The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-08-31

PoRro Rico, Aug. 7th, '9S.

PoRro Rico, Aug. 7th, '9s.
No Dear Mother:-
j have time TO write to-day, so l Will
try and let you know that / am very
well. We have had the finest kind of
weather ever since we came here. 1t is
very hot when there is no breeze, but
there is nice breeze most all the time,
and the nights are very nice and cool.
There has been very little rain here since
we came. The scenery here is the finest
1 ever saw; we can see the ocean away off
in the distance and the mountains are
beautiful, and there is deep canon Just
| back of our camp, and there are some of
the finest large trees l ever saw. They
are draped with Spanish moss that hangs
down two or three feet, and they remind
| me of an old gray-haired man. | wish
you could see them. Some of the trees
have very beautiful flowers on them
There are cactus here as large as trees,
aud there are hedges of cactus that moth
ing can go through without cutting way
through. The roads that we have come
over are the best ever was on. We are
the advance regiment; we have come
sixteen miles from Ponce, the place we
landed. We have been driving the en-
envy back, and they stay about thIeo
miles ahead of us. They are in forti-
fled town now, so we are waiting for our
artillery before we advance on them. We
have report in camp to-day that the
war is over, but l don't know whether
it is true or not We are getting new re-
peating rifles to-day, so it don't look as
1--WE were going to quit just yet. 1 will
be very glad when it is over. for l am
getting very tired OF army life. There has
been very little excitement here; you
would not think we were in hostile
country. The natives that have anything
have been very kind TO us, but most of
them are very poor. We don't know
what poor folks are in our country; a
great many of them live in little straw
covered hits with boxes to sit on and
stones with holes cut in them tor stoves.
Most all of them ride horseback. The
rich folks have buggies or carriages, and
all the hauling is done in two wheeled OK
carts, They bind the yoke to the ox's |
horns and drive him with stick with
sharp brad in the end oft. The reason
they use two-wheeled carts is they are
taxed Sl3 a wheel for each wheel year.
This will be fine place to live when
the United States has the running of it,
think it is healthy place; none of us
have been taken sick since we came here. |
Some of the boys ate some fruit when we
came here that made them sick for
seOrt time. One of our boys died the day
after we left Charleston. 1t made all of
us feel very sad for he was one of tho
best boys in our Co. We have only re-
ceived one mail since we came nere. l
got the Viadicdtor in which 1 saw that
MY dear little friend Jack Burt had died.
| was very sorry to hear it, He was the
brightest little fellow l ever knew. ]
suppose you have plenty of early apples
l am nearly starved for some apples.
have not had any this year. If could
have them and the good water that you
have would be very much pleased. The
water here is healthy enough but it is
very warm. We can't get any that is cool.
There are no poison reptiles or insects
here. / have not seen a snake or toad
but there are lots of lizards. The only
familiar thing sec or hear is the chirp
of the cricket and the ever buzzing mos
quito, and they are here in large num-
bers. have been very buisy ever since
l came here. We have had great deal
OF guard dutyjo do and I have only had
my shoes off twice to sleep. Some nights.
we had TO sleep with loaded guns by our
side. hope it will not be much longer
before will be home. 1t is over three
months since l came away. l can't
think of anything more to write this
time. | don't know when this will get
away, but you must writo often. Just
address my mail to Porto Pco and 1 will
get it. Love to all.
GEnPcE