The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-16
WAS VARIED.
A County Soldier Writes
About His Experiences.

Ashburnham, Jan. 15.-The following
letter was written upon his arrival in
Havana, Jan. 2, by a member of Bat
terry M, Second United States artillery,
a young man from East Cambridge,
and was received by cousin in Ash
burnham, and has been to The Spy for
publication:
Havana Harbor, Jan. 2, 1899, p. IN.
Dear Cousin: I have just received
your letter, which was sent on from
savannah. / have passed through pleas
ant and distressing scenes since last 1
heard from you. Saturday afternoon,
Dec, 81, just at 4, the ship running at
full speed, struck a coral reef and re-
manned firm.
out in mid-ocean, with night COM
ing on, it was indeed a distressing
scene. The waves were rolling very
high and the ship was straining fear
fully. We expected any minute to go
down. With the dying out of the old
year came near being the dying out of
all on board. At we hung distress
signals up and fired off rockets for
help. We knew then that we were in
real danger 1t was then that the men
went down on their knees and many a
man who never before offered up a
prayer, did then. All the sins of the
past rose up before US and we Won
dered what our chances were.
After what seemed a terrible time of
anxious waiting, we saw a light away
on, and again threw off rockets this
time we were seen and in three hours,
by the aid of a searchlight, were pulled
on by ltfe-saving crew. and a great
load was lifted from our hearts and
once more we were safe, and I cannot
but feel grateful for our safe deliver
ance.
Early New Years morning, while in
sight Of Havana, the ship was stopped
and we buried one of the crew that
died the evening before. 1t was very
simple funeral, with the body seWed
up in canvas and weighted with iron.
1t was placed gently on the deck and
covered with the stars and stripes. The
chaplain came and stood beside the
body, and as he made a few remarks
every hat came off, his last words
were: We have but a short time to
live AS he said this the body was
raised and dropped overheard. Such is
a burial at sea.
We entered Havana harbor about
. a. m. New Years morning, in time
to witness the most impressive scene
OF my life. AS we passed old MORO
Castle the Spanish flags on it's peaks
NClS ulppSu III Sdlule, ana all along
the banks Cubans waved the stars and
stripes and greatly cheered. We cast
anchor not far from Moro and close
by the wreck of the good old battle
ship Maine. Just at noon the chimes
on the cathedral of Havana struck up
a tune, old Morros guns burst forth,
as did others all over the city and on
the battleships Indiana, Texas and
Brooklyn; down came the Spanish flags
from all around and in their stead was
raised the stars and stripes. Many a
cheer went up as the American flag
was raised on the wreck of the Maine.
SALOONS were sent up with both Old
Glory and the Cuban flag, and Spanish
reign in Cuba wee ended the city was
in American hands
Il could not begin to tell you what
grand sight it was. Today I went
for short while into the city. All the
houses are built like fortresses and
barred like prisons. l saw the most
beautiful women I have ever seen. We
are going to be stationed in the gov
ernors palacA-not the whole regiment.
but Battery M. 4s. .,,-i... $3.50.
From your loving cousin,
&C. F. L. H"