Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1899-02-23
A WALL FROM CUBA
An Appeal From the Enlisted Volunteers
To the People of Their Native Land.
Especial Correspondence of the AReUs.)
CAMP COLUMBIA, NEAR J
HAVANA, CUBA,
Fnb 10 1900

CAMP COLUMBIA, NEAR
HAVANA, CUBA,
Feb. 10, 1899.
Having received information
from reliable parties that you de-
sired to know the treatment and
welfare of the First North Caro-
lima Regiment, who are now doing
service in Cuba. AS a committee
of one, acting for the enlisted
men, 1 send you a true statement
Of portion of what has Trans
pired since our enlistment.
Some few days ago several en-
listed men went through the regi-
ment to every enlisted man il re-
gard to being mustered out o. the
service, and they find that ninety
seven per cent of them are more
than anxious to leave the service.
We have carefully studied the
best policy to receive the aid of
the good citizens of North Caro-
lima, and find or have decided that
the surest, best and quickest way
is to ask the editors of North
Carolina papers to publish such
letters as they may receive from
the enlisted men. With the citi-
zens aid we may pull through,
but otherwise, we are doomed in
this miserable country for our
term of enlistment. In the first
place we did not enlist for garri-
son duty (Which work should be
done by regulars, who enlist for
that purpose) but to protect our
homes, loved ones and flag. Now
that peace has been declared,
should we be held in the service
for the pleasure of the officers,
who consider us nothing more
than slaves, and even go so far as
to treat us as such? Why not let
us return to our homes, business
and families, where our services
are most needed, and who are en-
tirely dependent upon US? Surely,
every one knows that fifteen
dollars and sixty cents per month
will not properly support a fami-
ly. When on the eve of being
mustered out of service, while in
Jacksonville, we were held in
through the influence of the Off
GERS, where in many cases two
thirds of them never before held
a responsible position, nor even
had the pleasure of working a
crowd of men-but themselves,
worked as hired-labor, such as
driving drays on the street, and
climbing poles. They secured our
retainment on the ground of SOL
dierly conduct, best d1iIled, and
reputation that we have. Why
have we the reputation? All
because the men have strived
hard to gain it, and because we
loved our old State, the people
and the reputation it has borne in
the past. Feeling that we have
done our duty, we now come to
you, the citizens of North Caro-
lima, asking that you take a part
and interest in US. With your
aid we feel that we can soon be
home, and with our loved ones.
Must we remain in service simply
because the officers want en-
ployment with the government,
and have pull enough to keep us
in? Often do [ remember when
the boys stood in water Enee
deep for hours at time, 'edi5ch-
ing,' with officers standing over
them to see that no time should
be lost.
I firmly believe that a large
portion of the sickness has been
caused from just such work, and
poor treatment, combined.
On one occasion we were
marched in from our morning
drill, a certain officers wife says,
"make them double time, it
makes the baby laugh" And of
course we had to make. the baby
laugh to please the wife.
Since we came over here our
treatment has been decidedly
poor in the way of rations. We
have never yet found sufficient
quantity for each meal. On every
occasion one thing or the othor is
Ishort, and of course had to do
without tit did no good to go
to our officers and report such
things, for they never cared to
look out for the interest of the
|men, they only cared to fill self
the men could get it if they
could. On several occasions we
had spoiled beef and appeared to
our Captain, but he only gritted
I his teeth and remarked that we
should apply in a military manner
about such things.
! 1t is nothing unusual for the
men to go to the kitchen for their
meals and be cursed like dogs by
the cooks, yet we must take it al
and say nothing. Should we at
tempt to protect ourselves we lane