PREFACE.

W

HEN the idea of compiling an historical account of the operations of the American forces in the Philippine Islands was conceived, the war clouds had nearly all disappeared from the horizon, and all that remained were those caused by the prospect of trouble with the insurgents, which, however, were not supposed to be serious. It was expected that the volunteer regiments would be speedily replaced by regulars, who would only be needed for policing the islands.

It was intended, therefore, to give in this book an accurate description of the campaign, from Dewey's great victory to the return of the volunteers, and, in addition, a brief description of the islands. It was also proposed to publish special editions of the book for each of the volunteer regiments, which would contain, in addition to the foregoing, a detailed account of the experience of the regiments from date of mustering into service as volunteers to their return to the United States. In order to obtain this information, it was found necessary to go to Manila, and consequently on December 24, 1898, MR. KARL IRVING FAUST, to whom is due the credit of having conceived and carried into execution this work sailed from San Francisco on the steamer Gaelic, bound for Manila via Hongkong, with plans and prospectus for compiling such a book.

Arriving at Manila on February 2, 1899, it soon became apparent that the plans must be changed. Dark foreboding clouds were hanging over the city, and for more than a month there had been ominous rumors of an outbreak of hostilities Two days later the expected happened, and the real campaign of the Eighth Army Corps commenced in dead earnest.

It at once became evident that there would be great deeds to be recorded on many fields, involving time and labor far exceeding that which had been anticipated and provided for. Mr. Faust at once set about organizing a competent staff of writers who would follow up the troops and be eye-witnesses to whatever happened. The data thus collected must be collated, condensed and arranged. Fortunately the volunteer regiments furnished abundant material for doing this most important work.

The commanding officer of each regiment was visited with the object of securing his cooperation in compiling an accurate account of the operations of his regiment. A man was found in each of these regiments competent to write the story, and the official records of the regiments were placed at his disposal. From first to last we enjoyed the hearty and effective co-operation of all the division brigade, and regimental commanders, who placed at our command all facilities, records and information so far as military regulations would permit.

We were fortunate in securing the services of MR. PETER MACQUEEN, the Boston clergyman and journalist, who had come fresh from the battles about Santiago, where he had become associated in a non-official way with the famous Rough Riders," among whom his conduct had been such as to win the distinction of being one of the two civilians to be decorated with the medal of the regiment, and formally adopted as one of its members. He had also rendered, during the Cuban campaign important services to the government which were recognized when he came to Manila, by letters from the Secretary of War, which gave him ready access, for the purpose of obtaining information, to all commanding and other officers in the government service. Mr. MacQueen at once entered heartily into the spirit of the enterprise, and from the time of his joining the staff assumed the direct charge of the collection of official data from general, division and brigade headquarters.

As it was intended that the book should be profusely illustrated, photographers were employed to go with the different expeditions, and the many pictures secured of troops in action speak more plainly than words the danger and difficulties under which they were taken. The old Spanish galleries of Manila were ransacked for views of the interior of Luzon and beyond the lines occupied by our troops. A canvass was also made of the members of the different