Evening star., 1898-07-14
SOLDIER BOYS MESSAGES
Louis Frech Writes of the Experiences of
First D. G. Regiment.
Breaking Camp Mt Tampa and Board
Ing the Catania-Trip to
Key West.


lumbia Regiment. have received from him
two letters, written while on the way to
Santiago, which contain much of interest
to those who have sons or brothers fight
Ing their country's battles.
The first letter was dated "On board the
Catania In the Gulf of Mexico, July 3, and
was as follows:
I'VE left Tampa yesterday at Q O'Clock
and marched to the cars, where we were
put Oh the platform cars with roofs on
them. There was company to car, and
we could see the country.
Il thought there were only few SOL
diers here, but We have passed nearly a
hundred different camps. After ride Of
Tampa, and from there went out on the
pier. which is over mile long. Along the
sides were built houses and hotels, which
gave 1t the appearance of a small village
when we arrived at the transport the diff
1erent companies commenced the work OF
putting our stores aboard. Before we got
through 1t began to rain, and our company
worked IN the rain, an hour for each re-
hSI we are camped on the upper deck,
While the others are on the first and sec
ond decks, and are allowed up here six
hours out of twenty-four. / slept sound
rms morning we were allowed to go on
land and stretch ourselves. After going in
the water for swim the first sergeant and
L got our breakfasts in one of the many
inns. While there another boy Joined US
and We emptied five plates of bread; so
we will have fresh bread until tomorrow
You know we just put it under our bIouses
and called for more.
w nile we were in the water a few peli-
cans came near us and caught some fish.
IT Is great sight to see them dart in the
water and come out with fish. We left the
pier at 1O:30, and are now outside of the
Gult OF Mexico. We went aground a few
tlmes. and also saw a school of porpoises
or sharks They look to me like whales.
Our company Is on guard TODAY so we will
not be at leisure until tomorrow 1 re-
ceived black shirt about an hour ago
l do not know from whom it came but
do know that 1t came from Washington.
We will not get any mail until after we
get to Key West.
The Glorious Fourth.
July 4.-This Is the first time have not
Eeard the noise of fireworks on the Fourth
of July, but we celebrated it on board by
having the band play all the national airs
1t knew. All day long the boys have been
hanging on the rigging and I tell You it
looks grand to be about seventy-five feet In
the air and look all around and see nothing
but the water. The water is q deep blue
and sometimes in the bow we can see a
school of fish leading us as it were l have
seen all kinds of fish since / have been
DOWN here. We see great many flying
fish. which look like humming-birds when
they fly.
But the grandest sight is 10 see five to
Ten large sharks and porpoises swimming
IN bunch. We can see about ten feet In
the water, and in the bow the water is as
smooth as mill pond. We have only seen
one boat since we left Tampa, and that
about twenty miles to our right We have
oeen with 1t since am. I saw my first
sunrise on the ocean, and tonight will see
my first sunset. Last night Il rained. as it
did today. We passed through single
sheef OF water with sunshine on both sides.
We passed Dry Tortugas today at noon,
and now we are passing a great many light
houses, as We are in the keys. We will ar
rive at Key West tonight between 8 and 10,
as we are going very slow"
Arrival Mt Key West.
The second letter was written on the 9th,
and was in part as follows:
Two days ago We're in sight of the
Key West light house, but wera not allow
ed to land until the next morning, as the
whole place is mined around here. I saw
number of light houses, and all through the
night We were going in a circle Tha next
morning a pilot came aboard and took us
in. We dropped anchor about off the
point, and L can see the city very plainly if
l go aloft, about seventy feet from the
deck. 1t reminds me of Alexandria, only
there are more large ships. When we came
in there were about twenty ships loaded ell
ready to leave. l have often seen battle
ships in books, but I now see them on wa
ter. The sailors are all dressed in white
and In the rigging. We give them a
hearty cheer every time one of the boats
passes us. Last night a boat load of SOL
diers came In from the field. Nearly all
were bandaged up more or less, and the
cheering they gave US was an right, but
not as loud ours to them. This morning
a battle ship came in, and as 1t passed us
ii gave a salute of eleven guns. All the
boats are painted gray. We pass our time
on board IN reading, playing cards and rub
ber-neckng for the mail and other boats. OF
the latter there are a great many and Of
the former none.
Some of the boys go around with only
their trousers on, while some standing
the rail and taking a saltwater bath.
We are not allowed to go in swimming, as
the water is full of sharks and porpoises
The deck hands wash off the deck every
morning, and, as we are still occupying the
upper deck, We are enjoying the wash.
Now as l am writing this tetter the water
is running over my feet. l am standing
up and writing board, so, you see /
am getting to be kind of a sailor
to keep my feet while the sea washes
over the deck. We have ice water to
drink all the time and our grub is as good
as can be expected"