Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
RHEUMATISM

was killed, there was field battery %
,hroa nieces. They looked ike old-iasn-
toned six-pounders and seemed TO De III
The country was dotted with block
houses resembling those built in our IN,
dian wars Some were ironciad, ano
others protected with plank Ihere Were
loopholes in profusion. Many OF uncss
hIockhouses were surrounded with ultch,
o. i've moats. the bitches being protected
~, a harb-wire fence and ths dirt thrown
nm against the block-house. 1t was SAID
that This prevented the patriots from as
saultinp the forts at night. In some OIL
tho houses where attacks were threat
ened the soldiers were ever under arms,
wary and watchful. In others they ieit
their rifles in the racks WITHIN the mousse
and Iounged around outside in sloveniy
attire.
THE garrisons Of these blockhouses vary
I'm size. Around MatanZas three soldiers
one of whom was a corporal, hau chais
OF such posts. In small towns In the III
terror. more subject to attack. there were
a dozen soldiers at each staslon' uhue'
the command of a sergeant.
The Spanish recruit Is not polslerous'
nor given to horse-play. He never soiaceS
himself with songs, nor becomes pan lieu
Iarly demonstrative on any occasion. Inc
hrichtest of the recruits were called Gal
Ieios. They are said to have streak
of Celtic blood in them, and they GER
tainly exhibit Celtic disposition. Ihey
are witty and quick in motion. put lack
Irish Drawn and muscle. The BlscayahS
we're tall and energetic. There IS SAID 10
be fine fighting material among them'
This does not hold true with the Catalo-
mans and Valenclans, who are more
soualid and not particularly neat In
habit.
OUTSIDE OF THE TROCHA.
Apparently there was no inspection OF
these blockhouses by any Spanish orn-
Gals. Rarely were the guards relieved
Of duty, and there were no signs OF drills
or any military routine whatever, aside
from loungng around the post and await
ing demonstrations from the enemy.
Near the cities each blockhouse MAIN
tanned telephone communication with the
Military Governor. If the soldier was In
doubt concerning anything he immedi-
ately telephoned to headquarters for in
structions One of the congressman had
a strong desire TO visit a cave near Ma
tanzas, mentioned by Humboldt In his
travels. The proprietor of the hotel told
him that he would not be allowed to pass
beyond the lines. 1t was useless TO apply
10 General Molina, the Military Governor.
Determined to make the attempt 10 visit
the cave, he was accompanied by an in
terpreter, understood to be in the pay
of the Spanish authorities. AS they APP
preached the last blockhouse beyond the
outskirts of the city they were con-
fronted by three soldiers in shirts and
1esr,t.
who regarded their movements with lazy
curiosity. This was the garrison of the
frontier fort. The barbed-wire fence
around the ditch was broken down, and
two hens were scratching the dirt into
little moat.
The Congressman stepped over the
fence and began operations by present.
ing each soldier with a package OF cigar
cites. They were accepted with thanks.
The interpreter then told them that we
wanted to go TO the cave beyond. They
shook their heads, saying that it would
be dangerous, as the block-hOuse was
the last outpost, and there were plenty
of insurgents a mile or two away. Mean
time, the station agent of the railway
came up and Joined in the CONVERSE
ton He prevailed upon one of the SOL
diers to go into the bock-house and tele-
mission to go outside of the lines. He
telephoned that a Federal deputy Of the
United States wanted TO visit the cave,
and asked II there was any objection. IT
was fifteen minutes before a favorable
reply was received.
The Interpreter and the Congressman
found the cave a mile beyond the lines.
IL had formerly been a place of great
public resort but all the houses had been
destroyed. and there were no signs or
cultivation. All was desolation. A broken
iron stairway led down into the cave.
The Interpreter and the Congressman de-
scended until the light grew dim, break
ing stalactit and stalagmites TO carry
away as souvenirs. On their return two
soldiers stood at the entrance. They wore
neat uniforms and presented arms They
were two-thirds of the garrisons or the
block-house one being the corporal in
command. They were probably sent 10
prevent the Congressman from holding
communication with the insurgents. They
said that they had left their post to be
on hand and protect the party If attacked
by insurgents. OF course, they were libe-
rally rewarded, the corporal receiving a
silver dollar and the private half a dol
lar i'm Spanish coin. 1t was the hrst
money that either had seen in nine
months
Upon his return 10 the city the con-
gresham was met at the post by two
mounted civil guards. who accompanied
him TO mis- hotel The Civil Governor had
learned that the Federal Deputy had
gone to the cave, and had sent this guard
of honor as an escort on his return.
DEFICIENT IN HUMANITY.
No signs of sympathy with the
starving reconcentrados were shown by
the Spanish soldiers. The starving peo-
pie Stunned them as they would have
stunned hyenas. The soldiers treated
them with the utmost Indifference so
long as they remained within their pens.
II any ventured outside they were either
shot or bayoneted. according TO orders.
The bayonets were short, and resembled
the blade Of a bowie-knife. The officers
were far more heartless toward the re-
concentrates. They sneered at them, and
took apparent delight in aggravating
their misery. On returning from Sagua
la Grande toward Matanzas the con-
gresham bought Madrid newspaper OF
February 22d. Although not versed In
the Spanish language. he managed to ex-
tract some information from its columns.
He afterward offered ii TO a Spanish Off
Ger. who sat in the opposite seat, facing
two comrades 1t was accepted with
thanks. Not long afterward the officers
opened a lunch basket. The car was
filed with the flavor OF boiled ham. Bot
ties OF wine were uncorked and the Off
Ger politely invited the congressman 10
partake of the lunch. He as politely de-
clined, saying that he was not hungry.
Az the officers finished their lunch tile