The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-06
San Juan Hero Rejoins His Regi-
ment at Fort Douglas.
SERENADE IN HIS HONOR
HIS HEROIC CONDUCT IN FRONT
OF SANTIAGO.
Succeeded Colonel Liscum In Com
mand of the Regiment-Brings
Back the Famous Spanish Cat
Found In Captured Block-house
Private Hunter Dies-Notes.

Major Alfred c. Markley rejoined his
command at Fort Douglas yesterday,
after two months leave of. absence,
the greater part of-which he enjoyed at
Philadelphia. The surroundings of the
regiment were viewed by the major for
the first time since his departure last
April, and as once more he set foot at
the base OF the Wasatch range, he
breathJd q. fervent sigh of satisfaction.
Captain LeaveI met Major Markley
at the depot, and drove at once to the
post, where a pleasant surprise was in
waiting. Bandmaster Schaffner had
arranged a serenade, and as the major
was escorted through the post walks
the band struck up Dunlap Command
cry" A selection from Elsmore.
Boyer waltz and Schwabs galop, Now
or Never" were other numbers of the
greatly appreciated programme.
Major Marley is perhaps more dear
~ loved by his men than any officer of
the regiment. His deeds of valor in the
late Cuban campaign would fill vol
ume, but with becoming mOdesty he
declined to discuss in any way the part
he performed, either before Santiago or
at the fever camp.
The facts, however, are well known.
On the LIST of July, when Lieutenant
Colonel Liscum was wounded, Major
Narl1ley- succeeded to the command of.
the regiment. He constantly exposed
himself to the most CALLING musketry
aud artillery fire, regardless Of all con-
sideration of personal safety, in his
observation of the enemy's positions
and movements, and in his direction of
the movements position and fire of the
Twenty-fourth regiment.
Upon arriving, after a night march,
at Siboney, Major Markley found him
self in command, not only of the Twen-
ty-fourth, but also Of parts of several
volunteer regiments.
The officers of the medical depart
ment had their hands full in the treat
ment Of the sick. so there fell upon Ma
jor Markley, not alone the command
of these troops, but the entire SANTA
ton of the town and vicinity.
Upon him devolved the charge of the
railroad from the Juragua mines to the
ore dock at Santiago harbor; the trans
portation of the sick. destroying infect
ed buildings, the policing of the hos
pitfalls and volunteer camps, unloading
vessels of supplies, the burial of the
dead, the care of the property left be-
hind by volunteer regiments, and hun
dredS of minor duties, all discharged
in a, highly successful manner in the
face of the fact that the regiment was
greatly weakened by sickness, and the
number of available officers had been
reduced by disease to six or seven.
1t was through his kindness and
faithful attention at the fever camp
that the major so endeared himself to
the men under his command. An officer
at the post yesterday paidethe follow
ing tribute to the major: While at
Siboney it appeared almost incredible
that one man could do as much and
stand as much as was endured and ac-
comphshed by Major Markley.
Looking back upon our time spent
there. his work ard his endurance seem
nothing short OF wonderful, and in my
opinion no honor that can be bestowed
upon a soldier could be greater than
his services deserve"
THE REGIMENTAL MASCOT.
"supaello,p the queen of Sheba, is
the name adopted from Rudyard Kip
hng's ~On the Road to Mandalay," and
bestowed upon the prettiest pet feline
ever seen. "Supaello" is the only
Spanish prisoner brought west, and
was captured by the major himself
She is one of very few cats not spoiled
by domestication, and the romance of
her life is told by the major as follows:
''Supaello is of royal BIRTH a descend
ant of the old stock. She was raised in
the hacienda of a Spanish family on the
crest of san Juan hill, the same resi-
dence having later been converted into
a block house, and Supaello was, for
all she can tell left there to die. On
the day of the charge, when the vic
tory had been won, and the usual luIl
ensued, Supaello wandered out from
under the block house and started down
the Hill. She passed near me, and
when l called TO her she quickly re-
s2onded. The poor creature had been
in her hiding place all the time the fight
was going on, and was nearly famished
for water. I gave her some water from
my canteen, but during the day some
of the men in the trenches drove her
away, and I lost track of her for forty
eight hours. But she returned again,
1 fastened a string on her neck, and
we have never separated since
Supaello went to Siboney, and later
to MontaUk Point, but has pulled
through it all, and is a full-grcwn
pussy. as bright as can be- Explaining
the origin of her name. Major Markley
said kipling's song was heard a great
deal on the transport and the officers
insisted that the mascot be christened
for the queen.
Major Marllley is glad to be again
AleitR the ''crags and peaks" and for
the present viii be the guest of Captain
Leavell.