The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1898-12-02
From San Francisco to Hon
olulu.

We reproduce from the Cross
County ARK. Democrat the follow
ing letter, written by Mr.. Ernest
Mcdaniel, of the 1st Tennessee Reg
iment, to his brother, w. A. H.
Mcdaniel, editor of the above men
toned paper, describing the voyage
from San Francisco to Honolulu:
HONOLULU, II. l., J. S. A., Nov. 9, 1898.
My Dear Brother:-After long months of weary
waiting and often disappointed hopes the orders
came, the ship sailed, and we are this far on our
voyage to the far away islands of the O.ient. On
Sunday, October 80 we broke camp at San Fran
cisco, and went aboard the steamship Zealandia
and at 3 o'clock p. m. the great ocean greyhound
cut loose from her moorings and slowly glided out
into the bay. AS she did wild cheers broke forth
from the threats Of about 5000 friends who had
gathered to bid us ''bOn voyage" Aswe sailed out
through the narrow channel, so famously known as
the Golden Gate" the autumn sun was sinking
into the hay mists which hover over the bosom of
the mighty ocean, like great phantom fleets, which
fade away as you approach them; and ere we had
passed the headands and the steamer began to
rise and fall upon the swell of the sea- the king of
the lashings Of the white capped waves.
With full head of steam the Zealandia bounded
on as if in chase to overtake the and beg for
ray of light to guide her through the dark shades
Of night which were treacherously stealing behind
US from the coast, own beloved, native land
which was fast fading from view.
Tue merry boys on board one by one, left their
place on the deck, where they had stood and watch
ed the last faint outline of land fade into shadow
and went below to their hunks, some to think of
loved ones left behind, to pray for the tender
mercies Of God TO keep them and bring them safely
back and others to sleep while rocked ON the era
die o: the deep. and dream peaceful and happy
dreams Of home, loved ones anG mother. We were
all up early Monday morning and east many a
wishful glance in the direction of where we had
last seen land, but turned away disappointed, as
there was not a trace to be seen, only tine deep
blue no lion over the biilowy waves.
Monday night we struck gale and the angry
sea quickly Knocked the poetic feeling out of every
body, and soon we we're vigorously feeding the
fishes and felt as if there a moving machine or
printing press in operation in our stOmachs for
which we would give the world TO rid ourselves
The sailors told US that was sea-sickness. We did
not contradict them. In two days we were all used
to the rolling Of the steamer and all were happy
again. The officers Of the ship were very kind tc
us and allowed US unlimited privileges anywhere
on board except in the engine room, which o.
course could net be allowed.
The boys amused themselves by reading paper:
and magazines which were put aboard for our ben
eff {, and sometimes INDUCED in an innocent game
Of cards, chess or checkers.
Wednesday we sighted a ship but we're not close
enough to speak her" but all enjoyed seeing
| vessel at full sail so far out at sea.
Sunday afternoon, one week at sea, the captain
OF the ship told US that we would sight land about
daylight Monday morning and would run into
Honolulu harbor about $50 a. m. All was anxiety
and the boy went to bed early so they could bt
up with the first streaks Of dawn to land agair
as soon as it should come into view. Imagine Oul
joy when we hurried on deck before it was YET
light and found ourselves sailing along the shore,
Of the Hawaiian Islands, off Diamond Head, about
eight miles from Honolulu. We nasssd into the
harbor and cast anchor alongside the Indiana,
which had sailed three days before US with two
battallions Of the 2Otn Kansas U. S. Volunteers
board. Hearty cheers we're exchanged between the
boys on the two vessels and inquiries made tC
how we Jared on our voyage. 1t was but a shor
time until the Tennessee boys were visiting theil
friends among the Kansas boys, and the Kansan'
were visiting the boys of the Tennessee regiment.
We were kept on board the vessel until Tuesday
when we were taken ashore for a drill and parade
over the city. We we're well received by the eeplt
of Honolulu and the regiment has made host o.
friends during their four days stay here.
kilograms inWednesday's papers
state that the Zealandia, which left
Honolulu on Nov. 10th, arrived
safely at Manila on the 28th.-ED.