The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-10
ilETTERSFR0M THE
SEAT OF BATTLE.
An Officer on the Oregon Tells Of His
Experiences.
THE B0MBARDING OF SANTIAGO.
Never 10 Be Forgotten-The Tenn
perature In the Oficcrs' Quarters
at one Hundred Degrees.

BERRYVILLE. VA. July Especial.
Assistant Surgeon ". 3. Grove on
hoard the battleship Oregon, off Santi-
ago. has written 10 relatives In this coun-
~ some very interesting letters oesorlp-
tive OF life on board a man-of-war. Sur
geon Grove criticizes strongly some OF
Tho loosely prepared newspaper reports
emanating from the same quarter from
war correspondents. Some extracts OF
OF the letters follow:
Il. 5. S. oregon. June 3. 1895.
On June 9Th We bombarded Santiago de
Cuba for about two hours and had a
very warm time. The sight and sensa-
ton are never 10 be forgotten as long
as life lasts. and Il would take a reader
pen than mine TO describe them or 10 do
justice 10 the marvellous pyrotechic dis
play.
number Of US stood On the quarter
deck. behind one Of the thirteen-inch tur-
rets. and watched the return fire Of the
forts. We could see the fire fash from
The mouths Of the cannon, and IT would
30 followed by a gradually increasing
roar as the shell went fling over our
heads and dropped into the sea behind US
BY great good fortune we were not
4truck once by a large she'll, though
fome Of the other ships were.
Our shells must have done tremendous
Manage 20 the tNEINs dE AlAtAk belAAtA41S
were practically silenced and some Of
their buildings set on fire. Old Cervera
must feel pretty sore in view Of his
rather ignomlnlous position.
There Is sure to be a tremendous loss
Of life in an attempt 10 take the place
by land forces as the conformation Of
fhe land renders II easy OF fertilization.
our life is rather monotonous. but !
manage 10 have some fun fishing for
sharks.
Two sharks were taken yesterday.
weighing about two hundred pounds each.
AN EXCITING DAY.
L. s. s. Oregon. June II. 1898.
Yesterday was the most exciting day
over spent The good ship Oregon moved
aip 10 a small town called Guantanamo
and landed a party Of marines, Of which
4 was the volunteer medical officer. On
our approach what was left Of the enc
tny withdrew into she hills surrounding
che place After ransacklng the village
u was set FIRE TO and destroyed. our partS
was the first armed body OF Americans
10 land on Cuban soil during the pres
Snt war. Later on the same day, five
hundred marines were landed. having
.ust arrived from Key West. The place
I'VE captured Is 10 be made basis In the
operations against Santiago, which Is
fwenty-eight miles overland and con-
hected with it by a tramway held by the
Cubans.
saw some Of the insurgents while on
shore. and a more bloodthirsty lot OF
heather could hardly be imagined. They
habbered away in Spanish 10 US and
were eager that we pursue the enemy
And slaughter the whole outfit.
, must confess we we're willing enough
20 undertake the job had we been in
Sufficient force.
WAIT FOR TIE ARMY.
Il. $. S. Oregon, June Il. 1898.
Since my last mentioning our landing
ht Guantanamo, we have been very quiet
awaiting the arrival Of the army. 1t
leems that Il is to materialize tomorrow.
10 We are going To- lombard the forts
again The enemy have been mounting
guns from the ships in place Of those de-
ttroyed in the last attack. Just little
excitement 10 keep us from stagnating.
; The dispatch boats OCCASIONALLY brine
tls some newspapers. and such lies one
can hardly imagine the human mind ca
bable Of producing. OF course it is al
very funny 70 US to have our doingN so
Sividly set forth.
YELLOW ROT.
As have said before, don't pay any
attention 10 newspaper stories. or
course, the people demand news, and are
willing to absorb any kind OF rot the
yellow journals choose 20 publish.
II is pretty hard on us poor fellows out
on these red-hot ships and we are get
ting very impatient at the repeated de-
LAYS The temperature in my room stays
at about 100. and il b very little cooler
on deck The heat poor food and limited
sphere Of action are beginning 10 tell
on us and may result seriously to some.