Skip to content
Chriss A. Bell

Chriss A. Bell

Corporal in the Second Oregon Volunteer Infantry state militia.

June 6, 1898

Cut down to 2 meals a day. Up at 6, coffee at 7, Dinner at 10, supper at 6 not half enough at either meal

Read More »

Aug. 13, 1898

Up at 4 breakfast at 4:15 and aboard the Kwonghoi at 7. When we went out to fleet at about 9:15 fleet move towards Manilla

Read More »

Oct. 10, 1898

Played out with Lee in morning went over town and took in Philippine Circus saw some very fine tumbling

Read More »

Oct. 20, 1898

Chas Ruhl died today. He was sick but a few days, lasted with a boil turned to erysiphilis caused meningitis. He also had typhoid malaria.

Read More »

Oct. 21, 1898

Ruhl buried today. Wanted to embalm and send him home but it was not practicable. He was buried inManila vaults. Had charge of firing party

Read More »

Oct. 24, 1898

On guard at Recollecties [Recoletos]. Nothing of note happened. Saw the arrest of a Lieut. of Aguinaldo’s who was telling Spanish soldiers that we were

Read More »

Nov. 15, 1898

Busy all day with sedition case. It is an interesting trial. Last evening woke up with a gagging feeling throat finally threw up a worm

Read More »

Nov. 24, 1898

Thanksgiving. Rookies came up this A.M. Rumors some. They seem like an fine set of boys. In evening [had] banquet over in a American restaurant.

Read More »

Dec. 9-13, 1898

Have been working to get settled in quarters. Every thing is now running smoothly. I have changed quarter all the time. But little to do.

Read More »

Dec. 18, 1898

Sunday. Had a very fine dinner. Christmas boxes add greatly to our bill of fare. In afternoon Jim, Carr & I called on Launacia’s folks.

Read More »

Dec. 18, 1898

Sunday. Had a very fine dinner. Christmas boxes add greatly to our bill of fare. In afternoon Jim, Carr & I called on Launacia’s folks.

Read More »

Dec. 19 to 24, 1898

Neglected to write each day so will lump it. Nothing of importance has happened except the arrival of mail and more wies [wires]. I received

Read More »

Dec. 25, 1898

Christmas Day. Did but little. In afternoon Frank & I took a long walk. At seven in evening we had a company supper. It was

Read More »

Jan. 14, 1899

Had neglected to write for last 10 days although much has happened that is of interest. A few days ago in fact Jan 5, Lee Morse

Read More »

Jan. 16, 1899

Went to hospital to see Jim. He has blotches all over face but they will disappear in a few months. Jim will be in quarters

Read More »

February 1, 1899

Pointdexter was tried before a summary court [in front of a] Lieut.Col. He was fined $10 making no defense. Think it was a surprise to

Read More »

Feb. 2, 1899

Capt. McDonald better. Went out in the forenoon to milk ranch to get him some genuine cow milk. Was told to come again at 3:30,

Read More »

Feb. 3, 1899

Nothing out of ordinary happened today. In evening Carr, Frank Holbart & I played billiards. James during day played Shorty 3 games chess Holbart [won

Read More »

Feb. 6, 1899

This morning reports show that our [troops] advanced driving natives before them. Most of the firing at night is by the natives answered by and

Read More »

Feb. 7, 1899

Nothing of importance happened during the day except arrest of all men who went to front without leave including Morrow, Watson, Clagget, & Pratt. In

Read More »

Feb. 8, 1899

On guard all day. Privates who left without leave were fined from $2 to $7. The non coms I think got a severe lecture because

Read More »

Feb. 9, 1899

Nothing had happened today. The usual round of work & guard duty. In evening put on extra guards as outbreak was expected. The non coms

Read More »

Feb. 10, 1899

Last night American forces captured two small towns & California [was] fighting in left was severe but insurgents were licked. At one place center of

Read More »

Feb. 11 & 12, 1899

Nothing happened but usual round of duty. Several boys are off ships so guard work is less heavy on me. No province boats are allowed

Read More »

Feb. 13, 1899

Went to left of our line today. Took 5 pictures. Was under fire nearly all day but was not allowed to return fire. Lieut. and

Read More »

Feb. 14, 1899

Valentines day. Miss Bowman sent me some candy, cigar case, and handkerchief. Have not sent hers yet. I am her orderly. Took pictures to Cheenu photo

Read More »

Feb. 14-20, 1899

Some round of duty for us the last few days. As little skirmishing At the front but nothing of great importance has happened. Have been

Read More »

Feb. 20 – 26, 1899

Have ben sick since last writing. Got pictures on 23rd. Nothing has happened except on the night of the 22nd when outbreak was made and

Read More »

March 25, 1899

Big battle occurred today. Worst of war. Gen. Wheaton’s brig. [brigade] on left of line comprising Oregon & three other reg. [regiments] made a demonstration

Read More »

March 26, 1899

More fighting on lines. Oregon boys lost several more men Freeman, Holbrook, 0 Neil[,] Jarman and others wounded. Did lots of charging but no firing.

Read More »