The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-29
MARINES EAGER FOR WAR
ANXIOUS FOR ANOTHER CHANCE AT
THE SPANISH GUERRILLAS.
Incidents at Camp McCalla-Blacl< Gu
ban Allies Well Lik ed-"OId Ma
chete's" Blood Debt.
Copyright. 1898, BY tbs Associated Press,


OFF CAMP MCALLA, Guantanamo Bay,
on board the Associated Press dispatch
boat Dauntless, June 90 Via Jamaica, June
27.-Aside from the energetic attack of the
Spanards on the first American camp estab-
lished in Cuba, nothing has astonshed the
inhabitants of Camp McCalla, and, indeed,
the squadron generally so much the pres
ent long dry interval in the midst of what
was supposed to be Cuba's rainy season.
May was ushered in with rains on the north
coast, and when the troops reached the
south side there were few afternoon rain
gusts, then cloudy threats, but no rain, and
since the marines have landed at Camp Nc
Gala there has been but one brief shower
and no more. The Cuban auxiliaries say
this is the usual thing for this vicinity and
prophesy no more rain till the first of Au-
gust ushers in the hurricane season.
Camp McCalla has proven healthful and a
fine place to accimate and harden the SOL
diers. The men, some of whom were half
sick from six weeks confinement on the
Panther, when they landed, are all as
brown as Indians and hardy as prize fighters.
They have had their baptism of fire and
stood the ordeal. They have gone six miles
inland and smoked the Spaniards out of
their holes on the peninsula, beaten them in
the brush at their own particular kind of
fighting and lost one man wounded in the
exploit, while the Spaniards lost seventy
five dead and wounded not accounted for.
When Lieutenant Delehanty's pioneer ex-
petition to clear the river of mines below
Caimanera was preached yesterday the ma
rines were eager to follow the achievement
by capturing both Caimanera and Guam
tanamo, Notwithstanding that Guantanamo
&c ;.,In a. for
out of supporting distance from the war
ships. Besides, there three thousand
Spanish regulars there, but the marines
thought If two companies of them had
whipped six companies of Spaniards at Gus
CO mountain, the whole party ought to
come pretty near getting away with them
dagos up the river. The officers smile quiet
ly at Overhearing these enthusiastic out
bursts and are well satisfied with the spirit
that prompts them.
All reports from inland agree in picturng
the Spanish situation as desperate. The Gu
bans invest Santiago and Guantanamo so
closely that even dispatches between Sec
tons of tie Spanish army. are captured
oftener than they get through. The military
governor OF Santiago made peremptory de-
mand three days ago on Guantanamo for
food and reinforcements. The captured re-
ply despcEdently stated that Guantanamo
was worse eff than Santiago and nothing
could be sent. The Cubans watch every
creek and cross road, gathering in Spanish
courlerS and bringing them in to McCalla
or Sampson
The Cubans are gradually winning the re-
spect of the American regulars. The Cuban
soldiers so far seen are about 95 per cent
negroes, usually with white Cuban officers
The officers are intelligent and anxious for
their troops to win the good opinion of the
Americans. They are ready for any service
These black CubanS are fine bush fighters,
skilled in woodcraft and invaluable
guides. Most of the trouble with them as
guides has been when they attempted too
much They are greedy as to American food,
but will readily be excused for that when
they are seen to strip for swimming off the
marine camp. Every one of them is enact
ated owing to the uncertain supplies of the
lnsurgent army They have been almost I'M
consciously but Systematically starving. 1t
Will take many weeks of good feeding to get
them into comfortable condition.
Nearly every Cuban has a blood debt
against SPAIN AT Camp McCalla there is
one big negro whose real name is not known
but who is called by the marines "Od
Machete," for his fondness for the Cuban
tie boy. the only one. of his family left. All
the rest, even to his cousins have been
butchered by the guerrillas. In action the old
man becomes half mad with excitement,
drops his gun at the first chance for close
quarters and plies his big machete like
fail. When the. expedition from Cusco
battlefield yesterday brought in a couple Of
bullet-pierced Spanish skulls as medical
specimens the old man received them like a
connoisseur and rolling one over gently with
his bare foot in the sand chuckled deeply
and murmured "Uno bueno espanolo' Zone
good Spaniard) He had probably never
heard the American army phrase about the
only brand of good Indian.
Admiral Sampson is reported to have been
favorably impressed with his interview
with the veteran General Garcia If the reg
ulars of the army take as kindly as the ma
rines of Camp McCalla to their dusky allies
of the rank and file. and take the trouble to
cultivate their good qualities and deal leni-
son why the ''allied armies should not do
swift and effective work in Cuba.