The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-28
RAYS MEN IN SANTIAGO.
Letters From Capt. John d. Twigss
and Lieut.. J. 4. Thomas, Jr.

letter from Capt. John D. Twiggs,
who is with Col. Rays regiment in Cuba,
has been received by his wife, nee Miss
Ida May. The letter was written Sept.
at Jamaica, province Of Santiago de
Cuba, and it reached Santiago on Sept. Z,
and awaited the departure of mail
steamer for the states.
Capt. Twiggs was entirely ignorant Of
the many reports in this country Of sick
Tess among Col. Rays men and his letter
Is not specific denial of the reports. He
states, however, that he and his COM
pany are in the best condition and are far
better located than when In camp at
Macon.
Jamaica is place Of about 1900 popu-
lation, situated thiry-fve mics northeast
of Guantanamo, and is surrounded by
Many sugar plantations, which are under
the protection of Capt. Twiggs and his
men. The plantations are owned ana
operated principally by Englishmen.
phe climate at jamaica, Capt. Twiggs
says, is excellent and the sickness among
his men is so slight that il was hardly
mentioned. He has never yet received any
mail from his friends in this country, ana
consequently knew nothing OF the pup
lished stories of sickness.
Two interesting letters have just been
received by Mr.. j A. Thomas OF the
Brush Electric Light Company from ms
son, Lieut.. J. A. Thomas, of the Thrd
Regiment They give an account of his
experiences in Cuba, as well as the eXclt-
ing positions in which the boys were plac-
ed on one occasion. The first letter was
written Aug. %, and says:
I'VE had very pleasant trip over.
was not sick at all but some of the boys
were too sick to hold up their heads,
I'VE are now camped on the northern
side of the city. 1t Is a billy country,
and il seems to me, with ordinary care,
there is no need for any sickness. There
are about five cases of yellow fever in
the whole army, and the care that is TAX
en- of them is certainly very creditable to
the hospital departments.
'There are many cases of malaria, ana
chills and fever. The talk about Santiago
being a pest-hole' for fever is certainly
not true at present, at least. We have
none in our camp. I am collecting nice
lot of curios, such as machetes, cartridges
and other small articles. The only Gu
bans I have come in contact with are a
dirty lot. l have met some of the sur
rendered Spanish officers, and find them
very gentiemanly and agreeable.
II am trying very hard to learn the
Spanish Tor Cuban language and am maxi
ing progress.
Il write this tonight, but cannot con-
lecture when it will reach you, as we have
little or no service yet.
III is sent out on anything that goes and
anyway. 1 am well and contented. You
must not worry about me"
The other letter from Baracoa. tells of
the experience of Lieut.. Thomas and Lieut..
Estil, when it was thought there was an
attempt TO sack" the town. 1t rs dated
Sept A. In Ii Lieut.. Thomas says:
1--WE have been on the constant move
since we left Savannah and cannot yet tell
when we will stop. l think, however, we
shall be stationed at Baracoa for some
time. Moving so much, the mail has not
had chance to catch up with us, and do
not know when shall hear from you. No
mail facilities yet.
HBaracoa is on the north side of the is
land about sixty miles from the farthest
eastern point, right on the coast. It is
very healthy here and we have not lost a
man from our company. Company Is the
Savannah company, you know. Company
g is here also. Mai. Wylly is in command.
The other ten companies are scattered an
over the eastern part of the island
ION Sept. l we saw some of the insur-
gents signaling with photographs, out in the
mountains, and had good reason to
expect on attack on Baracoa to sack the
town, so we prepared for them. I was in
command of al" and Lieut.. Estill in COM
mand of the guard. The other officers in
command Of detachments are stationed on
different hills and fortifications, and also
in the town.
The major, after the assembly had been
blown, calling in the pickets, preparatory
to fighting, went out on the right of the
line and collected in sixteen men from out
posts, and came down the mountain side
into Lieut.. Estils line. Lieut. Estill saw
them coming, and not knowing they were
our men, or that any of our men were out,
fired into them at about $50 yards. The
whole detachment Immediately fell to the
ground. Hearing the firing, I had Com
pany / loaded and ready to fire. About
that time L heard some one yell Third
Regiment" and ! knew then that they
were our men. Very fortunately, no one
was hit but one of two were grazed by
bullets. We have had some other exciting
times, and some of the hardest work
have ever done.
1--WE will go into fort on the extremity
of the town tomorrow morning, and think
we win stay there for some time. There
Is a whole regiment of Spanish soldiers
here that we disarmed. They all look
healthy and well We are situated in one
of the prettiest and healthiest places on
the island, and we have to thank Maj.
Wylly for it.
"Among my relies l have some of the
leaves from the tree where Hobson was
exchanged and where the Spanish Gen.
Toral surrendered Santiago; also a lot OF
Others too numerous to mention.
Il had the honor of raising the first
American flag on the northern coast of
this end of the island. The major gave
me this honor, representing Savannah
Everything is running smoothly. If you
do not hear from me It is because I can
get no letters to you and not because am
sick We have not received a single let
ter or word from the states since we left
Savannah"
WILL, NAME nNUV Gnnn NVuru