Saturday 12-24-98
December 24, 1898
A small box came from Miss Son. Half of regiment yet in trenches. Worked on plat all day. Sergt Burtt and I took walk in
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.
Sunday, Christmas, Dec. 25, 98
December 25, 1898
Awake late as I do not have to report at reveille. Ate no breakfast. Natives all dressed in silks &c, and carry baskets of fruit,
Monday 12-26-98
December 26, 1898
Slept all a.m. and felt sad the rest of the day. Sung at 4th Cav. funeral, als our band turned out. Very hot. Fix and
Wednesday 12-28-98
December 28, 1898
Map nearly ready for tracing. Co. A came in from trenches this morning and we go out to outpost in Singalon[g] tomorrow. Hot today, but
Thursday 12-29-98
December 29, 1898
Started to Singalon[g] at 6.30 relieved 1st Idaho at 7. Sergt Burtt at b.h. 12, 2nd Lieut Lamping at b.h. 13. Made maps of good,
Friday 12-30-98
December 30, 1898
Relieved at 7.30 by Co’s C & F 1st Wn. Marched home for breakfast. All shops closed, hardly any native on the streets & from
Saturday 12-31-98
December 31, 1898
Muster –inspection &c in a.m. In p.m. Sergts Coombs, Huckins, Corp Welch, Musicians MacKay and Eldridge & Private Woods, sang in Y.M.C.A. tent close to
Jan. 1st — 1899, Manila, Cuartel de Tabacolaris [Tabacalera]. Welchen
January 1, 1899
A native orchestra is in the Plaza. 50 men of Co. D marched out to B.H. 11 in charge of Sergt Coombs, 2nd Lieu. Lamping,
Monday 1-2-99
January 2, 1899
Same order in force and were issued smokeless. Expect to be called out today, on account of the order coming from Washington to take the
Tuesday 1-3-99
January 3, 1899
Up at reveille and surveyed in Paco. Took Glasia [Iglesia] Paco and the old Philipino [Filipino] priest was a good entertainer. 85 years ago this
Wednesday 1-4-99
January 4, 1899
Platted in a.m., downtown in eve. Co. A transferred to 3rd batt & changed quarters to Paco. Sergt. Burtt & I went to Glasia [Iglesia]
Thursday 1-5-99
January 5, 1899
Worked in Paco & platted in p.m. 32 men Co. D went to Pandacan. Wrote to Topsy and home. Jimmie McFadden Co. B Idaho hunted
Friday 1-6-99
January 6, 1899
Platted in a.m. until 10 when I took road to Palace. Took dinner with Senor Y Senora Rivera, who are very well fixed. Dinner consisted
Saturday 1-7-99
January 7, 1899
Took survey of Calle de Matate [Malate] in a.m. and in p.m. went with Sergt Burtt & Corp Fix & Priv Williams thro’ the cigar
Sunday 1-8-99
January 8, 1899
Laid around all a.m. & in p.m. at 4, the boys sung at a funeral of a steward of the reserve hospital, in Paco Cemetery.
Monday 1-9-99
January 9, 1899
Bugles played Pay Day March. Formed at Palace at 9 a.m. Got $39.12 –owed $13 to Sanford, $5.50 to Senora Rivera for two white suits,
Tuesday 1-10-99
January 10, 1899
Took notes on Palace Triangle in a.n. & platted in p.m. Lines still closed. Expect trouble tonight.
Wednesday 1-11th-99
January 11, 1899
Call to arms at 10 p.m. yesterday and at 10.30 were out in Paco, marching along with not a word spoken –not a cup rattling–
Thursday 1-12-99
January 12, 1899
This makes three days and nights without my clothes being removed. About ½ our Co. went out to b.h. 11 and still the procession of buffalo
Friday 1-13-99
January 13, 1899
3rd batt. Wash. called to arms and staid on line at b.h. 11 all night. Took notes in a.m. Had a long ride in p.m.
Saturday 1-14-99
January 14, 1899
Last night a Penn. killed oner man on post & captured 3 others –and a force of 300 forced the pickets on our line. But
Monday 1-16-99
January 16, 1899
Friday night at 9.00 we were deployed from the convent at b.h. 11 across the front to b.h. 12. The rice fields had been purposely
Tuesday 1-17-99
January 17, 1899
Took it easy all day. Co. I buried their first man today. We are in command of a new outpost, “The Knoll,” between b.h.’s 11&12.
Wednesday 1-18-99
January 18, 1899
Started letter to Topsy. Work in Ermita on map. Sung on the Luneta. Hot. The 6th Art. passed with a rush this morn with the
Thursday 1-19-99
January 19, 1899
Worked on map all day. Hot. Boys resting today. Rumors about going home have set them wild and crazy as bed bugs.
Friday 1-20-99
January 20, 1899
Worked in drafting office all day. Very tired and lonesome so will not write more. I always intensify my feelings when I write.
Saturday 1-21-99
January 21, 1899
Banquet tendered to our quartette and band by 4th Cav. U.S.A. Was a swell affair under the gum trees at Casiono Paco –cor. Nozaleda y
Sunday 1-22-99
January 22, 1899
Practiced at the Palace all a.m. & Tabocalaria [Tabacalera] in p.m. Went to call on Senorita Marcelanna in p.m. then the Glee Club serenaded the
Monday 1-23-99
January 23, 1899
Practiced in Teatro de Filipino an a.m. Took dinner in a swell joint down town. Worked on map all rest of day until retreat. Went
Tuesday 1-24-99
January 24, 1899
Downtown all day –brought white shoes 62½ American. Last Sat. or Fri. the Revolutionary Army Government was formed with Emilio Pio del Pilar (Aguinaldo) as