The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-08-25
From the Monson Reglster)
LETTER FROM SANTIAGO.

80
On the Held before Santiago de cuba
July 10, 1873.
Mr.. EDITOR 81 regret very much my
inability to keep your readers informed
of the movements of my regiment, but
until within day or two our mail facili-
ties have been very meager. / will try
and narrate some of the more important
events in the Cuban campaign. Weland-
ed from the transport Knickerbocker
early In the morning of June 23d. As
soon as we were fairly ashore our first
march began. Each man was supplied
with one days rations and in heavy
marching order. The town where we
landed is known as Baiguiri, and contain
ed the plant of the Spanish-American
iron works. 1t had been quite well fOrti-
fed by Spaniards in block-houses and en-
trenchments. There was large iron
pier here, used In loading vessels, also
what was probably large machine shop.
Attempts were made to wreck the pier,
and the workshop was burned on the re-
treat of the Spaniards, which was caused
by the heavy firing from our naval ves-
sells on the 22d. A few Cubans also as
sisted the marines In driving the Span
iards into the hills. 1t was here we saw
our first Cuban To tell the truth, not
one iota of their condition has been exag-
gerated. After about an hours march,
{nor duwino, xuhioh T uoodo oo varoh nF an
investigation of the landing place as I
could, we started on our march inland,
our destination being supposed to be San
tiago. There are no roads In Cuba out
side of some large city. The rest are all
simply foot-paths, lined on both sides
with heavy underbrush, cactus and barbed
wire fences. OF course, single file was
the order, and two PAGES apart. After
following a mountainous and circuitous
course for nine miles we made our first
camp at a town on the coast called Sib-
oney. This town we reached about p.
m., having been on the march about six
hours. We passed acres Of cocoanut
trees, and each man had his fill of this
popular fruit. Here we pitched our shell
ter tents for the first time, and became
initiated into the mysteries of the army
campfire and frying pan. Each man was
thoroughly tired out and retired early
The ground here was literally covered
with land crabs as big as Holsters, and
many of the boys were awakened by the
pests crawling over their faces.
Rev4ille sounded early on the Gath. and
we breakfasted quickly and hurried to
the shore, where number of the trans
ports were unloading, and had an elegant
bath In the surf. Suddenly about o'clock
we heard sounds OF heavy firing on the
mountain, and evidently about three miles
from US. Soon a courier came rushing
down the TRAIL saying large Spanish
force had ambuscaded the regiment known
as the Rough Riders, who we're marching
along the narrow trail. The Spaniards
were crafty and kept out of sight of the
scouts posted in advance, and suddenly
opened fire on the advancing men. The
Rough Riders Immediately threw off their
packs, and with men dropping all around
them jumped for cover. A heavy barbed
wire fence hindered them sOrely, but they
soon made their way over or under it,
and engaged the enemy, None of the lat
ter could be seen at first, as it was the
first time our troops had run up against
smokeless powder. Reinforcements soon
arrived, and the enemy retreated, carry
ing their wounded with them. Our loss
was 81 killed and 60 wounded, among the
former being gallant Captain Capron of
the Rough Riders and Lawyer Hamilton
Fish of New York. AS soon as the cour-
Ter arrived the I'd Mass. regiment was
got under arms and awaited command
to move. Our services were not needed,
and we soon fell out.
About O'Clock we were supplied with
four-days' rations, and at dark started on
our second march, which, although short
or than the first, was much more arduous
We arrived on the scene of the mornings
battle about II p. M, and pitched camp.
In the morning was little surprised to
find had slept within 80 feet of eight
men killed that morning. AS we gazed
on those forms covered with blankets the
horrors of war became very apparent,
and many asked themselves, "Shall we
suffer the same fateP" Breakfast was
soon prepared, and we ate heartily.
Here we had chance to show the hospi-
tality inherent In Massachusetts boys.
The soldiers in the Rough Riders many
of them lost their packs and haversacks
In the fight, and were without anything
to appease their hunger, even having been
supperless to bed. Let it be said to the
credit of Mass, that not one went hum
CRY. / shared my breakfast with two
members Of Dtroop and gave them enough
more for their dinner. We were soon on
the move, leaving them to bury their
dead. This was short march, and we
encamped In long grassy plain, where
we remained until Monday morning.
Many incidents connected with the
camp and country shall have to omit.
We moved early Monday, and after quite
march we again encamped, and two
companies, D of Holyoke and G of Wor-
cester, proceeded about two miles from
the command and esfahlishad a Hno of