Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-09

which direction to turn for safety. The
officer of the day Capt. Hodgson, establish
ed line of sentries along the front of the
guard tent and fires were built around the
camp. At this stage OF the proceedings
Col. Harries arrived on the scene, giving
directions in cool, uuconcerrad manner.
Hardly mad the line of guards been estab-
lished when the Stampeding animals made
rush for the District of Columbia Resi-
ments camp. Reaching the fires, they were
daZed by the brilliant ligat, VIII, the plen
attempted to turn them back by setting
up a series of yells. The charge swerycd
to the left and swept on like a hurricane
knocking down a few of the nearest tents,
but barminS no one.
Of for Cuba.
On the 1st of July the company left with
the regiment for Cuba. Every one was FILL
ed with enthusiasm at the idea of a. last
going into the field. In due time they ar
rived at Siboney. after an extremely tire
some and slow voyage on the transport
Catania. On July 10, one day after ar
rival. the companies of the regiment, with
the exception of G, were landed and pro-
ceeded to camping ground three miles
from the landing. Company G. was left to
guard stores belonging to the quarter1nas-
terS department ard to assist in unloading
the boat next day
AT 10 o'clock that night the company was
awakened, and orders hurriediy given to
get ready to go ashore at once Each man
obedience, and in a creditably short time
rolls We're made UP, equipments buckled
on and everything made ready to go ashore
The landing was effected in a small fat
bottomed boat and in the darkness, with
the surf rolling unpleasantly high.
The voyages to and from the shore to the
steamer were fraught with considerable
danger. The men of the company managed
the boat. and for inexperienced persons did
remarkably well.
For the Field of Action
By o'clock am the entire company was
safely shore, and the march for the
rendezvous was begun. By daylight the
regimental camp was reached, and then,
without rest refreshment, Company G
accompanied the regiment to the field Of
action on Santiago hill The heavy rolls
and personal property were all left behind
at the camp, as the regiment anticipated
hot time, and didn't wish to be ham
pered with unnecessary loads.
The destination on the hill was reached
by am. of July IL. The men heroically
stood the long, weary march through heavy
roads, over streams and through rank grass
and underbrush- The heat was of most
sickening kind and extremely fatigutng.
Marching along the base of the hill to
their position the boys experienced for the
first time the sensation of troops under fire,
troops in the trenches were exchang-
ing shots with the enemy and bullets were
continually whizzing over their heads. Now
and then our batteries on the hills opened
fire and the shells flew screaming in the
direction of the enemy.
Meager Rations.
The meager rations had run cut long be-
fore night. At 10 pm. the soldiers sought
rest, congratulating themselves upon being
able to enjoy good nights sleep after the
fatigue of the day. Their congratulations
were premature, however, for hardly had
they closed their eyes when a tropical thun-
der storm burst over the camp. The boys
were thoroughly drenched, for the frail
shacks in which they sought shelter were
worse than none at all Most of them held
several inches of water, or miniature lakes
on their floors. The best part of the COM
pany spent the night standing out in the
deluge, moving about to keep warm
Probably the first game of foot ball ever
played in Cuba was played by members of
Company g the next day. With a cocoanut
for the pigskin, the boys introduced this
sport, In hope of getting their blood in cir
culation, and their clothes dry after the
experiences of the preceding night but
they had poor success.
The next night Company G went IN into
the trenches. All this time the men mad
been without food, and their suffering
from hunger was acute. But when ordered
on the firing line, all thoughts of depriya-
ton were forgotten, and the minds of the
men wee on what lay before them.
Within 200 yards of the enemy, those not
on guard enjoyed good, restful sleep, re-
gardless of danger. The next morning re-
freshments arrived in the shape of hard
tack and unground coffee, with a little
canned beef It Is needless to say that
feast could not have been more welcome to
the half-starved boys than this crude food
At the Surrender.
The company was present at the surren-