Camp Merritt Aug. 12 .98 "We expect to brake camp to morrow morning and go a-board the Arizona. This may be put off for a day or two. I think no longer for the R-M department have been packing all morning. The company have gone out to drill in heavy marching order. I am on gard and glad of it for it is good and hot this morning. I would of liked to seen you folks before I go but I cannot get away. We were payed yesterday, that large sum of $15.60." "More news, we have orders to break camp at 2 pm tomorrow."
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| The Arizona built in 1879 by the shipbuilder John Elder & Co. of Glasgow length of 450 feet, and a beam of 40 feet. Maximum speed of 15 knots.
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Aug. 29. 98 Honolulu, Hawaii Island "Dear Father, Mother and Bros., Arrived here Saturday night about 9 o’clock. Got into the warf about 10 oclock yesterday (28th). I did not get on land until this morning. Went out for company drill. Went to the palace grounds. It is a fine place. It discounts anything in the line of parks that I have ever saw in Calif. Most every-body speaks American. The population is about 23,000. I cannot tell you much about the Island as yet but if we go in camp as we expect to I will try and write you about the country and climate. When I have learned more about them. Now a little about the trip. We left Frisco at 12 oclock on the 21st. Every-body feeling fine but at 6 oclock pm, two thirds of us was sick. I was sick about 8 hours you bet but from that time on I never felt better." "On the third day out the engine broke and we were delaid six hours. The sea was calm and over 300 of us went in bathing in the sea 1200 miles from shore and how deep nobody knows. There was two sharks made their appearances just as we started to sail again. I spent most of my time after that on the deck over the _______ castle, watching the flying fish. I also seen some dolfus that is a fish about 4 feet long, sort of a light color. At least it looked that way to me." "I see by the paper here that one out of the 10 or 12 sick that was taken to the hospital yesterday died last night. I think he had the Typhoid Fever. Those that are sick as these should never been allowed to leave Frisco." "If you want to answer this letter Address Honolulu- Hawaiian Island, Co. E, 1st Colorado- Recruits (Please Forward) also write Private Wm. S. Eddy- then it only cost 2 cents to send it."
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Honolulu, H.I Sep. 10 1898 "We are camped 4 miles out of town. This is the first time I have been to town. (had to walk for I am broke). Since we went into camp. Where we are camped is very nice place it is in the middle of the race track out side of the track is a fine park. All round it, 1/2 mile South East of the camp is the largest distinct Volcano Crater in the world. It is 580ft high and is called Diamond Head Point. This town is the prettiest place on earth. It is a regular paradise when it comes to fine scenery. Pineapples, coconuts, Bananas and figs in a bundance."
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| Kapiolani Park Kapiolani Park is Honolulu’s version of Central Park. Given to the city by King Kalikaua in honor of his wife, Kapiolani, in 1877
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Sep 19. 98 Honolulu, HI "In this climate will be better before long as the rainy season will commence in about 2 weeks. We are preparing for as we up our long tents and tomorrow we will have lumber to put floors in them then we will be okay." "Our Lieut Bidwell has been transfured to command a company of Penn Recruits and we are under Captain Carrol a Denver man. He is all right but I would rather have Bidwell but they did not ask me about it." "I am now in the Kapiolani Park (which is almost two hundred yards from camp). Listening to the Honolulu Band one of the best in the world. Composed of natives. They give a concert here every Sunday. This is about the only privlage we have. It was all caused by some of the toughs who made rades on the plantations. So you see we have to suffer the crime of a few and soldiers as a whole are considered pretty tough characters here but as individuals the Colo Boys have made a great many friends amonge the Americans and also the natives"
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Oct. 27 98 Honolulu, HI "I expect this will be the last letter, you will get from me at this place as the Arizona has just come into harbor and we have orders to sail on her to Manilla as quick as she can be coaled. But never the less orders may be changed when the Australia come from Frisco which is due here before the 1st. At least we have got a pay day and expect and expect to get one more before we sail. We buried one more Colo. Boy yesterday. That is 4 out of the Colo. Recruits. This was Dawson from Denver. I do not like Honolulu as well as I did. Still it is a very pretty place but one gets tired of it and we are always two weeks behind the times." "There is quite a good deal of Typhoid fever among the troops here." |
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Manilla, Dec. 2. 98 "Arrived here on the 25th and laid here in the harbor until the 1st" "Manilla is one of those ancient towns that you read about that is what I have seen of it." "I am going to the Wall City today (old Manilla) Everything is quiet here. Had a little scare Wednesday. Were call to arms. I had just been assined to C. Co. I thought they were going to put me to work right away. We are feeling pretty good now and have good quarters. Our Captain is the strictest one in the Reg. We were treated pretty good on the boat from Honolulu to here so much better than from Frisco to Honolulu that we were satisfied. Being that I am here I am satisfied that I have had enough of the army life and I am ready to come home and so is all the rest of the Reg. If I had some way to work it, I would try to get a discharge but that is pretty hard to get here. If you can work it, go ahead."
