On guard tonight. Saw a pitiful funeral today. Two men with a rough box in which was a little babe. The men lifted the pole from their shoulders, sat down the box, took off their hats & said, “Buenas Dia, Senor. Passe?” “Si.” They then trudged away slowly, with the mother who was carrying a baby upon her rt. hip and leading another naked kid, following. She pointed to the box and with such a pitiful expression of countenance, said, “Picanniny de mi.” No candles, no chant, no priest –which they love so devotedly. These natives emotions are sudden & intense but very brief. On post at St. Anna [Santa Ana] road. Started to rain & blew our shelters down. I stood from 9 to 11.
Alfred Burton Welch
(September 26, 1874 — June 30, 1945). Served with Company D, 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry in the Philippines, April 30, 1898 to November 1, 1899.
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