The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-23

our rear, where they seemed by prefer
ence to attack the wounded men who
were being carried on lltters, the doc
tors and medical attendants with Red
Cross badges on their arms and the
burial parties. }.
Vulturous Gucrillas.
IT organized detail Of sharp shoot-
ers and sent them out after these guer-
rlllas, OF whom they killed thirteen.
Two OF the men thus killed were shot
several hours after the truce had been
in operation, because in spite OF this
fact they kept firing upon our men as
they went to draw water. They were
stationed in the trees as the glierillns
were generally, and owing TO the
density OF the foliage and to the use OF
smokeless powder rifles It was an ex-
ceedingly difficult matter to locate
them. For the next seven days until
the 10th, we lay in our lines while the
truce continued. We had continually
to work at additional bomb proofs and
at the trenches, and as we had no prop
er supply OF food and utterly tnade-
quate medical facilities the men suf-
fered a good deal, The officers chlpped
together. purchased beans, tomatoes
and sugar for the men. so that they
might have some relief from the bacon
and hard tack With great deal OF
difficulty we got them coffee. AS for
the sick and wounded they suffered 80
in the hospitals when sent to the rear
for lack of food and attention that we
found II best to keep them at the front
and give them such care as our own
doctors could.
"As I mentioned IN my previous let
ter, thirteen OF our wounded men COM
tinued to fight through the battle IN
spite of their wounds, and OF those sent
to the rear, many both OF the sick and
wounded, came up to rejoln US us soon
as their condition allowed them to
walk, most of the worst cases being ul-
timately sent to the states.
"On the 10th the truce was at an end
and the bombardment reOpened. AS
far as our lines were concerned Il was
on the Spanish part very feeble. On
the nth we were moved three-quarters
OF n mile to the right the truce again
being on, nothing happened here, eH-
cept we continued to watch and do ottr'
best to get the men, especially the sick,
properly fed.
Hustling for Food.
"HayIng no transportation and being
able to get hardly through the regular
channels, we used anything We could
find, captured Spanish cavalry horses,
abandoned mules, which had been shot,
but which our men took and cured.
diminutlVe skinny ponies purchased
from the Cubans, etc. By these means
and by the exertions Of the officers we
were able from time to time to get sup
plies Of beans, sugar. tomatoes and
even oatmeal, while from the Red Cross
people we got our invaluable load of
rice, cornmeal, ETC., all Of this was or
the utmost consequence, not only for
the sick, hut nomInally we'll, as the
lack of proper food was telling terribly
on the men. It was utterly impossible
to get them clothes and shoes, those
they had were in many cases literally
dropping to pieces. on the nth the
city surrendered. On the 18th we
shifted camp to here. the best camp we
have had, but the march hlther under
the noon day sun told very heavily on
our men, weakened by understanding
and overwork, and the next morning
1913 cases were reported to the doctor,
and now have but half OF the GOO men
with which I landed four weeks ago, ut
for duty, and these are no. III 10 90
anything like the work they could do
then. As we had but one wagon the
change necessitated leaving much OF
my stuff behind. with a night Of dis
comfort, with scanty shelter and scnnty
food for the most of the officers and
many of the men Only the possession
of the improvlsed pack train alluded to
above, saved us from being worse. Yes
terday sent in n detail of six officers
and men TO see if they could not puF-
chase or make arrangements for a sup
ply Of proper food and proper clothing
for the men, even II we had TO pay for
1t out OF our own pockets. Our suffer-
Ing has been due primarily to lack OF
transportation and OF proper food or
sufficient clothing and OF medical sup
plies We should now have wagon
sheets for tentage.
"Very respectfully,