The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13
CAMP LIFE At MATANZAS
INDIANA'S SOLDIERS PUTTING IN
SPARE TIME BREAKING STONE.
Weather Delightful and No Insects-A
Visit to the Cemetery-16Oth Anx-
iOus to he Mustered Out.
correspondence Of the journal.

Correspondence OF the Journal.
MATANZAS, Cuba, Feb. 6. with the One
hundred and-sixtieth Indiana Volunteers
This regiment is getting pretty well in
stalled in camp life on Matanzas bay. Near
ly every man not otherwise engaged has
been on fatigue detail breaking stone and
leveiing up camp streets to make it possible
to get from one tent to another without
breaking ones neck. The regiment part
Of it at least-has been here for a month,
and yesterday evening we had our first dress
parade by going down on the boulevard.
Only guard mount is possible in camp. We
are having very pleasant weather-warm
days from o'clock in the morning till
in the afternoon. but cool, pleasant evenings
and nights. with a strong ocean breeze and
perfect freedom from insects, which adds
largely to ones comfort.
Since my last letter have seen more of
the city and have made a tour of observa-
ton in the country. The larger and more
prominent buildings were erected over two
hundred years ago. From the earliest settle
ment every mans house has been his castle,
hence the heavily barred windows and doors
four or five inches thick. AS the climate
is mild the year round glass windows are
dispensed with and drapery substituted. The
floors ara generally marble, stone or cement,
and the Vestibules or halls furnish con-
venient storerooms for the family vehicles.
have seen no horses In use by the natives
only ponies, oxen and asses. Instead of milk
wagons, ponies or asses with huge wicker
or leather pockets are made the repositories
of milk cans or jugs. The GENET ery-there
Is only one here-contains about eight acres
ana up to the LIST OF last december there
had been buried in ii l165 $50 bodies 1t
seemed marvel how that could be until I
investigated The cemetery Is inctosed
within nigh thick waIlS, with an entrance
not unlike that of Crown Hill. About one
fourth is made into vaults, which are about
hfteen feet deep and extending from the
main driveway distance OIL perhaps three
nuhored Ieet 70 the east wall The apart
menlS are just large enough, one above an
other. for single corpse The name is in
ScrlDed on a marble slab and the niche care
tulIy sealed These vaults are rented not
sold. When the annual dues are not paid
the corpse Is removed. This is true also of
other portions of the ground where the poor
er classes are buried in graves. When oc-
caSlon requires they are made to give place
10 others thus IN DEATH as in life, one is
mace 70 get out OF the way of another.
When the first battalion arrived here am
investigation revealed i've wagon loads Of
human bones piled up In one pace
Hearses are not much USED; instead, one.
Two or TOUR men carry the dead on their
shoulders. Funeral professions rarely fol-
low friends to the place of interment. This
CHASTITY place is made almost beautiful by
nOWerng plants, trees and shapely monu-
All classes and conditions of people. Span-
lards and Cubans alike seem delighted with
the changed conditions OF things under
American rule The Observation-Disclosures
tieth'S regimental band is giving a series OF
evening concerts on the plaza grounds in the
city, and thousands who are within doors
during the day crowd the streets in grand
promenadeS, the happieSt people apparently
IN the world. Arrangements are being made
for great military ball in the near future
in return for one given by the citizens Mai
Kyle ana Captain Burr represent the regi-
ment on the committee on arrangements
The strong probabilities are that the In
diana troop here Will soon reach the end Of
their service. In a personal letter from Sem
ator Fairbanks, dated Jan % he writes.
Il am informed by the adjutant general that
! the entire ne-hundred-and-sixtieth Regi-
ment is soon to be mustered out" Ninety
per cent. OF the boys are earnestly hoping
| this may be true, and the indications are
strongly In that direction.
The transport Manitoba came in last even
ing with six troops of the Second Cavalry
The health OF the regiment is not as good
as last reported, quite a number of the men
| being afflicted with stomach and bowel
trouble; caused perhaps, by overindulgence
| in tropical fruits.
Orderly Sergeant II. c. Brown has been
elected captain of Company e. of Button,
In place of Henry johnson, who failed To
pass on account Of physical disability.
Sergeant j. Mills, of Company D. has been
elected second lieutenant in place of Lieut.
Arthur Sayer. who was discharged for
physical disability.
number of the men who applied for dis
charges months ago are now receiving their
papers, indicating that the War Department
Is not as anxious for soldiers as formerly
Dr. Eugene Beuhler has been sick for sew
erai days, but is now on duty.
Great interest Is felt here in the Hull
army reorganization bin. w. j. VIGUS.