Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-11
WITH OUR SOLDIER BOYS.
CHAS. A. PODAWILTZ AT PORTO RICO,
Badger Volunteers in Second and Third
Regiments Take Part in Stirring Scenes.
Landed at Ponce.


ell are interested, has written a few
notes to the REPORTER descriptive OF
his ocean trip in transport vessel from
Charleston to the landing in the port of
Ponce. He is now part of the force
guarding the mountains back of Ponce,
where at night lizards and rain insist on
sharing part of his poncho, while in
the daytime hardtack is his principal
bill of fare. Charles says:
On Board La Grande Duchess, July %,
1S9S.-Friend Ed: | am very sorry
could not write you before left Charles
ton but did not get off duty at the hospi-
tai until after y o'clock and by the time
l had gone around bidding the patients
goodbye it was 1:3C, then there was
hurry to get on board for we pulled
from the docks at p. m., cheered by
crowds of citizens from Charleston who
gave us large number Of sandwiches
which certainly were q luxury to us.
The Third Wisconsin, on board u. S. A.
No. 30, followed at our rear and the two
bands would exchange tunes and then
our turn canqe to cheer and show the
good people of Charleston that we ap-
preciated the kindness they bestowed
upon us. The boys certainly did fall in
love with Charleston but all were glad
that orders were to Porto Rico. We
anchored in the bay all night and drew
anchor nf - CT
southeasterly course after getting into
the Atlantic ocean. When out of sight
of land, by looking along the deck
many heads could be seen hanging over
the rail for they "sea" too much, but
the twin city boys seem to feel better
than on land. OF course, we have
reduced greatly in weight. Friday, the
End at noon, we were seven miles
northeast the st. Augustine lighthouse,
Florida. At 2:30 p. IN. we sighted a
schooner and, at p. m, German
freighter; this is all we have seen ex-
cept the beautiful blue water since we
left Charleston. The boat we are on
has $50 troops, so horses, all our ra-
tions and supplies, besides the ships
crew and supplies. We are somewhat
crowded but can stand it if the sea
remains smooth as it has been thus far.
This boat is 410 #. long, verv we'll fur
nished with berths, and the engines are
IL ,200 horsepower.
Today, at p. M, we were near the
Bahamas but did not sight them. We
expect to join Gen. Miles and troops on
a small island southeast of Porto Rico,
where we are to mobilize and prepare
for direct action upon San Juan with
about 10000 troops.
Say, Ed, | hope you have been as
much interested in the letters l have
written you as l have been in the RE
PORTER, and it is not only myself that
finds interesting reading therein but
also the other boys from there and
several Marshfield and Stevens Point
boys. Frank Mangold, who once resided
there, Gas Bulgrin of Marshfeld and
Chas. Redfield of Stevens Point are the
most interested of the outsiders. l
will mail this the first opportunity and
write you again from Porto Rico. Yours
as B f. c..
July %, 1S9S.-Still out of sight of
land and all we can see is sea. Yester-
day we sighted three masted SC boomer
which gave some change to the scenery.
Last night we had small squall and
the sea was rough, giving the boat long
pitches which are still enjoyed by those
who are not sick. There are So patients
in the hospital which is on the hurri-
cane deck. About one-half of these are
typhoid cases. VIM. Dysart was left
back at Charleston with the typhoid
fever. Expect to sight the island we
are TO land on sometime this afternoon.
The boys are all very anxious to get at
1t at once and don't seem to realize any
danger. Our rations on the boat are
simply ridiculous. The boys are half
starved and when one of the boat crew
gets through eating we are only too will
ing to take the leavings if offered. In
this way some of the boys manage =,
get what is now called square
will continue later in the day. Sue
ceeded in getting two stamps, 10 cents.
We sighted land porto Rico) at 5 D. M,
then pulled direct east out of its sight
Officers aboard are feeling rather sore
because we don't run across some AM
erican gunboat.
July 26, 7:3Oa a. m.-We are again in
sight of land and intend going through
between two islands without CONVOY.
will write you later as to our success.
No. SO Z. S. A. has two six inch rapid
firing guns but that is not considered
much. | am going on guard at $50 but
will find time to write if anything OF
Importance turns up. Had rough sea
all day yesterday but is pleasant to-day
We are about three hours earlier thar
there.
p. m. We got orders from gunboa
Columbia to land about forty miles from
San Juan. We had gone about fifty
miles too far, will land some time to
night and since l go on guard froa
9o'clock till l will mail this Immediately
Regards to all. Yours respectful,
CHAs.
On Duchess, Off Porto Rico, July 81
There are ten transports anchored here