The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-06
ARMY LIFE IN CUBA.
A Sergeant in the Fourth Immune
Regiment Relates His Experi-
ences.


Fourth United States volunteer infan-
try, now stationed at Manzanll.o, Cuba,
The regiment has been split up consid-
erably since its arrival in Cuba, COM
panies having been detached upon spe-
c:al service, from time to time, and sent
into the interior to garrison and police
certain districts. He says, under date
| of November 20:
Our company has not yet left this
city, but we expect to leave for Bayamo
within ten days. There was little eX-
citement downtown Friday night
which came near resulting IN the death
of a Cuban. One of the Cuban police
epdeavored to place under arrest an
American soldier belonging to this
regiment. The soldier, it is under
| stood, resisted arrest, when the Cuban
| drew his machete and cut him across
the head, inficting long cash in the
scalp. A soldier who was standing
near by wrested gun from the police
man, it is stated, and hit the latter
across the head, rendering him uncon-
scious and inficting wound which
may result in his death. In the event
of his death there is no doubt that his
assailants will be severely dealt with
They are now in the guardhouse, Sc
curely guarded.
"As a result of this trouble the
colonel of the regiment has put a stop
to all passes after retreat but the af-
fair will have blown over in few days,
when the men will be allowed their
liberty as before. Col. Petit, n his ca
pacity as military governor of his city,
to-day issued an order prohibiting the
sale of wine and other intoxicating
liquors to American soldiers.
There are rumors to-day of Cuban
uprising, and, while no definite or Off
cal information has been believed,
trouble is predicted by many. There
are in the vicinity of 10000 Cuban sol
diers in and around the city of Man
zanillo; enough to make It pretty inter
esting for US. There is a large fortress
of stone commanding the town, which
we are rapidly putting into shape, ac-
cording to sound, solid, practical Amer
lean ideas. While there may be no oc-
casion to use this fort, it IS best to De
on the safe side. There are also
numerous blockhouses on the outskirts
of the town, which will prove of valU-
able assistance to us in the event of
trouble. These blockhouses are strong
ly built and are large enough t. accom-
modate a company very comfortably.
This body of troops intrenched in one
of them could successfully withstand
the attack of five times as many in an
attacking party.
capt. Latrobe, commander of this
company, together with a corporal and
a private, also of company H, has re-
turned from Bayamo, where he and the
guard went in company with three
Spanish officers to bring back the re-
mains of the great Spanish general
Canteios. Before the body was shipped
to Spain services were held over it IN
the Catholic church at Manzanillo. Six
of the non-commissioned officers Of
this regiment acted as pallbearers and
our battalion presented arms as the
funeral passed. 1t was very impress
sive ceremony.
During the whole time have been
on the island | have seen but three or
four Americans. Most of the popula-
ton of Manzanillo and the surround
ing country is composed of half-castas
and negroes. There are probably not
more than 20 whites in this vicinity.
The Cubans of the lower class live in
thatched houses on the outskirts of the
town and cultivate sugar cane. You
may see them travelling along the roads
leading out of the city on donkeys and
afoot The procession begins about
four o'clock in the morning and con-
tinues until late in the day. 1t is in
teresting to watch this unique parade.
Full grown, ablebodied men pass by
riding on .donkeys or Mexican burros,
with their feet dangling within SIX
inches of the ground. Every man has
long machete at his side, which ii is
claimed is used for the purpose of cut
ting sugar cane. The woman walks by
the side of the little donkey with
cigar stump in her mouth and a stick
of sugar cane across her shoulder, the
latter constituting the dinner for the
family The children either range
along in front or follow the mules,
usually leading pig or dog. The.prc-
cession starts home about dusk, the
mules. being loaded with grass, sugar
cane, etc., while the men, women and
children carry large bundles of wood
on their heads. Washington Star.