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Manilla Philippine I. Dec. 19. 98 "Just returned from a trip of Out Past Duty. The only real soldiering I have done since I have been in the service and that was one to walk a post within a 100 yard of the insurgents line. With a loaded gun. Our officers seem to think that they will attack the city but the general s feeling is that it is only a bluff, just to keep us contented to stay here and not be kicking to go home. That is about all we think of and getting mail." "Last week I was in Old Manilla (the wall city) that is a cross the passage River. The wall around the city is from 25-40feet high. 50 feet wide at the bottom and 30 feet wide on the top with a swamp 100 feet wide out side of the wall. Where the gates are, part of the bridge that crosses the swamp is raised up and wopuld make it impossible to get in to the city. But they was not long opening the gaits when Dewy droped a few shells over the wall." "The only fine buildings are the churches- the one we are quartered in is solid steel from pillar to steeple. It cost one million dollars. The building a joining it which was occupied by the Priest is stone. The floors, doors and stairs are mahogany. They are used now for company quarters and regimental _____."
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Feb. 1.99 Manilla P.I "Just came in from a little trip that I gave my self permission to go on. Got in O.K I have been to see the work that Dewy done on the day of the big fight. It was a sight to be hold. He tore down large churches, heavy stone walls around cemeterys and fortified places made of rail road rails. This is whare the Kansas and Mountania Troopes made their charge. It is about 3 miles to our left. We have 30 miles of trenches around the city now well fortified." "Our lines on the north of the city to the east are in a horse shoe shape. We are coaxing them in to a trap and they are foolish enough to come into it. But not far enough yet. They advance a little every day." "We have been our quarters for 2 days expect to go back to the trenches tomorrow morning. Will be out 15 days. Will go up the river this time. We will be on the right of the Colo. Line to support the Utah Battery." "I don’t think we will have much more fighting for Augnolda (Aguinaldo) has skipped to the mountains. Left everything in the hands of his sec."
| Admiral George Dewey1837-1917Within 6 hours on May 1 1898 he had destroyed or captured the entire Spanish Pacific fleet without the loss of a single life on the American side. |
Feb. 13. 99 Manilla P.I Dear Father and Mother, As I have a few minutes to spare before going out to the front where we have been stationed for the last 8 days will write you a few lines. On last Saturday night a week ago the natives started some thing that could not stop, we killed them. Our loss was very light. Our company was not in the charge but I was on out past duty and got to see most of the fun as we call it. Expect to lay siege on Melbourne in a few days. I have not heard from you or Dave for a long time. I expect my mail has been lost for I know that you have answered all of my letters. I am feeling fine but rather swelled up for I am corporal now. When the captain has any hand work or heavy work I get it. That is what suits me. Will write you a long letter in a few days for we expect to be back in quarters before long. Will drop a few lines to Dave Good Bye With much love Your Son Sam
| Emilio Aguinaldo 1st President of the Philippines Aguinaldo led resistance to the American occupation, then retreated to northern Luzon.
