Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-07-30
HARRISBURG LETTER FROM THE FRONT
Sidney S. Well, Gunner on the Gunb0at
Castine, Writes to His Mother, Mrs.
N. Well, of No. 3O5 Freshman St.
U. s. S. Castine,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,

| long time should elapse until you
heard from me, as there can be no
doubt you and the folks are anxious
~ awaiting this letter. However,
| have been too busy lighting lately
to think of writing; besides, We sell
dom have opportunities TO post our
letters. /, and, in fact, all the crew
assembled here, are In good health
and excellent spirits. SO there is no
danger OF defeat being recorded
against us. The heat is extremely
| hard on US in this climate; in the
engine-room the thermometer regis
ters on an average lao degrees, and
in the fire-room l60 degrees; but we
have all the brandy, whiskey and
beef tea we desire, which sustains
our-strength wonderfully.
My vessel, the CASTING, ir COM
pany with the Annapolis, Helena and
Hornet, left Tampa, conveying 80
transports on the IA of this month.
When We arrived off Dry Tortugas
we were joined by the Indiana, De-
| troit, Bancroft, Wasp, Eagle, Man
ming, Scorpion, two torpedo boat
destroyers, one torpedo boat, and
several armed seagoing tugs. We
arrived safely Is miles east of San.
tiago on the 2lst, at a port named
| Baiquiri There are extensive iron
mines there, which are worked by
modern machinery on a large scale.
There is also large steel pier pro-
jecting out into the water for dis
tance Of three hundred feet, which
ultimately proved ofgreat assistance
in landing the troops. When the
occupants of the town became aware
of our presence, they immediately
set fire to the place. On the pier
mentioned above were about fifty
freight cars, which they saturated
with oil, and then ignited, so as to
destroy the pier. Presently we
could sec numerous women and chill
dren, presumably Cubans, pushing
the blazing cars from the pier, in
order to prevent general confagra-
ton.
Meanwhile, just as we were pre-
pairing to lombard the place. the
New Orleans arrived from Santiago,
and lent us valuable assistance.
During the bombardment, which
lasted thirty minutes, the Castine
fred $50 four.inch shells, not to
mention those fred from the six and
one-inch guns and machine guns.
The three forward four-inch guns, at
which | serve, are situated one on
the forecastle and the remaining two
directly beneath. These guns fred
during the engagement just ninety
two shells, which did great damage,
and wrought havoc among the Span
ISL troops as they fed from the
town. There were very few shots
4
fred by the Spanish, and immedi.
ately after the firing ceased, the dis
embarkation Of the troops COM
menced. BY evening about eight
thousand men had been landed, fully
equipped for the field, and they lost
nc time in taking possession of the
town. Our colors were raised over
the place amid great enthusiasm, and
wild cheering by the men.
The steam whistles on the vessels
shrieked, the bands all played the
national airs, and among the crash
and din Of it all the boom of the
guns predominated. 1t was q mag
nifcent and inspiring sight, and we'll
worth enduring few hardships 10
witness.
All the men -of-war lowered their
steam launches, steam cutters and
other boats, and assisted in the
landing Of tue troops. / was run
ming our steam cutter, and started
towing the troops ashore at 10 a. M.
and kept steadily at it until a. m.
the next morning-quite long hours.
The troops, numbering about $4,000,
are within five miles of Satiago this
morning. understand several tor
pedo boats and destroyers will make
a united attack upon Santiago 10.
night.
After the troops were landed we
left for this place, where the Cubans
and warriors are encamped, and have
Constructed fort. They had o
fight few nights ago, and follow ing
is the score: Americans killed, 6;
Spanish killed, about 800. OF course
| cant youch for the accuracy of the
figures, as they arc not the result of
actual count.
Last night the Cubans and marines
set out to make an attack on Span.
ish camp, situated about five miles
inland, but upon arriving there
found the camp deserted. At the
head of the river which empties in
to this bay, distance about fifteen
miles, is quite town called CAIN
anero. 1t is protected by two gnn-
boats and fort invested with 900
Spaniards. The Helena. Bancroft,
Marblehead and Castine are detailed
to leave here at 2 a. M, to lombard
the town, capture or destroy the
boats and engage the troops. We
anticipate lively time.