The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-02-16
NEWS OF THE FOURTH TENNESSEE.
Trinidad, Cuba, Camp Tennessee.

SNSutS VI lH6 Wt6h. w udb luleuuel
to say about the flea is this; whenever
one sinks his shaft and discovers blood,
something has got to drop. The Gu
ban flea is different in nature and mer-
cy to that of our own "happy East
Tennessee ffea." They will drink your
blood like wine, then turn around and
carve you in the back. They fear
nothing and will go anywhere.
We have been living in suspense and
tough luck for few days. Two army
inspectors from Washington have just
finished a rigid inspection of the camp,
men and quarters and hospital. This
division of the regiment was found to
be in very poor health condition,
quite different, however to the datter-
ing health report kept and circulated
throught the entire State of Tennessee.
Recently there have been all sorts Of
conflicting and contradicting stories
written and sent back home of the
true health condition of this regiment.
While have not been an "eye wit
ness to every case of "yellow fever"
reported to have been in the regiment,
and know something of the general
health record. And to rectify some of
the misleading statements, for the
benefit of those interested in the Fourth
l will give the following:
We landed on the Island December
9Th, '9S, and ever since we arrived the
men have been having malarial fever
and chills. The fever and chills were
so general at one time, that out of
six hundred (600) men, only ninety
eight (9S) were able for drill. One day
last week when the sick call was sound
ed, 1888 responded. But the regiment
is now improving in health to some de-
gree. We have had nine deaths in this
division, while Colonel Hannah has
had only one in his detachment. We
have beautiful grounds for camp, but
poor location. If we were on more
elevated "spot," our sickness would
decrease. But to get on higher ground
would be an inconvenience to some of
the unmarried officers to see their "se-
noritas'' to take their "Spanish lesson. -
Col. Hannah's boys get plenty to eat
and ice water to drink, while we are
managing to keep soul and body to-
gether on half rations, and no ice to
cool our fried water
Major Vertrees of the Sd battalion,
recently ordered First Sergeant Rock
of company G, to take depositions OF
the treatment, or non-treatment OF
Corporal Greed Young, Elk Park, N.
c., received at the hands of Major Ep.
Ter, Chief Surgeon, who died on the
boat coming over. 1t is possible thai
a commission will be appointed to in,
vestigate the case and charges.
The band which is stationed here is
very anxious to go over to Santo Espi
ritus and stay awhile. Several of the
band boys are here from Johnson City
and Jonesboro. AN is not we'll with
them, ''They want to go home.
Rol Simpson, who plays the claronei
to perfection, says, "this is no place
for man of his musical talent and ex
traordinary ability"
The natives have begun TO put Trini
dad in proper sanitary condition. Th'
business part Of the town already pre-
sents different air to that of even
few weeks ago.
An American grocery store here coul(
simply "coin the money" Groceries
could be purchased at Savannah, Ga
or Key West, Florida. The Cubal
stores have nothing decent or tasteful
Everything is filth and dirt. 1t woulc
be patronized by all the soldiers, anC
Cubans as well. A number of the off
GERS intend having their wives and fami
lies to come over, which would add t,
the banking account of some one. 4
branch of "Lyle's up-to-date" ,woulC
rake in the coin so fast that it would re
quire reveral buckets of ''ice water" t.
save the money drawer.
Lieut.. Matson was recently mad
Superintendent of the Casilda & Fer
nandez-or some such name-ra railroa,
extending from Casilda to Fernandez
distance of fifty miles. The road will
be put in operation as soon as the rail
arrive, which will be very soon. Thi
will be paying road, running througl
a very rich part of this province. Lieu
tenant is quite favorite, and friend a
well, of the boys, both in and out Q
his company.
l received letter from Captain Ful
kerson company d, last week, an
speaking of the boys he said: ''Lieut
Kirk, and myself and my boys are al
we'll and enjoying good health, thoug
there is not one of them that has nc
had enough of Cuba and willing to re
turn 30 the States, tomorrow.
As am not with company d, kno,
but very little of its happenings. Bu
the above will prove consolation
some mother to know that her son
is ''well and enjoying good health"
I Captain Theodore Hacker, of tn