A SOLDIER HEADED TO THE PHILIPPINES WRITES TO HIS FRIEND IN DETROIT FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, SEPTEMBER 19, 1899
A 3 pp. autograph letter, signed "Dupont," and written on three pages of letterhead stationery, from the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, rectos only, approx. 220 words. The stationery features a vignette of the hotel in the upper left corner of the sheet. H.D. Kampmann is listed as Proprietor and McLean & Mudge, Managers. Versos of each sheet print a collage of images of the hotel. Accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope with the vignette of the hotel occupying the left side, and captioned "San Antonio is an Ideal Health Resort." Old fold lines, else very good, and in a nice, legible hand.
Dupont writes to Lizzie [Miss L. S [?] Fletcher] of Detroit that he had arrived in San Antonio with his father, put on his uniform and reported for duty: "they treated me very cordial indeed and it made me realize more fully what it is to be a regular." He mentions that Gen. McKibben [sic- McKibbin] was commanding the Dept. of Texas and was Colonel of the 12th, wearing that insignia on his collar. "[I]t made me feel blue to see that 12th on his collar for the last one I saw was on 'Drewdy.' " Dupont says his friend Drewdy, also a soldier, had promised him that his next birthday they would celebrate in the 12th. [Apparently Dupont's friend did not return from the war]. Dupont says he was due to leave for "Frisco" in the morning and asks that she keep writing to his address in Sherman [Texas?] until he has another address to give her. Item #67352
The Philippine American War began in February 1899 and lasted until July 1902, when the United States declared it over. Gen. Chambers McKibbin, born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, served in the Civil War along with his three brothers. He later served in the Spanish American War, commissioned a Brigadier General of the U.S. Volunteers. In 1899 he was commissioned Colonel of first the 12th, then the 24th Infantry Regiment, and became commanding officer at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, 1899-1901. The 12th Infantry was posted to the Philippines in 1899 and continued to serve as garrison troops there until 1912.
Price: $200.00