New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-29
HEROINE OF THE RED CROSS
MISS ISABELLE RUTTY TELLS OF HEF
WAR EXPERIENCE.
SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO LAND IN
PORTO RICO AFTER HOsTnlT1Es
UAD TEGUN.


HAD BEGUN
Among those who Identified themselves with the
BED Cross In Cuba. Miss Isabelle Rutty. Of New
york "a one Of the best known. Placed in charge
~ the Iampasas and a large corps Of doctors and
nurses she rendered efficient service, displayed a
marvellous executive ability. especially for such
Young woman ard brought her ship safely into
New-York Harbor in fine condition
Mss Rutty IS an English woman. but for several
wears she has lived in New York. where she has
large circle OF friends. She became interested in
the Red Cross work in England and when the war
broke out she felt THAI The country Of her adoption
should have her services. She and Miss Adele
Gardiner were among the first 10 volunteer Miss
Rutty IS modest about her WORK and has little TO
say Of the hardships she endured
II left New-York" said Mss Rutty. "on July
4 for Tampa with a party Of fourteen nurses. OF
which | was placed IN charge AT Tampa was
reinforced by second party Of nurses ana doctors
numbering altogether ;hir;y-hve. and We sailed
from Key West for Santiago on one o. the Gov
eminent transports. the Lampasas This was the
most interesting experience ever had. We carried
soldiers. the engineer corps. Colonel Black COM
nander and many Of General Miles's men horses
and mules several newspaper correspondents. Cap
tain Scott Of General Miles's staff Mr.. Mcmillan.
Park Commissioner who was going 70 Cuba TO
find his son: Rough Rider. who had been wound
ed. and a charming japanese, DR.. Tomasuri OF the
Imperial japanese Navy. and number OF the Red
Cross sent ny his country 10 watch the war
General Wheelers daughter was also with us hav-
ing become a Red Cross to Join her
father
at curious trip or course. the ship was
under military discipline; reused by taps
in the morning and We had ali the bugle signals.
We travelled night without lights led by little
convoy. going along slowly and having 10 stop fire.
ouently. At such times our little convoy would
go forth 10 discover what any strange ships were
doing We few ships in the daytime and when
we spoken not greatly complimented
10 hear ourselves described as engineer corps ana
stock We were classed with the horses and mules!
The faces Of the men were solemn and serious. II
was not holiday trip. and everybody realized me
eolemnity Of the purpose and that the life OF every
one 70 hang IN the balance. sometimes
we used to have 'bandage parties and SIT on the
deck in the saloon. preparing the strips OF linen
and getting ready FOR our work.
after three days Of this life we sailed into San
tiago and saw the wrecks. And here let me say.
no one who has not seen the hartOr Of Santiago
can appreciate Hobson's marvellous feat and still
more marvellous daring The mountains hem in
the BAY In such q way that We could opening
whatever: wondered indeed how were 70
get In at all. il IS Just as II little slice were cut
through the mountains. II seems as II one could
touch them. and how Ho5son entered with the
enemy's fire a. both sides is simply marvel. AS
we approached We did not know hat Santiago had
surrendered. but soon W. saw some one waving an
American fag. Colonel Black and Major Sackett
went ashore. but soon came back 10 tell us that
there yellow fever in the city and that we
must leave the harbor. all the mines had not
been removed We then went to Guantanamo, and
caused great excitement among the fleet. As our
ship sailed along. VAS told aftcrward. glasses
were levelled us from the warships.
I'VE anchored under the brow % the hill at Camp
McCala. where the graves Of DR.. Gibbs and
the Rough Riders who fell In the first battle"
Here Miss Rutty showed the interviewer two
cartrfges-an American and Spanish One-picked
up on the battlefield. and then continued
THE FIRST PONTOON BRIDGE.
While here we saw The first pontoon bridge bull.
in Cuba. constructed by our soldiers. and here
landed some Of General Miics's mules and horses
which became excited with delight At being abb.
70 walk and roll about hat they kicked and wound.
ed some Of the men badly that the doctors had
TO push Of hurricdly in little boats 70 attend to
the wounded much TO the disgust Of the men. who
did not consider mules kicks AZ all fair when they
had come ont 10 fight the Spaniaris
ON the first night the officers came % pay their
respects 10 Colonel Black | cannot remember all
Of them, out ! recoilecj Paymaster Ernest Carter
Captain Pact. an English attacht. Of the
officers OF the Oregon. Dr. Wentworth Of the Mar
beheaG. and the s.rseo.-scneral On the ned Colonel
Greenleaf Miss ChaHler. sister OF William Astor
Chanlor. Miss Boulgny. Of New-Orleans. and
had little Informal reception The next day
Co.onel Greeneaf came with message from Gen
era! Niles ~ me saying That II failed 10 com
x!uhCatc With the RED cross duthOrlOcs IN CuDd
ne cO-.d ind Work for US. As Dr and Mrs Lesser
were ID with yellow fever. never heard from
Nlein On this second evening was obliged to
cOhsut the master Of the port. Captain McCalla on
me Maioiehead. and. taking a small rowDoat.
Vas IONcG Dy two ~ my young doctors out TO the
.pdfNehead greatly surprising he Officers 10y being
.ne only woman who had ever boarded their snip
,shen She cleared for action. You know had
Scramble up the perpendicular IRON bars on the
rneep sGc of the snip. aud ] can aSsur" you II
os not an easy task However. was delightfully."-
..eee!Ved and there was presented with Spanish
IN bought IN Havana the day the Americans were
% lean sli ON a.
Wa. Ensign buchanan sullivan presented the fan,
Mhich was sirncd BY all the officers, including Or.
"eL worth and young Ghefard the Admiral : son
oIhe next night were invited on board the
,hneF were delighted 10 see as on this ship. Tor
.iey mad seen women for six months. II looked
s,oN very much. indeed. as " the prediction that
.v'he people kindly made that We were going down
10 dance warehips being fulfilled. AS we
approached fht ship fifteen hands ri least were
. .eIu out 10 each Il d Cross nurse. We wore hght
GUNNER dresses and looked Ike all the sisters and
oov-slhs and aunts' in 'PinafOre. The snip was
Sedisd Tor action, but the band played for US and
We cance !, and. of COURSE never mentioned our
W. cih. THIS was entirely social: We were guests.
r,bt nurses. We had punch. ana came away with
''vW,,ers, buttons and various trophies.
pr eA, morning at O'Clock We sailed FOR Porto
-, so"ly as before. Whenever ship was sight
sSrh W tgpped After three days from santiago we
VII, ,ueIs as 70 how were to sail The Lampasas
.ns ordered first and preceded ~ the Glouces-
"tich opened fire. and soon disturbed the
n,,dceiDl scene whore the were browsing.
troops w
SAW THE FLAG PLANTED.
possession OF the ship. We watched the whole
n def