The Portland daily press., 1899-02-18
BATTERY { 2ND AR riuLeRY.
An Interesting Letter From One ofit'
Members at Camp near Cabanas.

Battery K End ARTILLERY which for nearly
ten years was stationed at Fort, Preble,
left many friends and acquaintances be-
hind them. when they departed for Cuba,
and the following extracts taken from n
letter dated Feb. 9, Hayana-Cuha
camp near Cabanas. just received by the
PRESS from one OF the members of this
crack organization will be of general In
| terest
February sth was the coolest day we
have had since landing upon the island.
The boys found their heavy army over
coats very comfortable. 1t blew fercely
all day, and the tents were kept in posi-
ton with much difficulty.
A gang OF two hundred Cuhans are at
W ork In Ell MORO Castle and the Castle
Cabanas, cleaning and fumigating both
places thoroughly. Batteries.E and X OF
the end, it is said, will go into quarters
| in FL Moro as soon as the work is com
pleted.
The men who enlisted for the war are
looking forward very anyiously for their
discharges and il all such enlisted men
4 put in application for the same, 1t will
leave a small battery of Al men.
Sunday February 5th. quite an exciting
game of base ball was played between h
Battery boys and nine of Cubans from
town called Case Blanco, one mile from
camp. The game was played on the
parade ground of the camp. The Battery
boys defeating the Cubans by two runs.
The Cubans play excellent ball and have
challenged the Battery nine to play an
other game for a..purse of ten dollars. The
Battery has about the same nine which
they had..at Fort Preble, All their names
being familiar to the South Portland boys.
An exciting game is expected.
A few passes are given to the men every
lay, much TO the pleasure of the men.
| This pass is in effect from one until
u. nj. 1t entities them to the privilege Of
the city of Havana and adjoining towns.
The LIQUOR law is enforced strictly in
Havana and these other small towns and
should a saloon keeper he caught selling
soldier a glass of liquor his license
would be revoked at once.
No doubt the many friends of MIR. AL
Dect i. 1UWlhuu Va iohttcif ~ win 10
much pleased to learn that he Is rapidly
recovering from his recent Illness here.
The engagement of Sergeant Charles Il.
Thayer, well known in south Portland,
has been announced, the engagement
being to Miss Char lotte Paulsy OF Savan-
nah. Ga Sergeant Thayer intends 10
make Havana his home on leaving the
service.
The we'll known married men and
residents OF South Portland, namely Cor
poral John Parker, Sergeant james f..
Brady, LIST Sergeant Lawrence Sloane,
Pyts. Michael Ledieu, b. j. HUNK,
Urias 5. Weaver, are ell In the best of
health, and will be quite as adept 10
darning stockings as some OF the younger
members OF the battery when they reach
the North again.
There are many Americans from the
| New England states visit the fertilization
daily. They are taken through the Caba
mas and FL Moro Castle by an escort, a
IN eInber Of the guard seleotedsby the ser
Ceant on duty. Many of the boys receive
good tips from these tourists II they prove
good guides and interest their party
Proper passes are required from the army
officials TO visit the interior of the forti
tieations.
The post canteen is now open, and 1
pipefull of mild tobacco coming from
the United States can be obtained, als6
ginger ale, Hires root beer and Sohliti
lager. The smoking tobacco here is very
strong and unpleasant TO the American
taste. The cigars are excellent and car
he purchased two for a nickel.