Joseph John Collins:
Spanish-American War Diary

(November)

Nov 1 Policing garrison heavey rain continues unknown steamer floating about harbor since day-break did not anchor inspection by Inspector Major Johnson Regt 46 inf Detail that left for Sorsogon did not return Surgeon Armstrong condemed the biggest part of garrison night quite.

Nov 2 Water detail Launch came in at 7 AM Joe Dwyer put in guard house by Major Anderson Inspector left Major preparing to relieve big guard duty by burning down stockade side of town quite at night and clear. Major preparing to relieve the big guard duty.

Nov 3 On guard bridge No 2 steamer Sorsogon came in at 2 PM with mail and cots and garrison bake ovens Sergt Weiss and 20 men and boat crew went to Pilar and got 40 natives to reface houses

Nov 4 Came of guard at 7 AM fixing quarter with new cots heavy rain.

Nov 5 on Old guard fatigue tearing down old houses and policing garrison heavy rain.

Nov 6 Heavey storm now raging Major said if Bryan was elected he would resign and go to England had election at 2 PM Bryan was elected vote Bryan 66 McKinley 58 Major got on his high horse and put every man in the garrison at work tearring down shacks for revenge.

Nov 7 Dining room orderly had post guard mount at 4.20 PM Miller Co A picked out as Orderly at night answered 3 letter Phillip. Mae. and mother

Nov 8 Clear and warm preparing to mount guard. picked out as orderly at guard - mount was done at 7.45 PM

Nov 9 Reported at the Major at 7 AM was relieved at noon until 4 PM was relieved at 5 PM by Co A man

Nov 10 Preparing for inspection had inspection at 9.30 in light marching order. afternoon clear and warm brought a new trunk.

Nov 10 (sic) Inspection at 9.30 AM in light marching order excused from old guard was ordered to be ready to go out at 2 AM.

Nov 11 Sergt Weiss with a detail of 8 men from our Co. and 8 from Co A went out on the Spaniards sail boat at 3 AM reached mouth of bay at day-break Sergt and boat crew went into Pilar ahead we struck a rock but did no damage. struck a sand bank about a mile in the bay had to wait till 10 AM for high tide to get off reached Pilar at noon. Spaniard went ashore but could not sell rice started to leave at 3 PM reached the mouth of bay at dark. very rough sea wind right against us and boat leaking went back into the bay again and waited at mid-night started out. again ^{Nov 12} wind still against us can gain no head way at 2 AM ran close to shore and anchored boat still leaking. try to sleep on deck but was raining to hard drenched to the skin at day break found out that we were near Sorsogon bay 4 miles below Pilar Bay no wind at all drifted out to sea with the tide at 10 AM fellows volunteered to try to row home rowed about 6 miles when a light breeze came up and we did not have to row we got into Donsol at 230 PM have got a sick headache do not have to go on guard.

Nov 13 Was told had to go on guard at night red sail boat came in had some mail for the officers - Sergt Weiss ask for an investigation as to the boat crews and hikers behavior at Pilar waited till 4 PM but was not asked for my evidince nothing came out of trial went on guard was put on No 4 Post night quite.

Nov 14 Came off post at 7 AM went to guard house guarding prisoners building new quarters heard there was much typhoid fever at Sorsogon was relieved from guard at 5:30 PM very warm & clear Colonels launch came in with Capt Fields who brought the election returns night quite.

Nov 15 Tearing down houses all day.

Nov 16 Wash house orderly Rockets sent up at 7.30 PM at passing boat.

Nov 17 cleaning up for guard-mount. was picked out at guard-mount as orderly for the Major by Adjutant. relieved at 7.30 PM

Nov 18 Reported to Major at 7AM relieved at 10.30. reported again at 1 had nothing much to do relieve by new orderly at 5 PM. changing positions of trenches

Nov 19 Relieved from duty all day. Mayoon came in at 11 AM no mail Russell with post canteen drew clothes. atheletic outfit came had meeting for ball club and rough-house at night.

Nov 20 Excused from old guard fatigue played ball in the morning Major set condemned part of town on fire quite at night

Nov 21 Transport Frederica came in at to take away the section of 3^rd Art got some mail boat pulled out at 5 PM

Nov 22 Capt issued canteen checks some of the fellows were put under arrest for refusing to wear a blue shirt at work. went on guard at 4.30 PM picked out as orderly. Mayoon came in at 6.30 PM relived by Major at 8 PM rained.

Nov 23 Reported to Major at 7 AM raining all day relived by new orderly at 4.30 PM night quite

Nov 24 Excused from old guard fatigue inspection at 2.30 PM review at 4 PM including the Artillery --

Nov 25 Slight rained played 2 games of ball with Co A defeated them both games.

Nov 26 Rained hard Major signalled to a boat it came in at 7.30 it was teh Mayoon with cattles. Niggers opened fire at 10 PM laid in trenches one hour no casualties. fire started at Post 4. Prvt Capeless

Nov 27 Rain cleaning up for guard mount. mounted guard at 4.30 selected for 11 9 post was taken sick with fever at 8.30 PM did not go on guard. sail boat came in at 2 PM with A report that 4 soldiers were boloed at Sorsogon Capt McLain wounded in both legs at Bulan night quite

Nov 28 Went to the hospital marked quarters am felling pretty bad 14 men laid up Major calculated on making a 10 day hike

Nov 29 Thanksgiving day. still marked grs. our company beat A co playing ball for beer checks fresh beef potatoes and corn starch pudding fellows had beer in the evening boys amused by a concert by some native fellows raised rough house Corporal struck on the nose.

Nov 30 Nothing of importance am slightly improved 19 men laid up with fever