The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-16
THE THIRD GEORGIA.
THE REGIMENT NICELY FIXED AT
LAS MINAS.

Some Account of the Camp Ground.
A Description of the People and
PIantatiOns-HeaIth of the ReGi-
ment ENcelIent-Other Matters OF
Interest.
Province of Puerto Principe, Las Minas,
Cuba, Feb. Elm my last letter dasd Jan.
%, 1 promised to write more about the
country, but the next day, JAM, 80. we left
Nuevitas for this place, and a. the coun-
try here is similar to tl.at there a dscrip-
ton of Las Minas will answer for both
places. BY leaving Nuevitas at 10 O'Clock
a. m, by rail, we were able to get here at
2.SO p. m. The distance is 20 miles. Six COM
panies of the regiment came first, and the
rest of the regiment came two days later.
We are now very comfortably fixed. Ii is
one of the best camps ii has ever been
my good luck to visit. IL is on a high and
level plateau, between high hills. and
smooth, covered with short growth of
grass, ard large enough to maneuver an
army of 100000 men.
The climate is very much much like that
at Nuevitas, except that the Thermometer
does not run quite so high, and there
is more breeze during the day, and cooler
nights. We thought the scenery fine a
Nuevitas; it was, but this is entirely diff
ferent, and it seems hardly possible, only
twenty miles away. One can see this vast
odd field" we would call il in Georgia,
as far as the eye can reach, with high
hills or mountains all around, and be-
tween the plain and the hills palmetto
and cocoanut trees, banana and cabbage
palms, bamboo and all other kinds of
tropical foliage. The only thing needed to
make this a perfect camp ground is water,
and although the supply comes from
springs in the mountains it runs through
SO much underground and vegetation that
all our drinking water has to be hauled
in barrels, about two miles, filtered and
boiled, but it is then very nice, and pro-
nounced by the medical force wholesome.
The camp is located on the railroad, one
mile from the station. and is laid off ac-
cording to the regulation. Dress parade in
regimental front, at in the afternoon,
brings out all the natives in sight, and a
very funny lot they are, but they all clap
their hands when the band plays the ma
tionaf air, and the colors go by. By the
way our flag met US here, and is very rich
and pretty.
Our January pay rolls are made out
and the boys are looking for the pay mas
The United States transport Minnewaska
arrived at Nuevitas to-day from Savannah,
with mail supplies and % men of the sick
in Savannah, that we left there. All are
happy with letters from home, and their
loved ones, and a chance to write them, as
we understand the Minnewasl1a will return
to Savannah. The latest mail received
came Jan. 27. Several ladies came over to-
day from Puerto Principe, on a mission of
Society, to distribute supplies from Gen.
Carpenter for the reconcentrados at the
Sanchez plantation, about five miles from
Las Minas. This plantation consists of 5000
acres devoted to raising sugar cane, and
it is said that 800 men are employed there.
Grinding time begins Jan. 16 and continues
to June Is. l cannot yet learn the output
in pounds, but this win give some idea.
A narrow guage steam railroad runs out
there. 1t is said that they have all modern
American machinery, and an electric light
plant of LOCO lights and several Americans
are employed there.
Game of all kinds is very plentiful. Geor-
ga quail and deer, native guinea fowl,
wild, which are as large as a grown hen,
and fine eating. Wild hogs are also plenti-
full. Wild dogs and wild cats are to be
found in the woods anywhere.
Tarantulas, scorpions and centipedes
are as common as reaches and fieas q t
home. but the notion at home that they
are deadly is a mistake, as their bite
causes swelling and some fever, but moth
ing serious. The health of the command
is excellent, no sickness at all other than
simple disorders caused probably by
change of water.
Las Minas has several very good stores,
where we can buy almost anything from
the states. Imagine sitting down to a
dinner of fresh pork chops Ferris ham
broiled, native guinea fowl, Irish and sweet
potatoes, cabbage and bacon, lettuce and
green corn, plantains and eggplant fried!
For desert, oranges, nuts, coffee, cheese,
crackers and elaret wines.
Don't think we have this every meal,
but when we run short we fall back on
the commissary stock, bacon, biscuits, po-
tatoes and coffee.
Prices here for supplies are somewhat
higher than in Savannah, but not at all
unreasonable, considering the distance and
transportation. Ouray.
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