|
Diary of Earnest E. Dieball
[Printer-friendly
PDF Version]
* denotes possible photo in
E.E.D. photographs or artifacts
Italic, names of
soldiers
Oct 3 1899
Enlisted at Toledo in the
47th Reg of Inf. U.S.V. being raised at
Camp Mead Pa for service in the Philippines.
Oct 4
Left Toledo via Penn R.R. in charge of eight
Recruits most of whom were
drunk.
Oct 5
Arriaved at Harrisburg about 5 A.M. too the gang over to the Russ House to get a
brace_. Arriaved at Highspire about 6 A.M.. All went over to visit the
distillery and had the devils own time to get the bunch out. Reported to the
adjutant about noon, He sent us to the surgeon who made us all go over to the
bath house and take a bath. Cold water is the finest thing in the world for a
jag. Passed the Dr. OK and Myself, Ehlenfeldt, & Albers were
assigned to C Co. Capt Houston Lts Wm Bishop & Lanhan.
Oct 8
given charge of a bunch of men on the strength of my experience and took them to
the woods instead of drilling them so I don’t think Ill drill any more men.
Never did like ribbons anyway. Drill every day
Oct 16
Left for Mt Gretna for target practice.
[Top
of Page]
Mt. Gretna is in the
middle of the woods and 40 mi. from nowhere.
Oct 17
Fired at 100 yds made 30 out of 50 in the morn. 32 out of 50 at 3:00 in
afternoon and was sent back to 100 yards.
Oct 18
made 43 at 100 and was relieved from firing for the afternoon; Went hunting
chestnuts in the evening a bunch of us took a ride down the mountain in a
gondola on the narrow gauge RR which runs from a saw mill up the mt. The
colonel got wise and made us push the damn thing up again.
Oct 19
Took a crack at the 500 yd range. Made 21 out of the 1st possible 25
and only eight out of the last, 29 out of a possible 50 at 500 yds.
Oct 20
Returned to Camp Mead. More drills
Oct 29
Adjt Gen Corbin &
Secy of War Root inspected the 41st &
47th Regs. Capt Hueston resigned
Nov 2
Left Camp Mead for NY to the tune of The Girl I Left Behind Me. Girl discovered
on train.
Nov 3
Arriaved at Jersey City at 6 AM over the Phila & Reading & Central RR of N. J.
Took ferry from Jersey City to Brooklyn Camden
[Top
of Page]
at the foot of Pacific St.
where the U.S. Transport Thomas lay on which we embarked. Pullled out into the
stream in afternoon anchoring off
Bedloes Id. Some of the boys jumped ship and
went over to N.Y.
Nov 4
Pulled de hank and left at 4 PM for Gibralter. USAT Thomas formerly Minniwaska
2nd __456. B56 D26 H.P. 3800. Crew 150, nurses female 27, Army
officers 157, Infantry 1296, Hosp Corps 65. Paid for Oct.
Helen Gould
visited the ship. Have a fine library presented by her.
*Nov 5
slum and java. Plenty of seasickness. OK myself.
Nov 10
Bet Kuhns $3.00 we would not sight land before 12 PM on the 14th.
Crumbs discovered.
Nov 11
Spoke small Port brig. They wanted to know ____ position.
Nov 15
Lookout called Land Ho at 11:25 PM.
Cape St. Vincent light in sight. I loose
$3.00. Passed
Trafalger Bay scene of Nelsons death in fight between British
fleet against the French & Spanish fleets combined.
Nov 16 Bet Bauer $1.00 that Gib is on the north side of the
straits. Passed town & castle Cape Tarifa at 8 AM. Running close to Spanish
coast which is
[Top
of Page]
very hilly but cultivated,
Don’t know what they
raise, looks like grapes
from here. Arriaved at
Gib at 4P.M. The bay is
large and surrounded
by low hills. The
rock of Gib is on the right
on entering and is
connected to the Spanish
mainland by a low sandy
neck of land. The
town of Gib is built on the
side of the rock
facing the bay and nearest
the Spanish
mainland. The Sp. Town of
Algiceras is on
the other side of the bay.
Visited by Am. Consu__
Boats lowered. 4:30P.M.
four boats, loaded with
our boys, towed by the
launch, left for Gib on a f__
hour pass. Landed at the
Gov. torpedo wharf a__
were met by the soldiers of
the garrison
who volunteered to show us
the town. (They did)
I went off in tow of
Dennison, a private of the Derbyshire
Reg which is about to leave
for South Africa.
We went up the road and
stopped into a grog
Shop where we hit em up a
few and Franklin, our
Cook, started to show the
bartender, who was building
a brick partition across
the dump, how to lay brick, consequently we hit em up a few more. Went throught
the Govenor’s park Alemeda on our way to the
[Top
of Page]
town, where some
rabbit________us a donkey fort. I wonder what he thought
we wanted with it. It was
about the size of a pint of skim milk. Went up and visited the barracks where
the officers showed great consideration, allowing us to visit 2 of the galleries
and the Cumberland Battery. The town is walled and very picturesque. It is
decidedly Sp. in appearance with its narrow streets and barred windows. It is
build on the side of the Rock and some of the streets are simply huge flights of
stairs. There is only one street in the town wide enough for carriages and some
of them are not more than 6 ft wide. The Rock itself is one network of
gallaries in most of them no visitors are allowed. The strait is divided into
squares each one commanded by a battery. The batteries are all connected with a
signal station on the top of the rock and when an enemy enters the strait the
lookout signals the battery on whose square he happens to be and then goodbye
enemy. The rock is armed with 1899 guns (one for each year). Every year one
old gun is taken out and replaced by two modern guns, so Dennison tells
me. Six ships of the Med. Fleet are in ______
[Top
of Page]
the command of Admiral
Sir Harry Rawson the man who bombarded Zanzibar. We hired a boat and tried
to land at Algiceras but the Sp. Customs would not let us as we had no passports
so we went back to Gib. Where we got mixed up with a bunch of England Am
soldiers in one of the “pubs” and before we knew it we were over our leave so we
dicided to make a night of it. Went oout visiting some of the people and
got mixed up with a little Sp girl who could not speak Eng. Became separated
from the gang and went wandering the Street (?) like a “blind dog in a meat
house” when some kind hearted senorita took me in for safe keeping and fed me up
on soda until I felt better; I did not have the price of the soda so she called
a kid and paid for it herself. I staid there until Corp Sweet wandered
by looking for me so I went with him to a little reception which was taking
place at the corner saloon. We kept the pot busy until about 11:30 P.M. when we
hit the grit for the beach but found we had missed the last boat. While holding
a confab on the dock with a B sailor some fellow in cits clothing came along and
started to ask us questions about our service. He spent half an hour talking to
us and when he left told us to come over to the flay ship if we could not get
aboard the Thomas and he would fix us out ___ the night but as he had his
jaglets on…….
[Top
of Page]
We thought he was only
talking through his hat and after he left the sailor told us we had been holding
a pal_aver with the Admiral. We finally got off in a launch sent ashore for the
officers. In getting aboard Franklin, co cook, fell overboard and had to
be rescued with a boathook. Put under arrest in quarters.
