Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11


very unusual thing at that hour The
sight rather sobcrcd us, and the senior
sub asked what II meant A sergeant
came forward, and said that the men
had heard all sorts OF rumors OF war,
ana were IN state OF great excitement.
and he would be much obliged II We
we're at liberty TO do 50, II we could tell
them what had happened. 81 think, gen
uemen,' he added, they would go more
quietly 20 their quarters II they are told"
lie was answered that the news was no
secret, and that England and France
nad declared war against Russia. The
men raised Wild cheer but to my ears
u sounded rather hollow, and somehow
when we got out OF the barracks half
The fun seemed knocked out OF US, and
~e did not do much more than give the
townspeopie some harmless chaff. To be
sure Charlie danced a polka in the
market-place with a gypsy woman. while
an old man. seated on barrel, played
the fiddle. But then Charlie was bound
TO DO something out OF tho common,
though there was no harm In his fun;
and we ended rather tamely by going
quietly back 10 our quarters earlier than
usual.
a few days after this came orders 70
march TO our port OF embarkation, where
transport was waiting TO take US In the
AuSt piACo 10 MdIlt- NOtnlnB OcSuiicu
worthy OF note till we were halfway
across the Bay OF Biscay. Then one
morning. when 1t was blowing rather
stidly from the west with a high sea,
there was a cry Of IMAM overheard"
was or deck at the time, right aft, talk
ing 10 Charlie, but most OF the fellows
were below, hardly able to crawl out or
their berths. Looking over the side, saw
one Of our men struggling in the water
HNrl
TO him, but being unable 20 SWIM no
could not reach them, and It was evident
he must drown long before boat could
reach him. Tor although our engines were
reversed, we should carry our way an
other quarter OF a mile.
I was a strong swimmer, so Selling a
hfe-belt that was close to my hand,
dropped overheard just as the man had
passed.
a few strokes brought me to him, and
then came the difficult job OF getting the
belt over him, for the man was struggling
dangerously l managed IL at last, when
he was nearly drowned, for 1t was not
TIL then he had the sense to see that his
best plan was 20 keep quiet. When
looked about for the ship she seemed
very long way off. and often we lost sight
Of her altogether as we sank down be-
tween the waves. j was getting exhaust
ed myself; the life-belt would only support
one. so l looked round for another, and
fortunately there was one not far off.
swan 10 IL, and after getting my arms
through It, returned to my man, and
stayed quietly By him waiting for help.
II was a trying time. for It was quite pos
sible they might miss us in the heavy sea
that was running. But / was pleased TO
see, as we rose on n wave, that there
was an officer high up in the rigging sig
mailing, which showed me that boat had
already put or, and that the officer could
still sec us. At last we saw the boat, but
she was not heading for US; then we lost
sight II her, but tho next time we saw her
she was nearer. i shouted with all my
might; my shout was answered, and two
minutes later we were hauled on board.
Poor Private Jones collapsed In the
bottom Of the boat, but / was not much
the worse, only very cold. AS we came
near the vessel tho Captain sung out:
Have you got them both?' The answer
ing shout Of Eyes. all right" was hardly
given, when such a cheer arose from over
500 men as ! never expect to hear again;
and as we came uD The side, our old
Colonel came forward and shook hands
with me. saying: "Wsll and bravely done,
sir: 1 am proud Of YOU" As 1 was
making nv way below Charley gave me
such a slap on tho back as nearly sent me
on my nose on the deck. saying: "Splen-
didly done, old fellow. I knew the man
was saved when you went over for him.
would have come with you, but you
know am a poor swimmer, and should
only have drowned myself without saving
the man" Poor Jones came to thank me
next morning for life saved. / told him
he might very likely have chance OF
doing the same for me before we saw
homo sgain.
In due time we arrived at Malta, where
we were detained many weeks. Whiie
most Of our fellows were fretting to get
on confess L was quite contented "a
stav where I was; I quite enjoyed my
visit 20 the island, and all the strange
scenes TO be witnessed there.
Troops were constantly pouring In, and
after a time several French regiments
ioined US. creating considerable interest
ana curiosity among our men, for Tommy
Atlyins was very anxious TO stand treat
on every possible occasion to his new
friends.
At last we were Off again. and our
destination this time was Gallipon. rms
( did not alarm me much, as IL was Ger
tain there was no fighting to DO done
/ there. and we seemed to be going so
/ leisurely towards the seat OF war tnAt
/ began to be very much or opinion
/ that there would be no fighting az an
/ and that we were only makihg o-liion-
stratfon in force for political purposes
shall not dwell on our stay az CALI
pou VIC had not been there long De-
3 fore we were ordered up TO Scutarl,
SIN far from danger; but after short
sfav there. we were offered 10 embark
T for Varna. This looked really Ike get
tim, near the seat Of war, and my
miserable weakness returned TO some eA-
tent. but / had so much 10 do that had
not time to dwell on It,
Arrived at Varna, we found every
thing ut first in tho widest Confusion
INT after a time out of chaos came or
der. The English troops were not quar-
tered IN the town, but at several points
farther inland. Here for about three
months we remained kicking our heels
doing absolutely no good TO our friends
! or harm to our enemies; but we had not
| beau there long before we had more
! ferrible zoe 70 aght than the Russians.
| Tbe cholera broke out among US, al
first slightly, but very soon severely,
| our field hospitals filed 70 overhowlng,
and our poor doctors WORKED oay a lld
night TO save and relieve the sufferers
| till they themselves were Esauy " uiop
/ from sheer fatigue.
o. evening our doctor, as good a fel-
low "a ever stepped, came into my ten
ard threw himself down in cane chalr
en- a etate OF utter exhaustion; L mixed
a stiff glass Of grog and made him drink
| n and then got him 10 light his pipe ana
nnll himself together. He told me IL was
heartrending work, that they had not nan
enough doctors, and nothing ike enough
nurses. and that men were dying ualiy
who, in all probability. wouio nave n.y. n.y.
,.tth a little careful nursing, which alas.
could not be given them. / asked him IL
Gould be OF any help. for II so l was
onIte willing TO come and do what l
could when of duty. The doctor thousht
for a minute, and then said: NO. 1t Is
nv duty 70 risk my life from contagion