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James J. Loughrey

James J. Loughrey

(July 4, 1869 — August 28, 1965), Sergeant in ‘A’ Company of the United States California Volunteer Infantry.

July 5, 1898

Inspection by General Anderson at 9 a.m. The Guam prisoners were taken ashore under a strong guard of Regulars and Marines. General Anderson gave Capt.

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July 6, 1898

Reveille at 4.40 a.m. Biscuit and coffee at 5.30 a.m. Inspection of quarters at 8 a.m. by General Anderson. There was a big battle between

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July 7, 1898

Reveille at 4.40 am. An English warship entered the harbour at 1 p.m. At 7.30 p.m. we received news that a great battle had been

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July 8, 1898

I went swimming at 9.30 a.m. Several fellows got stung by stingarees [stingrays] and had spasms for hours afterwards. Corporal O’Connell was bad for two

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July 9, 1898

Inspection 8. a.m. I had cramps for three days, not too badly. Yesterday the 3rd Battalion went out ten miles reconnoitring. Several men collapsed from

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July 12, 1898

The 1st Battalion went on match at 6 a.rn. Corporal Egan, E Company, shot off his fingers while cleaning his rifle. I went on guard

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July 13, 1898

A sentry was caught sleeping on Post No. 9 at 3 a.m. and was placed under arrest. He claimed he was sick. We played baseball

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July 14, 1898

I was sergeant of a fatigue party from 7.15 am. until 4.15 p.m. It was a hard job for they were a tough crowd to

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July 15, 1898

Reveille at 4 am. At 6 a.m. boarded an old sampan bound across the bay to establish camp at Tarnbo [Tambo]. Arrived on Bus: at

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July 16, 1898

Part of our company went on guard at 8. a.m. I was treated at hospital for a boil on the elbow, which finally healed about

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July 17, 1898

We arrived back in camp front outpost at 5 a.ni. around daybreak. A second expedition arrived in the bay at 7 a.m. There was a

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July 18, 1898

Reveille at 5 am. Drill 6 t0 7 am. We received news of General Sampson’s great victory in Santiago de Cuba, through a Japanese cruiser.

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July 19, 1898

Mail went at 7.30 am. I had to run two blocks to catch it. 2nd Battalion arrived in camp at 11 am. Call to arms

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July 20, 1898

Sick call at 7 am. A native kid cut off his finger; none of his colleagues passed any remarks on it. 3rd Battalion together with

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July 21, 1898

I’m feeling fine today and ate heartily for the first time in five days. General Green took over command. Dress parade at 6.10 p.m. I

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July 23, 1898

Inspection 8 a.m. Insurgents bombarding Spanish. It rained all day. We received orders for outpost duty tomorrow; 150 rounds of ammunition were called in leaving

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July 24, 1898

Mass at 6 a.m. Outpost duty at 8 a.m., relieved at 9 a.m. It rained again today. General Merritt arrived with 500 troops and mail.

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July 26, 1898

General Merritt visited our camp. Dan Nichols died in the camp hospital. I received letters from home.

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July 28, 1898

Sergeant O’Donnell went to drill without his belt. We received orders to be ready to move. The flag was lowered on the flagstaff. Rumours circulated

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July 29, 1898

At Headquarters we were entertained by three natives playing guitars and mandolins. They played ‘After the Ball’ and ‘Over the Waves’. I signed the payroll

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July 30, 1898

Muster and Inspection 8.40 to 10 a.m., reviewed by Colonel Smith. There were reports that an armistice had been declared until November 4th. The Spaniards

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July 31, 1898

Mass at 6.15 am. One of the wounded men died today. The 4th Expedition arrived at 3 p.m. At 11.30 pm. we were called to

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August 1, 1898

Colonel Smith gave us a bottle of whisky in the trenches, which saved our lives. Sergeant Justh was buried at 3 p.m. 350 Spaniards were

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August 2, 1898

There was a fierce engagement last night which resulted in 11 Americans killed and 35 wounded. Received mail from home.

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August 3, 1898

I went on outpost duty at 8 a.m., arriving at Pasay Crossroads at 9 am. One man was shot last night. I met a Pennsylvanian

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August 4, 1898

I returned to camp from outpost duty at 10 a.m. Captain Richter died of his wounds during the day. We had a checkroll report at

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August 5, 1898

Mass at 6 a.m. Captain Richter was buried with full military honours at 10 a.m., accompanied by a band. There was heavy fire with big

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August 6, 1898

Mass at 6 a.m. It rained all day. I received my first pay of $41.04, two months less six days up to July 1st 1898.

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August 13, 1898

We left Camp Dewey at 10 a.m. to march on Manila. We formed up in battalion formation in a field of the Pasay Road where

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August 23, 1898

We were called out at 8 p.m. and remained on duty until 6 am. The outposts at Cavite had been fired on by the Insurgents

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