Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-05
THE MARCH TO SANTIAGO
Trip of the Distr:cs Volunteers From
Beach to Firing Line.
Early Work in the Trenches-Events
of Campaign as Told by
Private StOtsenburg.

Private Joseph T. Stotsenburg of Com
pany L. LIST Regiment District of Columbia
Volunteers, has written an interesting let
ter to his parents in this city. 1t is dated
from Camp on the outskirts of Santiago
de Cuba, and read follows:
Il suppose you have read about our trip,
and have also looked for some word from
me; but we are now at the front. IL has
been up early and on the move until night,
and then sleep with one eye on our guns
aud one on the enemy. Now, to our trip.
We left Port Tampa July 1, and got off the
Cuban coast July 8. We landed the after
noon of Sunday, July 10, marched four
miles. and camped on the ground where
the Rough Riders (''Teddy's" outfit had
their first fight We put out our pickets
and took rest till am, when we broke
camp, and by daylight We were marching
on to Santiago.
the heavy guns ahead of us commenced
firing, and by the time we reached our des
tination Gen. Joe Wheeler was having n
battle royal with the dons. We took a rest
in the afternoon, that is, if you can call i
resting, with the bullets whiStling around
your ears and cutting the branches out of
the trees that you lay under. We had sup
per (cOld) at Z pm, and took one hours
lest, and then we went cut on the firing
lines within 200 yards of the Spanish out
posts and dug trenches until am, while
it poured rain. There were a few shots
fired over our heads, but would DROP in
the trenches for while, and then go at it
again. continuing until dawn at least a
little before, so as not to set caught.
''Tuesdly we spent the day in the rain.
and at night | was detailed, with a squad
of seven others, to take a trip of twelve
miles to see about our commissary stores.
We got back Wedr esday night. Thursday
night the dons gave up the town, and we
We're notified they had surrendered, but
Friday night we were all up, as We had
word of an unexpected attack, bu: it did
rot come. The next day at noon we were
all called up in lire and notified by orr
major that Santiago had fallen. We were
also told that there must be no cheering.
Spanish CoIors Down.
ION Saturday we stayed in camp. and
yesterday Sunday the entire army was
drawn up around Santiago at 9 am, and
al l. o'clock the Spaniards laid down their
arms and pulled down their colors. and up
went the red white and blue We were
then notified by the colonel 20 be ready for
'one. two, three, hurrah.' and such a
shout went up. Just imagine 10000 men
lined up. and all of them cheering as LOUD
as they could. The bands then played The
Star Spang!ed Banner followed by Stars
and Stripes Forever Yankee dewey
Doodle and then America After Amer
lea had been played. and we all sang the
first verse, we cheered and cheered. while
1000 Spanish soldiers We're passing out of
the town. We then returned to our camp
ana had religious services, and about 1
pm Gen Shafter was in receipt of a tel
egram from the President, thanking us all
FOR our work.
1T was next to impossible for the Span
iards to get out. We were right up on the
firing line on the right flank and for six
miles behind US We were reinforced by
about 10000 men.
This part of Cuba is a very pretty coun-
try, but you cannot imagine how it has
been pulled down by the ravages of war
The refugees are now all going into San
tiago.
The Losses.
I'VE have lost good many men O.ille5)
but the Spanish have had between 9.GG0
and 10000 killed. We have had lots of the
Spanish to bury, as they do not bury the
dead. really not having the time. They are
full of tricks, and resort to the Red Cross
flag for help. They put it up on half of
their buildings TO keep them from being
hred on. There is some yellow Jack here
but our entire army is in good health The
nights here are good for sleeping and cool
enough at all times for heavy blanket
we are all guessing now as to where
we Will go next. Some say to Porto Rico
and some say to the states. We have had
no news from the outside for sixteen DAYS
We are all in hopes of getting home l
VIII be glad to get back to see you all and
get once more the farm.
Ihere are about five tons of mail living
at the coast that we should have but
thlnSS are in such condition that we can
rot get II. We have had no pay day as
yet, ana do not know when we will have"