Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-22
CAMP LONGS INTERPRETER.
John r. Archie Tells Of Life At the Spanish
Prison Camp.

but recently returned from Camp Long.
which was situated on Seavey's Island
in Portsmouth harbor. talked genially
with Journal reporter. Wednesday. re-
garding life In general within the Span
ish stockade.
Mr.. Archie IL a graduate of Hallowells
public schools and was a member of the
last graduating class of the University of
Maine. Orono.
Mr.. Archie was born In Westerly, r. L..
the son of Joseph Archie, native of
Spain. Joseph Archie has been resident
Of this city for many years and has been
actively interested In the Development of
a fine granite quarry in the extreme
western part Of the city.
John Archie received the appointment,
early in july of official interpreter of
Spanish for the first military district.
constituting I'll of Uncle Sans domain
east of the Hudson river. and. on July IL,
he was assigned to duty at Seavey's
Island. where zoos Spanish prisoners were
subsequently, landed.
The prisoners were quartered within a
stockade--a high board fence enclosing
an area of about eigh. acres, wherein
they were allowed to roam at will. In
two corners OF tie stockade were mount
ed Calling guns, ready at any time to
deal death to would-be mutinous Dons
and sentries kept watchful guard at all
points with loaded rifles.
Outside the stockade. guard was
maintained 80 PAGES from the shore. and
this point was the dead line" for WISH
tors. none being allowed to visit the
camp. except on the Sunday previous TO
no Jano .t,ra nf ba To-
York.
Without hesitation, Mr.. Archie consid-
cred the prisoners bad lot There
were among them those who appeared to
he something like gentlemen. but the ma
jority were rascals of the first order, with
scant education. Not one in 10 could
write their names.
The rations served by the United States
government was really 1irst-class army
fare; canned tomatoes, condensed milk
and beef being furnished on certain days
of the week. "a eu pr
Col. James Forney. U. S.pA.. command
ing the marines. and his numerous assis-
tants, were. amply qualified to have
charge of the post. and the superior dis
cipline of the camp is due wholly to their
energetic. soldierly demeanor.
MI. ATtHe WIS present at all, ana OF
| necessity took part in all court martials
He particularly remembers the occasion
when three Spaniards We're sentenced to
be shot for disobeying the rules regarding
smoking.
1t seems that for some weeks after the
arrival of the prisoners they were denied
the pleasure of smoking. on account OF
the danger of starting fires. Later a
smoking pavilion was erected and the
| original order was revised. so as to allow
smoking in the pavilion.
The three Spaniards In question had
been detected three times smoking in dis
obedience of the rules. and in spite of
repeated warnings. The prisoners were
| ordered before courtmartial and being
found guilty were sentenced to be shot.
Soon after the arrival of the prisoners
at Camp Long, it was noticed that they
were in possession of large sums of
money. and 1t was surmised that the
safes of the ships were broken into be-
fore final departure. They were unable
to spend any of their ill-gotten gains.
however. as they were at all times con-
fined to the little island. Isolation served
to make them very ill-tempered, but the
discipline was positive and eyil-doers
were not allowed to escape their lust
punishment
One OF the prisoners, on arrival, was
attired In Rough Rider" uniform
with leggins. riding boots and A.
calibre revolver-but the rig" was dis
| carded for the white sailor suit which
was furnished. Canvas suits were fur
nished all the prisoners. their own uni
forms being black and filthy from long
| and continuous USE
Mr.. Archie found one man Of English
| descent. named Morris. among the pris-
oners. He said that he was a deserter
| from the British army in India but had
been in the Spanish navy several years.
He spoke the Spanish language brokenly.
Admiral Cervera has every appearance
of being a perfect gentleman" said Mr..
Archie. land in absence of military uni
form. would not look unlike a smiling
faced. DOwneast farmer
On Aug. p. Mr.. Archie was sent to Bras
Dor Lake. near Cape Breton to translate
the copy of proceedings which were ne
gotiated by Polo y Bernabe, relative to a
coaling station.