The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-27

ents Reside in this Place, Gives his Ex-
periences at Tampa.
Tampa, Fla, July II, '9S.
Dear Brother:
Just received your letter
and its not necessary for me to express
my feelings, and sincerely hope all your
letters may contain nothing but good
news stating health and happiness of
mother, father and relatives throughout;
also friends and enemies. Nothing
would grieve me more than to hear bad
news from home, for ] tell you John, |
have just begun to realize there is
good many hundred miles between us
and hundreds more may be added on
very short notice. We are under march
ing orders now, but even iOur captain
does not know when we leave, but for
my part l hope it will be soon. We have
hard work here, considering the ratiOns
we are allowed. am not big eater
but l swear can eat in one meal what
we get for three and then it's Of the
toughest grade. was here a week be-
fore | could stomach it, but you bet your
life l can sit down and eat my hard-tack
and pork with the rest Of the boys now.
Occasionally we get fresh meat, potatoes
beans, etc., just to remind us Of home.
| don't believe man in this company
will know how to act when they are dis
charged should they be among the lucky
ones.
| suppose you think this tough, but we
pay no attention to it, only to grumble
little. You know among so many men
you can find all kinds and l say to you
it's a comical sight here at all times.
| thought it the strangest thing when l
first came. In one place you see about
a hundred men men washing their
clothes, in another place as many more
taking bath, and all over squads sing
ing, writing letters, ETC., but am like
the rest now, nothing seems strange to
me, and nothing hard. When l first
came trembled when we were sent to
mount horses. Hundreds of men are
marched to a field where there are at
least thousand horses. Each man
must catch and mount horse. They
are all fine western horses and we have
lots Of fun but accidents happen every
day.
This is beautiful country were it not
for the heat. 1t has just come to me
that geography is very useful study.
Coming down l knew every river, state
and its products. Some Of the boys
thought that | had been raised in the
south. l have been through the mill
had cannon, rifle and horse drill and
venture to say can mount and ride any
horse we have. The rifle drill is the
worst. You can imagine the heat, then
go through all those movements, as you
must do and be prompt, with the sun
beating down. | tell you its terrible,
but never felt better in my life than
when l left home, and still retain that
good feeling in health and spirit. This
in way is like railroading-the longer
you are here the more uncOncerned you
get and learn to fear nothing, though be-
fore came l was not quarrelsOme or
hasty yet | feared no man.
This is strict place where you must
do your duty under the strictest orders.
When on guard should you be found
asleep, the penalty is death or whatever
the court martial may decide. You must
not sit down when on guard, but keep
constantly on the alert observing every
thing in view. Should your brother
cross your line you must arrest and turn
him over to the corporal Of the guard.
You are supposed to say the word halt
the second time in this country, but once
in Cuba. Should your victim fail to
stop you are obliged to capture him dead
or alive.
read Archie Williams letter In the
Enterprise. He made one mistake about
eating "fried" hardtack. Hardtack Is
simply -four and water stirred up and
baked, no salt, yeast or anything else
connected with it.
T l received the package you sent me
and thanks for all, they are very useful.
We get pass to go Oat Once.in a while
and the first place | make for Is to get a
square meal. I have some money left
yet, and when we get transport we get a
months pay. The government allows
us $40 for clothing the first six months,
so can get everything | want in that
line. We have had lots Of rain Of late. II
Is said by the natives that this is the
rainy season. received those scapulars
and are wearing them. Your advice in
regard to my spiritual welfare is cert
ainly good one, but the dangers We
| anprOach every daV puts us In mind Oi