Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-11-30
INTERESTING LETTER
From a Former Member OF Our
Police Force.
HE IS NOW IN CUBA
Writes Entertainingly Of His
Experience.

The following interesting COM
munication has been received by
Mr.. William Kinney, of this city,
from Corporal J. Costello, of Com
pany E, Fourth United States Vol
unteer Infantry. The letter is
given added interest by the fact of
Mr.. Costello's former residence
here:
MAYAN1LLo, CUBA,
November II, 1898.
Mr.. William Kinney,
Sistersville, w. Va.
Ny Dear Friend:-Suppose you
will be somewhat surprised, and
perhaps to a certain extent, amused
to hear that I am in 1.-The enemy's
country" Well, we left Fernan-
dina, Fla, October IL, on the S. S.
Roumanian, and were at sea nine
days. Had very good time all the
way over, excepting day or two l
was pretty sick. We arrived here
in due time and expected to have a
little scrap before occupying the
city, but when the 1000 Spanish
soldiers that were stationed here
heard we were coming, they
screwed their knot" and the last
we heard from them they were on
their way back to Spain.
Do not think writing paper is
scarce, but you spoke of wanting a
Spanish relic and I struck on the
idea of using this paper. found
it way up in the attic of an old fort,
near our camp. and suppose it is
some papers the Spaniards left in
their flight.
Suppose you would like to hear
something ofthe makeup of Man
zanillo. Well, there are about p
600 people here, consisting of all
the different classes, and the Unit
ed States is feeding about half of
them. They are a set of good-tor-
nothing. lazy people and the sooner
we leave here to get away from
them, the better satisfied l
will be, but the country is very
rich in fruit and farming products
and any ordinary American ought
to get rich in two or three years.
Jim and l are enjoying life very
we'll and expect to as long as we
are in the army. But the big time
wilt come when We get back to Sis
tersville. There is no use talking
you must turn the town over to us
when we are mustered out. will
then have better opportunity Of
telling OF Cuba aud things Of Gu
bans. will tell you all l know
and all l have seen, (and maybe
more).
Our journey from the states was
attended with big demonstration
at Jacksonville and Fernandenia.
When the big ship weighed anchor
preparatory to leaving the dear old
native soil we loved so we'll, our
bard-which by the way-is one of
the finest i'll the world-struck up
"My Country it's of Thee" and
1000 brave lads in blue tipped
their hats in fond adieu to the
Yankee land and their voices as
one mans echoed with joy at the
opportunity of being fortunate
enough to go into foreign land to
do battle and uphold with honor
the mightiest flag on.earth.
Our journey was about 800 miles
down the Florida, and an indirect
course through the Bahama Islands.
When we reached Crooked Islands;
in the West Indies. there was land
in sight most all the way until we
reached this port. Cape Maysi on
the Eastern. Coast of Cuba is where
we first sighted this Island and after
a ten hours cruise down the
southeastern coast of Cuba. We
sighted the big battle. field, where
Skaters army met such a glorious
victory. 1t was a sight at the
mouth of Santiago harbor never to
be forgotten by me. 1 saw big and
powerful warships that was once
the pride of Spain, laying on their
sides riddled with bullets from the
American navy. Flying over ia
NOUS old Moro Castle can be
plainly seen the flag of Uncle Sam.
floating proudly and supremacy.
r. 4. a <