 Photo by Richard Juhl |
during the Cabatuan Offensive
on their way to Cabatuan, Iloilo, the revolutionary capital
His enlistment record says, "Died Nov 16 1899 at Leon P.I. from knife cut."
Officially reported by Otis as having been stabbed by another soldier, other accounts say he was shot. His assailant was said to be under the influence of Tuba, and consequently served a long sentence.
C 19th US Inf was in Leon Iloilo on November 16 1899 as part of the 2nd Battalion 19th US Inf under Major Huston, during the Cabatuan Offensive, on their way to Cabatuan, Iloilo, the revolutionary capital. They remained in Leon since November 12 1899, while waiting for Gen. Hughes to catch up due to impassable roads brought about by rains, and while under orders to recon the Leon-Alimodian area in the meantime, until November 20, 1899 when the movement again resumed towards Cabatuan.
Buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, Plot NA, 680.
MANILA. ( Received November 26, 1899-10.45 a. m.)
ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Washington:
The following deaths since last report: Variola—October 28, John Evans, K, Nineteenth Infantry; November 17, John Miller, Fourth Infantry. Malaria-16th, Jacob Abel, K, Twenty-second Infantry; 22d, Charles Britenstine, hospital steward, Thirty-second Infantry. Nephritis-18th, Bert G. Flanders, K, Fourth Infantry; Samuel L. Davis, G, Twenty-eighth Infantry. Tuberculosis-19th, Lawrence Dinneen, sergeant, B, Thirteenth Infantry. Stabbed by comrade-16th, Pres Walker, C, Nineteenth Infantry. Typhoid fever-17th, Joseph Hallecka, D, Eighteenth Infantry. Phthisis, 21st, Benjamin R. Fairchild, L, Twenty-sixth Infantry. Chronic dysentery-25th, Charles Stader, A, Thirty-sixth Infantry; William G. Kennedy, C, Twentieth Infantry. Acute dysentery-21st, Frederick Bale, A, Thirty-sixth Infantry; 24th, Clarence W. Beall, K, Fourth Infantry; 17th, Charles W. Lamb, K, Thirty-fourth Infantry; 19th, Thomas Bell, A, Twenty-fourth Infantry. Heart disease-21st, Fred Stroutman, corporal, M, Thirty-second Infantry. Charles M. Smith, second lieutenant, Eighteenth Infantry, 10.20 o'clock a. m., November 22, at Iloilo, Panay, gunshot in action. 22d, result gunshot in action, Ernest W. Rhodes, C, Seventeenth Infantry; David A. McAdoo, B, Eighteenth Infantry, William J. Wallace, F. Maximiliano Luna, second lieutenant, Thirty-fourth Infantry, 3 o'clock p. m., November 15, drowned Agno River, near San Nicolas. Insect bite right forearm, 22d, Corpl. Jacob Brown, I, Fourteenth Infantry.
OTIS.
Otis, Nov 26 1899, 1045am, Casualties
The "Tuba" Drink
Another source of much trouble is a native intoxicating drink called "tuba." This, unfortunately, is obtained in great abundance from the new shoots at the top of every cocoanut tree, and can be had at any time for the asking. Two glasses are sufficient to make an ordinary American crazy and utterly unable to control himself. On the November expedition a member of the Nineteenth Infantry, while under its influence, shot and killed his chum at Leon, and is now serving a long sentence in consequence. In the Twenty-sixth many desertions and crimes can also be laid to its door, and it can truly be said that if it were not for its presence here the summary court record would be reduced by more than one-half. Among the natives it is universally used, and no Filipino soldier or guide will go into the presence of danger without fortifying his courage with a liberal allowance of the stuff. The soldiers are under orders not to drink it, and natives found selling it to them are severely dealt with at most of the posts.
Lawrence, Mar 26 1900
