Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-09


the previous night, the Spaniards had not
been idle, as was plainly indicated by the
tops of three Spanish straw hats which
could be family seen in the grass, not one
hundred yards from the District regiment s
trenches. The Spanish scouts spent the en-
tire day in crouching positions being re-
iieved from time to Tina.
By the aid of field glass 1t was observed
that the trees. not only in front, but on the
flanks. We're occupied by Spanish officers,
who were simply waiting. We were. for
that flag of truce to blow down in order to
commence operations. Sharpshooters in CO.
coanut palm trees were seen in large num-
berS- These men climbed the trees, taking
as much as five days rations with them,
and spent at least that much time swinging
in baskets high in the air
During the day the adjutant paid Captain
Young a visit and wanted TO see the adj
vance trench that had been started the
night of July II. Protected by the flag of
truce, these officers meandered in front of
the trenches, and passed within thirty or
forty feat of those fellows who were lying
partly concealed in the thickly matted
grass. Very Unexpectedly they ran across a
man, alleging that he was a Cuban, who
was entering our lines. Captain Young halt
ed him. He made a very profound bow
and proceeded to tell a tale of his search
for his family. which he claimed the
other side of our line. Captain Young blind
folded him and sent him to headquarters
under guard, This was the only capture by
the regiment. Afterward Captain Young
was Of the opinion that the man was Gu
ban though ii seemed strange that he
should come straight from the Spanish
lines.
Surrender of Santiago.
The surrender of Santiago occurred on
the 14th of July. the formal surrender tax
ing place on the 18th OF the same month.
Company K. of course. participated in the
ceremonies attending these surrenders, be-
ing drawn up in front of the trenches they
re n0 -
18th the Presidents message was read. On
the 18th reveille was sounded at 3:35 a. m.
and breakfast was served at 4:30. Camp
was moved to about TWO miles to the east
higher ground opposite the northeast por-
ton of the city. This vas done as sani-
tary precaution-
At i pm on the 2oth the ID Battalion
broke camp and moved out about two miles
20 guard the Spanish prisoners. Company
h had in its line the important post
on the road, leading from the camp to San
uagO. which was about a mile away The
members of the picket post established on
that road had an excellent opportunity of
judging Spanish characteristics as they
mad 10 scrutinize all passes. Company K
lad TO guard the road leading from the
Spanish camp to Santiago, and of course
all persons passing into or from the CITY
had 70 be examined by that company before
they were allowed to pass. All officers were
allowed 10 pass without question. All
others mad to have passes signed by officers
Ihere We're great numbers of sick being
constantly carried from the camp to San
tlago. Many were visiting the city for
supplies.
Filthy Spanish Camp.
The most Objectionable feature of this
business was the fact that the American
line stretched along a most foul pool and
stream of water. 1t was reeking with filth
Spanish prisoners not only bathed in it, but
washed their clothes in this water and
drank IT, As a result there was no wonder
al the great procession OF sick and diving
Every disease known to a tropical country
existed in their camp. This state of af-
fairs was not mitigated in the least by the
presence of carcasses of a great number of
horses scattered throughout their camp and
along the road 10 Santiago. Captain Young
reported the horrible condition of the Span
Ism camp TO the major commanding his bat
tS'lloh ana the fact that these misera bic
creatures were actually drinking this filthy
water. 1t was through Major Hines ef-
forts that on the 2Ist the entire Spanish
camp was move d beyond the San Juan en-
trenchments. placing it In the country be-
tween those trenches and the San Juan
fNer, thereby giving them not only a new
camp. but an ample supply of running
OF course. the moving of this body of
!-,VV" prisoners, speaking a different
tongue, each suspicious of any change of
orders which, on account of the scarcity
OF interpreters, made fl difficult to iuona ~
the full import Of facts to them eenaraiIv
1i.talied a great deal of work on the guard
Every man of Company K did continual
SGSy rom 10 m I'll > pm; As fast as the
Spahards could be forced TO gather mn
their belongings and move along in the de-
siiG i direction the regiment advanced its
them over to the territory they were ~
occupy. u
Fever Was General.
There S no doubt in the mind of Cant.
Dung, who is d physician. that the fevers
which manifested themselves so markedly
In his company We're due to the miasrnas
and the disease germs absorbed into the
systems Of the men while they patroIIed
theF posts aicng that horrible, sinking
CesspoCI on the night OF July %. This is
boFAe cLJ BY the fact that while that COM
pa1y had LeCn having on an average of
threS men on sick report a day, OH the sew
I'M. u'ty from this tour of guard duty thtr-
tS-thrte men Of the company We re stricken
WIN lever. tbs being followed within Inc
next Two JAYS Dy he Illness of neatly every
man IN the company. This occurred ON the
seventh day Of this tour of guard duty The
surgeons nave observed thar the fever iasts
usually seven days, at the end Of which
Iliae reIarSes occur. The surgeons ioLed
Capt Young good deal because while he
had taken ali precautions to prevent sick
ness IN MS company. requiring ali water for
drinking purposes to be boiled his wae the
hrst company Of the regiment to show s,,ct,
an overwhelming increase in its-sick roll
However. this was evidently due to soend-
ing Inc night along this stream. 1t WASH I
very long before the other companies had
long sick lists. and thea Capt Young's men
were conValescent. They all had their turn
On the morning Of the 22d the Company
received a visit from Gen. Bates. who de-
cideC that all prisoners including officers
must have passes signed by Gen, Bates
himself, or his 2djutant. Hundreds of Span
tards had been daily passing to and fro
on passes signed BY their officers, but wsre
Row held up in succession by Capt. Young !
little squad, composed OF six men. II took
& great deal Of explaining on the part OF
the interpreter, Corporal Daily. The Span
iards had TO be told individually. as well
as Collectively, Just what steps were neces-