Nov 17
Coaled ship. Fined $1.00 and had my leave stopped for overstaying my leave.
Ship visited by Admiral _______ and staff. Ship surrounded by bumboats from
which one can buy anything from a needle to a suit of cloths. Bought some fine
fruit especially pomgranites which are fine but a little too seedy. Some wise
mug worked a Confederate bill off on a bumboat man and that put a damper on the
bumboat business. There was hell to pay and the colonel stopped all trade
between us. In returning from Gib. Last night I found I had __ silk
hankerchiefs, $6.20, in all kinds of coin. A Morocca penny and an English penny
with Dennisons name scratched on it. I find I have about a doller more that
when I went ashore but where I got it I don’t know. Left Gib at 5 pm with out
band playing God Save the Queen; the English bands “The Star Spangled Banner”.
Ran down the African coast at a distance of about 2 miles, Tangiers in the
distance. Coast Mountainous.
Nov 19
Coast still hilly. Passed Cape Bon and lost sight of Africa. Passed Id of
Capri.
[Top
of Page]
Nov 20
Sighted Isle of Malta, Took pilot and ran into harbor of Valetta. The city is
fine old walled town uild on a narrow inlet which cuts the city into three
parts. Ran up the harbor and anchored close alongside the ex Sp transport “Isle
de Luzon”. The harbor entrance is hardly more than 200 ft wide and not more
than 600 ft wide and in the widest part. A large number of B war men are
anchored in the other inlet which seems to be reserved for them. The trade
seems to be almost entirely Italian from the number of Dago vessels in port.
Out friends the ____ Derbys passed us, as we came in on their way to S.A. We
have a guard of 2 policeman and a Lt_____ a boat alongside to keep off the
bumboats. Khaki uniforms issued. Going ashore tomorrow to be reviewed by the
Gov of Malta.
Nov 21
Boats from the B war ships took us ashore after dinner. The launch that towed
our boat was in command of a little midshipman not more than 16 or 17 years
old. We formed up on the quay and marched to the parade ground inside the
walls, where we were reviewed by the Gov. We then __ed back to the boats but I
made a quiet get away and started out to see the burg
[Top
of Page]
The character of the
architecture about the same
As Gib. The population is mostly Italian, as
the Maltese
are nothing but Dagos any way. Visited the
Cathedral
Of St. Paul built in 1697 where I saw the chair
formerly used by the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John of Malta
Jerusalem and old flags and armour used by the
knights of the order. Visited several other old churches, camps and barracks.
The city is built on high ground and has a pop. Of 50,000 It is surrounded by
walls in some places 60 or 70 ft high. Paid a visit to an ordnance camp. The
place was not open to visitors but we were allowed to go through certain parts
accompanied by an officer. British officers are fine fellow. Went out with
some Thomas Atkins, fine fellow. Took a cab and _____ things. Had a
regular Dago supper and then went out ___ our little paint pots. Burned an arm
badge from a Royal _______convience of soldiers with Sargent Tomlison of
the war ship. Returned aboard about 1 a.m. per the boat boom route, easy. Most
of our officers are ashore attending a ball given by The Gov. in their honor.
Nov 22
Coaled ship from lighters. Six torpedo boats
are lying out at sea about half a mile from and to the right of the harbor
firing dummy torpedoes at the harbor entrance.
The accuracy with which they send them in is
wonderful. Enlisted 8 Maltese for the band. Went ashore over the coal lighters
about 8 p.m. and met Tomlinson on the quay, had a couple of hists and
then went up the street and visited a young lady named Fanny Webb, from
Buffalo N.Y., who is in the Government employ. Spent about 3 hours with her
And then went back to the ship. Went over the
bow,
Through the fore castle and then to my little
bunk
[Top
of Page]
Nov 23
About fifteen of our fellow were arrested in
town last night by the city police but broke out by breaking the door down with
a bench and over powering the police. They were all captured by our provost
guard and slammed
in double irons as a punishment for their
behavior and no one will be allowed to go ashore today. finished coaling.
Received a couple Malta newspapers. Left at 4 p.m. Sea rough.
Nov 25 *Arrived
at Port Said at 5 p.m. The 1st th__
seen on entering the harbor is the De Lessups
Monument on the jetty. Passed a Turkish
transport __the harbor and anchored near an English ____ and just across the
stream from a French cruiser __ up to the dock. The J-nny Crapeagis were ashore
drifting. They waddles around like a lot of ducks. The B soldiers sat on the
dock kidding them. Managed to get ashore with Sarg. Gorman who was sent
ashore on business. The town is picturesque but dirty as the devil, at least
the part I saw of it is. All the native women go about the street veiled.
About two thirds of the pop.seem to be either prostitutes or beggars. The
Tommies tell us it is a warm place and it has the reputation of being the most
unmoral city in the world and from what I saw I don’t doubt it. Bought a box of
100 Egyptian cigarettes for $.25. The box was made in New York, God only knows
where the smokes were made. The canal building is the best I saw.
Nov 27
Only staid 18 hrs at Port Said. Started through the canal at 11 am. Desert on
both sides. Some low hills and
Clump of Palm Trees on our right. About 1pm.
Passed a camp of
[Top
of Page]
Bedouins who were building med houses on the
anal bank. They had about 10 or 12 camels and about two dozen kids, several of
which followed us to pick up such articles as we threw over board.
One little fellow followed us at least 3 mi. and
only
Gave up when someone finally threw him an
old blue
Shirt. The Suez Canal was build by Ferdinancd
de Lessups in 1859-1869, it is 87 mi long, from Port Said at its Northern to
Suez at its southern terminus, and is from 150 to 350 feet wide. It takes about
18 hours to make the trip as no vessel is allowed to make more than 5 mi.an hr.
Cost $10000,000,000.
Nov 28
Arrived at Suez at 5 P.M. Bum looking
Little place. No one allowed ashore. Dropped
canal pilot.
Left at 6:30 PM.
Thanksgiving Day (November
30)Red Sea.
Before leaving N.Y. Miss Helen Gould gave us a big feed which we have
kept in cold storage for today.
Bill of Fare
Roast turkey & Cranberry sauce Spuds a la
civilization
Preserves Pickles
Bread and real butter
Oranges Candy
Coffee
This was quite a change from slum and salt horse
and I don’t know how it will affect our stomachs. In the evening the hurricane
deck was illuminated with colored electric lights and trimmed with flags and the
officers and nurses danced while we listened to the band and had a little stag
dance of our own.
Dec 1
Sighted the Somale coast and passed Socoks Id.
