The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-07-22

readiness 10 move at q. m. next morning.
We got everything in readiness to move
and went to sleep, none of us knowing
whether we would ever see another night of
rest, except that everlasting rest from
which no traveller returns. At 8 a. m on
July 1st we got up, ate hearty breakfast
and started by train in heavy marching Or
der for about 6 miles from camp to within
about two miles of an immense fort, trench
works, and caves all filed with Spaniards,
guns and cannons. This was not so pleas
ant. SIMPSONS feet was there in full
force, and such a force no one could ever
dream of. We got word from one of the
fleets that about mile from us was a
BRIDGE and beyond fort. On the east end
of the bridge nearest to us was a block
house IA block house is building about 10
feet square, 10 feet high with cupola on
on top, which rests on a block of stone in
side, which Is about Is feet deep. There Is
trench all around this houss.) The block
house is built of plank inches thick and 4
inches deep. SIMPSONS feet opened fire
on this block house and completely de-
mOlished it and killed about 40 Spaniards.
What were left fled across the bridge to the
trenches or fort.
Company ii, of our battalion, went
down the side of the mountain by the
ocean, in the underbrush, and our.Co on
the track by the side of the mountain, most
of the company going upon the mountains
as sharpshooters, under charge of Lieut..
Case with several other members of the CON-
panies of the first battalion. The boats
kept up the fire on the fort (which has three
parts,) and pits and caves, and made sad
havoc with their works, and completely de-
molshed the fort. We commenced firing
at 9:10 o'clock on July 1st, and lasted until
3:l5, when no more firing came from the
Spaniards. SIMPSONS feet Is something to
be dreaded by an enemy worse than poison.
ed water and none other to drink. There
were not over 1000 shots fired by the in
fantry. The most we were for was to keep
the Spaniards in check and to shoot every
one possible. The way the Spaniards sen,
shells and bullets our way was caution.
The guns on the boats could not get at the
cannon that was sending the shells for sew.
eral hours, but finally succeeded about 1 80,
and then the sharpshOoters commenced, but
soon stopped. Our battalion and the rest
Of the regiment came into camp at q. M,
tired AMI sleepy, and not man lost One
Of the shells from the Spaniards which
went about two miles killed two and wound.
ed two OF Co. l., of our regiment. They
had drop on them I'm the rear, but did not
know there were 80 many of us as close as
we were to the fort, which was about one
fourth Of mile from US. The regulars
came on the Spanards from the rear and
are in there yet. The Sd battalion is on
this side and the regulars on the other, and
the ocean on one and an impossible noun
tain on the other. SO l think they are the
same for us (the 1st battalion.) We go out
to the bridge tonight to relieve the Sd,
Major Webb's) battalion. Earth works
have been thrown up all around for us, so
think we are pretty safe from Spanish bul.
lets. thank God that through all the fir.
ing yesterday he spared my life. pray
God may return home, but shallsdo my
duty In any and all events.
The battle at Santiago has been terri
BILE one so far. Yesterday about 1000 OF
the U. s. soldiers were killed or wounded
In one regiment. Only enough for two
companies are reported left for duty. The
battle has now lasted for days, and today
SIMPSONS feet went up the harbor. We
can now hear the roar of the American CUR
boats and cannons, at distance Of twelve
miles from here.
This Is my second letter since l arrived
on the island, and wrote one while on the
Yale. God grant that may arrive home
safe and sound.
We expect mail at any hour, now a. m
Am very we'll but It's awfully hot. We