The times., 1898-07-14
THE VOYAGE FROM TAMPA.
Interesting incidents Described by
ScrEt. Connolly.

The following interesting letter has
been received by L. c. Grimmnitz. of this
city, from Sergt. James Connolly. Com
pany c, Twenty-first Infantry. now be-
fore Santiago.
AT Sea, on Board the Steamer Sara
toga, June 15,-WhiIe the ship is not roll
ing too hard. I viii write you a few lines.
1 don't know where I can mail them,
but win take my chances. We left Port
Tampa yesterday at 1870 p m. 1t was
terrible to lay around on this ship since
the Sth in the harbor. Think of keeping
men in a freightship where they had to
unload horses and mules because they
were dying for lack of air! lis enough
to discourage the patriotism of any sol
der We don't know whittier we are
bound. It's a beautiful sight to see the
fleet this morning. Our escort was small
until we reached Key West.
~ am going to write a little each day
until 1 have a chance to mail the whole
letter. so that you can see the different
phases of our trip. At Key West a feet
joined us-the Indiana. some cruisers.
gunboats and torpedo boats-about fif-
teen in all.
June I7-Land is sighted to our south.
There is high sea running.
June 1S-The weather is fine The fleet
stopped al a. m. The hospital ship gath
cred the sick from all the ships. Land
has been in sight all day 10 the south
west We had inspection this morning on
the upper deck in our bare feet and un-
derclothing
Capt Sparrow is in command of the
company. Major Ebstein is in command
Of the second battalion. We don't know
our destination, but we think it will be
Santiago: if so we will be there in the
morning. We have been travelling very
slowly, sometimes stopping entirely. The
ship rocks so that It makes il difficult TO
write. There has been no seasickness
yet"
June I9-There has been a high sea all
day and very slow steaming. My idea is
that we are going around Cape Maysi.
June 20.-The weather is fine High
mountains appear straight ahead. We
| expect to land today. I am regimental
color bearer today, but don't know wheth-
er I will succeed in planting the colors
| on Cuban soil or not II is noon. The
! feet has stopped at the mouth of Santa
J go harbor. There seems to be high hills
on each side Gen. Shafter and TWO gun
boats have gone to interview the COM
mander Of the blockading feet.
J June 2L-The fleet closed in toward the
! harbor again this morning. We remained
out about thirty miles last night We are
grouped at noon about twenty miles from
| the harbor.
June D. n m.-The first shot was
! fired from a shore battery at the Texas
She returned the fire with terrible de-
struction. Several shots fired at her by
the enemy went wide of the mark. We
were in a good position to see, as we
were lying outside of the battleships
/ Three batteries were firing on the Texas,
| and she silenced all Of them in about an
hour and half. Soon two other bat
tIeships began firing on batteries to our
right but the land guns did not reply.
During the firing Of the Texas a light
battery came down the hill and opened
up without effect.
June 23.-Our ship and two others NOV
ed close to the harbor again this morn
ing. These ships contain the Thirteenth
Infantry, Ninth Infantry, Twenty-fourth
Infantry and four companies of the
Tenth Infantry. There has been no fight
ing since yesterday afternoon. 1t was said
last night that one man died on the Tex
as from the heat. One of our transports
! passed Us this evening, having landed
her troops. but where, don't know All
the men are cheerful. and anxious 10
land We have a gunbost as guard
ship. and We move out TO sea at night.
We have only had three or four showers
since leaving Tampa. This will make our
sixteenth night on this ship.
June 24-AIl has been quiet in the
vicinity OF the harbor today. Our three
| ships steamed in at p. m. We are three
miles from shore and five miles from the
mouth Of the harbor. While ] am writ
ing three Of the transports came along
ne shore from the east. All are un-
loaded.
June %. Z p. m.-Last night we came
| 10 a point miles east of the harbor, anC
| landed this morning a a. m. The frs
troops that landed did not have mucf
trouble in driving the enemy back. Yes
terday the Rough Riders got in scrap
Some Americans were killed and wounded
Also some Spaniards. Captain CaproI
| was buried this evening at this place
Thousands Of Cubans are landing here
cannot describe their destitute condition
| They carry nothing but a gun. something
to eat. half a cocoanut shell for cup.
June 26-Each man has three days ra
tons. I am waiting to go out on pos
duty / forgot to tell you that I landed
the colors all right. This place is called
Siboney. AT present this will be the bas
of supplies. This is a bad place to marcl
high hills covered with vines, palms ant
| such shrubberY as grows in this country.