The Press., 1898-08-25
From the Monson Register.l LETTER FROM SANTIAGO.
On the held before Santiago de cuba. !


 On the held before Santiago de Cuba,
 July 19, 18ss8.
 MIR. EDIToR:-I regret very much my inability to keep your readers informed of the movements of my regiment, but until within day or two our mail facili- ties have been very neager. will try and narrate some of the more important events in the Cuban campaign. Weland- ed from the transport Knickerbocker early in the morning of June 23d. As soon as we were fairly ashore our first march began. Each man was supplied with one days rations and in heavy marching order. The town where we landedis known as Baiguiri, and contain ed the plant of the Spanish-American iron works. It had been quite we'll forti- fled by Spaniards in block-houses and en- trenchments. There was a large iron pier here, used In loading vessels, also what was probably large machine shop. Attempts were made to wreck the pier, and the workshop was burned on the re- treat of the Spaniards, which was caused by the heavy firing from our naval yes sells on the 22d. A few Cubans also as- sisted the marines in driving the Span- Iards into the hills. 1t was here we saw our first Cuban. To tell the truth, not one iota of their condition has been exag- gerated. After about an hours march ing, during which I made as much of an investigation of the landing place as l could, we started on our march Inland, our destination being supposed to be San tiago. There are no roads in Cuba out side of some large city. The rest are all simply foot-paths, lined on both sides with heavy underbrush, cactus and barbed wire fences. Of course, single file WRe the order, and two paces apart. Alter following 8 mountainous and circuitous course for nine miles we made our first camp at town on the coast called Sib- oney. This town we reached about p. m. having been on the march about six hours. We passed acres of cocoanut trees, and each man had his fill of this popular fruit. Here we pitched our shel- ter tents for the first time, and became initiated into the mysteries of the army campfire and frying-pan. Each man was thoroughly tired out and retired early. The ground here was literally covered with land crabs as big as Holsters, and many of the boys were awakened by the pests crawling over their faces.
 Reveille sounded early on the 24th. and we breakfasted quickly and hurried to the shore, where a number of the trans ports were unloading, and had an elegant bath in the surf. Suddenly about o'clock we heard sounds of heavy firing on the mountain, and evidently about three miles from us. Soon a courier came rushing down the trail, saying a large Spanish force had ambuscaded the regiment known as the Rough Riders, who were marching along the narrow trail. The Spaniards were crafty and kept out of sight of the scouts posted in advance, and suddenly opened fire on the advancing men. The Rough Riders immediately threw of theil packs. and with men dropping all around them jumped for cover. A heavy barbeo wire fence hindered them sorely, but they soon made their way over or under 1t and engaged the enemy, None of the lat ter could be seen at first, as it was the first time our troops had run up against smokeless powder. Endorsements soor arrived, and the enemy, sretreated, carry ing their wounded with them. Our loss was 21 killed and 60 wounded, among tht former being gallant Captain Capron o the Rough Riders and Lawyer Hamilton Fish of New York. As soon as the cour fer arrived the 2d Mass. regiment wal got under arms and awaited a command to move. Our services were not needed and we soon fell out.
 About 4 o'clock we were supplied witt four-days' rations, and at dark started or our second march, which, although short CT than the first, was much more arduous We arrived on the scene of the morning. battle about II p. m., and pitched camp In the morning was little surprised t. find had slept within 30 feet of eigh men killed that morning. As we gaze' on those forms covered with blankets tn horrors of war became very apparent and many asked themselves, "Shall W suffer the same fate ?" Breakfast wa soon prepared, and we ate heartily Here we had a chance to show the hospl tality inherent in Massachusetts boys The soldiers in the Rough Riders man of them lost their packs and haversack in the fight, and were without anythin to appease their hunger, even having bee supperless to bed. Let it be said to, tn credit of Mass. that not one went hun gry. I shared my breakfast with tw members of D troop and gave them enoug more for their dinner. We were soon O the move, leaving them to bury thel dead. This was short march, and " encamped in long grassy plain, wher we remained until Monday morning.
 Many incidents connected with tn camp and country shall have to omii We moved early Monday, and after quit a march we again encamped, and tw companies, D of Holyoke and o of Wol cester, proceeded about two miles frol the command and established a line (