Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-29
BEFORE SANTIAGO.
An Interesting Letter Written in the
Trenches, July 9.
Lieutenant Mark [. Herscy Tells General
Richards Of the Situation There.

General richards received letter.
Tuesday written on large sheet Of
ledger paper, from Lieut.. Mark l..
Hersey, who is with the army Of inya-
sion in Cuba, being quartermaster of
the 18th y. s. Infantry. The letter
may be of interest as Lieutenant
Hersey has many friends in Maine.
and he also gives a good idea of the
feeling in the army.
In the trenches before Santiago de
Cuba. July 9, 1898.
My dear General Richards:
l presume you are fully informed BY
the newspapers of our doings. but a per-
sonal letter may be more accurate from
a local point of view. We landed at
Daiguirri June -. after the little town
and shore had been shelled by the
naval batteries We have moved 20
miles to this point, within 1000 yards
of the city after several advance guard
engagements, and three and one half
DAYS OF continuous fighting, a general
engagement in which our losses were
heavy, 1900 killed and wounded, about
10 per cent Of the troops actually en-
gagged. We have been uniformly sue
cessful and now have the city in
vested on the land side and it is stated
that it is not the purpose to assault the
works further 1--WE have occupied their
two outer lines), hut will stay here.
rattle at them with artillery, and
starve them out. They have sent
thousands of the reconcentradoes
through our lines to the coast. where
We are feeding them. They are inter
| esting and piiiful both
The Cubans as allies are practically
worthless: at lIl Came July =, our
colonel had to clear them out of the
way as nuisances. before storming the
block house or stone fort which figured
So prominently. We took that as our
greatest feat. | am glad to be in ahie,
country at this time.
The ration for 1e DAYS has now con-
sisted, in general, solely of hardbread.
bacon, sugar and coffee. In the 18th
we have Jared somewhat better, for
reached near Daiguirri. 20 miles to the
rear supply that I have been able to
draw from as quartermaster and COM
missary.
Our men are cheerful and most self
sacrificing, helping and nstructing new
men less accustomed to camp life.
The Spanish commander has just
proposed to surrender Santiago pro-
| vided We let them march out their
army. keeping their arms. TO us this
proposition seems absurd for We con-
| slider the army and its arms more valu-
| able than the town. The proposition
| has been sent to Washington, however,
and a truce is now on. and he place
seems like sunday in New England.
| This is a most wonderful countr3t
| Mike it ours. and with American en-
| tcrprise it will be the garden spot Of
| America.
| The naval victory was most brilliant
| Admiral CerVcra. as the army closed
| in. thought he was doomed any way in
the harbor. and moved out. saying he
! preferred defeat fighting 10 sinkin.
| ships ut anchor. This we have in the
authority of the French consul. who
| came within our lines They lost IA
ships (alD GOO killed and wounded ami
| 100 prisoners. our loss was one killed
ana two wounded. We do not under
stand yet Why they did no more dam
age 80 our lleet but think it is ex-
planned by their probably having trans
| ferred their best guns tn the shore hat
| terirS. where they now are. Certainly
they have some fine guns opposing US.
and they have our range.
We are minus stationery and our
regimental supply is this portly blank
book, which got in an abandoned ma
| chine shop in Sibuney. our second base
Sihoney is now United States post
Office. sub postoiiice of New York
city. our address is, The Army of In
vasion. Cuba. via New York City, add
ing regiment.
Please give my respects to the Coy
| crnor. and remember me to General
Conner, when opportunity offers.
Very sincerely yours,
MARK l.. HERSEY.
Isl Lieutenant and Quartermaster 12tl
L. s. Infantry.