Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1899 — SOLDIER LETTER. [ARTICLE]

SOLDIER LETTER.

Robert Lefler writes the following letter to his father, James Lefler, of Pleasant Ridge, concerning his trip to the Philippines on board the U. S. transport, Pennsylvania: Dear Pa:— I will try and describe our trip. We broke camp Thursday at 11:30 o’clock and took the boat for Portland. Arrived there about one o’clock and stood around until two, then were marched up through the town to the armory which was in another part of the city. Staid there till 6:30, eat our supper then started for the dock. That was the last time we were on land, and we didn’t know when we would strike it again. Here we laid until B.*oo before got aboard. We went on the ' Pennsylvania. It is a large boat but is an old one fixed over. There was not much room by the time we all got in. There are over 1,300 men on boaad. There are rows of bunks running lengthwise the boat, three bunks high, so you see we are packed in rather close—worse than they pack hogs. They wouldn’t stay so close as we do I know. Nearly all the boys and part of the officers are drunk and maybe you think the rest of us dont have a picnic. Some want to fight and some want to sleep. Many of them brought along enough booze to last them a while.

Friday, 10 a. m.: All is well. Staid all night at the dock and started out on our journey at 8 o’clock and got, I should judge, about two miles down the river and struck a sandbar and here we are. Don’t know when we will get off the bar. It was raining when I got up this morning. Went on deck and got pretty wet standing around. From what I saw of Portland I liked it very much. Didn’t get much of a chance to look around, though, for a fellow is tied right down. Say, I am getting awful hungry. Wish it was supper time. I think I could eat almost anything.

4:00. Just started. Had four boats tb help get us loose. Of course I stood around and saw them pull us off and got all wet again. It will take, I am told about ten hours to Teach the coast.

6:00. Just had '"supper and don’t feel quite so hungry as I did. We are anchored at the mouth of Columbia river, will stay here all tight and take a fresh .start in the lorning. Nov. 4. Just got up and ate my breakfast, and feel better. Looks like it is going to be a nice day. Started off bright and early and moving right along. I have got to make my bed and sweep out. After dinner, and we are stopped again. Must wait until the tide comes in, and that will be until after four, so if we keep this rate up we won’t get there in time to come back. We had a “mascot”, with us, a youngster about 10 years of age. Got him at Ft. (?rook. He was there with the First Nebraska, but the colonel put him off. I was sorry to see him go but the boys and officers raised a purse of over *IOO and gave him, so he will get along all right. I don’t know where his home was but I think it was some place in the East. 4:30. Just had supper: We ate a little early. Say, I wish you could be with me on this trip for I am seeing some of the finest sights one ever saw. There are large mountains on each side, covered with large pine trees, the railroad running along the foot, a big fishing place and canning factory once in a while. Sunday evening, Nov. 5. Just had supper,—don’t know how long I can keep it down for lots of boys are throwing up all around me. We went over the Barsat 2:35 and are now away for the Philippines, about 30 miles out in the blue water. Say. if a fellow ever thought of home he will do so now. v The boys are throwing up their shoe-soles, the old boat nearly turns over at times. I can’t write much for it makes me sick to stay below—don’t expect to write much for a few days. Nov. 8. Just eat a big dinner the first for three days; was so sick that I wouldn’t of cared if the old boat had went down; was neyer sicker in my life than I was for two days. It is a.terrible feeling and if I had been alone I would have jumped oyerboard, but they were all sick around me and such a mess you never saw. I feel fine now and can eat anything. We expect to land about next Tuesday if nothing happens. One can look as far he can see and nothing but water in all directions. Passed a boat yesterday it cheered up the boys a little. The Olympia is close behind us. I was on deck this morning watching the waves. They would come up over the deck and nearly knock a fellow over and sprinkled us in good shape. The first night we were on the ocean there was a ter-

rible storm and lastnight there was another. Say, after a man gets over sea sickness he can eat almost anything. We can get pies and sandwiches but they cost 2 bits and are small ones at that Four little ginger snaps cost a nickle and other things in proportion, but we must have them. Nov. 9. All well. The Olympia is now with us. The day is fine but looks like rain. I can’t write for it is too rough, so I wait till the sea gets smoother Nov. 11. No nearer land than a week ago. We have been held back on account of the Olympia, it can’t run as fast as our boat. She will throw us behind about three days. This is the first time she ever crossed the ocean, and for fear something would happen we stay with her. We are expecting to strike Honolula Wednesday and stop there three or four days to coal up, although we may stay there for a couple of weeks, one can’t tell. It is getting warm but the sea is still rough as ever. The boys are all well.

Nov. 13. Didn’t have time to write much yesterday, was on deck all day, the sea was still and is also to-day. Just passed a big school of fish, I have forgotten the name of them, but they were about ten feet in length and four feet in circumference, I should judge. They would jump up out of the water and dive under again. Well we are not in sight of land yet, but it’s not very far off for birds are flying around the ship. My, but it’s warm. We go around in only our undershirts and pants and come near roasting then; it keeps getting hotter all the time. Staid on deck until after 11 o’clock; the band was playing and the boys were singing, so we had a good time. The Olympia was so close beside us that we could talk to one another.

Nov. 14. Just finished supper and feel like a fighting cock: have been on deck all day. It tried to rain but could not and is nice this evening. The Olympia is still with us, are running right along and the captain said we would strike land sometime to-morrow if .nothing happened, and we are getting all ready to go on shore; there will be some tickled boys. Took a shower V»ath to-day and maybe you think it wasn’t fine; 'made me feel like a new bov.

Nov. 15, 2:30 o'clock. When I got up this morning we were in sight of land and pulled into dock at Honahila at about ten o'clock; don’t know how long we will stay here. Had to helji clean vp the ship so have not been on land yet. but think we will get to go down before long and will bring this to a close and mail the letter on shore. Am expecting a letter from you before I leave. 6:00 p. m. Ate my supper down town, the first table I have sat to

since I left.

BOB.