The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-12
LONGING TO COME HOME
MEMBERS OF THE 1e0TH INDIANA
ANXIOUS TO QUIT CUBA.
Incidents OF Camp Life at Matanzas-
Hint 40 Those Who Would Drive
Cubans Into Professionalism.
Correspondence Of the Journal.

came here. is improving each day. There is
now quite respectable parade ground, only
large enough, however. for dress parade.
Owing TO the roughness of the grounds, or
rather. rocks. and the amount of fatigue
duty necessary, drills Of all kinds have been
omitted. and probably will be as long the
regiment remains here. The tents are large
and well fioored and walks and streets in
pretty fair condition. One OF the latest and
most desirable Improvements has been in
the company mess tents. Each company
now has a large dining-hall. with tables
amply sufficient to accommodate the entire
mess, with storeroom and kitchen conven-
iently attached. Better meals can now be
served by the cooks and eaten in moro
homelike way. Thus gradually the regimen
Is getting the advantage of most nufavor-
able conditions.
1t Is evident that the churches in the
States do not intend that the spiritual in
terests OF the Cubans shall be neglected. A
short time ago Bishop Ninde and DR.. A. u.
Leonard, OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, were here I'm the interest Of that
church. Last week one OF the bishops of
the Methodist Church South, and DR.. Car
ter. Of Savannah. were here in consultation
with the presiding elder and pastor as to
the propriety OF establishing an orphanage.
The EpiscopaIian and Methodist Church
South are fairly well established and are
holding the field for Professionalism. Your
correspondent believes that great care
should be exercised by the churches in at
tempting evangelistic work among the Gu
bans. They are, almost without exception,
Catholics, and, of course, devoted TO their
church. and an unwise haste may result in
serious consequences.
its hands to Americanize Cuba, and much
greater one TO evangelize it. Hence what
IS done should be to make Christians (and
the same applies to all the mission fields)
and not converts to any special church, for
they can comprehend but very little CT sec
tarianism.
The aptitude of the Cubans. especially the
children, Is remarkable. They watch in
diligently anything that is going on. AS
illustration, the signal corps communicates
by the manipulation Of flags, as is well
known The other day L saw two boys,
about ten years of age, quite a distance
apart. communicating with each other. as
intelligently, apparently, as if trained
signal men. and laughing in high glee.
Last Saturday the transport Michigan, one
OF the largest OF it's class, steamed into the
bay with the provost guard left at Column
bus (Ga.) on board. Large quantities of
stores are being unloaded. Many longing
glances are cast at it as it sits gracefully
on the bosom of the beautiful bay, and an
order to board her for home would be the
most welcome ever received in this camp.
For some reason, known, perhaps, at
headquarters, guard mount has been
changed from !:45 TO 10 O'Clock in the morn
ing For the last twenty-four hours very
heavy rains and cooler weather have pre-
vailed.
vaccination, and any one who has not had
real sore arm must try II over. Yesterday
the muleteers were called up. They at first
threatened TO resign, which they could do,
being civilians, rather than go through the
dreaded ordeal, but they finally submitted.
One came to me, knowing that / had re-
Gently been yaccinated and asked "if it
really hurt much" and. he went away,
joining a companion, said: We'll, l have
only to die once. and ! suppose | might as
well die now any time" When the test
came. two of them went off in dead faint.
The health Of the regiment continues first
class. There are four men in the regimental
hospital. eight in the brigade and three on
the hospital ship. If the men could be con-
trolled in eating. drinking. etc, there would
be even a much better showing. OF course,
in so large a number Of men there will be
more or less sickness, but q large amount
of II is superinduced by incorrect habits.
Captain Guthrie, of Company l, One-hun-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Indiana, was a visitor
yesterday The regiment Is looking for
visit from Colonel Durbin, and he may be
assured Of a very cordial welcome when ne
gets TO Camp Lava. 1t is regretted that the
two Indiana regiments are not brigaded to-
gether, as the tie that binds Is pretty
The regiment is fortunate in having fine
portable bakery. under the management Of
Commissary Samuel Hitchcock. of Button.
with Jacob Ruppe and Frank Kennel as
chief bakers. assisted by Lorenzo Gordon
Joshua Harris and William Britman. They
average twelve hundred loaves of bread
day and three hundred pies. No bareback
Il issued and all are served with good fresh
bread. Pies are not an army ration and are,
therefore, sold 10 the men at the usual bak-
cry price. As the profits come back TO the
regiment 1T proves quite saving. which
would otherwise go TO the vendors Of a far
less wholesome article.
Among the almost endless variety Of SOU
venirs that are being gathered. and which
Will be as highly appreciated. perhaps, as
any, are canes of what is called here ma
hogany. made from Spanish gun carriages
handsomely lettered. They are 10 be pre-
scented to the old folks when Johnny
comes marching home
Quartermaster Allen has leave OF absence
for two weeks, and will visit his son Stan
ley, who was taken the hospital boat
Missouri some time ago: and is supposed
now TO be at Havana. The last report re-
valescing.
Vernon Knight. of Company d. Wabash.
who has been unable for duty for several
months. and whose father died recently
has applied for a discharge Through
channels, and his application having been
recommended by all the officials of the de-
partment of Matanzas. II will. doubtless be
granted. Major Harter. commanding the
first battalion. Major Backman. command
ing the second battalion, and Major Miller,
cOmmt nding the third battalion. together
with their adjutants. L. l.. Martz. G. l..
Maltby and F. l.. BeshOre, are justly popu-
lar with their men. Drs ]. y Pfaff and r.
+. Sommer. hospital stewards, are most
oblging and competent.
Capt. John +. Lenhart OF Company B.
Decatur, IS one OF the Woodworking officers
OF the regiment. and wears the same size
hat that he did before coming into the
service.
Captain Sharp's company, OF Warsaw
was relieved, last week. or provost duty
having held the place since the arrival of
the second battalion, and succeeded by
Captain Lees company. OF Huntington.
Company A OF Marion, Capt. r ID. Bal
lou, Is one of the most quiet and orderly
companies in the command. lines up we'll
and makes a good showing everywhere.
Capt. T. r. Marks. OF Company g. Lafay-
cite, is kept constantly busy as judge advo-
cate on court-martials for which he seems
10 have special adaptation. being some
what OF fighter.
Capt II. G. Brown. of Company T.. Bluff
ton, is exerting excellent influence over
his men. and Is not ashamed TO have 1t
known that he Is ION the Lords side"
Private z Keller. of Company J.. Ander-
son, is a soldier who can be counted on. and
IS especially useful He is the leader in re-
ligioIs services. and the chaplain would be
l. -,