The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-12
A VISIT TO CUBA.
"A Former Anderson Lady Writes an In
teresting Letter.
Southern Christian Adrocate.

: to write little account of my trip to
Cuba ever since my return, but have
not found time to do so before. Hav-
ing gotten permission from the secre-
tary Of war to go with the second half
{six troops) Of the Eighth cavalry on
transport, I left Grennville January
80. Preached Savannah next morning.
but the troop trains from Huntsville,
Ala, were delayed and did not get in
till February LIST. We sailed on Feb
ruary I'd, having on board officers and
men Of six troops and six ladies. All
wore heavy wraps when we left, but
{ the next day when we struck the gulf
stream, undershirts and white duck
suits and sailor hats appeared on deck.
Our vessel, the Minnewaska, was
formerly magnificent ocean liner, so
had all the improvements and conven-
fences Of latest steamers. The whole
trip was delightful, sea calm and few
victims Of sea sickness Only one lady
suffered. The meals we're very good,
and the captain and his wife did all
they could to make things pleasant for
us, even having an afternoon tea on
upper bridge FOR us.
We made the trip Of $50 miles in
three days and anchored in the bay
about.9 miles from Neuvitas. There
Mr. Donaldson met me and after stay
ing day or SO on board until lighters
had carried troops, baggage, etc.,
ashore, we also went.
This Cuban town, Seuvitas, about
1900 inhabitants, was my first peep
into Cuba. Here Mr.. Donaldson was
stationed for about six weeks, then
about same laogth Of time at Minas,
aud finally at Puerto Principe and had
Just moved 10 last station a few days
before we arrived.
Neuvitas has the same prevailing
fashion Of houses all over Cuba-tiled
roofs, with court inside which is un-
covered and in which plants, etc.,
grow. A porch usually runs around
the court opening into the rooms,
which are on each Of four sides.
We were the first american ladies
to arrive since the Ten Years War,
and Of course were objects Of as much
interest to natives as they were to US.
Before we lett the boat we picncked
one day on small island in the bay,
where only one house was located.
This was small thatched palmetto
rooted cottage with only dirt floor.
There sat baby IL years old, with
only . necklace around its neck. Dirt
spots we're the only further adorn-
mcnts it could boaat. It's mothe. in
Spanish style, placed the house and
its contents at our disposal. And
while we we're exploring the island
she made US the most delicious coffee,
parching, roasting, grinding and max
ing IL. We haG ce1yied lunch (the
captains trea..> SO We had a delightful
repast.
We only fingered few hours at
Neuvitas, then took the train, q queer
little toy-looking aff.ir, to Puerto
Principe, so miles up in the interior.
This trip consumed about four hours.
We had four stations atwhich to stop.
At one Of them, Minas, the Third
Georgia Volunteers we're stationed.
They had been there nearly four
months, and we were the first Ameri-
can ladies they had seen since they
left home. Word passed along quickly
and ne had quite an ovation, hats
waved, cheers, etc., so glad were they
to see some one from home. We
passed the cavalry ancl infantry camp
soa our way to principe, three miles
from the city.
Atlast We arrived and having secured
the daughter Of collector Of customs
:as interpretress, we went to Spanish
hotel-the Grande. Miss Rivas kind
ly did our bargaining, then left us
alone, where no one spoke word of
English and we no Spanish. Our ex-
periences of the next few weeks would
fill book-some queer, some funny
and ridiculous. At first only men
we're servants, but after a while the
manager got a female chamber maid
and an interpreter. l am sorry to say
our progress in Spanish was not near
so fast as before. At first it was a
necessity to look up in our Spanish
hand-books everything we wished to
ask for at table, in our rooms, etc.
Our beds were single, iron ones,
somewhat similar to beds in our coun-
try; same kind of springs, but no mat