[Top
of Page]
Dec 9
Met many fishing proas. They sail like the
devi., many of them passed us and as we are making between 14 & 16 knots they
are going some. Sighted Id of Celon and dropped anchor in Colombo Harbor at 10
A.M. The U.S.S Nashville together with British, German, & Swedis warships are
anchored in the harbor. 2 P.M. all hands were allowed to go swimming. Had a
fine time until the bunch upset a bum boat and sole all the fruit and then we
all had to go aboard. Not much of the town can be seen from here for the trees
but we know there are doings ashore for there are all kinds of B soldiers
sitting on the breakwater and where there soldiers, there things happen. There
are a couple of boys, about 7 or 8 years old, along side on a log diving for
pennies. They swim like fish. About 8 pm “Seales” Fairbanks, Jerry Maher,
Macelure & myself went down a rope over the bow and swam to the end of the
breakwater where we were assisted to terra firma by the Tommies. Went up town
and investigated things. The Ceylon girls are not so bad. The town is the
usual far Eastern place, half bamboo and the rest “adobe”. Visited the booze
stores and had a hell of a time. Saw a squad of the Gov’s body guard, the most
gorgeous creatures I ever saw, They wore breastplates over red tunics, white
breeches and helmets. Was captured by our provost and taken aboard under
arrest.
Dec 11
Left Colombo at 6:30 a.m. Got off with a
lecture for jumping ashore. Ran down the coast of Ceylon this morning.
Dec 15
Sighted Sumatra. Ships company had target
practice with the 6 pdrs, of which the
[Top
of Page]
Thomas carries four. Used a small rock for a
target and pounded hell out of it. We made one of the boys believe they were
shooting crocadiles. Ran down the coast of Sumatra all day sighting many small
villages and towns. In the evening, when we were in the narrower part of the
Straits of Malacca, between the Id of Rupat and the Malay Pen., passed a small
American steam yacht running into the harbor of Malacca. Karti, Paluella,
Langat, Deli & BatnBarra.
Dec 16
Arrived at Singapore and tied up to the dock. The city. The city is a
couple of mi. inland. Had guard __ount on the dock. Chances look slim for
getting ___ther the dock this time. Fruit cheap and plentiful.
U.S.S. New Orleans left this morning for
Manila. Coaling ship. In the evening Seales and I went ashore, as
members of the crew, in sailor uniforms borrowing 2 from a coupl of firemen on
the Thomas. Took rickshaws and went up to the city. All piled off at a pub and
got mixed up with a lot of German sailors, off a German warship in the harbor,
and someone started a fight they were too many and had knives so we backed up to
an old brick wall and started heaving bricks. A couple of B soldiers who were
in the dump ducked out and in a few minutes returned with a bunch. We cleaned
up the Sauer Krauts in a jiffy and then started to celebrate. Visited a Chinese
theatre but soon left. The acting was no doubt fine but our dull western
intellects could not appreciate the beauties of the Chinese drama so we blew out
and went to visit a Buddist temple where our ear drums would not be broken by
the Chinese fiddle.
[Top
of Page]
After viewing the temple we felt a desire to
have something to sooth our nerves so we all adjourned to a near by pub kept by
an Eng. Woman and licked em up until all hands got glorieyed. We went back to
the ship in style and got aboard OK.
Dec 17
Finished coaling. Stayed aboard all day and watched the boats in the harbor,
and the bumboat men, They had some of the finest conch shells I ever saw.
*Dec 18
Left for Manila at 6:30 A.M. Went out of our way about 60 mi south in order to
take the bunch over the equator and allow Neptune to visit the ship.
As_______initate the whole bunch, two men were _____________from each company
for the ceremony, Sarg. Kuh___and _______ C Co. About noon the w2__ed
the line and Neptune and his court came over the bows trimmed out all kinds of
regalia. A platform, on which stood a barbers(?) chair, was placed above a tank
of water on the deck. The victim was placed in the chair, lathered with a
composition of soap and tar applied with a paint brush, They were then shaved
with a wooden razor about two feet long and when finished dumped backward into
the tank from which he emerged a full fledged “across the liner”
Dec 19
Passed between Gr. Natuna & S. Natuna Ids about 9 A.M.
Dec 22
Sighted coast of Luzon. Passed Corregidor Id About 1 pm; entering Manila Bay by
the Boca Grande. Ran up the bay at reduced speed and anchored off the city at 5
PM. ammuntion and first aid packages issued. Get ready to go
** Philippines = discovered by Magellan in 1521
& named by Villabos after Philip II of Spain
[Top
of Page]
Dec 23rd
About half a mile off from the city.
Capt Gordon
appointed to C. Can see the walls of Old Manila, troops marching and people
walking and driving along the Luneta, the seaside promenade of Manila. It looks
like a great place. Cascoes came alongside. They are strange looking square
bowed craft and are made of heavy planks, heward by hand and sewn together with
rattan. They are covered with movable plated bamboo tops and are
unwieldly looking tubs. These are what we are
going ashore in. Tumbled aboard the cascoes at 5:30 P.M. and about 6PM left the
ship’s side in tow of a tug. Entered the Pasig River and passedFort Santiago at
dusk. It gets dark quick in this country. Passed a theatre. Could see the
people sitting around the tables hitting the high ones and we can’t get to it.
Wonder where we’re going to land. Passed lots of small steamers and sailing
vessels. Left the city. About 8 PM ran ashore and were bumped by the following
cascoes. We thought we were sinking and the Col ordered us to take off our
belts in case we had to swim. Current swift. Got off all OK and proceeded on
our way. At 12, midnight, tied up along side an old stone building and went
ashore. We found we were at San Pedro Macati, a village six mi from Manila,
occupied by the 30th Inf. Pitched pup tents along the road. I was
detailed to help unload the carcoes and when I went pitch my tent, I found I had
no one to pitch with and as the new Capt., Gordon, was without a partner
we pitched together.
Dec 24
took a look at San Pedro, it is a small place of about 300 population. The men
wear white
[Top
of Page]
duck or drill trousers, an undershirt and a thin
transparent shirt worn outside the trowsers. The women wear, over a skirt, a
piece of cloth wrapped around lower part of the body, a white low necked and
sleeveless chemise and over it a short transparent, low necked waist with
sleeves. The Filipinos are a medium sized brown skinned race. Their color
ranges from a dark mahogany to a dark olive and they have regular features as a
rule and are fairly good looking. Broke camp and marched to the trenches about
half a mi. west of the town where we pitched camp in an old abandoned cemetery
and relieved the 30th who went up the river. Was sent for water
which we got from an old ruined monastery about a stones throw from the camp.
It is an interesting old place. We have been cautioned not to wander away from
camp as many insurrectors were about the country. About 11 P.M. Tom Drew
thought he saw niggers and let fly at them. We all turned out but on
investigation found he had been seeing things. Were called out again about one
and again found it was a fake. We are supposed to guard the line from the
cemetery on the west of town in a semicircle to the Pasig River on the SW.
Dec 25
Christmas dinner beans, hard tack & coffee. Went on guard, cleaned up the
camp. Built a mess hall out of bamboo & bananna leaves. Calbers turned out the
company on a fake.
Dec 26
Young, Forche, Searles, and I went out on an exploring expedition.
Walked about 2 mi. and finally came to the ruined convent of Guadaloupe. It was
once held by the Spaniards and was captured
[Top
of Page]
by the insurgents who put it completely on the
bum. We poked around the ruins looking for valuables but found nothing but a
few glass beads. The coffins in the crypt, behind the alter had been all pulled
out and broken open in the search for valuables by the 1st Cal. and
the rotting bodies of 54 monks lay in the middle of the floor. The smell almost
knocked us down and we didn’t stay long in the crypt. The Monastery had been a
fine building, built of stone and was quadrangular in shape with a large court
in the middle. The cloisters surrounded three sides and the church the other
side of the court.
