The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-12
ARRIVAL OF THE OLDHAM
WITH $50 SICK AND CONvALESCENT
SOLDIERS FROM PORTO RICO.
Narrowing Tales of Hardship Told by
pairing to StartIc the Country.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1.-THE United States
transport OLDHAM. which sailed from Ponce
Porto Rico, Sept. Is and Santiago Oct g.
arrived at quarantine this afternoon. The
transport brought $50 sick and convalescent
soldiers and $50 passengers; all well on
board. After leaving Santiago where ire
in her coal bunkers had to be extinguished
fire again broke out in the coal bunkers
and although every effort was made to get
it under control, was still smoldering when
the OLDHAM reached quarantine. 1t caused
much uneasiness, as the TRANSPORT has
stored in her hold very large quantity of
ammunition and a large number of rifles.
The sick and convalescenss improved
steadily during the voyage, being provided
with excellent food and medical supplies.
There was only one death during the voy-
age. Private Sweeny, of the Sixth Illinois
Volunteers, dying of cerebral conclusion
and was buried at sea.
Speaking to Governor Hastings, of Penn
sylvania, who went down to tie OLDHAM
tonight on the steamer Fletcher tc see the
Pennsylvania troops arriving, Colonel Glib
son said that he had been the means of saw
ing many soldiers from starving. Gov
ernor,'' he said, after an exchange of greet
ings II have a story to tell that Will
startle the country"
AS a result of this remark there was
conference between the committee and Gov.
Hastings, after which the Governor decided
to take off the Pennsylvania soldiers and
have them sent to hotel for the night.
To a reporter Colonel Gibson said 1.-The
newspapers will have to wait for my re-
ports to ascertain the exact condition of
affairs in Santiago, where I have been.
They have been stirring things up here so
much that If ] dared to open my mouth
would use considerable cuss words to back
up their mild language. i have been in San
tiago three months and in that time have
learned many things. l cannot tell you
what is in my report at present, but you
may be sure that it is very strong. My
wounded
Did you report to the government as to
what the men needed"
Il fed them. But for the relief associa-
ton many of them would have starved"
Ralph Harwick of Dubois, Pa, a member
of the Pennsylvania volunteers, told a har-
rowing story of the treatment he and his
companions had received while in Porto
Rico, I'VE got there on July 49," he said,
and were landed from the transport
Mobile. Many of us had contracted typhoid
fever in the military camps in the South.
The tropical climate developed the disease,
but Notwithstanding our weakened condition
the Sixteenth made a good fight when it
encountered the Spaniards. The regiment
was under 1lfe Tor over an hour and at the
close of the engagement thirteen Spaniards
had been killed and sixty-five wounded. We
deserved better treatment than got when
Porto Rico had been taken. The regulars
were well looked after, but the volunteers
were starved. When finally the men were
forced to succumb to the fever and were
sent to the hospitals they were treated most
shamefully. Although delirious we were
forced to get out of our cots to watch some
poor fellow dying. Some of the men went
mad under this strain. Only. think of it
deliriouS men nursing the dying
Harwicks story was but sample of the
complaints which were recited by the men
to Governor Hastings after they had been
transferred from the, OLDHAM to the Fletcher
Besides the members of the Fourth and
Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers the
Fletcher tonight brought to this city two
lleutenantS and about a dozen privateS Of
the Third Immune Regiment, sixteen of
the Thirteenth United States Infantry on
fourlough, and four members of the Fourth
Ohio Regiment Among the latter was Lieut.
Howard Sharpe, a son of Major Sharpe.
James E. Reed, of Company K, Sixteenth
pennsylvania, whose home is in Philadel-
phia, was so sick tonight that he could not
be removed from the transport
Governor Hastings was reluctant to make
public his views regarding the treatment
received. But there was some significance
in his farewell remark as the Fletcher cast
loose from the OLDHAM. One of the soldiers
aboard the transport shouted: For Gods
sake, Goernor. don't leave us"
Il am sorry to do so, my brave fellow
but if l had my way would take all of you
with me-"