The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-01-05
FROM TRINIDAD, CUBA,

p HAYES. who formerly held cases on
this paper. and who is now member
OF the Attn regiment of Tennessee
Volunteers, stationed at trinidad
Cuba. The letter is dated December
18th, 1898, and is as follows
This morning my mind is reveriing, and
naturally. think of dear old Big Stone
Gau and It's pleasant people. To rid my
self Of the monotony, which movers hseIi
around me, have thus concluded 10 write
you an account Of our voyage from the
time we broke camp at Knoxville, Tenn"
until we arrived.
The regiment broke camp of Knoxville
Tenn, November 2Sth ult., under direct
orders TO proceed to Cuba. The men
hacked their equipments and clothing
during an incessant fall of rain and sleet'
Regardless Of the inclemsnpy OF the
weather. when the bugles sounded the
assembly call, they fell in line ana
marched away through the elect and mud
Rut many of our brave East Tennessee
boys hearts sighed for mother ana sweet
heart that was being left behind,
The Southern railway carried our reR'=
ment in three sections to Savannah ga
where the steamer Manitoba was waiting
TO transport us to Cuba.
We arrived in Savannah on the morning
of November 30, at early dawn, without
accident or incident worthy of mention.
The day was spent in looking after the
company's effects and taking in the city
In uanaral
We sailed for Cuba on the morning Of
December |, at SAT o'clock. As our ship
slowly steamed down the Savannah river
the regimentsI band struck up pike,
which brought forth an immense crowd TO
the piers. We were given hearty send
off as our gallant ship glided out to sea-
The American, English and Cuban
fages we're flung to the breeze, and, again,
The sweet strains of our national airs
from the band were applauded to the echo
Saturday, December 3, land was sighted,
which was San Salvador island. After
passing by the island, the vessel took a
southwark course, through the center OF
the Bahama islands; crossed the OLD
Bahama Channel then sailed through the
Windward passage, where sllg mt gaze
was encountered, and where we also had
the pleasure-or exciting eIperience-of
seeing big water-spont.
Sunday morning, December 4, the
weather was supurb, steady, cool, re-
freshing sea breeze tanning the feyerish
cheeks of twenty-five of our boys, who
we're confined in the Temporary hospital
on the top deck with sea-siekness. In the
afternoon of Suuday--all on board re-
membering to keep the Sabbath day holy
and Major Epler, Chief Surgeon, bearing
in mind that cleanliness is next to Godli-
ness, decided to give the boys shower
bath. which was executed with "neatness
and Dispatch" The men were lined up
in companies on deck, clad, as 1T were, III
their nature innocence, and the hose turn
ed loose upon them, collectively or indi-
yidually as the occasion required.
Monday, December 5, we arrived at
Santiago de Cuba. Nothing, save the
smoke stack, of the famous Merremac Is
now visible above the water. Alongside
her can now be seen the masts aud tunnels
of the Reina Mercedes, while on high
promontory at the mouth OF the harDor'
overlooking the wrecked vessels, stands
grim old Moro Castle, where, 1t Will be
remembered, Lieutenant Hobson aud his
brave crew were incareerated after their
noble attempt TO cork up CerFera's Meet.
But the stars and stripes are now proudly
floating over the Notifications and the
white tents of American soldiers are
scattered outside the walls.
Leaving Santiago, and sailing westward
along the foot OF the Sa. Del. Cobre
mountains, you can still see the remains
of the once pride OF the Spanish Navy,
every vessel being completely wrecked.
In the afternoon the sea was consider
ably rougher than usual. We approached
to within ten miles OF Casldo, but the
wind was so high the pilots boat
could not reach US. We spent the night
in riding the waves between Oasildo and
CeinpengOes.
Tuesday morning, December +, we
were again off the entrance in Caslldo
bay, and the wind being somewhat calmer,
the little sail boat Catrina, bearing three
Cuhans and the swarthy old sea dog, who
was to pilot our ship into port, came
alongside, and received enthusiastic
cheering by twelve hundred lusty, noisy
Tennessee soldier BOYS, as the pilot was
taken on board.
The Manitoba steamed up several miles
nearer the port, and there met 10y the
coast steamer MantiO, which transferred
companies A, L, q, II, X, aud N, the band
and portion of hospital corps TO the
docks at Casldo.
The scene at the docks will long be
remembered by those of Us fortunate
enough to have witnessed it. The Cubans
ran to and fro, waving flags, and their
crownless hats, shouting ''viya la Amer
icsnos" and "Cuba libre."
After landing the march to our new
camp was begun, where we arrived just
at sun down. We immediately began
pitching our tents OH an elevation between
the beautiful town Of Trinidad, and the
caribbean sea.
. Being the first American soldiers to
have arrived in the PROVENCE OF Santa
Clara, we were, quite naturally the objects
of great curiosity. The natives gathered
around and curiously watched US prepare
our first meal on Cuban soil, which. con-
sisted of corn beef and hard tack,
The camp is bounded on one side by
one of the famous Spanish trochies built
by General Weyler, with barrack house
every quarter of mile-one OF which Is
now teing used as a gusrd-house for in
soldiers.
The Spanish garrison stationed in this
province sailed three days before our
arrival. The rayages and devastation of
the late war are apparent on every side.
The natives are absolutely starving TO
are so starved they actually
scramble for crumbs of hard tack with
the same rapacity as If it we're money.
The sugar crop is completely paralized.
Whnrn nnnn Ann ri d cd tho hnau nj n "a Iinn