Thursday 11-24-98
November 24, 1898
Made 265.4. Awake early, and a poor tired land bird about the size of a robin was flying around decks, so we are near land.
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.
Friday 11-25-98
November 25, 1898
Slept on cyl. room last night. Followed Luzon coast about 30 mi. W. Slept oh, so restfully. The 1st real sleep for a long time,
Saturday 11-26-98
November 26, 1898
To bed last eve early. Along coast which looked like Olympic Mts. About 4 a.m. we sighted a flash light on “Corregidor” Island, which stands
Sunday 11-27-98
November 27, 1898
Detailed for special duty in adj. office. Went to town with Ser. Maj. Went to Valencia [Valenzuela] where is our 2nd batt. Then to town
Monday 11-28-98
November 28, 1898
Work in office in a.m. & in p.m. took a crew to town to mail letters on Hongkong steamer leaving at 2. Took inside route,
Tuesday 11-29-98
November 29, 1898
Work in office in a.m. until 11 o’ clock. Then took boat with Adj. to town. Raining very hard but kept dry under ponchos. Landed
Thursday Dec. 1st — 1898
December 1, 1898
To town to get mail from “Indiana” which slipped in last night. Tied up to res. Espanol. Back in p.m. No mail for Welchen. Over
Friday 12-2-98
December 2, 1898
Very hot. 95°. 3rd battalion left Wednesday for an outpost. 1st batt. on cascos at 9 a.m. Hot, oh Hot, pitch bubbled out of deck
Saturday 12-3-98
December 3, 1898
Busy in office. Wrote home and sent the returned letters which were stolen. Can make myself understood in Espanol very well. Very easy & my
Sunday 12-4-98
December 4, 1898
We are quartered in a great tobacco factory –one of the largest in the world. The native workers are very friendly to us –and help
Monday 12-5-98
December 5, 1898
Moved office to 73 by Palace in a.m. –a good building for this place with large porches and windows of mother of pearl. A small
Tuesday 12-6-98
December 6, 1898
Mail camer today but none for me. Bot 3¢ bananas, 1 doz, and stayed home all a.m. Very hot. A convent is across the street
Wednesday 12-7-98
December 7, 1898
Heard the chines all over the city, at midnight before I slept. So often at night I hear “the old bell chime.” Was served with
Thursday 12-8-98
December 8, 1898
With G. Peterson and R.J. Moore, full belts and heavy marching order, we were mounted at 7 a.m. and marched out to Blockhouse No. 11
Friday 12-9-98
December 9, 1898
Every reg. in city is ready at a moment’s notice to fall in and go to the trenches and outposts. Co. D has already left
Saturday 12-10-98
December 10, 1898
Co. B left for outpost blockhouse No. 12; would go to my Co. if I knew where they were, but do not care to go
Sunday 12-11-98
December 11, 1898
Nice breeze today. Went with the “4” to serenade Montana’s officers. We were invited in and treated to the best in the land. Then went
Monday 12-12-98
December 12, 1898
On duty again with Co. The first in a long time. Out to drill at 6:55 a.m. No drill in p.m. Went to non-com school
Tuesday 12-13-98
December 13, 1898
Am on detail to get information in regard to insurgents outposts and strength. Went in carriage to 8th Army hd’q’rs at Palace in walled city
Wednesday 12-14-98
December 14, 1898
Drove to walled city to find boys, but on way home heard ’em singing –so paid my man & sung. Very tired. Recv’d a nice
Thursday 12-15-98
December 15, 1898
Up at 3.30 a.m. and with 2 boys from 2 batt. out to B.H. 12 to survey. Got vicinity of B.H. to river –old fortifications
Friday 12-16-98
December 16, 1898
Surveyed country between b.h. 11 & 10 –ran across a large rope walk– where the making of Manila rope is all done by hand. Platted
Saturday 12-17-98
December 17, 1898
Went out to Panacan [Pandacan] with Pri. Truax, from b.h. 10 to village. Town is small with very narrow streets, walled with stone, with houses
Sunday 12-18-98
December 18, 1898
Serg’t Burtt and I went to 14th U.S.A. in Matate [Malate] to see Fix. Had a great feed and then went along Calle Real to
Monday 12-19-98
December 19, 1898
In a.m. surveyed in Pandacan. Very hot. Drafted notes in p.m. and in eve went to tailors with Sergt. Coombs, Corp Welbon, then to a
Tuesday 12-20-98
December 20, 1898
Dressed in white pant, blue coat & camp hats, the regiment formed on the Luneta for inspection by General at 8.30 –at 11 inspection of
Wednesday 12-21-98
December 21, 1898
Up at reveille, and in heavy marching order Co. D and Co. I went to outposts at Singalong. Co. D had blockhouses 12 & 13.
Thursday 12-22-98
December 22, 1898
Relieved at 7 a.m. by Co’s A & K. Resting today. Had a hard, quick rain at noon. Very hot.
Friday 12-23-98
December 23, 1898
Mail came on St. Paul today. Two from Miss Adams, one from Miss Son, one each from Harriet & Mary Caughran, one from Miss Carrie