The Opelousas courier., 1898-11-05
SIIUTE.
Matanza, Cuba, Oct. 16, 1893

Dear Fatller.-I have not had IL mai
since | left Port Anton nearly three
weeks ago, nor have l had an opportun.
ity to send any. We left Havana Tues
day 18th. for Mariel and reached there
at II 80 a. m. after two hours of hard
running.
1t like the rest of these cities is situa.
ted on II Bay. 1t is a good size place
and is claimed to be the healthiest place
in Cuba. AT the entrance of the Bay is
a large ship, the Alfonso XIII. She
stands with her bow almost out of the
water. being nearly. perpendicular. A
little distance from her, ia a small gun
boat so badly done up that you would
not know it over was a boat.
We went down there to prepare for
our troops. intended for Havana. AT
ter the army officers had gone ashore,
leaving only the first Lient. and CaL-
tain Turner aboard. a Spanish gun boat
called out to leaf if she could he of any
assistance to us.
Her Captain cane aboard and remain
ed until we were ready to go back to
Havana, 4 O'clock,
This place is about IS miles from
Havana. There is a small town about
half way between these two cities.
This part of the Island is low and
level with One high hill between the
half way town and Mariel. [ think it
would be a nice place for a sugar plan
tation, in addition to being pretty and
healthy, and thus desirable to live up
on.
Tobacco is raised in the interior of
this section.
fertile and belonged to the government
| nf Snals, A q q rnaffnp IF fnnt Tho
cost on both sides of Havana was gov
eminent land.
The S%paniards We have had dealings
with have been more civil than the Gu
bans.
On Thursday 18Th we got under way
for Matanzas at II o'clock, and arrived
there at / 80. The coal We got in Hav-
ana was o very good and did not fur
nish the steam, but for which, we might
have reached here eaxlier.
At the entrance of the bay the Cubans
have a fort and a few miles IN the Span
iards have one. This Bay is about 10
miles long. There are two sailing YES
sells here, built on the style of those Of
Columbus and look to be as old-two Of
our vessels-one q transport the other a
Hospital ship.
There was a hands all-round fight
hUO1iA euo snip iii WHICH Tue
cook got knocked down with
an ak. Our officers had to go aboard
and put a stop to the racket.
[ have found ont the whistle Jack Nj.
has in his Ice factory (Senien). The
chief came up to me yesterday while |
was writing this letter, and asked me to
make a speaking trumpet. So | had to
lay my pen down and go about it.
When | took it TO the first Lieutenant
he locked at it and pronounced it we'll
done, telling me to take it to the Cap
tain who examined it and said it could
not be better made, and that hs was
glad to get it.
The Captain permitted two men to 60
ashore to attend church yesterday and
Mother returned. In the evening the
gig was sent to shore for them, and four
of those who were sent, skipped. To-
day the carpenters we're kept busy max
ing a brig to put them in. This evening
some of them were caught and brought
on board as drunk as they conld lie.
One Of them is in charge of the Captain
of the post and it will be difficult to get
him out. | am we'll and being kept
pretty busy. Expect to get liberty here
as soon as we hear from, Com. Samp-
son. Affectionately,
SHUTE