The National tribune., 1898-07-14
OUR SpECIAL WAR
CORRESPONDENCE.
Maj. Romeyn's Observations of
Life at the Front.
BAIoUIRI, CUBA, June 26, 1893.

Two scenes enacted in this vicinity
yesterday and this morning illustrated
the difference between the civilization
and situation of the allies in the war now
going on in this unhappy island.
The American dead, especially Capt.
Allyn Capron, Lieutenant, OF the 1st u. S.
Vol. Cav, were accorded funeral honors
near Siboney "a few miles nearer Santi-
ago.. The representatives OF foreign Gov
ernments, all officers who could be
spared, among them the father of the
dead hero, were present; the Chaplain OF
his regiment conducted the service, a de-
tail from his company fired the parting
salute, his bugler blew taps, and the
third generation of a family which has
fought and died in the service Of its
country was at rest--the first American
Army officer killed in this war
This morning | saw eight or 10 ragged
CubanS, without arms, save the ever
present machete, passing the camp of the
correspondents, four Of them carrying on
their shoulders a rough pine box, which |
was told contained the body OF a Cuban
Lieutenant who had died of wounds re-
ceived in action. Curious to see what
would be donc,rI followed the little band
They descended the hill from which the
Spanish garriaon'ihad retreated found
their way across the track of the railway
which led down u the lower wharf off
among scattered Hi!shes, where the pack
trains were patked, till they reached a
spot where two rade mounds made OF
powders heaped up, one with board at
head and one'lat fhe foot, the other un-
marked, showed that other bodies had
been deposited5 and, putting the box on
the ground, began no dig grave
The soil, only loose gray sand, evi-
IDENTIFY the washing of limestone ledges,
and filled witIf loose powders up to 100
pounds in weight; would not hold per-
pendicular wall, and caused the grave to
a "a wi hal hnI A
men worked irp it ,tthe others looked on,
laughing and chatting with each other,
and | saw one put his foot on the rude
box, and with his elbow on his knee and
chin on hand, laugh heartily at one OF his
own jests.
While this was going on, Cuban, black
as midnight, sat down by one of the
boards at the other grave, and laboriously
proceeded to carve on it a cross.
The long, severe course Of Spanish
misrule in this island could only have the
effect OF hardening an originally callouS
character, and we should not wonder at
scenes which in our own land would ex-
cite horror
l notice the cruel treatment OF animals; :;
see mules and horses with backs which
when saddles are taken off, show huge
raw spots not one Of which is treated in
any way, and every animal in this land,
where grass grows all the year, looks half
starved and utterly Spiritiess, and must
have been bred from ancestors similarly
worn out.
Capt Allyn Capron was the son Of an
artillery officer OF the same name, who is
now here with his battery, the same one
commanded by his father when killed in
the Mexican war Young Capron, failing
to get q West Point appointment, or one
from civil life, enlisted, and after two
years service was commissioned in the
manner usual II Such cases and as
signed to the 7th u. ). Cav. He had been
for some time iii charge OF Geronimo s
band of Apaches near Fort Sill, Indian
Territory. When the 1st T. S. Vol Cav.
was authorized he was given leave ol
absence 10 allow him to accept volun-
teer commission. He was very fond oi
athletic Sports, and was u magnificent
specimen Of physical manhood
From an officer OF the torpedo boat
Ericsson | learn that the dynamite cruiser
Vcsuvius creepS up to the mouth of the