Dec 27
Forche, my tentmate swiped a skull from a grave, cut off the top and used
it for a lantern but the capt saw it and queered our lantern. On guard.
Dec 28
Bum chuck. We had no bread but Major Wise captured a cascor loaded with punk on
its way up the river for the 30th and distributed it to our
battalion. Killed a small snake. first I’ve seen.
Dec 29
Cleaned camp. Went on guard at the tower a small square tower built of loose
paving bricks at the end of our trench, on the bank of a deep ravine.
Dec 30
Received a gatling gun from Manila, It’s a queer looking thing with twelve
barrels which revolve by turning a crank. The cartridges are put into a hopper
and each turn of the crank means twelve shots but if the crank is turned too
fast she jams and then there is hell to pay. We know. Tried it this morning
and jammed her three times. Explored the old ruined monestary of San Pedro
Macati. It is an interesting old place but the only part habitable is the
church.
Dec 31
Went on guard at a post about a hund-
[Top
of Page]
red yards in advance of our trenches. Maj.
Wise passed our post and not to halt him by the size of his horse, (native
horses are all small) and he might be in a hurry. He then bummed a chew from
Corp. Ryder and went out into the country skirshing on his own hook.
1900
Jan 1 1900
Reg routine. Went swimming and washed cloths in
the Pasig.
Jan 2
Went on guard. Niggers fired from across the river and wounded a sergeant and
private of D. Co satationed at the examining post. We had come to the
conclusion that the niggers were a myth but this looks as if there was something
in it.
Jan 3.4.5.
Same old routine Sort of getting hunky with the little senorita who sells cakes
etc at camp.
Jan 6
Paid for Nov & Dec. Went on guard. Soaked $25 with the pay master. Almost got
shot.
Jan 7
Went down to Manila. Saw Lawton taken to the transport from Paco
cemetery. Entered city from Malate where the Am assault took place at the
capture of Manila from Sp. Went through the walled city entering the city from
the Luneta through the gate. The Walled City or Intramurous is rather small and
is chiefly taken up by churches, monasteries, convents & Gov. buildings. It is
surrounded by the walls about 30 ft high and has gates. The city is surrounded
by a moat, now dry which are crossed by draw bridges. Left the city by the Gate
of Isabella II and crossed the Pasig by the Puenta de Espana or Bridge of
Spain (Manila is 650 mi from Hong Kong, pop 360,000 chinos, 25,000, Sp 5000
Founded in 1581)
[Top
of Page]
to the new city.
Wandered down the Escolta, the Principal street
of Manila which is very busy thoroughfare and crowded with native cabs called
caramatas & quilizes. The caramata is a small two wheeled vehicle looking
something like a jinrickashaw with a box in front for the driver and seating two
people while the quilize is also a two wheeled concern is also a two wheeled
concern with a box on it in which four people sit and forward of which sits the
driver. There many saloons in the city run by Ams. and selling Schlitz beer at
.10 in many of which we stopped. There is a brewery in Manila, “The Sam Miguel”
operated by English people. They have a big beer store on the corner of the
Calle San Jacinto and the Escolta. Stopped at the Hotel Espana for dinner 7
courses for $1.00 Mex $.50 Am. They certainly throw out a swell feed for the
money. One of the principal stores “The American Bazaar” is owned by an Am. Who
started in business by selling stationary to the soldiers. The Colegio de Santa
Isabella is not much to look at. The palace is a rather imposing building for
this neck of the woods while the cathedral is rather poor outside but contains
some of the finest wood carving I ever saw, It was all executed by natives.
Went back to San Pedro in caranattas about 6 P.M
Jan 8
Guard. Had another insurrecto scare.
Jan 9
Went down to Manila again, without a pass this time. Hit a few high ones and
then took a cab and went out to San Poloc where the ladies of the demi monde
hold sway. Got mixed up in the Osaki House, a Jap joint and forgot to leave.
Had a tight squeeze to make camp in time for roll call. Had another nigger
scare. Its getting stale; The boys had to be pulled
[Top
of Page]
by the feet and then some of them snitzed and
crawled into their blankets again.
Jan 11
Moved camp to Guadaloupe Ridge about two mi. SW of San Pedro. The Laguana de
Bay and the Pasig can be seen from the ridge. Are now using Sibley tents.
Crums discovered and all hands had a gen clean up. Went on guard.
Jan 12
Usual Routine
Jan 13
Several of us went over to Pasig City at the juncture of Pasig with Laguna de
Bay now occupied by the 39th bamboo town nothing doing. Heard heavy
gun fire from the mountains to eastward.
Jan 14
A battery of the 6th Art. Went by with four mt. guns and a captured
Nordenfeldt. They say they had a hot scrap yesterday. Pulled states and hiked
back to San Pedro. Camped in the town. Wonder what is going on. Am beginning
to talk Sp fine. Can almost say something already.
Jan 16
Embarked on cascoes and went down the River and embarked on the Transport
Hancock.
Jan 18
Transports Hancock, Benus, Brutus, St. Castelleamp and the Gunboats Helena,
Nashville and Manila with the horse transport Corunna sailed for the south.
Expedition under Gen Kelly.
Jan 19
Passed Lulun Id at noon and Mindoro in the evening. Sailing at half speed. 2nd
Lt. Lanham attached to Staff. Lt. Dent to C Co.
Jan 20
Passed Marinduquet Id, Mindoro still in sight.
Jan 21
Passed between Ids. Of Burinas & Ticao. Anchored in Sorsogn Bay about 12 mi.
from city. Hancock too deep to venture up. Manila captured small reb. Steamer
and schooner. Landed companies
[Top
of Page]
A.B.&D.
Jan 22
Transferred C Co to the small steamer Castelleano. The Helena took B Co up the
coast. The U.S.S. Nashville
C.C. on the Castelleano. The 2nd
Batt. On the Venus and the Br. Gunboat Plover sailed for Legaspi. Passed the
Straits of San Bernardino during the night, Blowing like hell, All hands
including the Sp captain of the tub sick.
Jan 23
Ran into Albay Bay and came to anchor about 11 A.M. about a mile from the town
of Legaspi. The trencher can be plainly seen from here and the rebels have a
flag flying from a fort on a hill to the left of the town. The Eng w ship
Plover went in to the town with a flag of truce to take off Br subjects the
boat was met at the beach by several mounted insurgents. The boat put back with
out anyone so I don’t suppose there were an Eng in the town. Pullled in to
within a half mi of the town where the niggers can plainly be seen. Get into
the boats at 12 M and wait for the ball to open. When the Nashville flies the
blue peter we are to dig in. Our company has 80 men in the Nashville boats, G
and H each 20 men in their own boats. Had dinner, punk and willie, in the
boats. At 1 P.M. the signal went up from the Nashville and she commenced
firing. We cast off and raced for the beach amid a storm of bullets. We were
well up with the leaders when a sailor in our boat was hit in the thigh it put
him out of business and we dropped behind and didn’t land till 3rd
being followed by G & H’s boats which were pulled by their own men and
consequently not so fast. Formed skirmish line on the beach lying down and
fired three volleys. While lying on the beach a bullet struck the sand between
myself and the next man, so close either of us
[Top
of Page]
could have touched it, covering both of us with
sand. After firing three volleys and we charged up the trenches over ground
covered with thick chapparel and through a waist deep rice canal. The trenches
were about 5 ft high and at least 12 feet thick, and were built of sand faced
and backed by bamboo. We went over them in a jiffy and found several dead and
wounded niggers. We pushed on to the town about an eight of a mi. away firing
as we ran whenever we saw something to shoot at. We drove some of the nig. Into
the river which flows through the town and picked them off as they swam. When
we reached the centre of town we were suddenly stopped by a trench running
parallel to the beach, extending between the godowns and facing inwards backed
on the seaward side by a high stone wall concealing it from the Nashville.
