The times., 1898-07-10
HOW THEY HEARD THE NEWS
The Story of Sehley's Victory
Reaches the Troops al Sea.
REJOICING ABOARD SHIP
The District Volunteers Informed
of CerVera's Defeat by a Pilot at
Dnybreak-How the District Boys
Left Tampa for the Front and
How They Spent the Fourth.

Tuesday, July 5.-Morning, a. M
We are ia sight of Key West The Pilot
has just come aboard our ship and brings
the good news of the success of our
forces in Santiago. When the boys were
informed of this victory such shouting
and yelling and throwing of hats has
never been Witnessed. With one merry
shout all hands Joined in the camp song:
ITO H With Spain.
Al Sea. on Board Catania Monday.
July Ave are all well and our folks at
home viii be pleased TO know that thus
far none OF US have had the dreaded
seasickness.
We broke camp early Saturday morning
last and took the train for Port Tampa.
a distance of nine miles. We arrived
at Port Tampa by 1890 O'Clock and by 6
p m. had our equipments aboard and
were ready TO pull out. but for some rea-
son the steamer did not leave till 10
o'clock next morning Sunday. AS we
pulled out we were cheered by the crowds
around the wharf and just at that mo-
ment our band started 10 play patriotic
airs. and when we passed the transports,
COmanche and Unionist, laden with regu-
lars. they gave three mighty shouts for
-Old Glory and the First District Volun-
teers." and this made the boys feel good.
We responded. and soon left amid song
and music
Our voyage so far has been uneventful,
and all the boys are jubilant over being
sent 10 the 'front.' the time being spent in
climbing the ships rigging and going 20
and fro from deck TO deck.
We 30 through the same routine as we
did in camp and have our meals in the
same regular way. Each company is
quartered by itself and hunks in
well-appOrtiOned place in hammocks one
and half feet apart Our company the
National Fencibles. is quartered on
deck No. and has a good place All
the other companies have just as good
quarters as ours. We prepare our meals
an the ships cooks cabin, and every pos
sibie precaution is taken TO make our
voyage pleasant and comfortable. The
officers are quartered TO themselves and
visit our parts at times TO rsee that The
boys have all the necessary comforts
that the ship can afford
III Is picturesque sight to see the bows
Climbing the masts and rigging, and at
any time during the day twenty to forty
OF our lads are perched on high.
- ~~A AN-ASHSB hEHHEln ADnnOF.
scaled the ship on a guy rope at Port
Tampa and recovered a hat thar was
blown overheard. Kenneth was the hero
for the time being.
Many Of the soldier lads are mourning
the loss of their company ''mascots.' be-
cause most Of them had 10 be left behind
aithouSh several of the boys managed 10
smuggle some of them aboard Our mas
cot Harry, the coIored Lad. Is with the
tHnclhleaS- rigaad nuf in, -,
form, and continues to help in the cult
nary department where he is very useful
he VIII. OF course go with US TO the end
ana return 10 Washington when the bows
go home
AT this writing we are p miles from
Key West and have been on the water
thirty hours. Our boat is heavily laden
and does not travel over 10 ar y nils a.,
hour and as the distance from PORT
Tampa Is 2i0 miles we are booked To reach
hey West tonight at s O'clock. It is
said We viii remain at Key West for a
day or two. when we will set san for
some Cuban port, but where as yet is
unknown TO us.
At Key West we are to meet other
transports; also the Yale and Harvard
with the boys from Camp Alger. Then we
viii all sail with a convoy of warsbiDs ia
face the enemy
Shortly after we left Port TAMPA. when
about 70 miles out, We sighted an English
coasting vessel and as we passed her she
dipped her colors three times, showing her
respect for Old Glory.
We sighted two other ships some dis
tance of, but could not distinguish their
cOlOrs.
One Of our boys, Private Buchanan. had
a long field glass, and all the BOYS took a
look. and considerable laughter arose
when some fellow said:
Boys she is a Spanish warship." and
very soon all the men were around us
TO view this terror which turned out
To be another cOasting vessel
Another amusing incident was the
sight Of the flying fish, which continually
hOyered around the ship much to the
delight Of all on board
one unique feature is the way the BOYS
are supplied with coffee All the messas
are allowed the freedom Of the cook :
cabin -h-st come first served. and at
ti.sies line is formed awaiting their
chance TO enter. and the cooks are about
tise most popular people on board, for it
depends on their hustling abilities
whether the boys get their coffee on
time or not. But be il said for this regi-
ment, that all hands work in unison and
exchange courtesies, thereby making the
task of each cook easy.
On the upper deck of the ship there Is
PiacV etioblSu 70 lhe Hospital Corps.
but thus far we are happy to state that
few. If any. patients find 1t necessary to
give this place a visit. Our hosDital
corps. in charge of Major Pyles. Liuet.
Cox. with Stewards King. Woodbridge and
Walls. have had a comparatively easy
time, but it is not expected that they will
long enjoy this ease, for when we strike
the rough sea cases of seasickness will
no doubt occur and the hospital people
say that they will soon fix us all right.
The Emmet Guard is on duty and
sentinels posted on all decks. and II
Is to the credit Of the boys that these
guards have had no occasion TO enforce
their authority, for no misconduct of any
sort has occurred.
AT this hour. p. m. all hands are on
the upper deck, with the band PLAYING
those strains which are so dear to the