Scope and Contents From the Collection: The papers of Charles H. Murphy consist of twelve letters dating from June 11, 1898 to April 1, 1899 and a welcome home program from November 6-7, 1899. The letters were written by Private Murphy to his brother and sister back home in Red Oak, Iowa. He described the train trip to San Francisco and the military accommodations at Camp Merritt and later at Camp Miller on the Presidio. There he wrote of fears that the regiment would never be sent overseas to see combat. Later, while on the steamship Pennsylvania, he wrote of the ocean trip, rations, and seasickness. After reaching the Philippines, the letters reflected their frustration over having to remain aboard the ship for over ninety days. His last letter dated Manila, April 1, 1899, where he had been assigned to guard duty tells of his desire to take part in the fighting. Two weeks after that last letter was written, Co. M joined the battle and went on to participate in a number of campaigns. The only other item in Charles H....