Lt. Perrington took 14 men of whom I was one, and forced and entrance & into
the house on the left of the trench, forced a window and dropped down into a
carriage house; Through a crack between the doors of the house we could see 9
niggers under a porch running at right angles to the trench and took turns
firing at them. The nearest was not more than 14 ft away and the fartherest not
more that thirty. I got my man through both lungs and left arm. After killing
them all off we forced the doors and ran out into the porch where we found
ourselves in the rear of the trench and finished off 5 more. One nigger, a Lt
took a chance and ran across and open space and although the entire co. fired at
him he escaped. Another one lay down in the trench, pretending to be dead, and
so escaped death. The total casualities at this trench were, one Am. Off.
wounded in hand & 1 Sarg wounded in arm,
[Top
of Page]
29 Filipinos killed and one captured. After
finishing
the dead we pushed on and drove the Is into the
thickets and killed and captured as many as we
could
find. A bunch of us got in to Fil. hdquarters
and
looted it. I got two rings and a neck chain.
Took
the bolo and dagger from my man and a bow &
arrows from another but had to ditch the, bow
and arrows, them as
we started for Albay less than a mile distant.
when approaching the town an insurgent
Battery
on a hill let go at us but they fired
high and it’s a good thing they did for from the
way their shot tore up the roofs the guns must
have been loaded with barbwire & beer bottles.
It was said there were 6,000 niggers at Albay
but
They didn’t wait for us to get among them but
took to the woods as soon as we charged. In the
large on Albay Co’s F G & H and 80 men of Co C
took
part. Co E staying in Legaspi to clean up the
remain-
ing rebs and guard the town. I took a small
Fil. flag
from the corner of a trench. H Co. and part of
C went
up the hill and took the fort and four old brass
cannon without resistance. Pv Bauer of
our co acting
as point went into the fort first and lowered
the flag, which he kept, and when the rest came
up
found him drinking champagne which the nigs
had left in their haste. Found some Reb.
*correspondence
which I am unable to read but will keep as it
may be valuable. On our way back to Legaspi
was fired on by a nig in a house to which we
replied
but when we forced an entrance only found a
dead woman so the “hombre” must have escaped
as it is hardly probable that she fired the
shot.
On getting back to Legaspi some of us
were placed on guard. I and several others were
[Top
of Page]
detailed to pick up the dead. Picked up over a
hundred dead and about 50 wounded and there
must be others. Some of the dead are simply
torn to pieces. Some of the Krag bullets made
small holes on entering and a hole as big as
a mans head where they came out. Picked
up one stiff with 14 holes in him. Some of them
are certainly punctured. Jerry Maher
gave
one of the wounded a cigarette buts. He took
a couple of drags and croaked. Forche
shot a
nigger, who was cooking a chicken for some of
our fellows, in a place which will keep him from
sitting down for some time. Pv Turley
found a bag
of gold which was taken from him by
Major Berrs. He was drunker than an owl. The
niggers are outside of the town firing at our
outposts.
Many buildings in the town are burning. Went
abroad the Castelleano about 9 P.M. All
of us have loot of some kind bolos, spears, bows
and arrows, jewelry, revolvers, field glasses,
etc.
I have a bolo, spear, 2 arrows, dagger, pair of
*womans wooden soled shoes with carved leather
tops,
two rings, gold chain, flag, two bottles of
cognac,
and a pair of pants. Our Top Sargent Kuhns
was
wounded in the foot by a spear.
Jan 24
The losses of yesterday are Americans G Co 1
man
wounded in ar C Co. 1st Sarg. wounded
in foot. Sailor
wounded in thigh. Naval Officer wounded in
hand.
Filipinos Dead Wounded
captured
The assaulting Am force consisted of 80 men of
C Co. 20 men of G Co. and 20 men of H Co. who
were to flank the town on the right while the
rest of the troops on the Venus were to make a
[Top
of Page]
(Gen Olbey)
direct assault by landing at a long pier
extending
into the bay but on trying to land they found
all of the
timbers had been partly sawn through and as we
had
all of the boats they were unable to land until
after the
town had fallen. The Fil. forces in the town
were
estimated at 2000 by the English rep of the hemp
firm
of Warner Bell & Co. in the town. Left for
Virac Id of
*Catanduanes about 60 mi from Legaspi at 7 A.M.
Arriaved at Virac about 12 oclock. Anchored
about
2 mi off of the town and at one P.M. ran in to
the town
In the Nashvilles small boats in tow of the
launch.
Were met about half a mile from the town by the
Local padre with a flag of truce. Went in and
form-
ed line of skirmishes on the beach. *The
insurgent
commaner came down to the beach with a corporal
and surrendered the town to Gen. Kobbe.
Formed in
column of fours and marched to the square in
front
of the government house and pitched puptents.
Cleaned
out the barracks and moved in about 5 P.M.
Niggers turned
over $4,000 Mex & 5 cannon, with all the reb
correspondence.
The people are Vicols while most of Luzon is
populated
by Tagalos. The people seem to be friendly and
are glad to have us as the rebs soaked them for
every
cent they could squeeze out of them. The town
is a poor
sort of a dump of about 2000 inhabitants.
Jan 25
Captured a couple of niggers with German
rifles. Fired at another but he got away.
Feb 1st
Hiked out to Eli, a small town in the mountains
about 2 ½ mi N of Virac but the niggers got
away.
Feb 3
Raided a house, immediately back of the barracks
which was said to be the insurgent h’dq’trs but
got nothing
but some papers.
Feb 6
Hiked to a small river about 3 mi West of town and
Captured a proa loaded with rice for the
insurgents. She carried an insurgent pass. Destroyed her.
[Top
of Page]
Feb 20
the Padre reported to Capt Bishop an
intended
insurgent attack but either our preparations
scared
them off or the whole thing was a fake. Get
guard duty
about once a week.
Mar 18
Small shack burned down. We turned out in
Answer to the fire call but were unable to do
anything.
Mar 23
Venus arriaved for hemp and brought in the
mail and pasy master. Paid for Jan & Feb.
Soaked $20
with the Pay. This is the first boat since we
landed.
April 7
Pv James K. Helder died of typhoid of York Pa.
