The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-03-02
REGULAR CUBAN LETTER.

reigned supreme in that part of the
moral vineyard. Shortly after payday
there, a soldier by the name of G. A.
Nelson, (Co. L, went among the boys
and solicited twenty-five cents from
each Of his comrades to send cable
gram to Secretary of War, Alger, urg-
ing the early mastering out of the
Fourth; stating that the men were be-
ing badly treated, that they were dis
satisfied, tired of garrison duty, had
wives and families at home dependent
upon them for support; that petition,
drafted and duly sighed by the men.
would follow. At this iuncture the
cablegram had been sent and was on
file; the petition was in the post-ohice
and registered. BY this time Colonel
Hannah and a few of the officers had
"tip" Of what was in the air-or post
office. Private Nelson was arreigned
before several officers and an earnest
effort made to have Nelson Withdraw
the petition. But he would not do so.
After a fruitless attempt had been
made to have him Withdraw his petit
tion, that august body of representa-
tive officers, decided that to transfer
the hero of the petition and cablegram
from his home company to company G,
in this division, would be sufficient
punishment.
A cold wave has swept over our part
of Cuba the past few days. Last night
it was almost freezing cold, the wind
blowing hard, steadily, for three hours
Thick army blankets were not in the
way at any time. This is trying wealth
er on the natives, thinly clad as they
are, and scarcely anything to eat. Look
in any direction and you can see whole
families grouped tightly together, with
the mother holding her nursing babe
in her arms "'till the storm of life is
past"
As | went up town this morning I saw
Cuban who reminded me of thesefew
lines from Longfellow:
son him alone was the doom of pain,
From the morning of his birth;
On him alone the curse of Cain
Fell, like fail on the garners grain,
And strucK him to the earth"
1t is reported that Col. Hannah and
his detachment will soon Join this di-
vision of the regiment. The different
companies will then be scattered over
the district to guard sugar plantions,
and perform other detached duty. At
present the remaining companies here,
are in the country preparatory to build
ing some roads leading into Trinidad.
! The boys are protesting against this
move in way that is bound to prove
effectiye in the end. They strenuously
object to building roads, grub, and lay
ratings for railroads. The fight is on.
Fourth Remembers The Maine. .
In cemmemoration Of those brave tive
hundred and sixty-six American sailors
who lost their lives on the 18th Of Feb
ruary, one year ago today at their post
of duty and in the service of their coun
try, memorial services were conducted
in the church Santisima, this morning
at ten O'Clock. OF course the Fourtl
participated.
At eight o'clock squads from eacI
company lined up and then formed into
one battalion, Captain Fitzgerald O
Company A, in command, and marched
through the principal streets of thu
town to the chnrch. The Colonel, of
ficers and soldiers were met at the doc
| by the ex-American Consul, Mayor ant
City Council and shown seats.
The Priest then offered prayer an,
burnt incense in solemn remembrance
Of those who perished on the Maine
This continued for an hour. The ex
ercises were enterspersed with beauti
full music by the Catholic choir.
Colonel Brown, his staff and the me-
then marched out; the band formed i
front of the Cathedral, while Colone
Brown stood upon the steps. The ban
then struck up the Red, White an
Blue" Here the Cubans fairly wen
wild with enthusiasm and patriotism
The Colonel then stepped forward an
made few touching remarks about tn
Maine disaster, and concluded by soy
ing: "The Red White and Blue sha
not only wave over the Island of Cubs
but oyer all the Islands Of the worlt
every American and Cuban here toda
should feel proud that they are enjoy
ing liberties that comes from the sim
pie Red, White and Blue Flag.
Band then played "Webster's funer
al dirge." The natives went wild wit
spasmodic fits of enthusiasm; some or
hallooed for Dixie; the band the
played Dixie, which closed the seen,
mingled with soft tears and a deel
long sigh, 81 want to go home"
Lieutenant Matson returned to cam
Wednesday afternoon from head
San Juan valley, where he has been f,
the pas several days experimenting ii
erection of several camp homes.
GEORGE P. HAYES,
Trinidad, Cub
beauty Is blood Deep,
Clnn-. LIAnl ........ L.. L.. \