Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-23
IN CUBA BY JANUARY 1sT.
Letter from Quartermaster Dutton Of the lst
Maine Heavy Artillery.


A letter was received, Wednesday.
from Quartermaster ]. w. Duuton of
the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery, which
contains many little suggestions and
Items of news that may be of interest to
the Journal readers. Lieutenant Dutton.
as Ut will be remembered by his friends
at his home in Waterville and those in
Augusta, is the second lieutenant Of
| Battery c, under Captain II. A. Jewett
| of Gardiner He was detailed as
quartermaster and commissary by
Major Newcomb, Immediately after he
was mustered, and ever since has
proved to be valuable officer. He
branch Oh tine National Guard in
Montana for several years, at one time
commanding a battery. He is a native
of New Sharon, and is about 80 years
of age.
The following is the letter:
Savannah, Ga, Dec. IS. 1885,
Friend Jewett: Thinking you might
like to know how we are situated and
what we are doing here. l have decided
to write you a short account of our life.
The men of the battalion are in ex-
cellent health, in fact, the least sick
ness in camp that we have had since
the middle of August. We have an
ideal camping ground, dry and with
just enough slope to drain we'll. An
electric car line runs close by the
camp, so we can go to and from the
city without trouble.
Officers and men alike are longing for
orders to go to Cuba, which is the
Mecca of the eth Army Corp. General
Lee and staff have already gone, and
all but two regiments of the I'd divi-
sion. They will go tomorrow and next
day, and the LIST division will go as
fast as the quartermaster's department
can furnish transportation. We expect
to be in Cuba by the LIST of January,
but in the army AIN is uncertainty and
we can only hope.
The ladies of Savannah endeared
themselves to the boys in blue by the
magnificent dinner which they gave
them on Thanksgiving day. 1t is no
small matter to furnish a dinner for
y
the ladies We're equal to 1t, and every
thing that hungry man needed and
would appreciate, was on the tables.
which fairly groaned with the good
things heaped upon them.
The boys from Maine were Fortunate
in the fact that Mr. Nelson, the
mayor of Thunderbolt, a suburban
town. and one of the leading business
of ;- nf
ford, Me-, and like all her sons, has a
warm spot in his hear. for Maine and
Maine people. Officers and men are
indebted to him for many favors and |
courtesies.
Yesterday the troops Were reviewed |
by President Mckinley, and right here |
let me say that no troops, excepting |
none, made better appearance as
they marched past the Chief Magistrate |
of the land than the LIST Maine Volun-
teer Artillery. The men were in good |
shape and marched With the precision /
of veterans, and although they fol- |
lowed a regiment of regulars the "a !
United States Artillery came in for |
their FUN share of applause. wish the |
people of Maine could have seen them,
and I do not hesitate to say that the old |
Pine Tree State" has a right TO BE- |
proud of the men who represent her in
the army of the United States, today.
A very gratifying thing occurred,
yesterday during the parade as our
major commanding, Major f. E. New
comb. took his post at the side of tins
President. He called the Presidents |
attention to the fact that we had no
col0rs, stating that he had tried to get |
them from the State without success.
THE President promptly turned to thes
secretary of war, and directed him to
telegraph to Washington for stand
of colors for the 1st Me. Artillery" It
seems strange THAT Maine should be
the only state that does not furnish her |.
troops with colors.
AS Christmas time draws near thej
hearts of all turn to the firesides of
home, and many man as he thinks of
home and the dear ones there, sfghs.
Many an eye grows dim as memory
pictures the home life so different in
each case, yet still SO similar, and all
long for glimpse of the familiar faces
again, but we came here to do our duty
as soldiers and will try to do so. but
the ties of home and the love of our
families is no less strong, because born
in a heart that beats beneath the army
blue.
The boys fully appreciate THE good
wishes of friends at home and return
them hundred fold.
Wishing you and through you
Merry Christmas to all who may read
this, remain,
Yours truly.
J. w. BUTTON,
"a 1t. Battery c, 1st Me. VOL Arty.,
Savannah, Ga.