20 Mail boat arriaved. Getting
hip to the girls. Planted Helder
Easter24
Made a mounted hike to San Domingo
25
Some of the boys had a big tuba feast
in an old godown on the beach. Guss a
typhoid
convalescent stole away from the hosp and
attended.
Apr 26
Franklyn,
cook, was found out side of an
old stone hemp house, where some of the boys had
a tul_
feast last night, with his face beat to a jelly.
Apr 27
Corp Ellis L Gus of Medina Mich died today
from a relapse of typhoid.
Apr 28 Planted Guss. I was one of the
firing squad.
May 5 Padre Antonio, the local priest, was
arrested
today by 1st Lt. Bishop for
beating and stabbing
a boy in the face with a fork but was let go by
the captain for fear the people would become
unfriendly.
May 10 Lt. Dent and 16 men, of which I
was one, went
to Baras, a small town on the east coast and
captured 4 men, several caraboa and horses. The
roads
are mere paths winding up the mts. and in some
places
are simply the dry beds of streams. In one
place we
had to hike for a mi or so through the sea and
at another
over a bridge(?) about ½ mi long, through a
mulberry swamp
[Top
of Page]
made of single logs laid on crossed sticks like
a
saw buck. The town itself is a small bamboo
village
of 3 or 4 hundred inhabitants. Made the
tribunal
or town hall our hdqtrs. The town gave us a
good feed.
May 24
S.S. Brutus arriaved with mail & rations.
Unloaded grub.
May 28
Transport arriaved with more rations.
May 30
Observed Decoration Day by a suspend-
tion of drill and the sounding of taps and three
volleys over the graves of Helder and
Guss. * Played
Ball in the afternoon.
June 14
Capt and 15 men made a hike to Condon on the W coast
But found no niggers.
June 21
S.S. Brutus of the Campania Maritime arriaved
with mail and money. Everybody busy reading
letters.
June 22
Paid for March and April and left $30 with
the paymaster. Have been very lucky with “Los
gallos”.
June 24 Searles & I, hearing that
“Manuel”, a Chino
merchant, was going to be pinched for running
gambling
house, gave him warning so that when Lt. Dent
and
his little squad arriaved all he found was a few
Chinos
sitting around talking. As a consequence we,
Searles
& I, are little tin gods among the Chinos and in
proof ther of were invited to hit the pipe, and
in
accordance with my policy of trying everything
I came across, I accepted the invitation and
almost
[Top
of Page]
Choked to death. Don’t think I ever will be an
opium
Fiend. The pipe (quaco) lookes like a top stuck
On a section of fish pole. The opium is stuck
on
the top of the “bowl?” in the shape of a cone
after being
cooked. To cook the opium a long wire like a
knitting needle (yen hock) is dipped in the
liquid “dope”
and then held over the flame of the camp until
it
bubbles when it is rolled down on the thumb.
This
operation is repeated until a “pill” the size of
a bean
is cooked and is then stuck on the bowl. It is
pressed
into a cone with the thumb and finger; The wire
pulled out and it is then ready to smoke. The
smoker lays on his side holding the pipe just
far enough from the blaze to keep it from
blazing
and inhales the smoke of the smoldering,
bubbling,
pill, exhaling it through the nose in a steady
stream.
June 30
Another boat just arriaved with about 9
sacks of mail and money for May & June. This
is about the quickest pay we have ever had.
Twenty
more with the paymaster.
July 2
A few of us had a little feed and
Celebration in honor of Jerrys birthday
at Beling’s house, (Beling is one of Jerry Maher’s lady friends) to which
we invited several of the belles of Virac. We had Chicken,
curried rice, comotes, crabs, fried bannanes,
rice cakes,
Chino bread, fish, Chino “mince pies”, candy,
cheese, coffee anisado, Malaga, & Scotch. A swell feed for this
part of the world to which Jerry Maher &
Beling,
Jones
and Teresa, McElwee and Concha---- OConnor
and Petronia, and Myself with Margerita Titi sat
down and we certainly enjoyed ourselves as only
a
soldier can with a good feed in front of him, a
pretty girl (even if she is rather dark) beside
him and a bunch
of smokes and couple of bottles on the side.
[Top
of Page]
July 18
CM boat arriaved with mail & loaded hemp
for Manila. I was detailed to check cargo. It
is
a good job with good feed attached.
July 26
Jerry Maher
and I were sent to join the
garrison at Pabuyago which consists of 10 men, 1
corp,
1 sarg, & a lt. It is a swell post; The men
live in
the lower part of “Molina” or a hemp merchants,
house
and only stand guard at night.
July 27
Maher and I got a pass to go to Bato. Went up
the river by boat and were entertained at the
Tribunal.
we dined with the representative of Gil Bros,
and
when we started back for Cabugao we were in a
slightly dilapidated condition, at least
Lieut Dent
thought so for he made us pack our duds and hike
back to Virac with an escort. Its no joke
carrying a
loaded blanket bag and a load of peaches at the
same
time. I thought I would die before we finished
the
5 mi from Cabugao to Virac where we were slammed
into the pie house.
Virac July 28
To sick for the GH, went to hospital.
“ 29
In hospital and hungry. All I get is malted milk
A beef tea and the Dr. wont let me out till
tomorrow.
July 30
Noon Back to the wood pile and good old slum.
The GH beats Hosp. every old day in the week.
July 31
Relearned to play cribbage which is very
popular among the pie house population.
12:30P.M.
Canteen burned. Hardly anything saved.
Lt.
Dent
yelled to the men who were trying to save the
grub “Save the beer; To hell with the bacon.”
We lost by the fire 12,000 cans of bacon, about
60
crates of potatoes and all our flour, coffee,
sugar etc.
There is a rumor that the canteen was burned
by Dent to cover up his shortages.
Aug 4
Had a séance with the captain today. We told
[Top
of Page]
him that we had been in the GH for 8 days had
heard of no charges being filed against us we
either be
provided with copies of the charges immediately
or else
be discharged. The captain after hearing our
story finally
decided that we had just about done our stunts
and turn-
ed us loose with a reprimand.
Aug 1 An insurrecto colonel from Pandan
serendered and
Took the oath of allegiance today.
Tenido, en augusto 10,
una singara desde senora Margaeita Titi
Serena y no tenia pagar mas par alas limpiar los
Vestidos porque ella me ama y la dice que yo soy
el
Mismo como su esposo.
Aug 12
While on my way to the beach about 8 PM I met
Maher
and McElwie opposite the hosp. with a bottela de vino
of which I was invited to take a nip. We sat
down
to in some long weeds and opened her up
While we were enjoying ourselves the guards
surprised
us so we passed the night in the halaboose. In
the
morning I was able to prove, with the assistance
of
Sarg. ________ , that I was innocent of evil
intent and
the Capt turned me loose.
Aug 13
Attended a native fiesta and had a grand
time. Ate my first monkey and found it pretty
good.
With Maher’s help I got Beling into a
dark room and tried to
palm myself off as him but it wouldn’t work.
Aug 21
While on guard at the commissary bldg on the
edge of town I sat down on my post and was
caught
by the captain. Me to the clink.
Aug 22
Was tried today by the captain who gave
me 20 days & $10.
