Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-03-29

| ness-Commercial Dishonesty and So
cial Observation-Disclosures Notes
and Comments-The Visit of Senator
Tillman and Party-The Boys Are
| HomesIck.
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
CAMP COLUMBIA, Havana, Cuba,
March 2O.-I have been intending for
sometime to write letter descriptive
of our life and the things we have seen
in Cuba; but there is 80 much to tell
80 much that can hardly be compre-
hended by our civilized, human peo-
ple-that I was at loss as to how far
l might trust their credulity, and as to
what would be of most interest to
them. To begin with, the men are
about all pretty anxious to get home.
II is thus in all the volunteer regi-
ments. They have become accustom.
ed to the beauties and attractions Of
the island, and aided by the desire to
20 home, these have naturally become
commonplace.
Then it is not very inspiring to see
human beings fishing in our filthy slop-
barrels for bread and eating slop like
greedy hogs; nor pleasant to contin-
ually view physical contortions and
enormous swellings of body and limbs
caused by excessive hunger or the
ravages of some loathful disease.
Many of the men really gave up
lucrative positions to enlist, and they
feel now that they have done all that
should be required of them, and that
they should not be longer sacrificed to
the policy of the government; but al
lowed to return to the dear ones at
home.
Another mastering out petition was
circulated sometime ago and signed by
good many; but the occasion was
not marked by outbursts of dissatis-
faction and disorder as is usual in such
cases.
Colonel Jones's only remark when
he heard of it was: "Well, these boys
are great on petitions" he having re-
ceived two long ones himself, when it
was rumored that he intended to re-
sign, earnestly begging him to remain
with the regiment.
Senator Tillman and party came out
to the regiment yesterday to visit the
camp and address the men but it was
Just after "pay day." and many pre-
ferred trip to Havana. A stand was
erected in front of the colone's tent
and several of the party made brief
speeches.
Our camp, under the efficient charge
of Major Hagener, as sanitary officer,
is in excellent condition, it being con-
sidered one of the best in the corps.
Since the several layers of rock have
been removed and the other necessary
work done, the duties of the men have
been light. They are allowed to ex-
plore the surrounding country and lit
tie towns to their hearts content, or
seek such other advertisement as best
suits their disposition.
Only last evening, as I came up the
company street, saw several warm
games of Scraps" and in another tent
a less exciting and noisy, but no less
interesting game of poker.
One crap game seemed to be OF par
ticular interest, being more noisy and
having a larger crowd, and 80 l stop
ped to watch it. There were contin-
ual cries of "shoot de dime," "shoot
de quarter" "shoot de half" "shoot de
dollar" and occasionally "shoot de
BILL" for we had been paid only the
day before and the men still had plenty
of money.
AS 1 came up, one little fellow had
the dice and was rattling off perfect
stream of crap slang, which would be
punctuated by chorus of graduated
grunts as a "shot" was made. l
cannot attempt to describe it, for the
slang itself, mixed with the numerous
army terms and military orders that
the men weave in, though ludicrous,
is nothing. 1t is the peculiar rising
and falling information of the voice OF
the "shooter," his alternating pleading
and commanding tones as he "con-
lures" the dice; the constant banter
ling and pickering for fabe (bet); the
strained attention of men down on
their hands and knees in circle; the
excited chorus of "ughs;" and the
earnestness of it all that lend the scene
its interest and make it novel and
picturesque.
Several attempts have been made to
stop gambling among the men but
they were so unsuccessful, the men
going off in groups to the shade of
some big tree in the country, or to the
gambling dens in the towns, and it
seemed to be such great part of their
lives, that now they are not molested.
The ever present typhoid fever has
its usual number of cases but so far
az l know, only two deaLhs-a COM
paratively small number-have occur
red in the regiment since we have been
lin Cuba. There are, however, numer
Gus cases of malarial fever, but of a
very mild character that generally lasts
only a few days. Something of the
kind that Colonel Coward, at the Cita-
del, used to designate with his cutting
sarcasm, "malaise." This malaria
seems very strange to me, for we are
up in the hills, and there is no dead
vegetation around, and although it is
beginning to get very hot in the sun
or with exertiop, yet under the shade
of a tent, with the walls rolled up 80
that the strong breeze, or rather wind,
1 o.