The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-09
WANT To GET AWAY
Sergeant Boone Writes Home
From Santiago.
ROY DUM0NT SICK
Col. Fitch's Whole Regiment
Goes Swimming.

z. Dumont yesterday received letter
| from Colonel Tom Fitch at Chickamauga
informing him that his son, Roy Dumont,
who went from here under Captain
Everett is sick. Colonel Fitch says that
Roy is not seriously III but will probably
not be out for some weeks. The follow
son of Dan Boone, at Colwich. indicates
that the soldiers are tired of Cuba and
are clamorous to get away:
Santiago de Cuba. July II. 1898
Dear Mother-I received your letters
one dated 18th, the other 9th of June, 50
you can see how hard it is to get mail
There is some sickness among the
troops, but not as much az might be eX-
pected. 1t is very hot between the hours
of 10 and 4. Raj nevery afternoon and
very little at night. Our fleet started
June A.
First sight Of land at twenty minutes
past eight the 18th of our starboard bow
on the northern coast of Cuba. We
sighted Santiago harbor on the 21st and
watched the bomba rdment of the Spanish
outposts by battleships on the 22d. Samp-
sons feet was lying around the harbor
entrance like a cat watching a mouse.
We landed the 24th at same time Rough
Riders were fighting the Spaniards not
more than a mile away. In half an hour
we were ordered to the front and passed
wounded Rough Riders. The Spaniards
retreated and we did not see one out on
picket duty all night. We went into
camp until the 9th and then marched TO
the front, mile from Spanish piekets.
On July ! we broke camp at o'clock in
the morning and marched TO the front.
Had TO march up a narrow road for about
half mile before we could form in line
of battle.
The timber and bush was so thick we
could not pass any other way. 1t was in
this road that we lost so many men. The
Spaniards had our range and could fire
into US withou: seeing our men, while
we could not fire back for the bush. They
were intrenched on high hill overlook
ing the valley. In front of the hill was
an open field about 600 yards across. Along
the edge of this field we formed in line
for the charge behind a wire fence "a
Spanish trick) which had to be cut when
the charge was ordered. Members of
company E. Sixteenth infantry, were the
first on the hill. Our captain was wound
ed within fifteen yards of a Spanish
trench. Another soldier and myself car
ried him to the foot of the hill, when he
was taken to the rear. he Spaniards re-
treated toward the city while we took
position on the hill. The firing did not
cease until night. When the morning
came it showed our troops formed in
half circle around the city. The firing be-
gan again as coon as it was light enough
to see each ether.
The companies would relieve each other
on the firing line. Our company lay for
eight hours behind the line where we
were safe from bullets, but not from
shells. You see the firing line were in
trenches we dug during the night.
me Spanish trenches were about 500
yards away. Whenever a man would
show his head a dozen shots would be
fired at him. Our company lay in the
trenches from the evening of the I'd until
noon of the Sd. The spaniards attacked
our lines at night. but were sent back
faster than they came.
a flag of truce was put up at noon On
the Sd and was kept up until the 10Th.
During the truce We would get upon our
trenches and look It each other
On July we stated In with seventy-two
men and at evening roll call there were
thirty-nine in the company. On the 9Th
was sent out between the lines with
squad, under a flag of truce, TO bury a
Spanish officer and private who smelled
a little to bad along our lines. On the 10th
we changed from the center of the lines
to the right to support the batteries. The
flag of truce went down at AIS the 10Th
and the Commandment began at sunset
the Spanish replying veIy slowly.
Flag Of truce again at noon the 18th. 1
was on picket duty all night in a heavy
rain. On the 18th We were Joined by thir-
ty-seven recruits for the company from
Tampa A sorry looking crowd.
On the I4th the Spanish surrendered and
our troops were moved back out of the
trenches into camp. The Spaniards aid
the same.
Today. the 18th. our flag was raised over
the city, the army was formed in line on
the trenches and a salte was fred.
Both Spanish and Cubans are in aesti-
tute condition, having nothing to eat and
no clothes.
/ do not know what they will do with
US now. he lstesa papers we have are
dated July 4. Some parts of the reports
were tue.
We are camped on a high hill overlook
ing the city and bay.
I have a hammock 20 sleep in. 7 tell
you / am anxious 10 get away from this /
God-fogsaken country. Il IS so very
sickly.
From our camp I can see the Spanish !
army getting ready to leave the city. |
transports are in the bay loading !! /
unloading. FRANK 5. BOONE,
First Sageant Company E. United States /
Infantry, Santiago de Cuba
Colonel Fitch's men al Chickamauga /
Quit the program for battalion drill sat- I!
urday to go swimming. probably in ceie- !
bration OF the announcement that peace /
is declared Sundays GIooe-DemoCra !