The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-10
ARMY LIFE IN CUBA.
A Sergeant In the Fourth Immune
Regiment Relates His Expert.
ences.

A Sergeant IN the Fourth Immune
Regiment Relates His Experi-
ences.
A letter has been received in this city
from Sergt. john j. Duffy, company H,
Fourth United States volunteer infan-
try, now stationed at Manzanillo, Cuba.
The regiment has been split up consid-
erably since it's arrival in Cuba, COM
panies having been detached upon spe-
cial service, from time to time, and sent
into the interior to garrison and police
certain districts. He says. under date
of November 20:
sour company has not yet left this
city, but we expect to leave for Bayamo
within ten days. There was little eX-
citement downtown Friday night
which came near resulting IN the death
of Cuban. One of the Cuban police
endeavored to place under arrest an
American soldier belonging to this
regiment. The soldier, it is UNDER
stood, resisted arrest, when the Cuban
drew his machete and cut him across
the head. infiicting long cash in the
scalp. A soldier who was standing
near by wrested a gun from the police
man, it is stated, and hit the latter
across the head, rendering him uncon-
scious and inficting wound which
may result in his death. In the event
OF his death there is no doubt that his
assailants will be severely dealt with
They are now in the guardhouse, Sc
cnrely guarded.
AS a result of this trouble the
colonel of the regiment has put stop
to all passes after retreat but the af-
fair will have blown over in few days,
when the men will be allowed their
liberty as before. Col. Petit, in his ca
pacity as military governor of his city.
to-day issued an order prohibiting the
sale o. wine and other Intoxicating
liquors to American soldiers.
''There are rumors to-day of Cuban
uprising, and, while no definite or off
cial information has been believed,
trouble is predicted by many. There
are in the vicinity of 10000 Cuban SOL
diers in and around the city of Man
zanillo; enough to make it pretty inter-
esting for us. There is large fortress
of stone commanding the town, which
we are rapidly putting into shape, ac-
cording to sound, solid, practical Amer
lean ideas. While there may be no oc-
casion to use this fort, it is best to be
on the safe side. There are also
numerous bloclkhouses on the outskirts
of the town, which will prove of valu-
able assistance to us in the event of
trouble. These hlockhouses are strong
ly built and are large enough to accom-
modate company very comfortably.
This body of troops intrenched in one
of them could successfully withstand
the attack of five times as many in an
attacking party.
capt. Latrobe, commander of this
company, together with corporal and
a private, also of company n, has re-
turned from Bayamo, where he and the
guard went in company with three
Spanish Ulcers to bring back the re-
mains of the great Spanish general
Canteios. Before the body was shipped
to Spain services were held over it in
the Catholic church at Manzanillo. Six
of the non-commissioned officers of
this regiment acted as pallbearers and
our battalion presented arms as the
funeral passed. 1t was very impress
sive ceremony.
During the whole time have been
on the island l have seen but three or
four Americans. Most of the popula-
ton of Manzanillo and the surround
ing country is composed of half-castes
and negroes. There are probably not
more than 90 whites in this vicinity.
The Cubans of the lower class live in
matched houses on the outskirts of the
town and cultivate sugar cane. You
may see them travelling along the roads
leading out of the city on donkeys and
afoot. The procession begins about
four o'clock in the morning and con-
tinues until late in the day. 1t is in
teresting to watch this unique parade.
Full-grown, able-bodied men pass by
riding on donkeys or Mexican burros,
with their feet dangling within SIX
inches of the ground. Every man has
long machete at his side, which it is
claimed is used for the purpose of cut
ting sugar cane. The woman walks by
the side of the little donkey with a
cigar stump in her mouth and stick
of sugar cane across her shoulder, the
latter constituting the dinner for the
family. The children either range
along in front or follow the mules,
usually leading pig or adog. The pro
cession starts home about dusk, the
mules being loaded with grass, sugar
cane. ETC., while the men, women and
children carry large bundles of wood
on their heads.''- Washington Star.
How silkworms' Exxs Are Hatched.
The Umbrian cattle are snow white,
and form lovely bit in the landscape;
but, strange to orr American eyes.
COWS as well as oxen are yoked to the
pillow, and are never cent to pasture.
In fact, there IS No pasture land for
them, and at sunset peasants are to be
seen up in trees stripping them of their