The age-herald., 1898-09-16

 head Enslen, Walker. WALKER.
 Yesterday morning at H. 25 o'clock the following answer was received:
 Santiago, Sept. l5 Walker, Birmingham:
 8ankhead, Walker, Ens1ey and all well.
 SARGENT.
 As has been stated, the first telegram was sent by number of the parents of the Birmingham officers in the regiment, and the good news contained in Colonel Sar- gents reply the source of much re- lief to many parents in Birmingham, who, since yellow fever was announced in the regiment several days ago, have been ex- tremely anxious as to their sons condi- tions.
 Yesterday was also q happy day for the parents of those boys, for the reason that large batch of mail from Santiago was brought in. The batch included near ly all the mail which had been posted from that city between August 23 and Septem- Der 5.
 Among other letters received, three were from Captain William M. Walker, which were full of news of general interest as well as personal news to his family. The first letter was dated August 23 As every letter from Santiago states, Captain Walker says, the health of the Fifth is excellent, and that there are only a few more men on the sick list than there were when the regiment was encamped at Camp Walthall in Columbus, Miss
 He says that there is no yellow fever any where around their camp, and though they hear of cases, they never see any of it. Most of the victims are among the Span ish prisoners who are waiting to be trans ported back to Spain. All of the bodies are cremated.
 Captain Walker says that the regiment is not farng overly well in the matter of food, though it is all good substantial army rations. The company officers, he says, eat just the same food as the men, except that they have more opportunities for getting meals in the restaurants in the city.
 He says that as strange as it may seem, 1t is much cooler there than in Brmng- ham, They have all been sleeping under two blankets since they arrived there In the morning, however, it is extremely hot. and remains so until noon when a refresh- ing breeze starts up. About 3 o'clock they have their daily shower The country around Santiago, is of course very fertile, but little of it is in cultivation. The conduct of the men of the Fifth has been very good though some of the Ameri- can soldiers in the city have been extremely il-behaved. Some of them, he states will shoot Cuban on little or no provocation.
 Captain Walker says that the officers are all struggling to learn the Spanish lan- guage. They have each hired a bright Gu ba hnu yIo ba Io the princely sum of 50 cents per week. These boys are their teachers. Ponies are also very cheap around Santiago, and each of the officers has invested the sum of $5 in one of these animals. Captain Walker says they make their trips into the city the unmartial looking steeds, with a troop of hundred or small boys at their heels to hold the animal when dismount' The postoffice facilities in Santiago are mis- erable, thought they show some signs of improving. At this date, August 20, no let ters or papers had yet reached the regi- ment from the states, though they arrived there on the 18th of the month. The lack of nearly all news from the states troubles the men more than almost anything else. The Southern Express company has an of flee in Santiago, and is receiving packages regularly from this side.
 The second letter is dated September 1. Ca,,tain Walker says that the letter from Birmingham dated August 12 was the first mail that had been received from home. No newspapers came, however.
 He said that it was generally reported down there that the Fifth immunes and the Fifth regiment of regular infantry would be kept in Santiago The old Span ish barracks were being fitted up for them, and they will move in when the rainy sea- son is over They are being thoroughly renovated and disinfected.
 The streets of Santiago are being cleaned up under the supervision of the United States government, and the whole city was being put in a much more presentable shape.
 There are four ladies in camp, the letter says-Mrs. Sargent, wife of Colonel Sar- gent Mrs. Shields and Mrs. Underwood wives of two of the captains and Sister Mary of the Catholic Sisters of Charity. There is also a Catholic priest in the camp who in the absence of any regular chap lain, has been conducting religious vices.
 Captain Walkers last letter was dated September 5. It said that the regiment was still in excellent health. The hill on which tine Fifth is encamped has the reputation of being the dryest place around Santiago.
 He said that the papers telling of the regiments departure from Savannah, and of Chaplain Wears arrival in Birmingham had just been received.
 Among other letters received from San tiago yesterday was one from Captain Shelley, saying that the regiment was in good health and spirits
 Another came from Lieutenant Byron Dozier dated August 31. saying that the regiment expected to be sent into the city soon to the Spanish marine building. He says that the regiment is in better health than it has been since it was mustered into the service. Lieutenant Dozier is himself so pleased with the country. that he has determined to remain there even after hos