The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-23

| longevity than war in Cuba One may De
! kelled oftener and IN a greater variety OF
! styles between Chatham Square and
| Cooper Union than ne could in the Cuban
war. Regarding 1t as safe enterprise,
| therefore" says Eugene Lewis, 'Icraved
permission of General Valdarrama tat
whose hotel I lived IN Havana) TO &C
company him on one of his expeditions.
He saw no objection, and on an off day
went down the road with the Spanish
regiment. A few miles out of Jaruco the
soldiers left the train and presently
| flushed a few insurgents in the bush and
chased them so far in the country that by
the time Of the afternoon siesta either the
idea of a rest had TO be abandoned and
a hurry trip made to the railway station
or else it was necessary TO forego the
return TO Havana and go into camp for
the night.
Valdarrama, the division commander,
looks like German ibraumeister. He is
tall, of ample girth. and his face shines
like a new sun. He has an easy-loving
soul, although an undoubted warrior. He
preferred the Pasaje hotel and the COM
fort of his headquarters therein to
night in the open. but would listen to no
proposition that would involve the giving
up of his afternoon siesta. The camp was
made on sugar hacienda-or where one
had existed prior to the war. All the
buildinGS had been burned except little
stone house with a single room that had
formerly known use as an office. This
Valdarrama designated as his headquar-
ters. No insurgents were seen in the
afternoon, and not until nearly midnight
did they render account Of themselves.
The better part of the camp had been
asleep some hours when the general was
disturbed by the tumultuous incoming of
two of his staff. They were young Off
GERS and ambitious of decorations.
'"General!' they exclaimed with one
voice, 1.-The insurgents are at our out
posts; they dare us to do them battle.
Shall we call to arms?'
What time is it?" asked the yawning
commander.
Eleven o'clock"
cit is too late for engagement"
"But the rebel pigs have tainted and
reviled us. They dare us to mix up with
them" argued the young officers.
Tell them we will fight them at day
light" and Valdarrama turned over in
his hamock to sleep. Presently the lieu
tenant again came to the stone hut.
THE insurgents, when we gave them
your message, further Knocked US and
said we were afraid to meet them in bat
tle," the aids urged. ''They jeer US most
insultingly and taunt US with cowardice.
VIII you not go forth and kill the dogs?"
Tell them again 1 will not break my
fo IriIr If
Bid them rest content until morning; then
I will arise and kill or dispense them to
their utmost satisfaction"
But replied the aids, "they refuse to
wait. They will fight now or not at all.
We have justly represented your views
to them without effect. They are OBJ
stinate and will not listen to reason.
81 have concluded and would rest" said
Valdarrama, with some dignity. MY de-
cision cannot be shaken
Dear general" insisted one OF the lie
tenants-he is Mrs. Valdarrama's nephew
and takes liberties with his chief-''dear
general, if you do not wish to engage them
for the very proper reasons that you give
will you not permit us to take part of the
troops and go forth. It is a scandal that
these dogs and sons of dogs should taunt /
and cast reprOaches upon US and not suf- |
fer death"
Officers replied Valdarrama, as /
sternly and with as much dignity as is /
compatible with the condition Of a fat !
man who is trying to support himself on !!
his elbow in a hammock, Officers, go TO /
your tents. There shall be no battles /
with insurgents fought by my command I
in which 1 do not take part. IF there is /
glory to be won, Ianm heretowinit."
The boys retired sadly and the nsuf-
gents continued to insult the outposts I'M
til o'clock in the morning. When the
reveille sounded the rebels were far in the (
woods. They had made good their threat
that they would please no Spanish OIL
Ger by waiting until daylight 70 fight