The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-11

of n Young American
Who Fought with Cuban Rebels.

Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
that small coterie of men who have visited
Cuba since the. beginning OF the revolution
and returned home to relate story or ad-
he is scarcely past his majority-visit Cuba.
but he went to the island to fight With the
insurgents. and Of his experiences, when
ment In MORO Castle and a remarkable
escape, he tells a dramatic tale.
Whitcomb, in the carry part OF this year,
found himself, after series OF ocean trips,
in the streets Of Jacksonville, Fla. He saw
half dozen men wearing on their coats the
silken badges OF the CUBAN republic. he
determined to enlist. and. presenting him
sold his services for $50 and prepared to
sail for the scene of war. The tug j. u.
recruits. Under the cover Of darkness the
tug lay to off the coast of the province OF
Pinar del Rio and commences slgn nal ,gi to
out for the boats arrival. Every movement
was made with as little noise as possible
and the oars scarcely rippled the water as
the newly enrolled insurgents rowed ashore.
An hour or two of tramping and the CEN
ter of the insurgent forces was reached
With his companions, Whitcomb was as
signed to tent and in the early morning
was mustered into service He soon learned
that the rebels were Ill supplied with arms
and ammunition. but each soldier carried a
machete. and the young American was sur
prised to find that four companies OF women.
of the available fighting force.
After a five weeks stay with the insur-
gents, during which time he took part in
several engagements, Whitcomb was strick,
en- with maiarial fever in a. mild form and
decided to leave the camp to avoid an ex-
tended illness. He relied upon his Ameri-
canism to keep him free from molestation,
set out for Havana. Travelling mostly by
night be grew careless OF danger ana p ona
night looking at the open ends OF twenty or
thirty Spanish rifles. Dismounting at COM
nd and giving up n ss Ssy Ss wae
10 HAVANA, and, accused as a spy, was
committed to MORO Castle. just outside OF
When whitcomb was captured he had sl6t
hidden in one OF his shoes, and, although
he was searched, IL was undiscovered. II
was this money that purchased his free
dom. He had numerous talks with the
guard who patro.led the corridor in front
OF his cell, and found that he was sus-
to the guard that IL he would secure him a
piece of rope sufficient to reach from the
parapet of the castle TO the water he would
but at length the guard consented to secure
the rope for $50. In addition the guard was
to leave window open in the main corri-
his way 10 the wall.
Whitcomb came forth from his dungeon
at night The guard according s0g ,S to agree
passed silently out into the dark corridor
and through the window TO the walk within
the parapet. He noted the sentinel pass
by on his rounds. and. fastening his rope
he began TO descend. At last his feet struck
the water. and he was soon striking out for
little craft which he had noticed before
He reached the boat IN safety and soon had
her sails set. He seized her tiller, shaped
his course and was soon out OF the harbor.
When day broke he was out of sight oi
land. Safe in the little shell, he could dc
little but drift seward, which he did, com
ing across the path OF the schooner Adrian
bound for Blscane bay, a point $50 miles
south of Jacksonville. on the florida coast
He was picked up. and. landing at the por
OF destination. found work at hofcs. There
| he remained until he returned to Sprlnghelt
few days ago.