The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-15
CUBAN PATRIOTS IN CAMP,
A Visit to One of Their Armies Described
bya Land Owner.

From his retreat in Virginia, where he
is engaged in writing war history. Gen.
Bradley I. Johnson sends tho News the
following letter from gentleman III Gu
ba.
Having received notice OF an encamp-
ment Ct insurgents IN the neighborhOod pr
my estate, l resolved 10 VISIT H., not only
10 pay my IesI Gets 10 the general IN COM
mand, as al old friend, but also 10 see
for myself and become acquainted with
the composition OF such an organization.
The small bands that frequently visited
my place were for the most part indie
pendent bodies, acting, 10 ali intent, ON
their own responsibility, but having, n"V-
ertheless, communication with the large
bodies OF patriots that moved about the
country, keeping the troops IN constant
alarm by their rapid changes OF position.
started early one Oiu4uS under tue
guidance of a couple of insurgents who
visited me most frequently taking with US
the passports or papers that every one Is
obliged TO carry either at his residence or
70 20 even beyond the boundaries OF bis
estate. as in case or meeting the Spanish
soldiers l could remain Within tie tNac-
tons of military law, | also took the pre-
caution Of carrying a field glass so as 10
reCcnnotre the roads that lay m Our way,
from the hills that overlooked the land.
AS IL was, We met only small detach-
Ment OF cavalry crossing our route az
some distance, and We renamed hidGen
/ until il had passed. About ten miles RON
the starting point. on ascending small
emlnence, we were suddenly confronted
By two insurgents, whose dDDc ltance
J somewhat startled me, as / could sec no
object or bush OF sufficient size 10 enable
any one 10 hide in. 1 suppose that y ey
nad dug holes Tor the purposes as Nney
informed me that the detacnment we
had seen had passed close 10 them. They
exchanged a few words NltH ny sSluc
and We passed on our way. rev nun
dTed yards further We were stopped ny
D - ~
ing the object of nay visit, informed ne
tina, they were the advance guard ct the
main body, and directed Us 20 -uins That
could be seer through some trees On our
right.
The encampment was formed in the Ia
tey or cluster OF houses that belonged 10
the sugar estate-the cane has Deea &C.
stIoyed long ago by hre-and or the oiiid-
ings only one remains in fair conditici.
and that was occupied BY an aged coupe:
OF all the others only charTed sinners ana
blackened walls remained 20 marx the
place where they stood. The General had
moved away the previous evening With
the greater part OF the command, ieay-
10 men, who were at this time engaged
ia cutting up three steers and preparing
their morning meal. passed through the
thrOng, exchanging salutations with the
men and reached the quarters OF the COM
handing officer, In whom recognized an
old acquaintance. ana was invited 10 par
take OF the meal to which be was doing
seat offered me by one OF the stan. Which
was formed OF several bricks IN pile.
on a charred piece of timber tnat had
been a supporting column of me sugar
house was the layout. consisting Of
large piece OF meat almost burnt On one
side and quite rare on the other, and
pile OF sweet potatoes. For table cloth,
there was a large yagud or bark OF the
palm tree.
or this meat each one present. with the
knife carried at the waist. carved piece,
which was eaten zen nature, as fingers.
as we all know. were made before knives
and forks. Water was drank from bottles
or leather cases. with which many were
provided The commanding officer. how
ever, had a cup OF coffee. which he insist
ed on dividing with me, regrettlng that
for the present the sugar had given out.
Jokes were not wanting, and laughter re-
sounded on ali sides. proving that If any
thing else was wanting. good humor GER
tainly was not The meal being over. A
shrill whistle resounded, silence was ic-
stored. and at the word OF command each
mau sought his horse and in a few min
ut.s tue line was formed ready 10 take up
y & march. | asked permission 10 inspect
the aims, which was readily granted
Many We're Colt repeating carDines, Offers
Were Bennington or Peabody. ana TWO or
thrce men had No. II brecch-loading shot-
gins. which showed hard use ana were
no. kept ia as good condition as couid ue
desired. All had revolvers. mostly orlth
4 Wessons and the wel-known nacnetc.
Some OF the rifles were now from recehs
landing on the coast. and not ie" n"o