Evening star., 1898-09-07
SIDE LIGHTS ON WAR
Some of the InoidsntsJef the Time Before
Santiago.
Cool Bravery of Gel. Ewers of the 9th
Ill I y
Infantry-The Fighting End
of n Scorpion.
special From a STAFF Correspondent.

| VI
Special From Staff Correspondent
CAMP WIKoFF! MONTAUK POINT, L..
l.. Septsmber 1.-THE cool bravery of which
| there were many instances among the
American troops in Cuba was conspicuous
ly shown in one case, that of Col. Ezra p
| Ewers OF the 9th Infantry. when in the
fight on San Juan hill in front of Santiago
Col Ewers is we'll known in Washington
He is a very plain man. and some OF the
! soldiers designate him as the farmer col
| onel.' Other officers of high rank in his
brigade had been shot off, and he was made
| the commanding officer. He was the last
| officer of his rank in his brigade who had
not been taken Off the firing line because
| of wounds. and he persisted in making
himself a mark for the enemy Lieut.. Wise
| of the 9th Infantry, also we'll known in
Washington, and son of John S. Wise of
| Virginia, seeing the constant danger in
| which Col Ewers was placed, begged him
to make himself less conspicuous target
Col. Ewers continued to view the in
| trenchments of the Spaniards with the ut
| most indifference. He was carefully watch
ing the proceedings through his field glass
| es.
You see that line of intrenchments over
| there" said the colonel, pointing out to
| Lieut.. Wise the place from which the Span
| Ism hre had been coming with most deadly
effect; Il am keeping them busy"
| Col. Ewers had directed a heavy fire on
| these intrenchments which were the most
! dangerous at that time. The Mauser bull
| let's of the Spaniards however, continued
70 make things warm in that part of the
| Held. and Lieut.. Wise again entreated that
| tho colonel should protect himself
| Continuing to look through his field glass
es, the colonel. with touch of kindness
| and good humor in his voice. suggested in
| drawing tones, that. while he appreciate ed
| the lieutenant's suggestions, he thought the
lieutenant would have his time fully oc-
cupied IN looking after his own company
| For his splendid service and intrepid lead
| ershfp on this occasion Col. Ewers was pro-
| NOTED to be a brigadier general When
| Cen Miles was in command of the 5th In
| fantry, Ewers was captain under him.
| and no man is more highly regarded by the
! commanding general of the army than he
| Cen Ewers was a fearless Indian fighter
| and rendered valiant service among tbe
! Cheyennes.
| Although Lieut.. Wise was SO concerned
| about the safety of his colonel, he appar-
! emily was Indifferent to any danger TO him
| self. In this same battle, which was fought
in that famous charge when the block
| mousse on San Juan hill was taken by storm,
| Lieut.. Wise charged on horseback and
| Whlie erecting the men made use of
| small kodak and got number of pictures
| which 1t is hoped will develop into fine
photographs. The company would be forced
| ahead certain distance, and as they ston-
! pee to fire Lieut.. Wise would turn and snan
mis- Kodak, getting many valuable views.
| AAAs
While in front of Santiago Lieut.. Never
! OF the District of Columbia Regiment re-
ceived visit from one of his men. who
requested that he be given his quinine a lit
| tie earlier than usual. -
| Il asked him." said Lieut.. Never "wbv
he could not wait until cuinine was issued
| 10 an the men who needed it,
| He replied that it left a very bitter taste
IN ms mouth, and he wanted to get rid of
haf fnra Ie
| thousht he could sleep better"
oon see howsit can leave any bitter
| taste In your nouth?' said Lieut. Never.
Wai, replied the man, I always chew
| my pms Wen and they taste very bitter to
me- Everybody chews quinine pills before
| they swallow them down in my part of the
country. II l didn't chew them 1 don't see
| What good they would do me-"
| Spanish Hospitality.
AFTER the surrender of Santiago Major
ofeil OF the 1st Battalion. District Of Co.
| lumpia Volunteers, and Lieut.. King of
| company went out for q walk and 10
| look at the enemy's territory. Very short
| ~ they met a Spanish officer, who proved
| to be Lieut.. Demenchez of Battalion d AL
| cahtafa Inc ofncers exchanged the cour-
| teSleS OF ths day, and the Spaniard invited
| the Two Americans into his tent. Iieut
Dsmenchez had all the suavity of. a Span
~. sIanoee ana proceeded to extend hos
| pilaitl9s IN a manner that would have
| been in place III a palace There was not
| much that he could offer, but he produced
| a oiack bottle labeled Jamaica rum" The
ALleiIcahs had not had drink since land
| ing upon cuban soil, and they enjoyed the
opanlards treat exceedingly. When thew
| returned to camp they related this incident
! 10 lhelr Ieilow-off1cers. Those who haard
| them were rather incredulous. but that aid
| not prevent many of the officers In the
| regiment saunterfng into thu Spanish line
| hopihg that they, too, would be asked to
sample bottle of Jamaica rum
Pleasant Neighbors.
"hlie In Cuba the soldiers were very
much annoyed by tarantulas, scorpions,
| zeora lizards and other reptiles and In
sects without number They had no means
| OF protecting themselves from these annoy
ahces. They were without mosquito bars.
whioh are usually used by people in the
| ucplcs In order to keep out such nests
from their bedding at night
| Col Harries had the experience of feel
| iis sohetnins crawl over his body at night
| ana upon examining it found that a scor-
ploh mad got in his pajamas
capt. King of Company brings home
with MN in tightly corked bottle a taran-
| tula, scorpion and zebra lizard. These
pests We're in his tent, and he simply
| pioueht nome samples of them.
Capt. King found that it was no easv
Joo 10 handle a scorpion. Upon expert
nieHtIns with one he observed that the at
,an ,aca was vas not made by biting, but that the
| long, thin tail Of the reptile had a small
| req Dutton on the end which held a long
| khl1e-hke bone. The scorpion when ap-
| proached would throw his tail in front of
| ms body and this blade of bone would
| snoot out from it's covering. intlicting a
| Tar more dangerous wohnd than is made
oS the oite OF many serpents.
Held in Check.
Wh1le In Cuba it was quite as necessary
Ior the American officers to act discreet,v
In not bringing on an engagement at an
inopportune time and against orders as it
was for them to fight braveIy when oc-
| oasion demanded it.
! Captain G. B. Young of Company
narrowly escaped bringing on an engage
| ment on July ID, when 4 party of five men
on horseback were seen approaching the
american lines. Captain Young walked out
TO the end of the trench to watch them
They trotted on leisnreIy toward the cap
| tain, who thought they were coming to
surrender. When they got within about
/ 1OU wards of the 8