Evening star., 1898-08-10
FOR SAKE OF OLD GLORY.
Company of District Volunteers a
Front in POto Rico.


Front in POtO Rico.
The following is copy of letter re-
ceived from Charles F. Bryant. who is in
Company H. 1st District of Columbia Vol
unteers. and who was among the first to
land in Porto Rico. The letter was ad-
dressed to his mother. Mrs. Ellen S. Bry-
ant, who resides at 1895 Connecticut ave-
nue., this city:
"Guaniaca, Porto Rico, July q. 1898
1--WE have been sailing on the deep since
July IL, and only reached here on the 18th.
On our trip we stopped at Key West one
day. Santiago de Cuba about five hours and
at Guantanamo three days. At the last
named place We built bridge and put the
stock ashore 1t was at this place that
our marines had their first fight, and where
the American flag was first hoisted in Cuba.
1t was a hard-fought battle, against great
odds but our boys fixed them.
''At Santiago We passed Moro Castle,
and also the Merrimac, made famous by
Hobson. and the wreck of one of the Span
ish battle ships.
We arrived here about 6 am, and had
the honor of being in the first boat to reach
the shore. The marines and sailors were
then fighting behind houses and anything
they could find for protection. We quickly
formed a Skirmish line and pushed out into
the open ana put the spanish UNlnS. L ndu
a haversack with hardtack in 1t, but after
going about half mile i gave it my com
pliments and trusted ii to a friendly bush.
We pushed along and soon struck the main
portion of the town from the rear. We did
not tarry long in our rush. but pushed
through the town and finally lined UP in a
sugar cane plantation, where we waited for
the Spanish, but none came, and finally,
after four hours, We were relieved. Com
ing back l fell out TO look for my haver-
sack and while doing so l held up a Span
lard. or native, and relieved him of a few
mangroves, and L also helped to get
other up tree to get US ripe cocoanuts.
About this time the native men began
coming in, and finally their wives and
daughters. They are well protected by our
troops and seem well contented, They
think more of our money than they do of
Spain's.
Last night was on guard at our bridge
and about 10 O'Clock there went by my head
buzz that caused me to get under
wagon quick Then a general fire COM
Tnenced all along the mountain side, which
was kept up all night. This morning 1
found out that the battle was between a
lost mule and some OF our volunteers, who
fired about five hundred rounds at him;
but. like the cat, he came back this morn
ing.
This is a beautiful country and a fine
climate. ] forgot to tell you that six of
US put in our money last month and bought
n fine camera, and We have pictures of
every place We have been.
This place is on the southern coast of
Porto Rico fifteen miles from Ponce which
is only about forty miles from San Juan
IN a westerly direction. We are going
along the finest military road in the world
and sweep the island clear of Spanish
This morning the other fleet arrived and
We all feel much better, as before we were
only 5000 strong, and understood that 5000
Spanish were coming from Ponce to try US
We are ready now and will give them
lively time
Now. 1 beg you not to worry. 1 think
We viii get through this all o. X. / can't
get much of a chance for writing, 50 do
not look for a letter any oftener than about
one per month.
Il send this by steamer Lampassas, which
is bringing sick to Newport News. As l
close l hear that the volunteers of Porto
Rico are coming in by hundreds and sur
rendering.
Address my letters in care of Captain
LOCKER, Provisional Engineer Battalion,
Porto Rico, and | may get them. AT pres
ent every thing is hurly-burly.'