Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-31
The District Soldiers Embark for the
United States.
PRIVATE HARRY OCOFT'O LETTER HOME
Message to The Star Written in
the Cuban Camp.
THE ARMY a Eek
On Board Transport Hudson,


''Hurrah, At last we have started for
the United States and every one is happy.
We broke camp Friday morning and
marched TO Santiago. carrying only cur
haversacks. canteens and guns. Our rolls
were carried in the wagons and ali the sick
men rode. Only two battalions of MS came
the other one will follow in a few days
The large tents were left standing. Early
IN the morning We were each issued two
suits of underclothes, three pairs of socks
and pair of shoes. We then changed our
clothes and took the old ones down and
burned them. At 1890 o'clock We started
out the march. We could not have
struck a better day for it. The sun was
right warm, but there was nice breeze
blowing all the time. 1t was only about
three-mile march. and after we got into
the city there were many sights that we
did not mind the march.
Santiago is one of the dirtiest towns
ever saw The streets are something on
the order of Alexandria. but they are real
narrow and rough. The sidewalks are only
wide enough for two to walk abreast and
the homes are right on the street. Most of
them have pOrches to them and are paint
ed blue. There are some real pretty Span
tsh women there, but they do not come out
IN the streets. We could see them behind
the window bars. They have no window
glass at all, but have iron bars over the
windows.
Every one of the houses looks Ike a
prison There are great many saloons en-
the main street and two drug stores.
saw several signs saying that American
beer was sOld there. We marched to the
center of the city, where there was a large
circular park with stone benches in it; here
we sat down and rested for a few minutes
then marched TO the wharf and stopped in
large storage house Our transport was
not in and we thought W. would have an
hour or two to wait, but We only stayed
there for about half an hour, when we
marched down and got on a lighter and
were taken out to the transport
The Sick Regulars.
"All the men went the first trip, and the
second trip the baggage and food was
brought board. Besides our men there.
are a number of regulars who are sick
who are going back. We breakfasted in
the morning at 5 o clock and did not get
anything more to eat until that night about
8 o'clock, when we were issued five hard
tecks and cup of coffee. There were two
SPANISH transports in the larbor loading
with Spanish prisoners, and a lot of Ameri-
can transports waiting for or troops. /
can't say that blame Inc officers for kick
ing on the Catania, as this boat Is a palace
for them to what she was; but the accom-
modations for the men are not half so
good On the Catania We slept in ham
Knocks, but here they have built some
hunks. l would not sleep in one of them
even place for a man t. wasa his face
and hands. l guess We will be right
dirty when we land. &C.
I'VE lay in the harbor until 5 o'clock Sat
urday morning and then started out.
cannot tell all about the harbor 1 would
Ike TO, but / never saw one that could be
so easily defended against attack by
water. The entrance is not over fifty yards
vida. and Moro Castle Is right over it on
big rock, about 200 feet In the air. The
rock is triangular shaped, and the castle is
built in the same shape. Just inside the
harbor We could see the wrecks of the Mer-
r1rnac and Spanish gunboat that had been
driven on the rocks and sunk. Just outside
the harbor one of our large cruisers was
anchored. keeping guard.
We did not make very good time yeSter-
day. as we had strong head wind, and
when W struck the Windward Passage the
water got right rough and a great many
men were seasick- About midnight the
wind changed and the sails were Set, and
we Travelled under steam and sail both. The
wind has been favorable all day. and the
sails still up. We have passed some of
tie Bahama Islands near enough to see
the houses on them. Our company goes
guard tomorrow. 1 will write more later on.
Had Fair Weather.
"wednesday. August 24.-So far wa have
had pretty fair weather, but the boat rock
ed considerably last night Monday night
we were on guard. and it rained right hard.
There are some sick negro regulars on
board. The night We were on guard one of
them was awful sick, and l gave him medi-
cine every hour until morning. There are
great many of the men sick. including over
again and can't get anything to stay on my
stomach. We only have canned beef and
beans TO eat. and they are not fit for any
one with a weak stomach Monday morn
ing about sunrise We had burial at sea.
The artificer in Company L died Monday
morning at = o'clock. and was buried by 5.
He was sewed up in his blanket and shelter
TENT with an iron weight inside. The ship
was stopped, the major read a short burial
gervice, and the body was slid overheard on
board, and We started off again. l hear
that We are not going to be paid of until
We are mustered out. as if they paid the
men of at Long Island the most of them
would leave for home Just as soon as YOU
can | want you to send US a box of some
ming TO eat, some towels and handkerchiefs
and writing paper, envelopes and stamps
Fred Austin has been right sick. but is
better now. He still looks right bad.
Nearing Home.
Thursday, August 25-We will soon be at
our destination. We expect to get there
tonight about Il O'Clock, about eight hours
ahead of time. have gotten over my fever
and am feeling right good. / made a map
OF Santiago barbOr- 1t Is not very good
but viii give you some idea of how II is
situated. l will expect a box of stuff in
side Of a week; that is. If you get this let
ter / mailed a letter to you just before
leaving Cuba, but L guess you have not
received it Yet.
THE news is now that we won't get to
Long Island until morning as we have
gone sixty miles out of our course Frank
Harris is on the boat, and is just as rosy
checked as ever The Cuban climate did
not seem to affect him, but II some of the
mothers could see their sons now they
would not know them There is one of our
sergeants right sick Of typhoid fever He is
out of his head most of the time
Don't forget to send that box right
away, and put plenty of good things to eat
In II. We have been living on canned beef
land beans since we have been on this boat
and are sick Of all kinds of army grub. The
best Of 1t is none too good"