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Alfred Burton Welch

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.

Thursday 11-24-98

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.

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Friday 11-25-98

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,

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Saturday 11-26-98

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

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Sunday 11-27-98

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

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Monday 11-28-98

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,

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Tuesday 11-29-98

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

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Friday 12-2-98

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

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Saturday 12-3-98

Busy in office. Wrote home and sent the returned letters which were stolen. Can make myself understood in Espanol very well. Very easy & my

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Sunday 12-4-98

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

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Monday 12-5-98

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

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Tuesday 12-6-98

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

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Wednesday 12-7-98

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

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Thursday 12-8-98

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

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Friday 12-9-98

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

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Sunday 12-11-98

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

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Monday 12-12-98

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

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Tuesday 12-13-98

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

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Wednesday 12-14-98

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

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Thursday 12-15-98

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

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Friday 12-16-98

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

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Saturday 12-17-98

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

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Sunday 12-18-98

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

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Monday 12-19-98

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

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Tuesday 12-20-98

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

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Wednesday 12-21-98

Up at reveille, and in heavy marching order Co. D and Co. I went to outposts at Singalong. Co. D had blockhouses 12 & 13.

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Friday 12-23-98

Mail came on St. Paul today. Two from Miss Adams, one from Miss Son, one each from Harriet & Mary Caughran, one from Miss Carrie

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