The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-05
FEVER AMONG THE TROOPS

| Sfboney, Cuba, July 13.-The first land
ing in Cuba of the commander of the
American army was not made under pro-
rdtuous conditions, but they impressed
upon Gen. Miles and his staff the state
of chaos and desolatien which prevailed
at this base. The rain descended in great
sheets, accompanied by a vivid electrical
display. The water poured down from the
hills in theh rear of SBboney, flooding
everything, the camps of the men and
the hospital tents. At the same time all
the wooden buildings were in course of
destruction by fire, in order to eliminate
the fever germs with which they were
known to be contam minated and the whole
base was enveloped 6n binding and ILL
smelling smoke. AS if to add to the gloom
OF the scene a QoIsS train of the wounded
from the emergency hospital, at Cen
Skaters headquarters. was vending its
way to the hospital quarters here. The
men had in most cases been exposed to
the sun for hours, and now they were
drenched to the skin. Some of them were
so seriously wounled that they had only
that day been considered fit to be re-
moved. Others were fever-stricken and
were OIl lilClt dg " iSpitlloli it<AA
The whole place was reeking in filth.
AS the general surveyed the scene from
the signal Office. he shook his head and
remarked, This IS dreadful" He imnedi-
ately commissioned his staff to hunt up
the officer in charge. and found that Gen.
Duffield was seriously III with fever in
the hospital, as were some $50 soldiers and
members of the hospital corps and press
correspondents. Gen. Miles and his staff
surveyed this scene for some time, in
spected the hospitals. and returned TO mis-
ship drenched to the skin. He was not
inclined TO express any opinion beyond che
fact that the whole scene looked like war
in its very worst phase. He inquired how
Things were proceeding at the front, and
upon being informed that the army was
sadly in need of artillery support. re-
marked that the artillery reinforcements
would be immediately hurried forward,
and that the surrender of Santiago must
be brought about in quick order.
The scene the same evening was one
which Is not likely to be effaced from the
memory Of those who witnessed Il. The
storm increased in force. Great masses Of
black clouds scudded across the nils.
the lightning was intensely vivid, and
the thunder was simply appalling. Far
up the mountains the hamlets of the Gu
bans coJ1ld oe seen enveIoped in flames.
Clouds Of smoke for q moment obScured
the scene 70 be again swept away by VIC
lent gusts Of wind which swept down
from the valleys. carrying before Il tents
and every specie Of debris. One intensely
vivid bolt. followed by thundsr-clap
whose echoes reverbrated from valley %
valley. caused a general stampede OF the
mules and horses. and an Undesirable
scene OF disorder ensued- Not a man
slept that night. whsJner n hospital or
in camp. The u1eor<unate Cnhaus. who
hal been chased from thsiT-buTniab bowels
sought sheHer among the caves. re rocks
and rsv5nes- Children screamed: mules
and horses tore around IN wE.d confusion
], was indeed q scene IT for a Dante's j
inferno. IN the morning every thing wss
soaking. and the Gay was spent IL drying /
our and daci1g new quarters Tee Gu /
bans were ordered 20 lave the pace
and be.ake themselves where they pleased /
Nov everyone y under canvas, ard {
every s1or, = being made 70 control the /
spread Of yelsow Fever win sS-hlca rrss 4
vicinity = infested Tbs morning there 4
ara ABOUT $50 cases. . right II camp. tas I
rest IN tue fever camp. = z7le and . 1ais 4
from here. TIE greater number q 20 i
eases have come fran she front. especially 4
from = Caney. ard are generally a-acuE /
he volunteers, Vao. dlSreszrd.zS t1e
warnings Of Tie medical san. nave ezIez
freely a. unr-2e 1rus;. manages and o-sa-
gss, and slept IN blockceases ard orEer /
dwellings used BY Span5zrss and CsarazSs
a13 INFESTED vita ksvsr 1-4c-9-s2. TIE