The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-03-18
CAMP BOB TAYLOR,
Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara Prov
ince Cuba.

Tunas, Cuba, Feb. 26, 1899.
Dear Times: Il am located now,
at Tunas with small force of men,
but more will probably be sent
down this week. This is our bace
of supplies. Everything that comes
to our departmental Sancl Spiritus
has to come through this port and
that makes Tunas very impor-
tant place to us. Compang B. was
located here, but it was not thought
that so large force was needed, so
the larger part of the company was
ordered back to Sancti Spiritus.
Since then Gen. Rathbone has di
rected the postm aster to ask for
guard at the postofiice on account
OF several robberies drought the
island. We havn't enough men to
put on extra guard without work
ing the men too hard and so l think
more will be sent down. There
was reported probility of trouble
when we were sent here, but ] do
not believe there will be any. There
are many sensatiOnaIists who write
to the papers in the United States
and from their letters you would
be led to believe that we were in
constant danger and that the
/ island was in state of anarchy.
This is for from the truth. These
people have the friendliest feelin. 8
toward the Americans, as a general
rule, and never seem to tire of
doeing something to accommodate
us. Here in Tunas the people have
overwhelmed us with courtesies.
There is a Cuban Lieutenant sta
toned here, whom I especially ad.
mire. His name is Fernando de
lZayas He speaks english quite well,
HE is of a literary turn of mind and
lwrites for the papers. His is a
manly soul and his heart Is full OF
hove for his beautiful island, Cuba,
! which has 50 long been under the
heel of relentless tyranny. His un-
affected manners. makes his stead
fast purpose to serve his country
| to the extent of even life itself
shine out with greater prominence
l have spent many pleasant hours
with him and am proud to have
him as one of my friends.
February Oath was the annivesery
of the com mencement of the late
war for independence and Tunas
had grand celebration. The
town was full of people, large
number coming from Sancti Spiri
, tus. The day commenced as oul
4th of July does at home, with the
boom of exploding powder. Abou
nine O'Clock the ball game comenc
ed. In this three of the soldiers
and myself took part. The color:
, of the teams were red and blue.
belonged to the blues and we hat
the honor of winning the game b.
a score of II to A. 1 played frs
base and John Williams of Lenoi
play ed third for our side. On tn
] other ALI. Morton caught behint
the bat and Ed Slniddy, of Goa
h Creek, played second. The gam
e was witnessed by large crow'
S and cheers always followed a goo'
4 play. The game is played the sam
q as in the U. s., with few mino
exceptions. Then followed boa
races. In one race there were wer
ten sails and a beautiful sight
was as the boats went gliding GU
Il to sea, and made the turn around
n lite steam launch and then cam
ploughing through the waters o
the "home stretch" Then Their
was the creased pole extended GU
over the sea, with Cuban flag o.
{ its end. A prize was given TO tn
a one who could. walk out and &c
S the flag. Many men and boys fe
into the sea. in the attempt, but a
. all can swim, it was great spor
There were rowing races swimin
u races, cts. In fact it was an ides
: 4th of July celebration in the U. |
d Iac Jay eLded with a ereditab,