The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-19

place. We had the end of the French
cable running to Guantanamo which
had been cut and brought into Siponey,
and which we were using. After report
ing to Capt. Butler we went over to the
camp which was on the other side OF the
harbor, at the rear of an old fort. 1t
seemed almost like getting home to be
among the boys again and we had jolli-
fioation that evening.
''We stayed in the camp several days,
but during the daytime the Signal Corps
was kept busy going back and fourth
over the lines to see that everything was
in perfect order and of course I took my
turn with the rest.
I'm the latter part of July was put
in charge of the signal station at Siboney
with six men under me. while l was
getting my orders from Capt. Butler,
Sergeant Stuart started with the men for
the office to relieve the men then on duty
there. When arrived at the station
found that Stuart had taken to his cot,
from which
HE NEVER AROSE.
"That same day two more men were
taken down, leaving me with only three
men to do seven mems work for several
days. The two men finally got around
| all right and were able to- help with the
work. I held the station for nearly
three weeks when was taken to the
hospital with malarial fever. In the
meantime had notified the captain that
L CHI IF hall,
ness, and also of the serious illness of
Sergeant Stuart. Sergeant Emmons was
| then sent to my relief, and when l was
sent to the hospital turned the station
over to him. I was in the hospital about
| ten days when an order was received to
send che oonvalescents home. There were
four of us, members of the Maine Signal
| Corps, in the hospital when this order
came. There were about 300 from cur
hospital at Siboney and about 100 from
Santiago on thu transport Catanias
which brought us home. We were taken
| from the Siboney hospital on fat cars
and carried to within a short distance
of Santiago, where we were left for about
| three hours, after which we were conveyed
| to the transport. We lay in Santiago har-
Dor for two days. We left there August
IL and on the way ont we passed the Mer-
rimac, which Hobson had sunk in the
mouth of the channel. We passed SO close
to her that we could have thrown stone
into her funnel, which was about the
only thing out of the water excepting
piece of the topmast. We also passed the
Spanish warship Maria Teresa, which
attempted to make a run out of the har-
Dor but turned back and was grounded.
"The signal station at Aquadoris was
in direct communication with the feet
and was under command of Sergeant
WEIGH. The men stationed here saw
great deal Of firing
WHEN SANTIAGO WAS BOMBARDED
the missiles at times flying directly over
their heads. They had been ordered not
to do any night signallying with torches
as they were liable to draw the fire OF
the enemy.
awe had long and hard passage home,
losing nine men on the trip, eight dying
from fever and one committing suicide.
We arrived at Montauk after ten days
passage, pretty we'll used up from our
long trip and sickness. went into Wikoff
hospital August 31st, after being in the
detention camp three days. AT the Wikoff
hospital was put in ward P, central
station, DR.. A. A. Nouel, surgeon.
was unconscious when l went in, but
under the tender care OF DR.. Nouel
soon regained consciousness and began
slowly to recover. We were given the
very best of care and were furnished with
all kinds of delicacies by the Red Gross
society and private individuals, and I
cannot speak in too high praise of the
way we were used at Wikoffshospital and
the careful attention and nursing we re-
ceiyed.
81 left the hospital September
10th fora home on2.a 80 days fur
Tough, and arrived the next
afternoon. When I left Portland I weighed
100 pounds, and now weigh 116 pounds.
I did not see much of the fighting as the
signal corps was busy all the time In the
interior keeping the wires in working
order, although while on the transport
Specialist we saw the bombardment Of
Moro castle by climbing into the rigging
and using our field glasses"
THE REVISION IS COMING.
-INr,