The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-12

ing gotten permission from the sccrc-
tary Of war t. 20 with the second half
(six troors) Of the Eighth cavalry o.
transport. left Grccnvilc January
20. reached Savannah next morning.
but the troop trains from huntsville,
Ma, were delayed and did not get in
ill February st. We sailed on Feb
ruary I'd, having on board officers and
men Of sig troops and six ladies. All
wore heavy wraps when we left, but
the next day when we struck the gulf
stream, undcrshrts and white duck
suits and sailor hats appeared on deck.
Our vessel, the Minncwaska, was
formerly magnificent ocean liner, SO
had all the provements and conven-
fences Of latest steamers. The whole
trip was delightful, sea calm and few
victims of sea sickness Only one lady
suffered. The meals were very good,
and the captain and his wife did all
thoy could to make things pleasant for
US, even having an afternoon tea on
upper bridge for us.
We made the trip Of $50 miles in
three days and anchored in the bay
about . miles from Ncuvit There
Mr.. Donaldson met me and after stay
ing day or SO on board until lighters
had carried troops, baggage, ETC.,
ashore, we also went.
This Cuban town, Ncuvitas, about
1000 inhabitants, was my first peep
into Cuba, Here Mr.. Donaldson was
stationed ior nbout six weeks, then
about sane l"ngth Of time at Minas,
aud finally at Puerto Principe and had
lust moved to last station few days
before we arrived.
Neuvitas has the same prevailing
fashion of houses all over Cuba-tiled
roofs, with court inside which is un-
covered and in which plants, etc.,
grow. A porch usually runs around
the court opening into the rooms,
which are on each Of four sides.
We were the first American ladies
to arrive since the Ten Years War,
and Of course wcrc objects Of as much
interest to natives as they wero to US.
Before We left the boat VIC picncked
one day On small island in the bay,
where only ono house was located.
This was a small thatched palmetto
rooted cottage with only dirt floor.
There sat baby l 1-2 years old, with
only necklace around it's neck. Dirt
spots were the only further adorn-
mcnts it could boast. It's mother in
Spanish style, placed tho house and
it's contents at our disposal. And
while We were exploring the island
she made us the most delicious coffee,
parching, roasting, grinding and max
ing it. We had carried lunch (thc
captain treat) so we had delightful
repast.
We only fingered few hours at
Neuvitas, then took the train, a queer
little toy-looking affair, to Puerto
Principe, 80 miles up in the interior.
This trip consumed about four hours.
We had four stations at which to stop.
At one Of them, Minas, the Third
Georgia Volunteers were stationed.
They had been there nearly four
months, and we we're the first Amori-
can ladies they had seen since they
left home. Word passed along quickly
and we had quite % ovation, hats
waved, cheers, etc., so glad were they
TO see some one from home. We
passed the cavalry and infantry camp
on our way to principe, three miles
from the city.
-Atlastwc arrived and having secured
the daughter of collector Of customs
as Interpreters, We went to Spanish
hotel--thc Grandc. Miss Rivas kind
ay did our bargaining, then left us
alone, where no one spoke word of
English and We no Spanish. Our cx-
pcricnccs Of the next few weeks would
fill a book-somc queer, some funny
and ridiculous. At first only men
were servants, but after while the
manager got female chamber maid
and an interpreter. I am sorry to say
our progress in Spanish was not near
so fast as before. At FIRST it was
necessity to look up in our Spanish
hand-books everything we wished to
ask for at table, in our rooms, etc.
Our beds were single, iron ones.
somewhat similar to beds in our coun-
try; same kind Of springs, but no mat.
tresses. At first we would rise with
prints Of springs on our bodies as the
linen sheets were too thin to protect
US. Afterwards We got blankets and
spread underneath, also over us, and