The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-01
Small in Physique and poorly
Provided For.
YET NOT LACKING COURAGE
Nero Boys Most of Them, Careless in Habit
and Attire, Yet if Properly Led Quite
Capable of Giving Good Ac-
count of T ,mseIves.

Cuba saw many Spanish troops. In nearly
every case they were neatly dressed, fairly
drilled, and usually polite and obliging.
Their arms and accoutrements were al
ways in good condition, and they seemed
to be in the best of spirits. They carried
Mauser rifles and wore uniform of light
material, something like the old-fashioned
check apron of our boyhood days. The
coat resembled a Norfolk Jacket, and was
usually held in place by black belt.
Their hats were of fine chip straw, with
broad brms. The left side of the brim
was pinned to the side of the crown with
rosette carrying the Spanish colors.
The officers wore fine Panama hats, with
the same rosettes and no plumes. Their
uniforms were not of the same material as
those of the privates, but were of a steel
gray color The sleeves were richly braid
ed in gold and similar braid appeared upon
the coat collar. Rank was designated by
the quantity of braid on each sleeve and
collar.
All the officers and many of the privates
sported a profusion of medals. These
were decorations awarded either for length
of service or for gallantry. The most or
these decorations carried increased pay,
but so infinitesmal as to be ludicrous. One
SLIP a year in addition to his regular pay
In one case an officer exhibited an emblem
granted for service in the field, which pro-
duced as high as $3.50 year. All who re-
ceived honorS were evidently very proud
of them, whether the remuneration was
great or small. Generals carried malacca
canes aside from their swords. The cane
is an indication of their rank. The COM
manding officers carry them in drilling
their regiments. Besides the drill there
was an inspection every morning.
Inspection of the Regiment
For the inspection the regiment was
brought to a rear open order, the front
rank facing about and confronting the
rear rank The inspecting officer started
down the right of the line, the regiment
standing at a parade rest. The companies
came to arms port as he came down the
line From the start to the finish he held
his sword in his right hand at an angle
of forty-fiye degrees, the hilt being within
three inches of his nose. Each captain
and ranking lieutenant attended him as
he inspected their company. Occasionally
he stopped and worked the locks of the
different rifles with his left hand, keeping
his sword in his right, and still carrying
it at an angle of forty-five degrees. AT
times he upbraided the men for negligence
of attire. Meantime the companies await
ing inspection smoked cigarettes, gazed
at the ladies in the windows of the hotels,
and bought tid-bits from the hucksters
who beset the line The jabbering was in
cessant until the inspecting officer reached
the company; then all were as motionless
as statues. The privates seemed to look i
upon the inspecting officer with awe, while
the company officers evidently gave cues
to their men when he was approaching.
There was no crowd around the regiment
and nobody aside from the soldiers them
selves seemed to take any interest In the
INSPECTION After the inspection the COM
manding officer took his station twenty
feet away from the regiment, and issued
his orders in loud voice. The regiment
came to a close order, and moved Off by
the right flank at very quick step TO
the call of the bugle. All the privates
were young men ranging apparently pc
tween the ages of sixteen and twenty-one.
Such was a morning scene in Havana.
These soldiers were Spanish regulars. The
volunteers are an entirely different or
eanization. Their uniforms are or a dif-
ferent cut and texture, and they never ap-
pear in public except on special occasions.
They probably drill at night in their ar
mories They are composed of porters,
clerks and other employees of the numer-
Gus mercantile and manufacturing estao-
lishments in Havana. Their ofhcers are
the proprietors and the sons OF the pro-
prietors They look spick span, and neat,
and have all the elan of the national
guard of the state of New York. They
exhibit no disposition to enter the field in
search of the enemy but maintain their
right to remain in Havana and man the
fortifications, If necessary while the regu-
lar troops are sent to the front.
Soldiers, Soldiers, Everywhere
Men in uniform are found on every
street The officers swarm in the restau- |
rants, drinking light wines and feeding |
on ola podrida. and other Spanish dish
es well seasoned with garlic. There are
usually ladies at their tables and cigars |
and cigarettes are always in form. This
generals were numerous as generals |
in Washington in 1862 when Orpheus c.
Kerr said that a negro threw "a stick at a |
dog in front of Wizards and had the mis- |
fortune to spatter mud on two major |
generals. four brigadiers, and twelve colo |
nels. The Spanish generals seemed to be |
well supplied with money. They aired |
their uniforms In carriages at all hours |
of the day, and the sun went down APP |
peared in profusion along "a favorite drive |
OH the sea shore, toward Banes.
Many soldiers were seen at country |
towns along the railway between fla |
vana, Matanzas, ssAA Sagua lc Grande. |
When the train stopped at a depot, cor |
poral and twelve men were usually drawn |
up on the platform at parade rest.
Whether this was t5 maintain order, or ms
q mark of honor to travelling officers could |
not be ascertained. Possibly 1t was TO
take charge of supplies shipped by train.
At least half of the passengers were Of
fccrs. None appeared to have passes, hut
all bought their tickets the Same as other
travellers. Each train had two ironeIad |
cars, one Immediately behind tie loco
motive. and the other at the tail end of the
train. There were usually dozen soldiers
In each Of the cars. These iron clads were |
provided with benches and racks for mrs
kets. The guard amused themselves with
conversation and card playing, while the
train was In motion. Each Car was under
the command of a sergeant. The trains
were frequently attacked by the insur-
gents. although a pilot engine preceded
each train quarter If mile.
During the congress- NAL visit two at
tacks were made between Havana and |