The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-26
Special Correspondence to Tribune.

Special Correspondence to Tribune.
On Board the Transport Chester
Ponce, Porto Rico u. S. A., Aug. Is,
1:35 y. m.-The First Regiment of Vol
unteer engineers has just arrived in
the harbor of Ponce. which as you
know has been in the hands of the
Americans for some time. We are re-
ceiving a royal salute as / write this
but can not give you any details now
as the mail to be forwarded to the
states is being gathered up.
We sighted land at day break and a
small steamer which came within
about two miles of us but we soon left
1t behind. She ran up the British flag
and saluted. Have been running
along in sight of a mountainous coun-
try, but so far away that nothing can
be distinguished. AS company clerk 1
have been too busy to gain any infor-
| nation about the land we passed.
Aug. 10, noon.-7S miles out of New
York.-The Chester weighed anchor
about a. m, while the soldier boys
were asleep in their hammocks below
| decks. Few Of them knew they were
afloat until reville sounded and when
| 1t was found that we were out of sight
| or land there was great rejoicing. The
regiment had been on water in sight
| OF land without having the privilege of
| going ashore since Friday afternoon
| last, which had become very monoton-
| Gus. The weather this morning is fine
| just enough haZy clouds to keep the
| sun hidden most of the time. There is
| just enough breeze to make one COM
| Portable, and the ocean is as calm as
| nf Ioly
| Our old tub as the boys call her is
making fair time, and after the over
hauling she got the day and night be.
| fore we started has a more presentable
| appearance.
| QUARTERS RENOVATED.
| The quarters Of the men have been
| thoroughly renovated and whitewashed
| and those of the second and third bat
talon, which are below decks, have
been made as comfortable as possible.
The men are allowed to sleep upon
deck at night, and have the privilege of
the promenade deck more than the first
battalion. Arrangements are being
made for fire drill, and all precau-
tionary measures have been taken for
the safety of the men. They are all
in good health and spirits. There are
| only six prisoners in the guard house,
and most of them for trivial offence.
| Sergeant Liney, who came from
Avoca, had some trouble with pr-
vate of his company, which unfortu-
nately will cause one of our men to get
six months or year in some prison or
fort.
The man, who is a New Yorker, OBJ
jected to what he called the officious
manner of Sergeant Liney, and one
word brought on another until the
private struck the non-com. in the face
couple of good ones, which is a very
serious offense in the United States SER
vice. 1t is needless to say that the
sympathies OF the boys are with this
private. A chum of the private
whose name is Russell tried to smuggle
} a nip to his prisoner friend and got
caught himself. He was in charge Of
the guard only a few minutes when ht
deliberately jumped overheard. A rope
was thrown to him and he was hauled
back. He is still in confinement. Thi.
happened before leaving the harbor.
BAND ORGANIZED.
Since boarding the boat, a band O.
fifteen pieces has been organized, leaC
by Private Carteno of New York They
hold forth near the saloon cabin and a
times during the day play national air.
: in a very creditable manner. The frs
= Regiment band will no doubt be starr
| ing through the country on it's return
I as one of the finest. Just now a corne
= solo is being played, the band joinin,
= in the chorus, which If well advertizeC
4 as burlesque might draw.
The boat is sliding along steadily a
Q thirteen knots an hour. Nothing bu
water, blue with white capped wave
as far as the eye can see, whicl
E is said to be about seven miles
3 One vessel has just come into sight
n but is going in another direction,
t At noon the wind became stronger
i the waves are running high and tn
ship is rolling so that we land-lubber
. cannot walk straight. Some of tn
q boys did not want any dinner The
gave their portion to those of us VIII
i were hungry. At this moment With
y reach of me no less than ten or a doze
of the boys are hanging over the ra
and being jollied by the rest of us.
Aug. II, a. m.-Log registers "a
miles. Ship is steaming along just nov
= as timed for two miles in nine minutes
During the night at various time
n waves dashed so high as to throw tn
spray over the upper deck, but now tn
sea is quite calm. Nothing more Sc
riouS than sea sickness has happene
any of the men. There are quite
number of the Scranton boys, mysel
: included, that have not felt it's effec
as yet.
!, FOOD AND WATER SCARCE.
Aug. 12.-During last night it raine
quite hard. ship rolled more than be
fore; sun is shining and it is rathe
warm. A good breeze makes it com
Portable. The clothing of the men be
gins to look dirty. The brown canva
- suits cannot be told from a miner
suit. The mules which are on the sa