Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1898-09-29
NEWS FROM OUR BOYS
How Nevada Volunteers are
Faring at Cuba Libre.
Camp Cuba Librp, Sept.

mant Of the health conditions as they are
this day. 1t is to he regretted that the
facts AVE been greatly exaggerated as
the naked truth is bad enough.
While we have been in service the
quality of food has been with one or two
exceptions first class. One time some
bacon was delivered hat was filthy and
upon complaint it was promptly con-
demued, 10000 pounds being returned in
that lot. Another cause for complaint
was hard tack which was furnished l"r
use until about two months ago since
which time NC hard tack has been issued
to troops. The ratiOnS now consist CT
good bread from orr regimental bakery, ,
ham, bacon, fresh meat. cannot salmon,
rice. hominy, potatoes, rolled oats, to-
matocs beans, sugar, vinegar. salt, pepper
and coffee. We trade some OF these thing
for sweet potatoes, fresh fish, m0lass"s
and such other food as we are able to get.
There can be no just complaint as to the
quality of food furnished. There may he
occasional Individual cases where the
quantity is not entirely satisfactory, ia
that respect the army Is no exception to
the rule that all men are not always salts
fed. Our quarters are as comfortable as
any camp can be made. Frames and
floors have been made for the tents of
lumber purchased by the men out Of
! their allowances.
There are only two troops in this regi-
ment that have a better health record
than ours, the best one having seven
mara mon for 9DtC than Wp bayn This
shows that there has been no condition
peculiar to this troop alone, which can be
held accountable for the sickness of our
men. am satisfied that the cause is a
general one and while | will not offer an
expert opinion, not being qualified to do
so, my opinion is that the sickness re-
suits more from change of climate and
habit of living than anything else.
The site ofour am is not in a swamp
as has been stated, although there is
swampy ground within half a mile,of the
camp. Experts have reported to the de
partment ON this camp site as being II
of the healthiest in the south. If there
has arisen any trouble from the location
1t is because we have been too long in II
place. Efforts We're begun over a month
g to rem0ve the camp to new ground
and a number of places were considered.
but all We're too small to hold a cavalry
regiment. which covers as much ground
as six infantry regiments camped as we
are now.
Colonel Torrey's efforts have at last
been successful and we are to remove to
st. Augustine, As miles from here, about
H. och M: .o.~. ,, L~- I'LL
result in the greatest good to the troop.
Outside Of the fifteen or twenty men
the members of the troop will hail the
day when they are mustered out. | say
thisa dvisedly. 1t is understood in the
troop that am ready to give a favorable
endorsement to every application for dis
charge that is presented to me and several
have taken advantage of this OppOrtun-
ity. No effort has been made in this
troop by it's officers to keep men in
against their will, as they have freely
circulated a petition for their discharge.
My personal preference is to stay; be-
2 cause l want go to Cuba, and because |
hold an honorable position which l would
regret to lose, as is natural. The other
officers and some of the men share my
desire to remain, but more than three
foIrths of the troop wish to return tC
their homes because they feel that the
. wal being over they can be of more use
to themselves at home.
+. Sentiment in the troop has changed
materially since so many have been sick
and now some of the best men feel tina
their usefulness here is past. Discipline
in the troop has been exceedingly good
only a small proportion having to b
punished for o~tfenses, and only one cas-
. from this troop has been before a genera
court martial since its organization. |
my testimony is worth anything Nevad
has reason to be proud of the way tn
II men of Troop NJ have stood up to ever,
duty that has come to them. l can Sd,
that ] am well pleased to he i'll cOnllnan'
of 50 good a troop.
OF the sick men Stanton and krumme
has been the worst off. Both have bee
sick with typhoid fever for several week
but l think they will pull through al
, right. They are getting every attention
possible.
Please show this letter to Mr.. New
lands, as / think he will be glad to Sc
the statement of facts Just about as the
exist today. As l said before, the bar
facts are bad enough to cause mel t
q avoid them if possible. Blu it is goin
4 too far for some people t. circulat
{ greatly exaggerated conditions of affair
as they have been doing lately.
! Hoping for Il reply at your convenience
Z [ am yours very lriIy,
J W. /. Cox, Captain Troop NJ.