Aug 26
We, the white prisoners, have organized the
prisoners into a military colony with all the
proper grades, All the commissioned grades being
held by whites, the highest of rank being held
by
the oldest prisoner, when he is discharged we
all move
up a grade. At present I am colonel. Officers
don’t work
[Top
of Page]
that is, when we can get out of it.
Sept 10
Discharged from the G.H. All we are getting
to eat is sweet potatoes, rice and chocolate.
Sept 25
Ship arriaved with rations for 90 days.
Oct 18
Lt. Dent and 5 men with Antonio Molina and a
native polceman left for Baras, a town on the
east coast, to buy cattle.
Oct. 21
S.S. Cuco arriaved and was sent by the Capt.
to pick up the bunch.
Oct. 22
Cuco returns with 2 proas in tow. On the 16th
Dent
was ambushed between Payo & Bug-
Amanag in a ravine by 80 bolo men who jumped
down
onto them from the high banks. Corp Jackson,
who was last, was knocked from his horse
and cut 18 times in the arms, hands, neck, head,
back and legs. The native policeman, who tried
to rescue him was cut on the wrist and head.
Pv O’Connor
was slightly wounded in the leg and
had his rifle knocked from his hand by a bolo.
The Ams. On recovering from their surprise
dashed
back and rescued Jackson and the
policeman (Juan)
our interpreter Antonio Molina being slightly
wounded in the leg. Dent fought his way
to Payo leaving 2 guns the horses and
______
[Top
of Page]
to their own account losing 8 men killed.
The Ams. reached Payo on the 17th and
barricaded
themselves in the tribunal, a stone bldg, till
the night of the 18th when the
presidente
of the town provided a proa and the Ams. em-
barked, intending to sail back to Virac, but the
native crew deserted with the rudder and
it was imposible to get out of the bay with
oars alone before daylight. In the morning
the insurrectors opened up on them from
the shore and boats. The Ins. kept up a hot
fire and at one time the boats pressed them so
close that Dent contemplated shooting
Jackson
who was in great agony from falling into the
hands of the Ins.
The Ams. finally managed to clean the bay and
shake off the enemy. They suffered greatly
from hunger and thirst only having a few
lbs of uncooked rice and no way to cook it.
on the 20th they were met by the
relief party
and started back to Virac. They were met by the
Cuco on the night of the 21st and
arriaved at
Virac on the 22nd. They were all
taken to
the hosp, had their wounds dressed and
had a good feed. Jackson is not expected
to
live.
Oct 29
Capt and 12 men made a hike up the
[Top
of Page]
Nov 2
Lt. Dent relieved by Lt. Burke,
Lt Dent
to be court martialed.
Nov 11.
Lt Burke went to Baras by sailboat in an
effort to surprise the Ins. But they got next
and
sloped.
Nov 20
Lieut Burke & 21 men left Virac by sailboat
for Pandan where the insurgents are said to be
thick
Nov 26
Word came in by runner that Burke ran up
against a hornets nest on the 24th
when trying to land at
Cobo, a town a couple of mi from Pandan, and
were driven off with heavy loss. If the news is
true they must be up against it good and hard
as it has been very story for the last couple
of days.
Nov 27
Burke and party were towed here by the
C.M. S.S. Venus from Tobaco where they had been
driven by storms while on their way back
to Virac.
They ran into the bay at Cobo on the 24th
dropped the anchor and were preparing to land
when
the Ins. Opened up on them from the three sides
of the bay. At the first volley Frank Herman
who was
laying on deck taking aim, was shot through the
hand
and heart, exclaimed, “Lt. Im shot”, laid his
gun beside
him drooped his head on his arm and croaked.
The order was at once given to fire at will and
our boys let them have it but in a few minutes
Pv
Brydges
was shot in the shoulder, the shot
passing through the lung and coming out beneath
the arm. He was at once lowered into the
[Top
of Page]
hold where Hosp. Steward Knisely did all
he
could to relieve him.
Shortly after Pv. Goold was wounded in
the
right arm as he was taking aim, the shot, below
the elbow
(a Remington) ploughed a furrow in the forarm
then went through the upper arm carrying
fragments of his blue shirt with it. At the end
of 20 min. Burke decided he had enough
and
Harry Newcomer,
at great personal risk cut the
cable. The jib and mainsail were hoisted but
the peak halliard was shot way. After a little
delay the sail was again hoisted and the Am’s
were enabled to get away. When almost out
of range Pv Howard was shot through the
muscle of the right arm by a Mauser bullet.
When a short distance down the coast a
heavy gale drove the boat back north of Cobo.
In order to keep Herman’s body from being
washed overboard it was lashed to the
deck aft and covered with a tarpaulin. After
the storm the sun came out and beating on the
body caused smells that drove the boys
as far forward as they could get. During
this time Brydges was in great agony and
most
of the time delirious. When near Pta Siolal
on the S.W. coast of Catanduanes the boat was
caught in another gale and driven to Tobaco
on the Id of Luzon. Brydges died as they
[Top
of Page]
arriarved.
Tobaco bay – 26th Herman
and Brydges were buried
at Tobaco and the boat taken in tow by the
S.S. Venus and brought to Virac where Gooled
and
Howard
were put in hosp.
Frank Herman killed
Thos G Brydges died of
wounds
John B Goold wounded in
arm
Wm F Howard wounded in
arm.
Nov 28
– Almost started some excitement
by mobbing some nigs who taunted us about
our defeat.
Dec 1
Maj. Johnson, inspecting off, arriaved with a gattling
gun on the deck of the steamer expecting to find
us besieged
____ another rumor reached Manila that we
were almost wiped out. He ordered all
hikes stopped until we are reinforced.
Dec 9
Capt and 15 men go to Bato which a force
Of about eighty Ins. Were holding. The Capt.
Took 5
Men from the Cabugao bunch. The Ams crossed
The Rio Bato at Cabugao and made a detour
Attacking the town from the S and driving
The Ins. Out with a loss of 1 killed & 1
wounded.
The niggers scattered and Capt returned to
Virac. The insurgents had 10 rifles and 5
revolvers
The rest being armed with spears and bolos.
Dec 25.
No drills. Dinner, Saur-Kraut, roast pork,
Canned corn, sweet potatoes bread, coffee, &
beer.
Dec 27—1st
lt. Perrnigton assigned to duty
Jan 1
1901 Sernaded by the native band
[Top
of Page]
in the morning. Enjoyed ourselves as we please
during the day. In the evening had a little
entertainment at which we had instrumental
music by the band. banjo-Franklin
vocal solos VanOrden, Mcgrenery
& Cipriano---
cake walk “Seales “, Fairbanks &
VanOrden,
buck and wing by Foster, a lunch of roast
port, sweet potatoes, bread, cheese & beer and
ended up with a stag dance.
Jan 6
Small bands of Ins are to be
seen across the rice paddies about 1 ½mi at
the ft of the mts. We have a couple of native
scouts out among them as soon as they come
in we will probably make a round up.
Jan 8
Another lot of Ins. Seen marching
along the ft of the mts as if coming from
Calolbon. I go on outpost duty. Our post being
about ½ mi, in the rice paddies, to the north of
the town.
