Evening star., 1898-08-17
HARDSHlPS SCORNED
District Soldiers Treat Their Keen
Experiences Lightly.
LETTERS FROM THE FRONT
Sleeping on the Ground and Soak
ing Wet All Day.
IN TERESTING INCIDENTS

The many letters being received here
from the men who represent the national
capital in the ranks of the 1st District Vol
unteers in Cuba illustrate in no uncertain
manner their soldierly qualities simply by
the way in which they make light OF toe
real hardships which they nonchalantly de-
scribe in the most matter-of-fact sort of
way. 1t is a most gratifying thing to real
ize this, as it shows the kind of stuff Dis
trict boys are made Of A number of let
ters have been shown to The Star and some
of these are given below.
Private James E. Smith, Company D, Dis
trict Volunteers, in letter to his aunt and
uncle, dated at Santiago Immediately after
the surrender, describes an experience on
the night of July -, when he was one of
a party that went out within 125 yards Of
the Spanish lines to dig trenches.
we were requested to keep absolute ST.
lence, as the least noise would be apt to
draw the fire of the enemy writes Private
Smith. we started out in the pitch dark
with picks and shovels our shoulders,
moving very slowly. We reached the place
we were to start on and began to dig. We
had not been out ten minutes before it be-
gan to rain as 1t can only rain in Cuba.
In couple of minutes we were all soaked
through. We were working away, when
all at once, crack! went a shot and about
ten answered. We all dropped in the grass
out of sight, while the bullets few at a
great rate. The most of them were from
our own pickets, Who did not know we were
so far out. All this time the rain fall
ing in streams, and as no orders came to
US, we lay in about six inches of water
for about two hours. We were about as
wet and miserable as it is possible for any
one to be. When finally we got orders to
retire, as it was impossible to do the work
har tlnfo h1a
reached camp only to find that the wind
had blown down our lean-tos and huts, SO
we had to sleep in the mud after ALL
Fine Work of Coiored Troops.
In describing the previous march from the
landing place to Santiago Private Smith
writes as follows:
Our first camp was the site Of Roose-
velt's Rough Riders camp just after their
first fight. We passed through where they
had their battle, seeing where Hamilton
Fish, jr., was buried. While we were at the
port we could see the wounded from the
first battle of Santiago, In which the 9th
Cavalry and the negro troops did fine work.
We only remained at our first camp for one
night, as the next morning by daybreak We
started for Santiago, about eleven miles
away. When got within a few miles of
the city we heard the cannon's boomings at
regular intervals. AS we reached the val
ley in front of the breastworks on the hills
we could see all the ground over which the
Americans had to charge to take the hills
just about half mile in front of the town.
No one can realize the immense task it was
and what terrific fighting was required to
charge up these steep hills and over the
level. covered with barbed wire fences.
When we reached here we were just in
camp in sight of the city, only we are over
the brow of the hill, that We cannot be
seen by the pickets of the enemy. We left
all our camp, equipage at our first camp, SO
hod ok ny1f fha nnf U
over us. The nsxt day most of us put up
shacks and thatched them with palm leaves
and brush. This kept out part of the rain
which fell during the day, but the most of
1t came right on through.
Many Hardshfps.
LAS we had left all our food at the other
camp we went about twenty-four hours
without anything to eat except a few man
goes-a fruit about the size of pear. The
night after we got here went into the
trenches, or should have said, the night
we got here. in front Of Santiago, about
which / have already told you. The next
day we stood around the fires to get dry
IL possible, but we found that as fast as
we would get one side dry and turn the
other around the rain would give us bath
all over again. The next day we went all
the way back to our first camp to bring up
the baggage We had left behind. Talk
about your walking over wet and muddy
most of the way. and the streams were
waist deep and so swift that two men had
to cross together and brace each other
One of the boys was knocked off his feet
by floating log, and one Of them was
almost drowned. We got to camp at last
and after nights rest we came back.
This is the most beautiful country we have
yet seen, the camp where we now are be-
Ing on hill and entirely surrounded by
mountains, which are covered with a thick
green growth of trees and shrubs At our
feet is a valley. in which are cocoanut
trees and all kinds Of bushes. The other
day L killed snake about four feet long
which was swallowing a smaller snake /
don't know what kind he was You ought
to now. We look like old campaign
ers. You remember those little tin plates
we ate out OF IN Camp Alger? Well, they
are now the most useful things we have
We cook our own meals now All the men
are better satisfied to do So You ought
to see us cook. We have mess of six and
get together ana COOK our meals together
We have some fine messes. For instance.
this morning We had fried bacon and coffee
and for dinner We made stew that tasted
Just like potpie; fried some hard tack, and
elaborate meal. I will have to MAKE an
envelope and sew it with black cotton and
send 1t as soldiers mall because envelonas
and stamps are not to be had
Starved Spaniards Surrender.
In letter to his mother, Mrs. NJ. A
Feiand of III 11th street northeast prt-
vate Samuel Feland of Company d. Dis
trict Volunteers, tells the story of the ar
rival in Cuba and subsequent events.
I'VE got here Sunday, July 10. at ST.
honey. and marched out three miles to the
place where the Rough Riders had their
first fight. The country is beautiful h,t
] will not stop to describe 1t. The stencil
was fearful; can't be described The Span-
fsh left their dead in many instances here
and there in the jungle. and it was a fear
full sight We left there 3 o'clock am.
July II and marched to the firing line
The Spanish had bitches to face ours and
a good many slipped through our line to
our pickets and surrendered-staryed for
water and food They did a great MANY
more things such as working on bitches
under flag Of truce. We stopped that hy
doing the same. They surrendered .JuIv
II at IL o'clock. Colonel Harrfes and his
staff stayed with our company. We were
nearest to the city, and 1 saw the first
flag she was raised. We cheered and
the band struck up the Star Spangled BAN
ner,' America Dixie and other home
airs. We gave three cheers; in fact. sew
eral,. led by Colonel Harries and Major
Hines. Marched back to the camp. have
had several experiences that will stay in
mind till die. The climate here is cooler
than it was at Tampa. We are apparently