Arizona republican., 1898-06-22
HELD UP AT TAMPA.
Boys of Company C Hope
 for an Early Departure.
A Promise That They Will RejoiR A and B Companies Within Fort night.

Tampa, Fla, June 14.-(Secial cor respondence of The Republican.)- Each day the morning papers tell us that the fleet of transports has truly sailed, only to be contradicted by the evening papers. Yesterday morning positive assurance was given us that the fleet had sailed Major Hersey, who commands the remnant of the reg 5nent remaining behind, was not thor pughly convinced, SO was sent with a message to Lieutenant-Colonel Roose- welt. On arriving at Port Tampa, nine miles distant, I learned that the Yuca- tan was about to sail. A sail boat was ordered and hurried aboard the trans port. Troops A and B of the Arizona squadron were aboard restlessly wait ing for their vessel to steam out. One thousand men were damned into 1000 little hunks. Four men are allotted the space that one should occupy. Eolonel Roosevelt is impatient at the delay. Over twenty transports are in the port loaded for the island. The impatience of the boys Is beyond description. They have been lying on the transports Tor a full week expecting each morning to awaken some distance out at sea. The report Is with us again today that the boys are actually of. Colonel RoOse- welt told us yesterday that those Of us remaining would meet the expedition on Cuban soil within fortnight with horses and equipments. h+
 Pay was due on the first of June but Pay day has not yet arrived. Only those who were expected to leave were paid. Every one is borrowing from every one else. A silver dollar never before looked so large as it now does Even the nickel and dime assume pro- portions.
 Measles is still prevalent, and each day or two notes some addition to the list of unfOrtunates. Hedrick Warren, who has been in the hospital for the past week, Is improving. Crantz Cart ledge of Tempe was taken down with the disease yesterday and was removed to the hospital this morning. First Lieutenant Patterson has also had the measles and has been for six days past under care in private family in Tampa. He is rapidly improving and will be out before the end of the week.
 Every afternoon the captain permits C to the beach, not mile away, for a bath. Another detail goes to the river to fish. We now have fresh fish to supplement our bacon. It is very welcome dish.
 Second Lieutenant Savers of troop c is acting adjutant of our regiment and under his orders our mounted drill comes at 7:30 a. m. It terminates at ga m We thus avoid the heat of the day. A drill, dismounted, is given us in the afternoon, lasting one hour TEis is from to g.. The middle of the day is spent in sleeping or hunting for a breeze.
 The great shadeless southern pine is the only tree to be seen in these parts. It is used as fuel wherever fuel is needed, even to steam engines and locomotives. The smoke is black with soot, consequently everything is sooty.
 The true rainy season has begun and every night brings its thunder, light ming and rain. During the day it threatens but seldom rains. The soil is almost a pure sand and loose, so the rain passes off The tents are trenched about, that our things within may be kept dry.
 The. eating of SO much heat-produc ing food has created an inordinate de- sire for ices and ice cream. The boys were soliloquizing this afternoon, when it was noted that they craved even the cheap ice cream of the Dago, which in civil life they would not even permit a friend to touch.
 Another luxury is the alligator, fhough we do not eat them They rIln about on the edge of our camp, but are small. A large one was caught near the packers camp Sunday, the skin of which sold for SIS.
 Every few days brings batch of new recruits, principally eastern boys. We have them from many eastern and southern states-fine fellows, all Of them. F. A. .Woodin told me yesterday that Ee had telegraphed for Tom Sloan of Phoenix to come and join us here. The boys would surely welcome him.
 GRINDELL.