Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-03-16

Our trip across the water was Of
the finest kind-not q bit OF rough
weather and there were not many
taken sick. We only had one accident
and that happened to Sergeant Long,
Of d Troop. He was sleeping on the
deck next to hatchway, which was
open, and fell down. The doctors did
not expect him to live for several
days, but be has fooled them all and
is improving rapidly. We passed
three or four ships, but was not close
enough to see them real plain. We
saw lots Of sharks and flying fish; ar
rived at Nuevitss February at s:Is
O'Clock p. m. and "dark as blazes.p -
OF course, we could only 60 within
about ~ or miles OF the dock, as
the water Is rather shallow for such
abig boat. After whlstling repeated
ly q tug brought three lighters
to us. The first one, L Troop, put
all Of their Blankets and barrack bags
into them and then went on shore.
The second one was for us and we
had q hard time getting ashore, as |
the lighters were really nothing more |
than RATS with sails and the wind was |
very strong, and we tossed very much |
on the waves. There were more men
sick in that 3 miles ride than there |
was on the entire ocean trip. Well,
We landed in the dark and had to
pick our way along q narrow dock
for 200 yards or so, when we wound
up in lumber yard where We slept
for that night. After that there was
nothing but work for few hours. We
unloaded the lighters with all of our
property, put same into the box
cars-such as they were-sxcept the
tents and the stun we actually need
ed. We then marched up hIll about
half q mile, where our camp was
beautiful place. Our tent
was right under palm tree and to
our right was the ocean. Well, you
should have seen the pelieans, thick
as flies, diving after fish all day; and
the buzzards setting around waiting
for you to die. Then the insects are
many and very prominent. Il seems
"kinder" flshy, guess, to say you
could go and pick OF bananas, or
anges, cocoanuts or lemons, but such
was the case, although, don't sup
pose there is q man In the fort that
has eaten banana since we left the
states, as they are very injurious
here. At Nuevitas there were lots Of
Oubans selling candy (cocoanut cam
iy) and cakes at very high prices.
While we we're ct Nuevitas 9 mail
steamer and q hospital ship came In
md layed over In the bay ell night.
rhey made q very pretty picture ct
light, all lighted by electricity. We
'roke camp Saturday morning, bright
md early, and Travelled IS miles, ovsr-
and. 1t was terrible travelling. wei
lad to mako roads, most Of the way,
md build bridges; hot, just sit In the
wen awhile and that would make a
air comparison. We struck Las
dinas about 9 p. m, and very mudy.
pitched tents, took the horses to
vater and by that time supper was
eady. Red horse Canned corned /
'eef) and bareback and coffee. Then
Iverybody was satisfied to fight the :
lies and bugs for the night. The next
az we only made 9Jk miles; had lots Q
{ upsets with the wagons, lost three T
aules on account OF the heat and
truck our camp in heavy rain; had o
Il old tents and they leaked like q
ieve. Stayed over that day to rest
p the mules and stock and marched
miles to Dos Marias the next day.
lad q fair camp, but bum rations.
Iext morning we LEFT for Puerto Prin-
lpe and arrived at our house with
he other six troops cheering and the :
and playing. We have a pretty
amp here in a palmetto grove and
ave nice big hospital tents for each
Z men, with floors and cots In them. =
he first sergeant and myself have
ne and We have all kinds of room.
on know the dimension of hospital .
mt ia fexlo feet and 10 feet high. I.
oidiering is done up to the handle E,
are. Everything according 70 regu- :
tiona and they are very strict. We
g about 2 miles from the town and ,
you see, as the town Is under mil fs
aEy Law, you can't 60 very often. r
OF must have pass signed By the
'st sergeant, then the captain, then er
il1tant and then BY the command m
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