Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-08

Mercedes hospital, on the outskirts of San
tiago, where we remained until to-day. We
knew but little of what was going on in the
city, though, of course, we could always
tell when our feet was bOmbsrding the
shore batteries, and We could easily dis
tinguish the terrific explosions caused by
the Vesuvius throwing dynamite shells.
Several times at night We Were also fully
aware that the land batteries were fighting
outside the city. Last Friday and Saturday
il would be difficult TO explain how anxious
We We're for news of the success of our
side during the engagement. The little in
formation the Spaniards would give us
could not be relied upon.
"one thing that found out in the hos
ptal was that a large number of Spanish
officers were wounded in last Fridays
fight, fer many were brought to the hos
pital to be treated. Numbers of badly
aimed bullets came into the hospital win
dows on Friday, but l do not believe any
one was injured by them. Our quarters
there were very clean and comfortable and
the food was fairly good.
I'm fact, 1 have no reason to complain
of our treatment as prisoners of war. The
prejudice which the Spaniards showed
against US during the first few days soon
wore away. We conducted ourselves prop
erly. and simply forced them to treat us
well.
I'VE knew nothing about the destruction
of Admiral Cervera's fleet until told by
our own people to-day. OF course. our
confinement became very irksome and 1
cannot tell you how great was the relief
We felt to be free again. ! cannot express
my gratitude to our soldiers who gave us
such a welcome when We came into the
lines. All of us are in excellent heath and
glad to go back to our posts again and see
the war through to the end
Hobson proved himself to be as good a
herseman as a sailor. The twelve-mile gall
iop from the front to Juragua was made
very quickly, though, owing to the delay
in reaching General Skaters headquar-
tiers. it was dusk before he arrived on the
beach and took the boat to the flagship
Hobson's approach to Juragua had been
heralded some time in advance and he
received the same hearty welcome and ring
ing cheers that he received at the front.
Many of the thousand wounded soldiers
joined in the enthusiasm as he rode along
the line of hospital tents.
His crowning welcome came when he
stepped his foot on the deck of the flagship
New York and was greeted by his COM
rades and personal friends. The entire crew
enthusiastic cheers. while his fellow Off
GERS crowded around him, shaking hands,
offering congratulations and plying him
with a hundred questions.
1t was not for some time after his ar
rival that he was able to see Admiral
Sampson, as the latter had gone to the
front under cavalry escort to hold con-
sultation with General Shafter. The seven
men who were on the Merrimac with Hob
son did not reach the deck of the New
York until some time after he did, but
the same scenes of rejoicing that attended
his arrival were repeated in their case.
and they were carried of to the forward
part of the ship as heroes of the hour
When the Wanda left Juragua at Z
o'clock tonight "wednesday no word had
been received from the front indicating
any immediate prospect of a renewal OF
hostilities.