Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-09-14
In the Mountains SO Miles from
Ponce.

F. Dwight Fgerton, of the Hospita
Corps, U. S. A., 9th Mass. Regt., U. S.
", formerly a clerk at the Commercial
House, writes very Interestingly to A. P.
Pollard from Utnado, Porto Rico. He
says:
Il am with the 9th Massachusetts regi-
ment. Our brigade, consisting of the
Massachusetts, 9th Illinois and Sth Ohio,
left Camp Alger July 9th. The Sth Ohio
went to New York; the rest Of us marched
to Dunn Loring, Va, where six trains to
IA cars each were waiting for US. We left
there about o'clock P. NJ. bound for
Charleston, S. c., and all along the route
we received a great ovation, arriving at
Charleston July 7th. While there l visited
the old St. Michaers church. The next
day we were put aboard the ferry boat
Com. Perry and steamed down the harbor
to the U. S. S. Yale and Columbia. On
the night OF July Sth about midnight we
started on our long voyage to Cuba.
There was not much of interest until we
came in sight Of Hayti. The way we were
made to sleep on board was fierce, laid on
the decks like sardines in box, and it was
case of get something to eat if you can.
Off the coast OF Hayti the boys were all
lined up and were firing for practice.
At last we reached Cuba, passed through
the blockading squadron, and reported to
the flagship New York. Gen. Miles was
on the Yale with us and few minutes
after we stopped Admiral Sampson came
aboard and we all had the pleasure OF see
ing him. He remained there several days,
sailing from Siboney to Moro Castle and
back, and when we received the news that
Santiago had surrendered cheer went up
that would have raised roof; then we
weighed anchor and steamed to Guanta-
namo and remained there long enough to
take on supplies, and started for Puerto
Rico.
The battleship Massachusetts led the
way, the Yale and Columbia coming next
and followed by ten other transports.
The night before we cached Puerto Rico
no lights were allowed to be lit as we were
in the enemy's waters. At o'clock the
next morning we were very near the coast
and the Gloucester went into the harbor
and then began bombarding. and it was
fine sight to see her throw the lead on
shore There being no reply a smaller
transport came alongside and the regiment
landed at Guanico and set camp; then out
posts were put out on the picket lines.
Early the next morning, the Goth, our line
was fred on by the Spanish and our boys
returned it in fine shape. killing IA. Only
two of our men were wounded and they
not seriously. We remained there several
days then came orders to start on a three
days march.
Our first day out the road was fine and
we marched II miles and that night we
camped in the road without food or shelter.
Next morning we started on again and
how it did rain; we were soaked to the
skin and at night we camped in mud up to
our ankles and only had bareback and
about one third of a can of tomatoes to
a man. We reached the town of Adjun-
tas early the next afternoon in the RAIN and
mud. The men Lad their rolls and shelter
tents on the wagons SO they had to stand
out in the pouring rain ur til about dark
The cams were on little hill and the less
tents were at the foot aud it was very
funny to see the men come down the hill
they would begin to slide and take a nice
seat in the mud aud they would get up
plastered.
4 snail never forget tne ume we came
over the summit of the mountain. | was
with the first ambulance and had patient
just as we pitched this side the path, or
road, is very steep and the four mules
began to run; l expected every minute to
go over into the valley below but the
driver ran them into the bank aud stopped
them, then we took off the leaders and we
came on all sac. The hospital has been
full about all the time and a great many
cases OF typhoid fever, but we have been
very lucky so far and have lost very few
men. am clerk in the divisional hospital
and have to keep a record of all cases
admitted, make out daily and monthly
reports.
While at Adjuntas we received the news
that peace had been declared and the
bands began to play Home, Sweet Home
and the way the boys cheered was well
come. | am feeling quite well but have
lost about 20 pounds. had very mar
row escspe from typhoid fever at Ponce
but think l shall escape sickness as We
expect to be sent home very soon."