The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-19

ons-every vehicle that Key West could
turn out. Very few but those engaged in
the work of moving the wounded men
were allowed at the side Of the big trans
port. There was no hustle, no clamor, no
confusion Lieut.. Mark of the marines
would call out an order, two men would
mount the steps leading to a lower deck,
while two more waited at the foot of the
ladder. These were so placed TO aid the
wounded and relieve them Of their baggage
and accoutrements At a little table on
the lower deck sat a couple of men taking
down names and issuing tickets. Each
man got his billet to the convent hospital.
The poor fellows could be seen descend
ing painfully, the little ticket caught be-
tween their teeth, their arms or legs
helpless, their whole bodies limp or droop-
ing. And yet these men had, many Of
them, walked fifteen miles from the front
to the coast, along that cruel road in San
tiaRo, under the blisteTing rays Of the
fierce Cuban sun. And now they were
done up. Tired. broken, weary men, COM
ing home 10 rest. There was not mur-
muir from any Of them. More than half
the poor fellows were keeping up brave
w. to show how little they cared about
wounds. Scores Of them expressed to me
personally their hope that they would be
made well quickly and sent down 20 the
front again. The record they brought
with them was the glorious one Of splen-
did fghting magnificent courage, and
many, many wounds.
Again, one saw in the sporadic light of
moving lanterns heaps Of baggage thrown
about the wharf; guns. cartridge belts,
canteens, and everywhere, lying crouch
ing, thrown down prone, soldiers. Not
now shouting ION to Cubaw Not singing,
or laughing, or cheering, as they toiled on,
sweating and dusty, in the heat Of
Southern midsummer day. These men,
wounded weary, sitting on their little bum
dies, their forms dropping their limbs
bandaged, presented a thousand times
more heroic, more touching picture. They
had given a cheer as the ship came in
and home was sighted-just one long cheer
after that silence. and waiting with a
logged patience to be told Off In squads
for the hospital.
Not that they were not ehatty and
cheerful individually. Every man / spoke
TO gave me some bright story Of the fight
ing: spoke some word Of gladness as sight
Of home or said cheerily how he hoped 10
be all right in a couple Of weeks and
down again at the front. No man seemed
daunted; no man lacked heart and cour-
age. Bodily pain and sickness overcame
many, and the inert, listless figures on
the stretchers were dreadful to see; but
the fighting heart was here, and the brave
spirit and the unhinchiug front. l take
of my hat to you, soldiers Of the great
republic.
Moving about among them heard many
O little story. Come over to the light
and I'll show you the finest relic of the
war" said a soldier, half of whose body
was bound up ia white cloths. We stoop-
ed to the lantern "See this" He took
something from his pocket with his sound
hand and gave il to me. II was Mauser
bullet. which had struck cartridge in
his belt and mbedded itself there form
ing a perfect cross. THAT cartridge saw
ed my life" said the man. ''rm pretty
well chewed UP, but 1 wouldn't be talk