Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-12-31
A VISIT TO SAN JUAN HILL.
rIr. e. w. Vanr1etre Describes His
Voyage and Visit to Cuba.
CAYEY, PoRTo Rico,
Dec. IA, 1898.

York, where / was to take the Berlin
for San Juan, Porto Rico We left the
dock in New York on the afternoon Of
Nov. IS, and lay in the harbor all
night. On the morning of the 10Th,
at a. m, we got under way for what
we thought at that time was San Juan,
but it seems as if fate had decreed that
we should see the now famous battle
field of San Juan Hill, at Santiago de
Cuba.
On Thursday, after leaving New
York, the sea was rough and through
dense fog we made slow Roadway.
On Friday, with smooth sea and
clear sky we glided DER the bound
less deep, but on Saturday morning
what changel At that time we were
of Cape Hatteras, the wind blowing
gale and our vessel, one of the best in
the Government service, was being
tossed about and one did not know
what would happen next What
change from the previous day when
all on board were chatting and hav-
ing a good time! But now ashen faces
showed the terrible effects of seasick-
ness (my old friend, Squire Matthaei,
can best describe thaD, and your hum
BILE servant had his full share / miss
ed four meals. and during the gale |
first thought / would die, next wish
ed | would, and at last. l was afraid /
would not; but Sunday afternoon ev-
erything became calm and still, and
such a sight one should get at times
away from home to see and best be
able to appreciate the gifts of nature.
At D. M. Sunday afternoon, we
sighted the CROOKED island and ev-
erybody crowded on deck to get the
first sight of the land of perpetual
summer. What contrast to the cold
bleak shores of the States that time!
Instead of the ladies on board coming
on deck in heavy dresses and coats,
they appeared in their summer clothes
and the shirt waist was decidedly in
evidence. On Monday we sighted the
historic shores of Cuba and on Tues
day morning entered the harbor OF
Santiago de Cuba, made famous by
the destruction of the Spanish fleet by
Admiral Schley. AS we entered the
harbor old Moro Castle Tin which our
hero Hobson was confned), in which
the Spanish political prisoners had
in the past been confined, but now
gladdened by having the Star Span
gled Banner flying from her ramparts,
we were welcomed by the gladstone
shouts of our boys in blue. OF all
places it has been my privilege to see,
Judging from the Surroundings, the
harbor OF Santiago must be the best
land-locked in the world.
We arrived in harbor and after a
visit from the health authorities, we
were permitted to land. My, what a
contrast to our well-kept cities in the
United States? This is the oldest town
in the New World, being founded in
1871. st. Thomas church there is
said to be the oldest in America. OF
the West Indies the houses are all of
the one kind of architecture, being
built of mortar and brick, with roofs
of tile. don't believe new house
has been built there for hundred
years. | saw where the crew OF the
Virginius was massacred and visited
all points of interest. In the after
noon, in company with several army
officers and Congressman Hill, of Con-
necticut, we visited the battlefield OF
San Juan Hill. saw where the Rough
Riders, the 9th Cavalry and the 7Ist
New York stormed and took what !
would have been, had the Americans
held the position, impregnable. To
give you an idea how difficult the task
l will try to give you faint idea OF
the condition and lay of the ground.
After crossing San Juan creek, at the
bloody angle where the Spanish troops
fired on the Red Cross and wounded
soldiers, the ground is slightly undu
lating. Leading up to the hill proper
and across this plain of half mile,
grown over with thorn bushes, briers
and all the growth of tropical climes,
about as high as mans head, caus-
ing the lines of our advance to be
constantly broken, and leading to a
hill that is as steep as North Noun
tain, and ! must say that in some