Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-11
BACK FROM The WAR,
FIRST SOLDIER TO RETURN FROM
THE TRENCHES OF SANTIAGO.
airy, Back Upon 60 Days Furlough
to Recover from the Effects of
Injuries Received.

from tne trCnCneS oil santiago Is private
George Ferlestein of Troop +, Third cav
airy, who arrived in this city Thursday
night upon Go days furlough, which will
he extended at his request. Pcrlestcin is
wounded In the hand and was also shot
In the side and shows the marks of the
short campaign in his sharp features and
sunburned faco His story of the fight be-
fore Santiago Is much like the accounts
given by the Associated Press and is full
of interest.
Pcrlstein left Santiago harbor in the
ship Cherokee, No. 4. about Is days ago,
with go other men, whose wounds de-
marded that they be sent home. Landing
ut Tampa, he was sent with u few of the
others to Fort Mcpherson, four miles out
stdo the city of Atlanta, where he was
treated for few days and then came on
to Bellevue Hospital In New York. where
he says he received the best treatment
given his wounds at any point. AS soon
as able to leave Bellevue hospital Perle-
stein came to the State of his adoption
and was warmly greeted by his friends
and large number Of interested persons
last evening. He will go to Fort Ethan
Allen to remain for a time, AZ least. While
under furlough he draws what Is called
ration money.
The Third we're In the thick of the fight
ut Santiago, says Perlestein. Their posi-
ton was near the middle Of the long line
able to select their position, which, per-
haps, accounts for list OF wounded not
being as large as that of some of the
troops. The advance was varied by
scenes of wild enthusiasm and the men
found time to cheer each other as the
night progressed. Tho news of the great
naval victory six miles away from the
Third was received with the widest en-
thusiasm. Men tore their hats and fairly
Rugged each other for JOY and even this
scene was more than matched by the
demonstration at the surrender of San
tiago.
There were many hardshps to contend
With and often food was in the most lin
tied quantities. On one occasion the man
threw off their haversacks and all en-
cumbrances before going into battle and
late in the evening when a detail of %
men was sent back to get the blankets
and what was most needed of all. the
food, nothing was to be found. the insur-
gents having stolen everything which the
men owned except what they had upon
their backs. That was a hungry night
for the Third, but very late some sue
ceeded In reaching the commissary's sup
plies and got a little food. Hard tack
canned tomatoes and bacon were the
chief selections from the Santiago bill of
fare, but never did man complain,
whether he had ono bite from a piece of
hard bread or the whole of the piece.
What the men missed almost as much
as the food was tobacco. and often while
resting in the firing line men would roll
a cigarette and take one pun. then pass
1t down the line. each man taking a sin
gle pun until all was smoked. Private
Bingham OF Troop G, Third cavalry, was
rolling n cigarette for this purpose one
day, when along came a singing Mauscr
bullet and carried off n finger, throwing
the tobacco into Bingham's eyes so that
he could not see for days OF water
there was good supply. The heat was
terrible but the men stood 1t well.
The wound received by Capt Dodd
Perlesteins commander, was not n seri-
Gus one. When wounded Dodd was but a
short distance from Perlestein, who saw
him throw UP his hands and fall This
wound was received when in the very edge
of the battle and before the troop had
been under fire for more than half n dozen
volleys. Capt Dodd was carried from
the field and First Lieutenant Raymond
took command Of the troop. The wound
was only n scalp wound.
When Perlcstein left Santiago. Capt.
Dodd had not rcjoined his troop and tho
private saw his commander sitting with
his head upon his hand in a most dis
consulate attitude. He said n few words
of farewell and with mutual good wishes
they separated.
when the Cherokee left Santiago with
the wounded, among whom was Perle-
stein. the ship was fired upon by the
American men-of-war on the lookout for
hostile vessels. The Cherokee carried no
lights and received first n blank shot,
then a solid shot and was forced to
hoavc to and explain her business. All
of the mon upon the ship feared they
were captured, but chccrcd the man-of-
war to the echo as her intention was
learned. Perlestein left Sergeant Murphy
at Fort Mcpherson with wounds from
which he will soon recover. He also met
Major H. d. Fillmore Of the first bat
TALON. First Vermont regiment. who was
on n leaYc OF absence at Atlanta.