The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1899-02-23
FROM CTBA.

ter, Co. F., Third Georgia Volun.
teer Infantry, February /, 1899
Eds. Marietta Journal-AfteI
spending two lonely weeks on the
isle of Cuba without even a letter
from home to cheer US, what to
our glad surprise when a bright
ray of sunshine in the form of the
Marietta JOURNAL found its way
into our tent. When / say tour, "
l allude to Cobb county boys.
d. H. and E. r. Waters, N. c..
Mashburn, w. w. Mckinney, Cor
poral d. X. Love and myself, Cor
poral G. r. Couch. As we were
pouring over it's columns we no.
ticed a letter from Mr.. Rob Nc
Culloch, who is one of Uncle
Sans men, which we read with
interest.
On Friday, Jan. ID, our regi-
ment boarded the transport Rou-
manian for Cuba. After travelling
for one week we landed at Nuevi-
tas. We were disappointed with
the surroundings, but have become
better satisfied. We pitched camp
on little hill overlooking the
city of Nuevitas, which is situated
right on the bay, it's name we
are unable to learn. The people
make the poorest out at attempt
ing to speak English, even worse
than we do their language. They
wear the lightest summer clothes
that can. be had, and some wear
none at all. They appear friend
ly, but none are trusted. They
would sell anything for American
money.
The country produces fruits of
all description in abundance. /
saw stalk of cotton several feet
high in full bloom; although it is
not cultivated, every now and
then a stray plant can be seen.
The people who are not depend
ing on the government earn their
living by fishing, these waters be-
ing alive with the finny tribe.
Birds of all descriptions inhabit
this country. Although there
was no fighting here, Nuevitas has
her share of the American turkey
buzzard, while the bay is covered
with pelicans. Shooting them is
fine sport for the Georgia boys.
Our trip was and is successful.
AS to health, only two or three
are sick; one or two were bitten
by some poisonous insect.
On last Saturday my terminates
and / started out for a stroll. We
came upon several Spanish forts.
We all registered and passed on
to the cemetery. Here was a GU
riosity indeed. The Cubans have
far different funeral than we.
The deceased is carried to his last
resting place by four men; the
body is placed in the dead-house
for two or three hours, thence to
very poor vault, let remain there
until in state of decay; then it
is removed and another unfortu-
nate put in its place, while the
old body is cast aside and thrown
in the fence corner. We saw
about 200 skeletons. Two little
corners are cut off for the bones.
While we were there, procession
came up with a body; an old body
was removed to make room for
the new. Sickened by the odor
we turned away; after going few
rods we came up with what we
took at first sight to be an Ameri-
can grape orchard, but on further
examination we found it to be the
Spanish barb wire fort or obstruc-
ton, which is around all cities in
Cuba.
Now TO our company and regi-
ment. Cobb county is we'll rep
resented in the Third Georgia.
Unfortunately, we lost our cap
tain, S. V. Sanford, but we were
in luck and were given company
commander whom we all love as
we did our original commander,
Capt. Joseph E. Pottle. Our first
Sergeant is 7. M. Pierce, of
Cobb. We also have Sergeant w.
H. Lassiter of that county and
some other non-csmmissioned of
fcers. d. K. Love, Corporal
Mashburn, West, Smith and N.Y.
self, making six non-commis-
slons from old Cobb. Our regi-
ment is now on the eve of its de-
parture. Tomorrow we go to a
point % miles from here called
Los MEMS. There is only a sugar
farm there, but better water. This
water has to be boiled before being
used. AS | have given you hear
ing from the boys who love their