Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-27
Colonel Burr's Effort to Inspect a
Bridge.
INTERVIEWS A SPANISH OFFICER
Sergeant Cafferty's Ca,elessness
With White Flag.
COMMANDMENTS HOSPITALITY
Special From STAFF Correspondent.

SIBONEY. July IA, $685.
This afternoon came the glad tidings
that Santiago mad capitulated great
sigh of relief comes in chorus from the
breasts of the $500 or 1900 men who are
unluckily stationed here at this fever-in-
tested point. Anything to get out of here
is the sentiment one hears on all sides
We see visions of paved streets and some
of the comforts of life in Santiago, even
If We do not escape the danger of the
fever. But even fever is preferable in
Santiago to fever on the low, bad-smelling
sands of Siboney.
The terms Of the equalization, 1t is said
are to be left to commission, and as this
may not be decided for a few days, some
of the rumors flying around here now may
pc ssess curious interest in the states even
after the exact terms are known. The
story which receives most credence is to
the effect that the terms of capituiation In
clude al of Santiago province. 1t is agreed
that the United States is to transport the
Spaniards to Spain All else is to be left
to the commission.
This arrangement meets with the general
approval of the officers here for they fear
q stampede from this pest hole If the
troops are obliged to stay here much long
all who could get away. Our newspaper
brethren have flown like a flock of crows
for Key West. where their new state will
probably be worse than the old. From all
1 can learn. there is more scare than there
is necessity for, the fever has proved
of very mild type and as yet there has
been no deaths from 1t. But 1t is very de-
meralizing on troops as well as others to
or otchor
to the yellow fever camp on the, hills.
Aside from the fever. there is another
consideration for making very liberal terms
with the Spanish in order to get control of
the ports and to stop the fight out at the
front The roads from here to the front
have become impossible for wagon trains
artillery. All the way from here 10
Gen. Skaters headquarters the narrow
trail Is blocked with stalled wagons, dead
mules and poor live animals stuck in the
thick, waxy Cuban clay. The rain has
brought about this condition Of things,
and no human foresight could have avert
ed the result. The quartermaster's depart
ment has done it's best and has accom-
plished wonders, but wagons are not made
to navigate mud seas and mules are not
at their best swimmers
Our men at the front are suffering for the
absolute necessaries of camp life in the
field, and If this capitulation had not come
along when it did no telling how serious
results might have followed.
1 have been trying for the last two days
to get back to the front, bat all attempts
proved futile. 80
On an Inspection Tour with Col. Burr
This afternoon 1 met Col, Edward Burr
of the engineers, who. by the way, is well
known in Washington, and he invited me
to go cut with him over the railroad which
leads to Santiago. He was going up to in
spect the bridge at Aguadores, which had
been blown up by the Spanish when our
troops came up from Baiquiri. He explain
ed that the expedition would carry US in
side the Spanish lines and permission would
have to be obtained under flag of truce
to make the necessary inspection.
I'VE may get shell as we come up to
the bridge" said sthe colonel 'for they
have battery bearing on the road at that
point. but If you are willing to take chances
will be glad to have you along"
We nc unit a gondola freight car, to which
a rather rickety looking locomotive is cou-
pied behind, and away we start for the
front. This little railroad winds along the
sea coast, and for one-half the distance is
within our lines.
Our party consists of Col Burr Capt. F.
II. Lord of the subsistence department,
DR.. Turnbull Of the 33d Michigan and
Lieut.. Robt. M. Kerr of the same regi-
ment. Capt. Lord is to act the inter-
prefer. l forgot to mention one very pic
turesque member Of the party who is
decided character in his way. This tall,
sunburnt, slightly stoop-shouldered vet
eran, in blue shirt, open at the neck and
sleeves rolled up. Is Sergt. Jim Cafferty of
the engineers. He is conductor of our
train and general factotum to Col. Burr.
He has fought Indians on the plains, he
has laid mines in half a dozen harbors,
has seen and been part of almost every
thing worth seeing or being in the regular
service. Cafferty is voluble and diverting.
Caferty also carries in his right hand a
white towel, tackled on to a fiat hammock
stick-our flag of truce. 1t sometimes oc-
ours TO me as we clatter along over the
rather rickety road that Cafferty is more
careless with that important war ensign
than he should be. 1t occurs to me that If
1 were carrying it would be more care