The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-07-06
AN OKLAHOMA MARINER.
Oscor ,. tphom Writes az Interesting let
ter from he Oregon Francis
Byrnc's letter
The following letters from oislaho-

ter from the Oregon Francis
Byrncs letter
The following letters from olslaho-
ma boys will be OF Interests
SANrtAao nr CuBA. June iG tsas.
Dear father As have few min
utes to spare, J thought ! would write
you few lines TO let you know that
am we'll and hope the few lines
will find You and mother the same.
would have written sooner, but ! did
not know that we could send our mail
ur III IL was too late TO write. We
bombarded the forts at the entrance
OF the harbor this morning. We
knocked down nearly all their big
guns they had planted along the
bluffs. Last week we sent an old yes
sci, the Mrrrimac. into the mouth Of
the harbor and sunk her right under
. the guns Of MORO castle There were
9 men and ] lieutenant. They were
all captured. They are kept in MORO
castle, and we have strict orders not
TO FIRE on the castle. We sent the
Mayfow TO Key West TO bring up
some Spanish prisoners TO exchange
. with them. II it wasn't for the C men
locked MP there, that castle wouldn't
last 10 minutes. We bombarded the
place last week and dismounted all
their guns. We expected the ai' of
troops but they have not showe3 up
+ yet IL gave the Spania DIS a chance TO
mount their guns again. The Nesa.
vius sent three dynamite shells in the
other night and three more last night.
They more than tore up things. 81
only shelled the place little Over 81
hour this morning and when we lett
1ar 81 81 o.
Capt. Clark wanted TO 20 back and
silence that gun but the Iowa drifted
ia front OF us and we lad to retire
They sc smed to concentrate all their
ring on MS, for the Oregon's position
il right in front Of the entrance TO tn,
harbor The Spanish shells wer,
shrieking in every direction, but theil
aim is altogether TO high. The las
SHOT they fired this morning was from
II inch gun that they took from on,
OF their vessels. The shell passed owe
our our heads about 20 feet and strucl
about ships Ter 9TH beyond us. Yol
would have laughed . seen the mel
and some Of the officers duck thei
heads when the shell passed over us
We we're standing on the flying bridge
for the marines man all the secondarl
battery on the bridge Lieut.. Davi
was standing about 10 feet OF us an,
d looked a little shy when that sho
vent by. The admiral complimenteu
us very highly FOR our accurate shoot
ing and Grmness There was only on
Spanish shell struck that one hit tn
Massachusetts but did no damage T.
her. We sacked a little place calle,
Guantanamo, about 40 miles from here
our marines went ashore and got 10
OF souviners. In the afternoon tw
troop ships came in there and 500 mar
ines. They set the place on fire an
burned it.down. They have had feS
skirmishes with the Spaniards Wit
but small loss.
Well, must close, hoping to hea
from you soon | remain as ever you
< affectionate son. OsCAHJ. UPHAM.
p. s. Twenty-seven ships are rC
ported on their way here, some of tn
fleet we left at Havana, and the re-
are troop ships and transports. Goo
81 bge. Give love to mother. OSCAR.
HhsG Sergeant y. ~. Hunter Has 10 Sa,
4 IL CAMP AT MINlNG Town,
30 miles S. W. Santiago de Cuba,
June %, ls0s.
II Correspondence 20 the Leader.
Sitting in the shade OF cocoanut pair
trees, in the land of the enemy an
sJnnng friends, / will take the time l.
let the people OF Oklahoma know no,
And whore her sons are.
4 Az 1850 IA. m. June 22, under cover O
a fire fiom the guuboats, we began L
land on Caban soil, and by noon 4 100
OF our men had been landed. Their
were 900 Sphniards In the town whel
the bombardment began, but the
made hasty Hight, burning the mos
valuable property aud taking thei
wounded with them The lombard
ment had hardly ceased when the Gu
bans began swarming on the landing
coming from the forts and mountain
on every side.
The BON bardment OF Santiago begal
4 at tn game time, and for several hour
II the constant roar OF cannon aad burst
ing shells doafened all but the veil
I, that came from an extra good shot
The lucatan was mile from tn
nearest gdnbcat, and about one and
half miles from shore during the BON
u hardment. The most reliable inform ,
ton yet received is that 30 Spaniard,
We're killed and wounded
N Coils. Wood and Roosevelt landed a
2 p. m. They Immediately climbed
4 high peak, late y used by the Spanisl
~ a. a ANi 1T tnnf anu ANtit DAAnItu lnt
Nag OF the United States the first nal
= planted by our country with sufiicien
support % keep il planted Gum
N doomed wmstl s bowed, and meI
j, yelle1 and cried
| Troop ID landed at 5a5 without
mishap. The landing was bad, but the
wrecking OF several small boats an,
y the drowning OF two soldiers OF Tn,
!, Tenth infantry and few mules wa
all the Ions sustained. Part OF the ar
I tillery was brought ashore last nigh
and moved 10 positions where il coulC
; do the most good in case OF suddeI
b alta by the enemy.
{ Wewent INTO camp half mile south
OF the landing, and to-day are resting
and trying 10 get into shape TO attend
n the hot time ball that viii take plac,
i at Santiago upon our arrival there
L. The city is 10 be attacked from tn,
water by sampson, from the west b,
the Cubans, aid from the north AnC
! east by our land forces.
Ny partner is eating a coc anut n,
II picAe1 up near our tent, and from IN,
~ way he is eating il think il must b,
delicious. An the boys are we'll anC
ready To Try their nerve and shooting
ability with the Spanish.
None OF the descriptions OF the CubaJ
b soldiers that / have ever read havi
!. truly described their pitiful condition
Number II them have no clothing a
/ all, whi many have nothing but th,