Jan 9 2:00 AM
Capt Bishop and party passed
our out post on the way to capture the Ins pos.
They told us that Lt. Burke left town at
12 M.M.
and would make a detour coming down on
the insurgents from the N. The capt would
make a short detour striking them from the
W. while Sarg Ehlenfeldt would leave
Virac at
5:30 A.M. and march direct on the Ins camp.
About 5 AM we returned to town and on reaching
the barracks found that Ehlen. Was just
mak___
[Top
of Page]
he did if Corp Pierce had not become
excited and fired before the Ins. Got into the
road; as it was we got 7 men, 4 killed 2
wounded and 1 captured, others were wounded
but got away. The Ins. Immediately took to the
__nt, where they took up a position and held
it until the capt arriaved with a reinforce-
ment of ten men and charged their position
when they took to the woods, higher up the mt.
side where persuit was impossible, carrying
their wounded with them. The young fellow we
captured was trying to carry off one of the
wound-
ed. Captured 3 guns, & papers of R Bustos 1.
G.P.M. de Catanduanes.
Jan 10
One of the wounded, nigs, who was shot through
Both lungs died this morning and the others,
Leg was amputated below the knee.
Are to go to Bato where we hear Bustos is to
stay tonight. Surrounded Bato and at a
signal (3 shots) we were to advance on all
sides and catch the Ins. In a dragnet.
all went well until the signal was given
when the Ins. opened up on us from the
mts. in our rear. We were never so surprised
in our lives for instead of staying in town the
foxy devils camped out on the mt. side. We
turned
and drove them up the mts. but don’t know
if they suffered any loss or not. Returned to
Virac.
Jan 11
I and several others were sent to
reinforce the bunch at Cabugao. This
looks like a little excitement as the
niggers outpost is on a hill across
[Top
of Page]
up his squad. As an old friend of Billys
I
bummed a place on his squad and went with
him. After some little difficulty we found
the ravine pass leading to the Ins. camp and
started up the trail when suddenly a Filipino
bugle was sounded almost immediately followed by
shots which was all we needed to send us
forward on the double. When we reached the
scene we found the Ins. just piling out. There
were only about 25 in the place at the time
9 of whom were killed and 1 died a couple
of hours later; Several wounded managed
to get away. We captured about 10,000 lbs of
rice,
clothing, 7 caraboa, 11 horses, 1 gun and a
number of bolos. We burned the town
and returned to Virac. I captured two chick-
ens and a horse which had been shot through
the shoulder just under the back bone. The
would did not seem to bother him as I rode him
all the way back to Virac. We rested all day
and
about 8 P.M. Sargent Stewart and 12 men
were
sent to the barrio of San Vincente, where a
spur of the mts. comes close to the sea making
a narrow pass, to catch the Ins. if they tried
to
join their comrades in the eastern part of the
island. About 11 P.M. the Ins. about 90 strong
came over the paddies to the pass in single file. Stewart had his men
posted along the road with their backs to the
sea
and would have probably killed twice as many
[Top
of Page]
Jan 12
Lts. Perrington & Burke arriaved at
Cabugao with 35 men. They will stay
here till dark and then leave for Baras
where the nigs. are in force. Because I
have been to Baras before and know the
town I am to go with the party in place
of Wattie Bailey who has hurt his foot.
Jan 13
Baras P.I. Left Cabugao last night at 11:00PM and after
marching all night over rocks and through mud
till
we could hardly drag one foot after the other,
and in
fact one man, Darr, did play out and had
to be helped,
we arriaved at the hills overlooking this place.
Lt. Perrington
and 19 men made a detour through
the hills so as to cover the town on the north
and west while Burke and the ocean took
care of
the south & east. Every man was assigned to a
particular position and as soon as
Perrington
was ready he fired a signal shot and we
all rushed to our positions and in less than
a minute had the town completely surrounded.
The Insurrectos piled out of the tribunal in a
[Top
of Page]
hurry and tried to break through the line
but in most cases were driven back, only
about eight men succeeding in getting through.
As soon as they saw the could not break
through they scattered and hid about the town
in all kinds of places. Many tried to hide
in the rice paddies on the edge of town and
__1st Sarg Kuhn took unaided,
7 men, with 5 guns, 7 bolos
and 2 revolvers, from under some cactus
growing on the edge of town; among them was
Rogue Bustos the Ins. Gov of Cat. All together
we
killed 7 men, took 27 prisoners, 6 of whom
were wounded, 13 rifles, about 40 bolos, 2 or 3
saddles and all of the reb. correspondence, our
losses 0.
We put our prisoners in the stocks and sent
a runner to Cabugao for Molina’s sail boat
which arriaved at 2 P.M. We all piled aboard
and sailed to Cabugao where we disembarked
our prisoners and hiked them to Virac where
we were met by about two thousand people
and a brass band headed by the padre.
While we were at Baras the Bato police
captured Colcol, one of our old G.H. friends,
and 4 comrades who were conducting a little
revolution if their own near Cabugao.
Jan 14
Capt Leon, a resident of Virac, was
arrested today at his house. Evidence was
found in Bustos correspondence that he
was chief of the commissary dept of the
[Top
of Page]
Ins. army in Catanduanes. Returned to Cabugao.
Jan 16
Moved the hemp mill to Molin’as house
Jan 17
Native police captured Captain Bruno alias
Marquis Maquis (the card sharp) one of the
foxies niggers
on the island.
Jan 19
Seales & I went up to Bato with a canoe
load of canned tomatoes, codfish, corned beef,
and hard tack to sell or trade for fresh grub.
Had to get all the way to San Miguel before
we got rid of the stuff.
Jan 22
Went to a big native wedding and had
a hot old time.
Mar 3
We heard that Co. C of the 15th Inf. Have
landed at Pandan.
Mar 10
Seales and I went on a trading expedition
to Bato & Arroya.
Mar 18
Cuco arriaved for a load of hemp.
Mar 21
Five prisoners captured at Pandan by the
15th Inf, passed through here on
their way to the
G.H. at Virac. One of them is said to
have flayed an Am. Soldier, in Luzon, alive.
Mar 29
Went with the bull cart to Virac for
[Top
of Page]
rations.
Mar 30
Seales and I made our regular market
trip.
April 1st
Received pay for
April 10
Had a little private dance, Kuhn orchastred.
April 18
54 men of Co C 15th U.S.I. landed at
Virac today to relieve us.
April 21
Ordered to Virac.
April 22
Left Cabugao with all our props in a small
yawl boat for Virac. Used ponchos for sails.
April 30
16 boats this month and none of them
a transport.
May 10
Lt. Schmeiser left for Manila to be court
martialed.
May 16
Went up the mt. to see my girl, saw transport
come in and hustled back to find it the Ohio.
Went aboard about 5 P.M. At anchor all night
May 17
Went to Legaspi to pick up the rest of
our fellows.
May 19
Arriaved at Manila (40th in camp)
May 20
Disembarked at Andre Monument & marched
to Camp Wallace on the Luneta. Dress Parade
May 24th
Ask for discharge
May 26
Mustered out
| 