The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-01
WITH THE COWBOYS
DAILY LIFE OF THE TROOPS AT
CAMP WOOD
Josephine, the Mountain Lion, and
Cuba, the Yellow Dog, and the
Life They Lead

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, May 8.-(Corre-
spondence Of The Herald.) The First regi-
ment United States volunteers. cavalry,
fully equipped. Is awaiting marching orders
at Camp Wood. San Antonio, Texas.
Experience has taught the officers much
In providing for their men. One crying
evil was that tho ouartermaster sergeants
did not know how to draw rations, or were
by some cause prevented from obtaining
the full allowance. The Quartermaster of
q certain troop secured about half the ra-
lions he should have drawn. When he re-
ceived q commission the mess were de-
lighted at his good fortune. His successor
won the hearts of the boys by introducing
q heavy, palate-tickling substance with an
old name. Several weeks Of pork and beans
made sweet dough and raisins delicacy.
but should hate to think this the plum
dun of the forecastle; such a thought
would destroy romantic fancy as much as
70 believe Digger" to be the same type
Of Indian as was the Mohegan.
Wise sanitary regulations are in force at
Camp Wood. One hydrant is used by 800
men. No one is permitted to wash within
forty feet of the faucet. This prevents the
formation of pools of stagnant water. The
river, as it is full of malaria; but they evil
IDENTIFY prefer to run the risk Of contracting
that ailment to the Inconvenience Of bath
Ing in canteen or lineup, forty feet from
the hydrant. These facts have made let
tiers of advice telling US to be careful of our
health and diet, sound droll,
From 1880 to 1:30 a. m. there have been
mounted regimental drills. Galloping
~. c;v>~o Fell l,,1k 5{e
tinguish the set of tours in front of him,
and with the sun near the zenith of a
southern sky, is not pleasure ride, but
good, honest work. When firearms are dis
charged every mustang becomesa. rearing.
snorting little demon.
Josephine" the mountain lion mascot, is
almost domesticated. On the day of their
arrival one of the recruits from Harvard
picked up the lion by the nape of the neck
and carried her about camp. She has Bit
ten several persons who were teasing or
attempting to pet her, and number of
dogs have nearly fallen victims to Joseph
mes desire for change in rations. But
there is one individual with whom she is
on most friendly terms, and that is Cuba"
Cuba Is the ugliest little yaller purp on
earth. He Is about one-fourth the size of
Josephine. but in her angriest moods Cuba
tugs at her chain, bites her and frisks
around with impunity. Before he Joined the
army Cuba's chief pleasure. was to ride un-
accompanied to and fro on the line of the
Southern Pacific in western Texas. On
one of these journeys he met the Arizona
cowboys, and now he is going with them to
fight mosquitoes, yellow fever and fero-
cious Spaniards. The ours perfect ugli-
ness, bravery and absolute good nature
have won him the friendship of the regi-
ment.
The cowboys find amusement in lassoing
the ''pickaninnies" who constantly hover
around the kitchens. The little colored
boys have always passed through the or
deal unscathed, and they are no longer ter
rified by threats to feed then, to the noun
tain lion, or when holding them over q
seethtng tub to use them to blacken the
coffeeJ
Secondhand dealers have piled profit
able trade at the camp. Many gave fine
clothing away in preference to selling it for
the small amounts offered. The climax
was reached when a peddler offered a dime
for an almost new 81 "Stetson." A blanket
delegation was formed and he was given
q flying trip to the gate. He missed the
blanket several times in his descents, land
ing cat fashion.
This writing has been interrupted by a
great shout. Captain. O'Neill Is reading
dispatch to the men. 1t Is an order from
Adjutant General Corbin for the first
squadron to join the forces now at Tampa,
Fla. for the invasion of Cuba. Men are
running up and down the long lines of the
little army dog tents, playing leapfrog,
throwing their hats and jumping into the
air. Major Brodie's squadron will leave to-
morrow. The men are joyful, for soon
their feet shall tread on Cuban SOIL Their
long season of preparation will be over and
actual service for their country will have
been begun. S. H. GARRETT.
Troop A, First Regiment U. S. v. Cav.