The San Francisco call., 1898-07-24

order before our troops, after about
 half an hours firing.
 The climate here Is terribly hot, and r the general says he Is pushing on to-
 ward Santiago with all possible dis patch, in the hope of capturing the place and getting the troops under
 shelter of the houses of the town be- fore they become debilitated by the eli
 mate and sickness breaks out.
 think by July 4, if not before, San tiaSo will be ours. It is said the town
 is garrisoned by 12.000 Spanish troops.
 In addition to these, the Spanish Ad- miral CerVera's s squadron is in the har-
 Dor, consisting of the armored cruisers
 Vizcaya OquendO and Colon, the
 cruiser Reina Mercedes, the torpedo
 boat Terror and another torpedo yes sel, whose name is not known to us. Of course, simultaneous with the land Cuban forces are cooperating with our army. Five hundred Cubans from General Rabi's command at ASerra- dero, eghteed miles west of Santiago, were transported by our vessels to a point where they could join our forces. These troops, together with about 500 more, are now with the army, acting as guides and skrmishers. General Garcia, the Cuban commander-in-ch chief of the eastern part of Cuba with a force of about 5000 men. Is on his way to Santiago, and should be able to form junction with our troops to-day or tomorrow.
 Santiago is sure to be ours, probably before this reaches you; but In this fearful climate I fear it will cost us dear
 Luckily the rainy season Is over, the most unhealthy part of the year: but the days are frightfully hot, and the nights not very much better, and un- less the army can get in their work promptly and capture the place. sick ness will soon break out among the troops
 The horrors of real war were vIvidly brought home to me to-day, when I saw them carrying in the dead and this job is hard enough, calling for ceaSelesS vigilancA night and day: but our work Is infinitely easier than that of the army. Besides. the navy Is tough anl used to all kinds of climates. and knows how to take care of itself
 Half of our men on board ship stand ct their loaded guns throughout the night, while the other half sleep along side of them. We can open fire in ten seconds. Officers and men are all hay ing a tough time of 1t. Yet our sani- tary re~ulattOns are so perfect that there Is little sickness in the fleet in spite of the terrific heat. We have a hospital shin fitted up with all the comforts possible in such a climate, to which every man who becomes i'll Is promptly sent The army has one also; and besides these Clara Barton is here in third hospital vessel with a corps of trained women nurses.
 Every night or so. the dynamite gunboat Vesuvius runs in to the picket line of the blockade and fires two or three gun -cOtten bombs at Fort Morro. They make a big noise, and probably disturb the peace of mind of the Span ards. The Spaniards must be getting short of ammunition for at first they used to reply to these shots. but late y have ceased to pay any attention to them.
 With the hope that before this reaches you Santiago will be in our possession. and at a not too great cost 10 us in the lives of the brave men of he army, I remain. very sincerely yours.
 LIEUT.. ". s. HUGHES. IT. s. N
 Executive Officer T.. s. s. Scorpion.