The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-07-14
CAMPAIGNING IN cusA
fhe Insurgent Array Divided Into
SMALL Bands-The Day's Routine.


Small Bands-The Day's Rontine.
Emory W. Fem. late major in the
Cuban army. has written an article for
the Century. entitled Ten Months
with the Cuban Insurgents" Mr..
Fem says: Our operations were con
fined 10 the province OF Santiago de
Cuba. a large proportion OF the inhabi-
tants OF which are blacks, descendants
OF native Africans. imported In the
days OF slavery. Most OF the men are
OF medium stature. with broad Shout
ders and well-developed muscles. They
are peaceful in disposition. seldom. II
ever, quarreling among themselves,
and are brave and fearless in battle.
AS no attention has been given by the
Spanish authorities TO their education.
less than one-quarter of the country
people In this province are able 10 read
and write: but they are gifted by ma
ture with large amount OF lntelll-
gence. Their homes are hardly more
than roofs. The families are large.
often numbering from sixteen to eigh-
teen. Children under five years sell
dom wear clothing. Lamps are almost
unknown, candles being generally
used.
Vegetables are plentiful, and meat is
now furnished to the families by the
project, an officer OF the civil govern
ment appointed for each township to
protect and care for the families. also
TO furnish horses, vegetables. and 9th.
er articles necessary for the troops In
his vicinity. As the Cuban soldier re-
lies mainly upon vegetables, and. when
the enemy Is not near mt hand. often
camps in the same place for weeks at
time, 1t is necessary, In order not to
exhaust the supply, TO divide the forces
into small bands OF from fifty to five
hundred men, according 10 clrcum-
stances. The vegetables chiefly used
are green plantains IA banana, but not
the variety sold in this market, green
bananas, sweet potatoes, pumpkins,
and the nutritious yucca. These vege-
tables are either boiled or roasted on
the Goals.
The camp is usually chosen in an
opening near road. where fresh
water may he had and grass found for
the horses, the officers and assistants
being. MS a rule. mounted. If the camp
Is for short time only, no huts are
built; but II 1t is expected to remain
for several days. the soldiers erect
small shelters. A majority OF the Off
GERS are provided with a large piece of
canvas, which Is stretched as a roof
| over their hammocks The hammocks
are hung to trees, or to posts driven Ia
to the ground. Each soldier does his
own cooking, but each officer Is attend
ed by an assistant. Fires are started
with flint and steel. no matches being
used, except, perhaps, for a short time
after the capture Of n town. The prin-
! clpal fire-wo0d Is cedar.
AS soon as camp site has been Sc
lected, guards are placed. but only on
the roads, as the Spanish troops never
enter the woods. The horses are then
unsaddled and taken TO pasture, ham
mocks are hung, and fires are built
vegetables are allowed to look fol
them; and, while usually they are to
be found near at hand, 1t is sometimes
necessary TO go several miles before
finding them. At night staff-otficers
are required to do guard duty neal
headquarters. to receive any messages
that may arrive, and to see that all II
quiet in camp. Reveille is sounded or
the bugle at daylight, and every one
officers Included, Is obliged to turn out
Coffee or sambumbia tsweetenet
water) is then made, and about one
hour later roll-call is sounded, after
which the soldier has very little to dc
but rest until ) p. m, when roll-call |.
again sounded. Retreat Is sounded a
eight, when every man must be II
camp, and ut nine silence" Is sound
ed, and all remove their clothing ant
retire for the night.
The Cubans eat but two meals a day
one about II a. m. and the other abou
0 p. m. They often march by moon
light, and many of their attacks ar,
made at night while the Spanish
forces never march or attack excep
by day. In Spanish camp the horses
are not unsaddled during the day, ant
at night the men often do not remov,
their clothing. and the entire camp Il
well guarded. Medicine is scarce, ant
fever is common.