A Soldier in the Philippines

rs 1898–1900, was born in the quiet little country village of Ba

om the officers' point of view. As a matter of fact the ideas of a private if spoken or written are

ime when farming operations were suspended, consumed about all my time. My father being a poor man with a large family and unable to give his children the bene

and ambition, I turned my thoughts westward, where I hoped to make my fortune. I gathered together my

eighteen weeks, but finding this too commonplace and not fulfillin

the Santa Fe Railroad. For twelve months I wor

mills of Dallas, Texas, were sufficien

rmy was discussed; this strongly appealed to me, and studying the matter further, I became enthused over the idea. I determined to enlist at once. My position as motorman with the street railroad comp

me that possibly my examiners thought my fingers and toes might be artificial. After part of two days' weighing, measuring, finger pulling, toe-twisting and questioning I was pronounced subject and sent to the St. George Hotel, in Dallas, to await further orders. Of twelve applicants who

being fulfilled. I had from a mere boy had a desire to be one of Uncle Sam's soldiers and fight for my country. I had now entered the service for th

to go, thinking it would be a picnic. I only had a few days' drilling at the fort, and that was all I ever had, but I was anxious to go on this march with my company, and Goodale, called "Grabby" by the men, had my uniform and necessary equipage issued to me a

. I found on each of my heels a large blister and several small ones. A non-commissioned officer saw the condition of my feet and ordered me into th

re pitched every night and guards stationed around the camp to keep away prowling Mexicans and others who would steal the provisions of the camp. Tents were struck at morning and everything put in readiness for the day's march. The company was out fifteen days on that practic

ng, everything was new to me. I was drilled hard for a month before I

nd gave commands, which, if disobeyed, punishment was inflicted. The month I drilled as a recruit by myself I was under Sergeant Robert Scott of my company. During that time I thought Sergeant Scott the most unkind man I h

he "general orders" and "special orders." I went on guard perfe

r the officer of the day to make his ro

sitting down while on duty he is severely punished by being placed in the guard house, and sentenced to hard labor for

ouse or miss roll call, having to pay fines

t taken up until eleven. The first call of the morning was sounded at a quarter before six, when we must answer to reveille, followed by a drilling exercise of fifteen minute

company for a month, then for three months this was omitted, then another month's drill

notice in the army. All duties

as a very good library was at hand. Aside from reading were such amusements as billiards, cards and music. These became monotonous and disgusting