The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-04-05

! Drake son of Rev Charles W. Drake,
of 80 Home Place, this city, may be of
interest to many friends of the young
man. Charles H. Drake recently enlisted
| in the regular army and is stationed
/ with the Fifth, u. S. Cavalry at Porto
Rico. Mr.. Drake who is a graduate of
a veterinary college expects to make
himself useful in that field treating Tn
Gle Sans sick and disabled horses.
San, Juan, Porto Rico,
March 10, 1899.
! Dear Mother:
This is Sunday morning and have
just finished breakfast. We sailed from
pier 27, Brooklyn, March IL, one week
ago to-day, at o'clock
There We're fifty-two soldiers and fif-
teen civilians, both ladies and gentle
men, aboard the boat Most of the la
dies being officers wives going to meet
their husbands who are stationed here.
Among the gentleman were several
business men who were prospecting.
/ We had a very pleasant voyage, no
rough weather except the first day.
Nearly all We're seasick for day or
two and some the whole trip but l for
tunately escaped. We were supposed to
sleep between decks in hammocks but
some of us slept on deck rolled up in
our blankets. The food aboard was
fierce, hard tack and slum (stew con-
sisting of different meats made into a
conglomerated mass).
We sighted Porto Rico Friday, March
10, at about 1880 a. M, and came to
anchor in harbor about $3.50 p m. 1t
was curious sight that met our eyes
as we cast anchor about fifteen feet
from the wharf. 1t was a cosmopolitan
crowd with Porto Ricans predominant
ing. We were bombarded with oranges
as large and sweet as I ever saw. L
caught five and ate them before going
ashore which we did soon after. Many
of the soldiers purchased from the ma
tives large sweet oranges for five cents
| per dozen. Two war vessels are an
chored here and also an auxiliary cruis-
err, the gun boats are the Nashville and
Panther.
The soldiers barracks here are the
finest l ever saw, we had to sleep on the
stoop or on the floor as the barracks
were full on our arrival but some are
to leave and we will then have hunks
assigned to U.S. The food is fine here.
For dinner to-day roast beef, macaroni,
potatoes, peas, etc. At present we
have very little to do but eat and sleep,
have to rise at 6 a. m. and be in quar-
tiers at 10 p. m.
| Have walked over the whole town to-
day which is city of some 10000 in
habitants. The genuine Porto Ricans
are black and vary in shades as the ne
groes of the states and very few of
them speak any English. The streets
are most all paved, some being like the
asphalt in New Haven but the major
ity being paved with cobbe stones,
The streets are very narrow and before
United States took possession filthy in
the extreme, refuse Of every descrip-
ton being thrown there. At present
the authorities make the native pris-
oners sweep the streets
The buildings are mostly two stories
high and built of stone and masonry
| with flag pavements for the floors,
there are no lights Of glass In windows,
simply shutters. AS you pass along the
streets everything being open you will
see naked and half naked natives amid
filth, from which the stencil is fearful,
eating, sleeping and tending to what few
household duties they may have.
Some stand in doorways selling home
made candy, ginger bread, cocoanuts,
small bananas Ohe large ones being
shipped away, oranges and other fruits
that are new to me yet. Six red banan-
as can be purchased for three cents.
The children are mostly naked and the
women go barefooted and half naked.
The money question is easily solved
here, 81 in our money being equal to
81 ga of Spanish. 1t is said that this is
land is the second best fortified posi-
ton in the world, Gibralter being first
Nevertheless this place surrendered af-
ter a. very short struggle lasting only
one hour after SIMPSONS fleet opened
fire there is still plenty Of evidence
left of the severe bombardment the
place underwent, the streets being torn
I'D in places and buildings in ruins. 1t
is said the priests who have great infu-
ence over the natives Dragged that the
church could not be hit as it was pro-
tected by the Gods, but SIMPSONS men
nut a shell through it and the building
is a wreck
There are a number of Americans in
business here, principally banking
and cafe The immortality existing here
is something fearful, shooting sorapes
being of nightly occurrence, nearly ev-
ery one carries a club at night, the feuds
are nearly all between the soldiers and
the natives who stand little show with
our men Most of the natives carry
knives but stand little chance to use
them as they are shot down. 1t Is my
opinion that if the soldiers would leave
the natives alone little trouble would
exist.
The Eleventh Infantry is also station
ed here and the headquarters of our
cavarly regiment is some sixty miles in
land at place called Mayaguezl. IN
fact the fifth cavalry is scattered all
over the island. A troop In every town
of any size. We expect to remain here
for several weeks yet. / am writing not
without great effort as we are nearly
sufrC eating in winter f1annels and do
not get a change until we reach head
quarters. The feas and flies are also
very raVenous.
1t was reported this morning that
two vessels which were in the harbor
were suspected of bringing arms for the
natives and an uprising is feared. l
think, however, it will be soon quelled.
We go in bathing here every evening
but are told to be on the lookout for
sharks as they are plenty in these wa
atbPy' is VprV hot but is