The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-31
ENSIGN BARNES LATEST LETTER
Written While with the BIOekadius
SQuadrOn, on Havana

Written While with the BIockadiuS
SQaadron, on Havana
Guthrie. o. T.. May s0-(Special. )-En-
sign Bart Barnes on board the gunboat
vicksoUzy. writes the following 70 his
mother under date of May al
''On Havana, Cuba
MY Dear Mother.
For some days we have BEEN expecting
ne Spanish Cape Verde squadron-the
fowler of their navy. That they are loose
somewhere no one denies. and our gov
eminent information bureau does not ap-
pear to know their whereabouts. BY
system OF scouts and day and night sig
nails We are prepared TO LIT the blockade
OF Cuba at the first warning OF their ap-
prcach. This feet consists Of four vessels
Ike the New York; and Brooklyn Of the
armored cruiser type, very fast and very
efficient, beside the torpedo destroyers
So the only thing for Us small fry 10
do at their approach is 70 run as fast as
we can and aided by darkness there Is a
good chance of our escaping 70 Key West
a good eighty miles. We have not had a
mA1 since last wrote you which
IAOu5AAt AAA( cSfN+ ~ ACNSC4 = AAOtI ENN- " .
have had no sllirmishes or engagements
with the Dons about here since last Sat
urday. As Saturday seems TO be their
day, we may have one tomorrow. This
Is our sixteenth day here and our food
has nearly given out We sre good for
about ten DAYS more: then we must put
in at Key West for coal.
am not trying 30 be transferred now.
Some one has this dasagreeAble duty 90
perform. and I am willing to do e: at
least l do not want the department to
think I am trying to shirk dangerous
and disagreeable duty. We nave had alb
solutely no word from the outside world
for three days, and there are vessels all
around US. The flagship has just signal
ed TO Annapolis not 10 raise blockade at
approach of enemy's feet. as our fleet is
expected. We may be in good fight be-
fore this letter starts. The Miantonomah
arrived on blockade this morning and Is
now slowly steaming up and down astern
of US. Commodore Watson. the father OF
a classnate and friend of mine who was
Farragut's flag lieutenant. is now IN
command OF the hlockadtng squadron with
his flag on che Dolphin. When he
brought us word some days ago 70 look
out for ourselves. he also said that he
would take his chances with US, so stay
ed here before. Havana ever since. He
has always been known as brave and |
gOodly man. and his son is Just Like him. !
Ny health continues splendid even TN
der this nervous strain and excitement I 1
grant I have not been very much wor-
ried over the situation. as I an IN the
habit OF banishins ell care and trusting
n Providence. who has all my life been
near me. Then when the showdown
zones I may at least fight smartly.
If we could give the Cape Verde squad
'on great trouncing think the war
would be nearly over. barring outside tn
reference.
May q
We have an order 20 prepare to 90 200
niles TO eastward at daylight tomorrow
noning for some special duty which We
10 not yet know. We expect 20 70 with
he gruboat Wilmington II may be to
lombard some fortified place near Cay
frances. to defend or cover the landing
II some troops there OF on a cutting out
expedition Whatever Il r.. I have volun-
eered my services to the capts4n and Nv
lay after tomorrow We may have done
onethnE. You will probably hear
hrough me press OF our contemplated
expedition before can write you OF It's
utcome The large ships of sampson's
quadron have ben lowering about here I
Havans) for me past few days. II -
o be hoped some decisive action r. in cou-
smpiation as we have not dom any
hing about hero yet but ussi ~ eacriac.
Z nv dear old BaK1ey This war Is GER
ainly costing me dearly. but n am
'Ncted it viii Be consolation 20 know
hat Breckenridge And BaElsy Az wait
~ for me. II get sny extra hazardous
uty VIII take all the care Of myself ths,
uty VIII permit. - don't worry about n
ny way you must not worry a. The war ,
Jay last some tins. end = win break ,
own your hsalth. ard 7 want you 20 be b
s bright as ever when y ~ over and
'rne home 20 ses you. Don't anticipate G
nytfdng. much less trouble. but live IN d
le present. q
Wei. am fust Que fox ny watch &
csan@ Of love for Every one We have
news later than lsth- BART"
BHckIen's Arniea SaIve.
The Best sslve IN the world for CT, .
ruises. Sores. Ulcers. Salt Rhsurn. Fevs, I
res. letter Charged Hands. ChHblains.
orns. and all Skin EruptlosA and posi-
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guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction Z
money refunded Prize = csnts Der !,