The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-01
THANKS THE RED CROSS.
But for That Soldiers at MontRuIS
Point Would Die Like sheep.

IF it were not for the ladies of the Red
Cross" said Private Bellnger, one Of the
soldiers who returned from Santiago yester-
day and spent few hours at the union depot
on his way to his home. near Forest Lake.
the soldiers at Montauk Point would die
off like sheep. The condition of things there
is terrible.
Il was in all the Cuban battle but one. I"
he continued. The battle OF San Juan was
the fercest. When the battle opened We
lay in the grass behind the Sixth infantry.
which was firing upon the Spaniards. We
were waiting in reserve, but the Spanish bull
lets were falling all around us and hitting
our men, We stood that as long as pos
one concerted movement, jumped up from
the grass, and with a whoo9 ran for the
SpaniardS. The Spaniards were frightened
by our yell, and they gave way and fled.
minutes later took the hill and two more
blockhouses as we swept along. Capt. Biloxi
ham, our commander, was shot at the foot
OF the hill Lieut.. Short called to us:
Come on, boys-follow me-
I'VE were the first troops on the hill. 1t
was steep near the big blockhouse which We
were charging, and the Spaniards were fight
ing furiously at the top. Lieut.. Short was
shot through the arm, and the bullet passed
through two other men behind him.
We dug trenches all that night and about
10 o'clock we had some beans and hard tack.
1t was the first time we had tasted food that
day. The. following morning the artillery
was moved up 10 our trencneS, out IL was
so close 1t could not do anything. The
Spaniards picked the men off with small
arms and drove the artillerymen from their
guns. The commanding officer of the artil-
lery was shot by a she'll and the men fed.
Only ane artilleryman remained at his post
and he worked two guns at once. His captain
told him he would never forget his bravery.
The artillery was placed only thirty feet
in the rear Of our trenches and whenever the
guns were fired our hats were blown in the
air and many of the soldiers who were lying
down were thrown to their feet by the shock.
The Spanish trenches were narrow ana
very deep. After the flag of truce was raised
Spanish sharpshooters, hidden in trees picked
Off number of our men.
After the surrender of Santiago the Span
iards came to and were very friendly.
They wanted food. but they would not beg
they received and in some instances they
gave SO for can of corned beef. The Span
iards were very polite and seemed very decent
fellows.
when we got into Santiago we found the
town full of saloons. Women and children
All they had to eat was cocoanuts and man
goes.
Not a man in our troop was killed but
Sergeant Suffer was shot.
L contracted malaria in July and have been
very sick. 1t gives one headaches and takes
all the strength from one.
Lieut.. HetheringtOn, of the Tenth cavalry
also passed through st. Paul. He is going
to Seattle on the Great Northern. He was at
the battles of San Juan, FL Caney and Santi-
ago, and had some thrilling experiences. He
not wounded, but after the fighting was
over he seized with yellow fever and
had narrow escape from death. He is able
to take care Of himself and will return to
his regiment at the expiration of his fur
Tough.