Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-27
GEN. LEE In HABANA.
ON ARRIVAL, HE PROCEEDED AT
ONCE TO BUSINESS.
HIS HEADQUARTERS IDEAL.
A Fine, old-Fashioned House Tn
ncautfful Gnrden-rfnif Hts Clerks
Virgfnians--Our Fourth Hegfment
Near Him.

ing chapter to Habana's new history. De-
clining all social attentions. he has pro-
ceeded at once TO business. and is address,
ing himself 20 the manifold duties OF his
important Office. His appearance, as
compared 20 that OF last July at Jackson
Vile. has materially altered He looks
at least five years younger. His eyes
sparkle with ardor. his complexion Is
fresh with the glow OF health. and HIS
whole demeanor denotes that Of man
in the prime of life.
His headquarters at Buena Vista. six
miles from Habana. on the Marianao
railroad, are ideal In their appointments
and surroundings. lie has taken fine,
old-fashioned country house. which con-
tains fifteen commodious rooms. and is
situated in the centre of a beautiful tro-
pical garden OF fruits, flowers, and shade
trees. His private Office and the Offices
Of his staff will be in this building which
has bay windows and cool balconies, both
in the front and rear. He sleeps in his
tent, which Is situated on a slipping field
about a stones throw from the residence,
and Is in line with the tents occupied
by his stan. About one half of bis clerks
are Virginians, and hail from different
sections OF the State. Among them are
William Drake, George Lathrop. Darwin
X Payey. Louis Brander, and Allen
Stokes. OF Richmond: Walter X. Pedigo,
his private amanuensis. and Thomas En-
glesby, OF Roanoke; Joseph Parks, Of
Berkeley, William Snead. OF Fauquier
county; Drury Hinton, OF Petersburg,
and william Peak, OF Hampton.
Company f. Captain G. II. 'Causey, Jr.,
OF the Fourth Virginia. occupies a hill
opposite near the United States signal
corps, and has been detailed as provost
guard of the Second Division headquar-
tiers. They constitute the vanguard CT
their regiment, which was reported 10 be
in the bay yesterday on the transport
Chester, but General Lee Informed me
last night that he had received no cable
gram, and doubted If they had even sail
ed from Savannah. Their camp will prob
ably be close to headquarters, and adJoin
that of the North Carolina troops, who
have a fine site less than a quarter Of a
mile from Buena Vista.
Sunday was q busy day among tho mill
tary. The North Carolnians have gotten
their camp into splendid condition. and il
looks as inviting as a meadow which has
just been reaped Colonel Armfield and
AdJutant Paxton were invited 70 the Gu
ban banquet at Marianne, while the other
officers took a dip in the surf. Several
rianao, among them many pretty Cuban
girls and their escorts. Chaplain Bolton.
OF the Second Illinois, preached TO the
southerners I'm the afternoon from their
new bandstand. Private c. r. Barnes,
Company b. died Saturday from menin-
gifts, and was buried with military honors
the same afternoon. When squad of
North Carolinians went TO complete the
interment next morning. a Cuban ser
geant. who claims that he thought he
grave was being robbed. fred three shots
into the group. without inhicung any
wounds. lie was arrested, and is now in
the custody of Colonel Armheld. Company
L, Of the same regiment. has been as
signed as provost guard at MarianaO.
THEY ARE FINE TROOPS.
The transports bearing the American
troops are arriving in such close order
that II is difficult matter to keep track
II them. The handsome new United States
Mobile, with 1900 strong, COM
posed of Indiana, Ohio. Illinois, and Vir-
GINA soldiers, attracted a great deal of
attention as she came into the harbor in
the light OF the afternoon sun, with her
bands playing and the men cheering.
When Hail TO the Chief" hoated over
the water 10 the Panama General Lee
bowed his acknowledgements
Next day Lieutenant Stamford introduced
the American correspondent TO the officers
Of the Signal Corps while at dinner, and
talked entertainingly about his branch Of
the service. Captain Guyser has been bat
talon commander since they left Savan-
nah. DR.. Whiting reports that all the
signal-service men are in good health and
fit for hard work. Lieutenant Wildman,
who has been connected with the balloon
service. said that no experiments along
that line will be made here this winter
He was engaged In giving instructions in
the work from June to September, and
stated that the new plant which was con-
structed at Tampa is now I'm storage at
Omaha, having been sent there as an eX-
hibi; for the Exposition.
The signal service will take control OF
the entire telegraph and telephone system
which is now in the hands Of the govern
ment, and work has already commenced
to connect the different brlgades with
headquarters. The 100 men who will be
engaged in this important service include
electricians. telegraph operators, draughts-
men. linemen, and te4msters. They
brought large quantity Of supplies with
them, so as 10 avoid delays and have on
hand at present over three hundred miles
pf wire. reels. and other necessary equip
porary lines they will use '1ance" poles,
which are Is feet long inches in dame
ter, and have hard rubber "pigtair" and
clamp insulators Their camp is pitched
In central territory, and promises to be
one Of the most interesting features OF
the garrison.
CLEANING 1ABANA.
Captain Geary. Second Volunteer En-
Qlnaar COrpC .xVho has rharoa ~ ba
street cleaning, is making very fair head
way In the face Of many obstacles About
OF the unpaved thoroughfares
have been swept. partially repaired. and
fumigated. but the Inhabitants along the
route. and the shiftless element who
sleep In the open and beg for a living.
have so little regard for cleanliness that |
a street which has been worked in the
afternoon will present unsightly objects
next morning. The barges which carry
the dirt and refuse two miles out 10 sea
cost the government s25 trip. their car |
goes varying from IS 10 100 tons INSIDE
OF ten days fifty dead animals were pick !
ed up one Of which was q mammoth hog (
encased in a bag. The dirtiest street so |
far encountered was Zanjo, which Is lin |
the heart OF the city. Captain Geary says |
that none OF the streets have crowns" !
and 10 be put In proper order. should be \
graded and drained.
As an illustration OF Habana's foul and |
unhealthy condition. local scientist. who |
has studied the sanitary features Of the |
city. says that the water supply. which Is |
pure at its source I'm the hills. |
becomes 80 contaminated by the subsol |
81 Hab ana and It's envigonments. that by |
the time IL reaches the consumers. II con- |
tains 1900 microbes 10 every cubic cent?
,uetra He also makes the apnailgo0 STATE