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Manilla P.I Mar 6 .99 "I was out in the trenches and you bet I was glad to get a letter. We came on Saturday morning and will go out tomorrow. (Tues. 7th)" "Last night was the 2nd night that I have slept with my shoes off since the 31st of Jan. I am getting all kinds of duty and active service but I have not been under very heavy fire yet. That is the camp has not. I have hid out twice and almost got into it, that is leaving the company. Had all the fighting I wanted. I was out last week with a scouting party. We went 5 miles north of our out post into the interior. Got to the place we was looking for and started back. Captured one of the insurgents. Out post got about half way back and sat down to eat a lunch when we were attacked in our rear by about 100 natives. There was only eight of us. We exchanged a few Vollies and the natives started to cut us off on the right flank, so we had to do the hot foot, for about a mile where we met a company coming to reinforce us. Then it was the insurgents turn to run and they done a good job of it. Yesterday morning K and L Company’s had a little fight. The insurgents attracted their out post, so the boy went right over the trenches to the out post. Their captains could not stop them. The boys get awful anxious some times. I forgot to say that K and L Co. got 14 insurgents." "This is the dry hot season here now. I suppose it will commence raining in about 3 weeks. When it rains here the whole Country is like a swamp for the rice fields are all leveled off in beds like those we wade in the garden, so none of the water runs off. When it commences to rain, we will have to make a road every where we go. Thats if we move into the Interior which we expect to do about the 15th. On the 26th or 27th of Feb. the whole A-W Corner of the town was burnt. A company of insurgents that was hid in town made an attack of C. Co. of the Minn, which are quartered in that locality. Killed a few and attempted to fire their quarters then the jig was up and the 23rd Regulars were called out and they commenced to burn and shoot. The result was that about 300 met their fate and about 2000 people are homeless since the city has been quiet. The streets are cleared at 7 pm, everybody except those on duty get run in if they are caught." "Most everyday someone finds _______ and Insurgent uniforms in the churches or buildings close by"
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Manilla, PI Mar. 21.99 "Dear Father, Mother and Bros. Received your loving letter the other day. I was 10 miles out of town at the water works. Our whole Regiment has moved out there now and expect to stay there until we start home. Which we expect to do with in the next 60 days as we understand the government will be compeled to send us home. With in that time our service may be needed here" "We are fighting people who fighting for their liberty which they aught to halfe."
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Apr. 8. 99 Manila "Dear Bros. Joe, Received your letter some days ago. This is the first time I have had a chance to answer it. Since I received your letter we have had one of the hardest fight of the campaign. We were called at 3 o’clock a.m had coffee and marched 5 miles where the fight commenced. We waded through a swamp and then through a cain field for 5 yards to the bank of the Marcenia River. Where we exchanged eight vollies then we were ordered to advance through the river we waded “we did” in water up under our arms, then ran about 4 yards through brush in-to the woods. A short distance to a native village where we rested for a half hour. Then our Battalion made a left turn and started up the river in about 20 minutes we were fired on our right center. “Our company was on the left”. Then we commenced with 2 vollies. Then went through some bamboo thicket and formed our self on a bank of a jungle in plane view of the enemy- a bout 150 yrds away in another bamboo thicket. We got ordered to charge down the bank. We went into water waist deep. Came out in a water mellon patch where we made a half right turn. You can talk about it hailing hard stones but it hailed lead this time. In this mellon patch not a man was hit. I don’t see how they could have missed us. Some bullets struck melons and bursted them open right at our feet. The men beside me grabbed the core out of one and ate it. That sounds funny but never the less it is true." "As we went out of the mellon patch we had another slew to ___this war not so bad as the other. Then through the bamboo where we found trenches which the natives had just left and a small village. We went on about 1 yard further till we came to an open rice field, then the big fight commenced. We seen retreating natives on each side of the rice field seeking cover in the woods. The 23rd Reg. were on our right and made it warm for the natives through out the woods. The only thing for us was to advance by rushes the Platoons. We went about 1 mile before any one was wounded. We had 3 in our company wounded in one volley. From the natives it came from our left flank. Co. E of the 1st Colo. Had gone back and crossed the river and by this time gave the natives a surprise from their rear. “I mean the ones that gave us the the flank fire”. So we made two more charges and the natives gave us a very hot fight for half an hour until they caught it on the right flank from the 23rd Reg. Then they left their trenches again. Then Gen Hall orders to withdraw the troops. By this time it was after noon abd we were almost dead with the heat and out of water and eight miles from camp. We went back to camp, then orders came to move out at 4.30 to strengthen the line on the extreme left about 11 miles from. But we went never the less. We got there tired and wore out after a march of 27 miles and 4 miles of that we had a hard fight. That about ends the event of the day. 23 wounded and 3 killed about 18 over come by the heat. Some of which have not recovered as yet. And we have not done anything since except gard duty. We are now back at the water works- 10 miles from Manila where we expect to stay"
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Manilla P.I May 3. 99 "Dear Bros. Jim and Joe, Received your letter a few days ago, got one from Hattie B. yesterday. Our company is in town for 10 days will get paid to day. I expect most of the fighting is all off. We are expecting “aggie” to show the white flag at any time. Two more of his cabinet came in yesterday to see Gen. Ottis. The prisoners that we captured a few days hence, all claim that they are ready to quit. I think it is about time myself." "There is great excitement among the boys now about going home. We may leave here with in the next 30 days. I wish it was in the next 30 min."
