The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-03

the most intelligent and hospitable we
came across on the island. -
Our return TO Santiago TO rejon our
regiment was male without incident
worthy of note. unless mention our pass
age near the dismantled AMI battered walls
of Morro Castle and right by ti1e shot rid
den. fast disappearing wrecks of the Mer-
rimac. Cristobal Colon and Almirante
Oquendo. But all this is now history with
which The Pests renders are possibly more
familiar thae myself.
Upon our arrival In Santiago we were
assigned quarters Iii Alameda Park at the
foot OF the city aud on the Bay OF San
tiago In this park can be seen Use ef-
fects OF Schley's bombardment, and 10
inch solid shot fired from across the noun
tains ssven miles away could be seen lying
around, while the trees and walls of the
park sind the houses in the vicinity bore
evidence to the force of these proisctiles
and the aim OF the American eunners.
Wirh the natural advantages possessed by
this port the American government, with
small expense Gould make II impregnable
and impossible to the fleets of the COM
bined world.
Santiago hns great many things that
can but be OF interest to the average Amer
lean. Located on top of n mountain over.
looking the bay, II Occupies an elevated
and prominent position 10 the surrounding
country and were II not fo- It's narrow
and crooked and rough cobblc stone pave
a most pleasant and agreeable place to live
in. Under proper conditions this rlace
rlust prove to be one of the hsalthiest l1ca-
tons In Cuba. or the West Indies. Princi-
bal among The places of interest Is the
palnce theattr, Artillerie paraue. San Car
los club rooms ard cathedral. The latter
deserves especial mention as one OF tho
oldest and most magnificent in the world
It's paintings and furnishings alone must
have run up near the million mark. Ono
Z.
CIR, upon his arrival here is the toni alb
sencc of any kind OF vehicle exert tho
cart. but il he will only get in one of the
United States wagons passing TO and iro
and ride to The ton of the hill he will cease
to wonder.
or seven weeks. and of course we had Inc
TING aud opportunity 10 study these peo-
pie and their characteristics and 1T is
the unanimous opinion among the army
men most closely associated with them
that the natives. or Cubans. are grand
ruscas in whole. This policy of uatriaton
or deportation of SPANISH pursued BY the
United States government is fast African
zng this part of the island. leaving a
population to whom the Western Indian or
African negro is an oracle of f1telligence
and civilization.
am afraid THE United States has Il her |
culean If not impossible task before it 10
prepare this people for self-eovernmen |
Just as well engrave the words of our |
constitution and laws on the white bark |
of the forest palms and ask The chattering |
that inhabit them to learn the |
principles Of free government and free in |
situations.
There IS great deal of sickness among |
the troops in the city and vicinity. such as
dysentery typhoid and mslarial fever but !
fewe fatalities. No doubt there are great
many cases of yellow fever too. but it seems
to be of mild tvpe. and easily controlled.
A few DAYS ago our regiment was sent
o this place Songo twenty six miles
northeast of Santiago, to recuperate. and
we now occupy one of the highest sites
on the island. nearly 1000 feet above tire
sea. There is much dissatisfaction among
the soldiers with the location. and Justly
so. too. because everything that goes to-
wards making a pleasant agreeable and
heathful camp is absent here. Water and
wood. the most important perauisites, are
very scare here and very inferior. 1t has
'ained every day since we came here until
low the company streets resemble the
muddy and sloppy stock pens in the gunbo
districts of Western Texas. Through this
slush ankle deep the rror private who Is
100 much a man to lie to get on the sick
list is required to wade In the PERFORM
,nce of necessary and very manv nnnsc-
ssary duties. This. TOO when some OF
he poor fellows We're actually barefooted
nd many WHOSE shoes were worthless.
One mon CON- upon asking his superior
officer to see II he cold lot get him a
7air of shoes. was told that he. the sup.
officer did not care IL he never had any
hoes For such negligence and cruelty
Is this the general officers OF the United
tates government deserve no censure
Via tever.
Everything needed bv these soldiers has
been on hand in abundance in the quarter
masters DEPARTMENT at Santiago. and all Of
he company commanders who feel due in
crest in their men have kept them supplied
Nth everything needed. But this J..
olunteer regiment. and as some writer
las stated, volunteer privatas are the best
oldiers. and volunteer officers are the
est politicians. This. however will not
pply to the regiment only in part. because
We have great MANY as efficient. capable
md gentlemanly officers as any regiment
II the service. But through the medium
sooth- saying, Sunday school influence
md prayer books. a few have secured posi-
ions far above their widest dreams and
ar beyond their capabilities consequently I
hey rattle around like a 6-inch shot
ropped into a 13-inch gun.
With my best wishes for the success of
he Post. Joe Savers and the whole State
4 Texas. Charles W. Thomas
ompany l.. Second Regiment United
States Infantry. Santiago de Cuba
NEnD0 nCnIMENT nrVJnU