The Saint Paul globe., 1898-08-13

lie
From Members of the Third Regi-
ment-W hat Gen. Skaters ore
turned to Duty" Means-simpIv
Ih"t the Men Have Been Dis
charged From the Hospital.
News of Col. Page is eagerly watch
ed for at Fort Smelling these days. Mrs.
rage writes very encouragirgly on the
gam OF strength by the colonel From
her letters she seems to expect to bring
her husband home either Monday or
tuesday OF next week.
Several letters have recently been re-
celNed at Fort Smelling, from Santiago
py the wives of the officers, but they
are mostly quite short and very per-
sonal in their nature
A letter from Capt. McAndrew says
that just before it was written word
had teen passed throus h the army that
Shafter had received orders to begin
the embarkation Of the troops ana to
hurry ii as much as possible The
winter said that the way the news was
received by the men was most pathetic
Some threw up their hats ana yelled
others broke down entirely and cried
IKE children. All are heartily glad to
be about to leave.
- - SbSllSU III Que letter ItlaC the
weak condition of TIE men cannot be
exaggerated Although some seem
better for an attack of the fever, in
the ordinary case it means complete
physical breakdown. The cases that
are put down in Gen. Skaters reports
as returned 10 duty" are not those of
we'll men. All that the phrase seems
TO mean is that they are turned out IF
the hospital. Very few, if they were
ordered to pick up musket, would
have the strength to do it.
Following are parts of letters from
officers Of the Third under various
dates which have been received during
the last two days at Fort Smelling:
Before Santiago, July 1.-THE so-cslIed
bombardment OF Santiago began yesterday but
We have only few pieces of artillery two
siege guns and sixteen fed pieces. They have
not done much execution The infantry fire at
nrst was tremendous, but our men soon show
ed their superiority of firing discipline, and
before $50 the enemy was completely 81
fenced. In our regiment we did not have a
man hurt.
During the night everything was quiet. but
a desultery fire has been kept up since a.
N. by sharpshooters on either side. The fleet
so far has taken part in the matter What
the reason may be do not know. If we con-
tlnue In this fashion, it may take days before
We enter Santiago.
They may order an assault, but it will cost
very dearly in lives, and hardly think it
will be made, the city will surrender as
SOOu as Sampson gets INTO ll6 bay, II ne ever
does. Today it is cloudy and very close. The
men are bearing up well and most Of the Off
GERS are in good health, but five are down
with fever. However, 1 do not consider any
of them serious. Eighty recruits arrived to-
day, which will bring the regiment up again
TO nearly its former strength. There are 100
killed, sick and wounded the rolls. l am
writing this near the top of hill between
the firing line and the supports. and every
now and then bullet whistles past. 1t is be
ginning to rain, and I have no shelter. l must
close.
Another letter reads:
Santiago de Cuba, July 81 have had
these few sheets of paper and envelopes do
mated to me by the Army Christian commits
sion Of the Y. NJ. C. A. Some one came
through the camp today ard distributed lot
of it. 1t is the first glimpse of civilization
We have had for some time.
We have had our first issue of fresh bread
ard fresh beef. You should have heard the
men discuss the first issue, as to how they
would cook it. Each man had but little
piece and it seemed as though he wanted
some of it fried, some broiied, some boiled
and still wanted some for hash. The most of
them wound up by frying, that was the
quickest. 1t is wonderful how cheerful the
men keep. I don't see how they Go it.
We have two hospital tents now and can
give shelter to some of the worst fever
cases
We have established a general commssary
in the city now, also a quartermaster's Of
fee with clothing for sale, and postofice.
/ haven't seen it yet, it takes much red
tape to get a pass, besides 1 haven't been
able.
third letter reads:
Santiago de Cuba, July S1.-Ju>t line BE-
fore mail time to say that am well. have
had no fever at all. Only four of the officers
Of our regiment have escaped so far. The
fever is a severe malarial kind, but not vel
low fever. There have been a few cases oi
yellow fever, but none near US, and those
persons who have been around houses such
as teamsters etc. This malarial fever is bad
enough and though not of,en fatal scon pulls
man down. Two of the officers have left
on board hospital ships and others ought tc
60 Will write more today as false reports
may be coming to you. More than one-ffth
of the regiment is sick and it is about the
same throughout the whole army. If We are
kept here much longer it will be a criminal
act on the part of the authorities. - mus
Oh 70 account come to Cuba before No
vember if he can help it. 1t would be pure
folly and even wickedness for him to do Sc
under present conditions, besides we expect
to get away soon.