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May 8.99 Manilla P.I "Dear Father, Mother, All loved ones at home As our company will go back to the line tomorrow will write you a few lines for I may not have a chance for a few weeks. We will go the water work. Our quarters will be in the building. It will be much nicer than we had it before. This is the hottest season of the year now. Will only last a while as the rainy season is near at hand that is as bad if not worse than ever if we have to cross any fields but I don’t guess we will have much of that to do as our company has to stay at water works all the time and I am perfectly satisfied that, that lot falls to us. We are living in hopes that we will get away by July 1st but we may get left." |
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Frisco Aug 18 1899 Dear Father and Mother, Received your letter of 13th before the boat anchored. Came ashore yesterday after noon this is the first chance I have had to write. We got a great reception, more than we expected. I am about the happiest boy on earth only one that is liking to see you mother. I will try to get down home on Sunday or Monday but am not sure of it yet. Will know tomorrow after noon. Will close and tell you rest. When I get home sweet home With overflowing love Sam
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Aug. 22. 99 Dear Father and Mother, As I have got out of the Col. tent all O.K. I was surprised to hear that you had wrote him. He showed me your letter and I think you handed it to him pretty hard. In the first place, where did you get your information regarding the canteen. I don’t believe you fully understand the working of that concern or you would not have written the letter you did. Especially at this time when I have been working so hard to get a leave of absence. But as luck would have it, he said I might go down home and stay a week. After 26th the Col. Said he was going to write you and explain matters. He said his first thought was to tear the letter up and say nothing about it. But it coming from you and me never causing him any trouble since I have been in the service was the cause of him to do as he has. When I come down will explain the entire situation, which will cause you to change your mind on the subject of the many things you could of have ______ about you. __________ the wrong one. You may expect me down about next Monday. If anything happens that I will be down any sooner will write and let you know. My knee is better today will be all right in a day or two. Received a letter from Dave yesterday he is well. _____and the baby are in the mountains. Will close with much love Sam
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Aug 27. 99 Co C. Reg. Calo. Camp Presidio Aug 27 1899 Dear Father, As you will expect me to be home tomorrow (Mon. 28) will write you the cause of not coming. My tent was in quarantine and everything had to be burnt yesterday. Will draw new stuff tomorrow. You may expect me Tuesday unless you hear from me by wire. Will close with much love Sam
Sep. 13.99 Pueblo, Colorado Dear Father and Mother, Arrived here this morning at 6. The people about busted themselves. They about killed me. I love being drug around ever since I get off the train until now (1.30 o clock) and I am hiding now from some of my old friends. Just to get a chance to drop you a few lines. I found Dane ____ and Bobby, all okay. I received your picture in Frisco and would have written to from there but did not have time before the train left and this is the first chance I have had. We were 24 hours on the road longer than we should have been but we faired pretty well. I was in a Pullman. I expect to have a hard time getting rested up. For 15 evenings are taken already. I have only been in town about 8 hours, but I think I will have to draw the line. I do not know when I will go to work. J. Snyder asked me when and I told him about Monday next. Will find out tomorrow. Will close for now and old friend has caught me hiding from him. Dave and Sis send love Ed Langston send his best Your son with much love Sam P.S Met Uncle Sam at Grand Junction
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Copyright © 2007 by The Eddy Family Association. All rights reserved.
Last revised: July 29, 2007 Information may be linked to but not be copied in part or whole for publication without the written permission of the Eddy Family Association |
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