The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-26
PLENTY OF WORK
FOR ENGINEERS
THEIR LIFE IN PORTO RICO Is
A VERY HARD ONE.
Since They Arrived There They Have
Been Constantly Employed Either
on the March or In Building and
Repairing Roads and Bridges.
Have No idea of the Length of
Time They Will Have to Remain
In the Service-Scrantoni Are
All in Good Health.


Special Correspondence TO The Tribune.
In Camp Near Coamu, Porto Rico,
Sept. 7.-Since writing my last letter
to your paper on our arrival in Porto
Rico harbor. Porto Rico on August Is.
we have had almost a continual move
of tents and camping ground. our
regiment has been broken up into de-
tachments and are doing engineering
work in the various parts Of the ISL
and. Companies l. and NJ have been
sent up the western coast to repair
some soast defenses and the Second
battalion, with the exception of COM
pany G, which is located about three
miles north of Ponce city, Is at the
regimental headquarters about half a
mile west Of Ponce. The First battal-
ion. with companies A. G and d is
located near Coamo, nine and one half
miles from Ponce, northeast. having
made the march in two days. Com
pany b, of the First battalion, Is some
where near Coamo building a bridge.
The march of the First battalion was
a tough one and Is worthy of note.
1t was about 10 a. m. when we started
from the camp near Ponce. after hav-
ing marched one and one half miles
and getting pretty well warmed up,
we came to a stream which was not
bridged. This was forded by both Of
flcers and men and we then marched
in wet clothes a mile further before
halting for dinner BY that time the
boys had dried their clothing in the
hot sun and at o'clock we were off
again.
After marching for an hour we en-
tered the town of El Coto, which has
about 1900 inhabitants. This town had
been invaded by guerillas a few weeks
ago and the principal buildings burn
ed and the town sacked. A halt of an
hour, while heavy rain fell, was had
at this place. and then onward. Five
other streams were forded and it was
quite dark when we reached our next
camping place, where we spent the
night.
SLEEPING UNDER DIFFICULTIES
We bivouacked in field near the town
of Juanadiaz. All were wet and very
hungry and it was nearly IL o'clock
when all the engineers had been fed
and were lying in their wet clothing
without tents lying asleep. At five
O'Clock next morning all were up and
after a breakfast of hot coffee, corned
beef and hard tack we were on the
march once more. A train Of about
forty wagons followed with the tents
and material for building and repair
ing bridges. The day was decidedly
hot and so as we left the coast the
breezes which cooled the air when we
were near Ponce. was noticeably alb
sent. Many a good man fell by the
wayside and was brought along upon
a lumber or hay wagon. Those who
did stand the whole march were near
ly exhausted when they reached the
new camp about o'clock p. m.
Dinner was ready when we arrived.
The only incident or accident that
happened was the running away of
a double mule team down a hill. 1t
dashed into the ranks of company d,
but the men had warning and scattered
right and left and saved themselves
as best they could. One soldier had
his arm broken by being thrown from
the wagon. Two others were flung up
on a wire fence, but none were hurt.
The plantation upon which we camp
ed is a very large one, owned by a rich
Spaniard, who decidedly objected to
its use for a camp, with or without
pay. We camped there nevertheless.
READY FOR ACTION.
1t is said that this Spanish panta-
tion owner has a son who is leader Of
a guerrilla band, and that night an
extra amount of ammunition was is
sued, and each man ordered to lay with
his gun beside him ready for a call at
any moment but the call never came
Since that we have moved one-half
mile further toward Coamo which is
still two miles from us. Our camp is
situated in beautiful spot. The
ground is high and there are noun
tains all about us. In fact we are uD
in the mountains. We have about ten
days bridge and culvert work to do
here.
The Spanish soldiers DESTROYED by
blowing up nearly every bridge along
the Queens road" which connects
with all towns of any Importance on
the island. Coamo is at present their
general HEADQUARTERS, and / under
stand that no soldier is allowed to
buy anything in that city.
The natives here are lot of cheats.
They evidently have always lived from
hand to mouth, and now that they
have chance to make an even dollar
by selling bread, milk, and a few
things that would make a soldiers
mouth water. charge about double
what II is worth. We pay at the rate
of 20 cents for quart of milk, and all
things sold are in proportion.
Everything they want pay for, and
when we think that it was for their
benefit we came here we are inclined
to feel little sore. The life since
leaving Peeksllill has been one of hard
ship. There is not a man in the regi-
ment who has gained in flesh, but
we have had lots of solid experience.
SIMPLY OBEY ORDERS.
We go where we are sent, and come
when We are called. We do not hear
anything from the outside world, and
do not know when we will come home,
in fact, you at home, know more about
matters here than we who are here.
lhave not received a word from home
at this date since Aug. 2, and there are
hundreds of others in the same boat
! would like TO write more and say
something about the boys who came
from Scranton. but l have not the
time. and will say that a few days
ago ! heard from one Of them and he
reported that they were all well. Will
have TO close as 1t is getting dark.
A. II. Vorhis.