Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-04
ONE SOLDIERS STORY.
Lieut.. Laffsrty Tells Of Hi Field *.
perience.

| 0AVu" 40A0Asy A0AAo VI 0le GA0AU 0A'
perience.
The following letters were received
the other day by Mrs. W. S. Laferty,
now Of Denver but well known here,
from her son, Lieut.. I.atferty, Of the
Seventh Infantry. He is a West
Point graduate Of 1898 and grand
son Of David Short, formerly Of this
county:
Two MILES FROM SANTIAGO, July
2.-Here | am at the regimental field
hospital, having been wounded in
yesterdays engagement. Just a
slight wound through the neck; bul.
let struck me on the back Of the neck
and came out in front, just grazing
my jaw and missing the big artery by
quarter Of an inch, SO you see it was
narrow escape. Where was when
wounded was regular death trap-a
blockhouse in front which | was at
tacking with line of skirmishers,
and another on the right flank in the
rear and another on the left and front,
so were subject to fire from three d.
rections. Our regiment was in the
lead and, Of course, suffered worse.
Wansboro was killed and four officers
Of the Seventh wounded. 1t was
terrible engagement; bullets were
thick as hail. Spanish evacuated
Caney, which we were attacking, SO
Santiago comes next. Mails are very
infrequent. Don't worry, I'm all
right. No pain to speak Of and moth
ing serious, only a little attention re-
quired. Churchman Of my class and
the Twelfth just died. There are
about l2O wounded right here now.
GENERAL HOSPITAL, NEAR SANT1-
AGO, July AUST had my wound
dressed; doing remarkably well so
will be able to start back to the front
tomorrow, il the doctor don't object.
Walked six miles yesterday morning
with Capt. Jackson Of the Seventh, to
get here through these Cuban jungles
and Spanish sharpshooters. There is
now an armistice which began at 70
yesterday and ends at 70 today. 1t is
rumored from good authority that
Cervera preferred to fight than lose
his ships, as our army is now within
the Spanish outworks, so he ran the
gauntlet and lost all his fleet but one,
which our boats are now chasing.
The city has been given "a hours no.
tice Of bombardment; don't know
what the outcome will be; possibly
the rumor has no foundation. Major
Corliss, the captain and myself are
the three merry wanderers, and we
manage to have pretty good time.
Living high here; have soup pand sugar
in coffee and other luxuries; actually
had a glass of claret yesterday morn
ing. Clara Barton is here and doing
fine work. War is certainly an awful
thing; there are some terrible sights,
but they are SO common they hardly
cause more than a pitying glance.
Our regiment lost 45 killed and 80
wounded, all on the first day, when
we fought from 6 a. m. to p. m,
without bite to eat; hardtack for
breakfast, no coffee and then marched
six miles that night to fight next day.
There are lots Of wounded officers
here. Burchley '9S was killed.
Gee, I'd give $40 for a nice bath
and some clean clothes haven't any
thing with me; everything left in the
boat; haven't shaved for weeks nor
even seen my face nor combed my
hair for nearly three weeks.
Want to be back to the front in
time to march into Santiago. Have
been worrying, afraid some report Of
my being wounded would get in the
papers as killed. In fact, it went
around here for time that | was the
first one killed, but | am not so, don't
you ever believe it. Trusting I'll
soon be back to civilization where |
won't have to live like pig and hop
ing you are all well and happy with
vnnr convention and biennial. vnnrs