Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-01-26
''Queen of the Antilles .
Letter Grom Havana, Cuba, to the
Journal, Written in Kind Remem-
brance of Many Audubon
County Friends

the hardships endured and treatment
experienced. But the following will
form nucleus for thought as we'll as
interest, we hope, to those who are
distant from real camp life:
Dissatisfaction came into the army
at the time of mastering in, and has
been more or less numerous up to the
present. 1t has been principally adj
vertised and exaggerated through
those who were discouraged of condi-
tons existing of it imaginary
to create sympathy and aid to free
them from the contract made at time
of enlistment. Many who solicited
aid and influence in this way were de-
serving of it, owing to their physical
condition; but there We're hundreds
who were not
Army life at best is minus of
home comforts and luXuries, and the
young blood is soon discouraged. After
peace was declared many looked long
ingly homeward to meet again their
loved ones and friends. Their contin-
uance in the army was thought UNI
necessary. This complaint proved con-
tagious, and it spread rapidly. Change
or camp scenes proved good remedy
cure was a discharge; but the doctor
was too hard to get, and lived too far
from the sick at heart
at Mobile, in Camp Coppinger. We
Gen. Keifers division was ordered to
Miami, Florida, way down in the
woods among negroes and in Il land
of swamps, where alligators and
snakes were numerous. In this place
we remained the latter part of June,
July and part of August. The days
We're very hot, and suffering from the
heat was quite general. Our drill
grounds were three miles from camp.
The road to same was over pine logs
palmettos. coral rock and sand 1t
was very fatiguing to make this march
and drill three hours daily. This was
experienced but one month. and the
place condemned Company schools
were then established, and manual of
arms more thoroughly taught. Time
was given for target practice, or bath
ing in the ocean and boating.
Miami proper is beautiful place. 1t
has future as winter resort but de-
liver us from passing another summer
there In this place the fatal bullets
of typhoid and malaria took many a
boy from our midst to the unknown
world. 1t certainly deserves space
in history as the BATTLE of Miami"
The latter part of August the first
division was ordered to Jacksonville to
join the second and third, making up
the seventh army corps under COM
mand of General Lee. There we were
camped on the banks of the st. Johns
river, an ideal camping ground, about
two miles from the city. The Jack
sonville mothers opened wide their
| doors to us. Nothing was left un-
turned that would add to our enter
tainment and comfort. We can only
be under obligations to them for this
| generosity and openheartedness of the
citizens of this place.
On the Goth of October the seventh
army corps was ordered to Savannah
preparatory for embarkation to Cuba.
Before dark on the Odd of this month
| fully $1,000 soldiers had their tents
pitched in and near the city Of Savan-
nah. On these camp grounds are
plainly seen the entertainments that
were thrown up in defense of same
nearly thirty-five years ago. Large
trees now grow on these earthworls
that mark the principal scene of Sher
mans march to the sea. Sham battle:
were fought and the young blood wa:
taught the art of war over the same
scene where their fathers suffered, bleC
and many died.
Savannah is truly military city
The people love military. Their hos
pitality towards the soldiers wa
worthy of commentator from moth
ers and fathers the country over. o.
Thanksgiving Day their generosit.
was unbounded. Delicacies and goo(
things to eat were not wanting, an
had we not been on the ocean Nina
day on our way to the Queen of tn
Antilles, we would have received
like attention through the liberality c
! the Savannah mothers. Christina
| eve markJd the scene of our departur
: for Havana on board the steamer Nc
: bile. Thousands Of people crowde
: the wharves and housetops to way
! flags and 'kerchiefs at the departin
t soldiers. 1t took two days and thre
nights to make the trip. Just befol
dawn on the 9th the lights in Morr
castle could he seen from the uppe
deck. AS day approached, the outlin
of this key to Havana harbor could /
made out At sunrise the Mobile
while proudly parting the waves with
! in q few hundred yards of MORO, an
while we were making entrance int
}; Havana bay, two Spanish transport
l loaded with soldiers passed us on the
way to Spain. Enthusiasm ran hig
,. here. Remember the MaineD WI
J on nearly everyone's tongue. Amer
d can and Cuban flags in the hands {
J. soldiers made our entrance gay a
: fair. Further up the bay mile or $
! the Mobile came alongside the wrec
of the once proud battleship Maine.
: A few riggings are still above water
mark the spot where she last cas-
!, anchor. All hats were removed rs "
! passed this scene and the band playe
! "My Country, IT'S of Theew TIL
, was a solemn moment on board. .
!. few hundred yards further on, tn
crew cast anchor. and remained so III
til p. m. the next day. Before us la
the beautiful city of Havana, surround
ed by high hills clothed in verdur,
F., The more prominent of these al
peaked with small forts, which prat
tically commanded the entrance to til
city from the interior, the whole form
ing most picturesque sight.
Nl,@ Jr.y NO l1<, ~