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Monday, Feb. 27, 1899

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo District.

 

Another run around day. Time passes remarkably quick. Days go so swiftly. What has been accomplished for Jesus is the all important question. Spoke to several U.S. soldiers about Christ and salvation –2 of them backsliders belonging to the 23d U.S. Inf., & one a sentry at the Palace, 2d Oregon regiment vols. another backslider –the latter seemed inclined to put the matter off although under conviction.

Had a notion to go over to Cavite but changed my mind. After Bible reading and prayer, cooked breakfast, partook thereof & washed the dishes. Private Waterman of the South Dakotas came in with his gun while I was at breakfast. Prepared him a tin cup full of lemonade. First time I have seen Waterman since the war began. Is a true Salvationist. Prayed with him. Private Green of the Utah battery came in. Put 5 cents in stamps on some newspaper mail for him.

Rev. Chas. Owens & I struck out for a round. First called at the Anglo-India-Chinese-Australasian bank where I exchanged $5. gold for $10. paper notes & 15 cents coppers & Spanish silver. Put the $10. in a letter as a donation from myself to Ensign May Jackson, Kowloon near Hong Kong, China. The Ensign has been near death’s door & needs help. She is lonely & has been entirely neglected by Staff Capt. Symons & other Salvationists of that city. May God bless the money. Mailed this & 2 other letters.

Called at the post office & then walked over to old Manila inside the walls, to look at the Filipino prisoners of war. Between 1200 & 1400 are now held by the U.S. Gov’t in 3 or 4 prisons, but principally in the walls. We wanted to see the “wild boys.” Troop of 20th U.S. regulars (just arrived) guarded the prisoners. Did not care to let us pass thro’. We went away & met Corporals Ernest Turner & Sylvester Gray of Co. G. 23d U.S. Inf. regulars. They took us past the sentry. We went among the 400 Filipino prisoners. The 5 “wild boys” or Igorotes –a savage tribe of the mountains– were brought out of the wall prison for us to see. Their long hair –like a woman’s is now gathered up– and their nakedness is hid by clothing. Look like other Filipinos, seem dull faced. Cannot speak the Tagalog language.

From the Filipino prison we were taken into the arsenal and Citadel-Santiago where the 2 corporals treated us to dinner. While eating dinner with the soldiers Chaplain Stephen R. Wood espied us. Came over & invited us to his quarters. Accepted the invitation & had a pleasant chat.

Returned home where I spent the remainder of the afternoon & part of the evening writing War Cry long copy –S.F. Cry.

Must not forget to say while in old Manila called at the Palace, and from Private Henry Walkenhorst, draughtsman for the Engineer Dep’t received a map of the country surrounding Manila –(a blue-print) as a gift.– Cooked supper. Heard the sound of fighting this p.m.