A Soldier in the Philippines

"A Soldier in the Philippines" by Needom N. Freeman is a memoir that chronicles the author's time as a U.S. Army private during the Philippine-American War between 1898 and 1900. Through his personal experiences, Freeman sheds light on the daily routines, difficulties, and bonds forged among soldiers during this period, while describing the political and social dynamics of the conflict between American troops and Filipino rebels. Beginning with his enlistment and basic training at Fort McIntosh, he recounts his early days with the Twenty-third United States Infantry and reflects on the demanding nature of military life, from strenuous marches to the rigid rules and the support that soldiers gave each other, marking his shift from an optimistic recruit to a soldier facing the demanding realities of war and a new cultural setting.