The Republican journal., 1898-08-04
From a rlaine Boy at Santiago.

Our Winterport correspondent writes: l
send you some extracts from a letter written
by one Of our Winterport boys at Santiago
to his brother, thinking it would be interest
my to many of lis former schoolmates and
friends Tile letter was written in pencil
on the bat * of piece Of printed wrapping
paper, as they had no stationery.
About one mile outside Santiago de Cuba
July 10, 1895
Ny DEAR CHARLES Letter from you and
Elizabeth We're received last night, papers
this morning, and although | was looking
for rations to be issued, | assure you they
We're 4 good substitute 1t is now about
time for me 10 cook my bareback and bacon
tut l will write this letter first. OF course
you have read all about the battle be-
tore Santiago, and 1 cannot add any
thing to the newspapers reports as they had
correspondents all over the field.
| do not long to be in such position again
as was in for . hours on July lst, 1928
Honestly, it seems like dream to me as |
look back upon that day. You We're I'M
doubtedly correct, the Sd Brigade, COM
-A4tNH1N'''t "
midst of it on the left flank Of our whole
line OF battle; and not only the 81 Brigade
but the 18th regiment. Yes, Co. G. was in a
most hazardous position, as our list of kill
ed and wounded shows. Co. G. was getting
1t in the neck on our right and front, and
could only return the fire from our front as
other troops We're between us and the block
lOuse the he hara6 utnpa
block house. being on our right. We would
kneel down behind the entertainments of the
road and load from our belts, rise up and
fire shot after shot down into the houses of
the town packed with Spanish soldiers
Still while we We're kneelug we were be-
ing raked right and left.
My bunky got wounded in the forearm.
lie was standing next to me. He frightened
rope around his arm with his bayonet to
prevent the flow of blood. You would not
believe it if l should make an estimate how
thick the bullets from their mausers were
tipping; so | will not say. I had just fred
and was about to aim When felt a sting 90
through my head. pulled the trigger, and
one of the fellows told me it was only
through the ear An inch more and would
have been a dead soldier. 1t was from a
mauser as the hole through the brim OF nv
hat plainly told. l fired my entire belt full,
100 rounds, and nearly half another from the
belts of the dead and wounded.
That night the American forces had taken
the very commanding position on the hills
surrounding the city not a mile distant and
| since then. up to yesterday, we have been
throwing up intrenchments in case the enc
my should try to break through; but l guess
they got enough of that the first night, for
then when they undertook to smash through
our lines they received such a rain of shot
from infantry and rapid-i firing guns that
they dared not "wander from their own fire
side"
| Last Sunday as the flag Of truce was down
at 5 D. N. we opened on them again, and u
side of one hour they put the white flag up
Yesterday p. m, July 14th, we were told
that the Spanish forces within the province
| of Santiago de Cuba with 10000 men had
surrendered and were to be sent back to
| Spain. We were ordered not to cheer, but
| to respect our enemy but some could not
hold in and gave vent to their feelings.
Have not moved into the city. Expect to
| tomorrow. Expect peace is not a long
way off, and sincerely hope 50, for it will
save so many lives.
I tell you if they had not surrendered
this city not many would have lived to go
| back to SPAN, as our artillery would have
| played havoc with them The wounded
prisoners We captured July 1st We're cut all
to pieces, they We're hit 50 many times by
our shot.
Wasn't SIMPSONS victory great? That
must have Knocked the sand out of Spain
completely. Yes, am feeling great and my
appetite is all right All have for supper
is bardtacks and piece of bacon, but the
| pack train has just got in and l guess l
cook me up some kind of relish Will
write you again when I can get some paper.
Roy L. FERNALD.