. He
ordered them to halt, but they did
not. He fired on them killing one;
the other got away. The dead native
had a knife as sharp as a razor, and
could have killed half of us had he ITO
been stopped, we were sleeping 50
sound. l was within six feet of the
captain when he shot and did not
hear him, You can imagine our as
tonishment in the morning.
Thursday, March 30th.
Started at two p. M. and went about
a mile. Had some fighting. Do no
know how much. Nebraska had il
today.
Friday March 81.
Shortly after sunrise the artillery
opened up and FASTENED the departure
of the insurgents from Manila. The
insurgent capital was taken with very
little resistance. Our regiment was
first at the Malolos station. Kansas
regiment were first in the city proper,
but there was no one there except a
few Chinese, Aguinaldo's palace and
assembly hall were burned by the
natives.