The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-17


From Our Soldier Correspondent.
MANZANILLO, Cuba. Feb. AK
element is very high here just at pres
ent. We have been expecting an attack
from the Cubans under General Jeasus
Rabi and the regiment has been kept in
readiness. One company at least, has
been under arms every day.
Tuesday. January 81, our company
was on duty and We had orders TO not
leave the barracks. as the call might
come at any tine. In the afternoon
while we were all indulginS in the
pleasant recreation of bunk fatigue"
We were aroused By the bugles sounding
the call ito arms" and to our arms we
sprang. not waiting for legsings or
blouse. and many Of US fell in line
dressed in undershirt and trousers. but
we had our cartridge belts strapped on
and our ready rifles at our shoulders.
Visions of fierce looking, wild eyed Gu
bans charging with that terrible
machete, flashed before us, but we went
charging down Manzanillo hill enveIop-
ed In cloud of dust and the brave boys
of us were eager for a fight. Even
John Rock. who was on the sick report.
fell In with the crowd. At last We ar
rived at the plaza and guards were
thrown out, but no Cuban soldiers were
to be seen. How disappointed we were
but there was no trouble: the colonel
was Just training us so we would know
what to do II trouble does occur.
Wednesday night Company N was
called out and surrounded the post with
line of sentlnels, but nothing hap
pened.
"Embalmed beef" has arrived and the
fresh beef We were receiving has been
replaced by it. A portion received was
tainted; had a repugnant smell. but we
did get some which was good and
great deal tendcrer than fresh beef. The
boys call the gravy "embalminG fluid"
and the first piece Company G received,
Bugler Spragg sounded taps" over It.
A rife range has been located not far
from camp and in q short time the
members Of the regiment will be given
an opportunity to test their marksman-
ship. We are having preliminary drill
In aiming and range finding. In Il week
or two we will go on the range and no
doubt Company G will come out on top,
as nearly every man in the company is
dead shot Charles Callahan lends
the list OF sharpshooters
Private Tommy Lynch IS recovering
from the wound In his foot and will
soon be able to return to duty.
First Sergeant Howell has been suf-
fering with an abcess on his foot, but
he is recovering. During his absence
Sergeant Bodley has been acting In the
capacity as first sergeant.
most touching incident was enact
ed few days ago. when Private Ed
Cook received a letter informing him of
the serious illness of his wife. He at
once applied for n furlough; it was
granted and he left the same boat
which brought him the news. When he
bade the boys goodbye" there was
scarcely dry eye in the crowd We
wished him God-speed and we sincerely
hope he will get home in time to see his
wife. He carries with him the sympa-
thies OF every member In Company G.
Private Smith Calvert has been pro-
noted to the rank OF corporal and we
are glad to see Smith get the promotion.
The two companies OF mounted infan-
try have been fully organized and have
taken up their quarters down town. The
horses have not yet arrived. but are cX-
pcctcd in on every boat.
Privates Brady. Desmond, Gallagher
and Caldwell were the only members of
our company who Joined the Rough
Riders" Several men from Company D
have been assigned TO our company.
Almost every man in Company d has
Joined the troopers and Company d as
infantry has ceased to exist The men
LEI, behind have been assigned to other
companies.
The Island boys in Company G. Ser
geant Lukens. Corporals Hammond. u
rich and Noble, hope that free toll will
be secured on the bridges and even IL
they are away down in Cuba they feel n
keen interest In the question.
The above mentioned boys In blue"
are members Of Company G.
Since writing the above | have been
informed that the ''embalmed beef" has
been condemned and the regimental
butcher will start to kill once more