Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-11-10
From Porto Rico.
. In CAMP NEAR Ponce. PoRTo Rico,
October 9th, 1898.

october 9th, 1875.
Editor Register-As time is more
plentiful than money I will again,
through the channels of your paper.
try to write few lines for the readers,
hoping that something will be of in
terest to some one.
AT this writing still dwell in that
pretty little island of Porto Rico, still
wearing the blue uniform of the q. S.
army. but being exposed to all kinds
of weather and the climate being so
hot, l mostly resemble some of the ma
tives of Porto Rico. If one should see
my face and hands; they are tanned to
perfection and, although it is hard, |
can now master some of the Spanish
language, as have been constantly in
their midst for some months past. l
am far enough advanced that we can
talk, or rather. understand each other.
Well, boys, if you don't think it's
hot over here. why just come over and
see. | live in the first little white
cottage on the south corner of C COM
pany's street of the 10Th Infantry. My
cottage is canvass tent with a good
sound board floor where you will find
all the earthly possessions which l
possess in Porto Rico. which are my
shelter half, ponche, blanket, clothing,
haver sack, canteen, cartridges and
belt. also my rifle. I must not forget
to mention my pets that hang just out
side the door, which are pair of Ca
nary birds, which | expect to bring
back to the States with me.
Although / have been down sick
with malaria fever for over three
weeks, again feel that 1 am On al
most as good footing as was when /
first struck the isle of Porto Rico. We
are camped up in the mountains near
the city of Ponce. The mountains are
high and steep and awful rough in
some places, and when taking my turn
on guard, get to go on out post about
once every nine days, which is on the
top of the largest mountain in five
miles of us. From there I've seen
some beautiful scenery; you are then
above some of the clouds and have
view over the top OF mountains for
miles around. The native here are as
friendly as can be and try to remain
around the soldiers; but they also try
to beat the soldiers out of everything
they can in selling him fruit, charging
him two or three prices. You can buy
oranges, bananas, cocoanuts and such
as that great deal cheaper in the
States than you can here.
When we landed on the island they
were all half starved and naked and
now you can see the change already,
as they are beginning to put some
clothes on themselves and try to lmi-
tate the Americans. They are class
of people who have been under the
bondage of Spain for number of
years. They were not allowed to go
to the mountains and gather the wild
fruit under the penalty of infringe
ment, until the Americans took the
island. And although they are igno-
rant and know nothing outside of the
island, they are no fools by any means.
The most of them are dirty and filthy
and won't work If they can live with
out It, Still all their work in the past
has been just for half enough to live
on. They have received no wages. |
They are quick to take what belongs |
TO you or some one else when you are
not looking, and If you eaten one of
them and demand it back, they will |
tell you, ..no comprehend" which
means, ..they don't understand YOU
| do not mean to say they are all this
way, still you will find the most of
them that way. There are a good
many of the st. Thomas natives here.
You can easily tell them from the 9TH
ers, as they are as black as an old pot
and can IN most cases speak very
little broken English.
Well. / must stop my writing, as I
want to try to get this off on this mail,
as it leaves camp right away. With
kindest regards to all friend, / remain,
Sincerely. Yours,
SANDY EAGEAR,
10Th q. S. Infantry, Co. G,
Ponce, Porto Rico.