Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-12
CAMPING IN J CUBA
First Experience Of American Troops
on Spanish Soil.
TIE LANDING AT DAIQUIRI
A Rugged Country and the March
Into the Interior.
THE PART OF THE CUBANS
Copyright, 1898, by chas. NJ. Pepper3


experience camping in Cuba. The camping
Is pleasant enough. From the tops of these
hills and the slopes of the mountains It is
a pleasant sight to look down on Santiago.
People who have been there say the town
itself seen from within is dirty and unat-
tractive. That may be. From the place
where / am writing, which is only five
miles from the outskirts of Santiago the
view is an alluring one. General Joe
Wheeler after riding up to the top of the
hill last evening just at sunset to make a
military reconnaissance came back 10 camp
filled with admira ton. He seemed to think
this land and Santiago city worth fight
ing for and taking. If the talk of the
common soldiers can be trusted to reflect
their feelings it is worth fighting for but
not to give up to the Cubans However,
this kind of grumbling is the soldiers priyi-
lege. He INDUCES in it for while, but
doesn't mean it to be interpreted too seri-
ousy.
Whether viewed from the military stand
point or from that of the traveller who does
not concern himself with siege and de-
Tense the natural strength of the city i'm
presses itself on one. If it comes about
that the Soaniards make their first and
last stand against the American invasion
here they have every natural advantage
with them. From the deck of one of Adj
miral SIMPSONS ships, where only Moro
Castle and the heights and headlands are
visible, it appears impregnable Coming
overland the approaches are found to be
such as some nations would make fmpreg-
nable. The Spaniards have not that gift,
yet they have made the taking of Santiago
feat that when it is accomplished will be
creditable military achievement.
Landing at Dniquirf.
The Engineer Corps, and for that mat
ter the whole army from commanding Off
GERS down to the privates, have learned
that campaigns planned for invading for
eign territory may have to be revised when
foot is set on the enemy's soil. From the
hour of landing the first troops at Daiquiri
there has been daily experience. These
towns all have Spanish Names, Cuban
names and generally compromise names, so
that confusion is inevitable. Daiquiri was
the main landing place. 1t was said to be
nine miles in direct line across country to
Santiago. Actually it is double that dis
lance Siboney, the secondary landing
place, is, according to Spanish reckoning
seven, eight or ten miles from Daiquiri, so
that its distance from Santiago Is an easy
calculation. Siboney is the base of
operations.
When the troops which were going into
camp at Daiquiri struck their tents Thurs
day afternoon, the sd instant, on unlocked
for orders, they did not know exactly what
was before them. Most of the 9Th Army
Corps was by that time on Cuban soil. Part
of General Lawton's division, which landed
the previous afternoon, was already under
way, having advanced four or five miles.
Major General Wheelers cavalry division
was getting along as fast as cavalry usual
ly advances when 1t travels as infantry
Part of General Kent's division was on
board the transports which were lying
close to Santiago making feint to draw
out the enemy, but General Hawkins bri-
gade was marching.
The Start Into the Interior.
The road out of Daiquiri is good one at
the beginning. In that respect it is like
other Cuban roads. But it narrows and
going through the woods for most of the
way is little more than trail. The tramp
Of the troops broadened it except in the ra-
vines and passes, where broadening was
impossible, except by a process of regular
road making. Orders had been issued to
take three days rations. Supplies had not
peeii ullIOdueu III QUANTITIES sufficient "
supply three days rations, the troops
took what they could get and started Bag
gage wagons would necessarily be mat
ter Of delay and there were few pack ami
mails available. So everybody was his own
pack animal. The officers with rare ex-
ceptions had not had time to secure their
horses, and they trudged along with their
men. For a movement partaking SO large
q ha mi it Of ha
marchers was animated. They were fresh
and could stand fatigue. Camps were
pitched for four or five miles along. Dur
ing the night taste of the Cuban rainy
season was had. The heavens simply
opened and it raired Some of the troops
claimed to have kept partly dry in the
shelter tents. Those who did not have
shelter tents got wet, yet their draggled
appearance did not distinguish them from
their comrades. Personally 1 found that
an open hammock bath in the depth of
the woods caused little discomfort and en-
tailed no serious consequences. This was
the common experience At this time of
the year no chill follows the rains. They
nave not yet been heavy enough to inter-
fere with military operations. Probably
short campaign can be conducted without
regard to the wet season. Beyond the in
convenience caused if ordinary care is ex-
ercised the troops will not be In danger
for their health. The same is true of the
heavy dews, which come on every morning
before daybreak. A little precaution wards
off any bad effects.
The First Engagement.
Friday morning the advance guard skirt
ing Siboney was far enough ahead to be
engaged with the retreating Spaniards.
The details of that engagement, the part
taken by Colonel Wood and Rooseve1t's
unmounted rifiemen and by the dismounted
cavalry under General Young have already
been given. 1t was creditable to the
American forces, but 1t was not a victory
Three miles away the yolley firing sounded
like artillery. If American troops had held
the position occupied by the Spaniards they
would have annihilated the forces that
were advancing. The early stages of the
march had given an idea of the advantage
for guerrilla warfare which the country Of
fers. Veterans of campaigns in the west
and on the plains compared the manigua,"
as the Cubans call the bush, to chapparal,
only more so.' They understand the ma
n he s~I,% a. I,,~,, to