Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-07-14
IN AN MSURGENT CAMP.
LIEUT. JOHNSON, OF THIS COUNTY,
NOW In CUBA WITH GEN.
sHAFTER'S ARMY.
Makes the Acquaintance of the Cuban
Generals, Garcia, Rabi and Capote
-Jake's Breakfast With the
Cuban Oficers-Garcia's
Varied Experiences.

Correspondence Of the LEpGHR.
BAIQuIRI, CUBA, June 2s.-Last Fri
day afternoon the troops on board the
Orizaba were ordered to disembark.
Our battery sent all rations ashore for
fear of q shower later while transfer
ring them. I, with the last of the men,
about 25, was TO 60 ashore in the next
boats when orders came from head
quarters for the Orizaba, Alamo n
Leona to 20 at once to Aguadores,
IS miles west of MORO Castle, to get
1000 insurgents. Had 1t not been that
the 22nd Infantry band had rations to
spare US we might nave Jared badly,
for We didn't return till Sunday morn
ing. A Cuban pilot accompanied us.
Arriving there at dark Ensign Csrnie,
who accompanied US, went ashore
and arranged with Gen. Garcia to be-
gin embarking early next morning.
On account OF reefs the ships had to
anchor two miles out and as only two
steam launches we're available, each
towing a line of eight row boats, 1T
took all day to load them. They were
5000 strong. They claim Garcia has
5000 more around Santiago. All are
well armed with Springfield, Rem
mington and the navy rifles, also
some Mauser rifles captured from the
SpanIards. They have plenty of am
munition.
On my way from the beach to camp,
which was half a mile back in the hills,
/ met all kinds Of Cubans. Some were
white and some yer coal black. Be-
tween these two extremes there were
all shades. All wore fairly good straw
hats made by Cubans hid in the noun
tains. Hardly any had shoes. Many,
I was told, have worn none for three
years. Many had no shirts whatever,
nor coats. Nearly all we're In rags,
their black, but patriotic, skins ex-
posed to the scorching Cuban sun.
Some were not over 12or Is years Did.
As young as 10 they are put In the
! cavalry and make good fighters, for
they don't seem to realize the danger
and are proud to be considered as
men. At the capture of Quasina they
rushed ahead and put the older men to
shame. Most of them were killed,
being in front, but the older q fol-
lowing captured the trenches. Those
who survived were praised SO highly
they are anxious for the capture Of
Santiago so they can distinguish them
selves again.
On arriving at camp I met Maj.
Bueno, who is on Gen. Garcia's staff.
He speaks good English, having spent
part of his life in 'sThe States" ~. 81
He took me to the Generals tent,
where I met Gen. Rabi and Gen.
Capote, and later Gen. Garcia, We
left the ship at sun up, 30 / reached
the camp before breakfast time, which
soon came. Through Maj. Bueno Gen.
Rab1 asked me to join them. As /
left without my breakfast I gladly
accepted, and ate better fish in
my life nor drank stronger coffee.
The officers were all in good spirits.
Gen. Rabi informed me I was the first
American to eat with him.
Gen. Garcia came in after break
fast. I noticed a hole in his forehead
and a seal under his chin. / after
wards asked Maj. Bueno what caused
1t. He answered that in the 10 years.
war, from '6s to '7s, Gen. Garcia was
taken prisoner. Knowing his fate
would be that of ali captured Cubans,
he shot himself, the ball passing in
under his chin and out his forehead
just low enough to miss his cerebrum.
He was left for dead, but survived to
see his country with certain freedom
ahead. He talks very good English.
Maj. Bueno assured me it does not
interfere with him in any way, but
that when 1t rains he has Q 9 him
hold his head down to let the water
run out.
Mail goes now. Would like to tell
you more but 1t goes sooner than ex-
pected. J. q. JOHNSON.