The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-10-23
FORUM
Soldier Life In Cuba.
GUINES. Cuba.
October 1G. 1907.
L,tr,,,apt yIya,t ,St..;nt

October 1G. 1907.
Editor Tairmont West Vlrginian,
Dear Sir:
II You will allow me space in your
valuable paper | will endeavor to give
you and my many friends in Fair
mont a brief outline OF n soldiers life
In sunny Cuba. My regiment, the
eth Infantry. Of which have been
member since the 18th of May. 1904. !
arrived In HAVANA, October 18th. 1906.
After 4 days voyage from Newport
News. Va. which was said to be
pleasant one by all the old salts. but
I could not see It that way. shall
not dwell on the subject OF the voyage
for that Is something do not care to
remember.
We dropped anchor in the beauti.
full harbor of Havana ut . p. M, DC.
tober 18th. not far from orr we'll re.
mcmberel battleship. the Maine. anil
all on board We're sad at the sight OF
her for all that Is left to view is 4
lonely mast and few bent and twist.
ed beams. but the banner of freedom
still waves on that lonely mast as well
rs when she was a proud and floating
man Of war.
On the date Of arrival In the harbor.
We unloaded enough ratlons to last
for couple Of days and all necessary
baggage and went ashore about Z D.
m. and lonnged around on the docks
until electric cars came to convey us
to camp Columbia, the scene of camp
during the Intervention OF the U, s.
In 'aS.
Arriving Mt camp about II n. H.. We
pitched our two tents during the dark
hour OF the night, then rolling up In
Our blankets. we soon were nil fast
asleep. Although our beds were not
like those of home. We did not wake
until the bugle call announced the
| honr Tor rising. g
Then NIL responded, still tired and
weary from our long trip across the
pond.
Now, shall not dwell on the rou.
tine Of duty at camp forslt would take
too much space. but we were not des.
tined to stay there very long for on
the 2Gth Of December we with Com.
pany B. 9th Infantry, were ordered
to Santa Clara where railroad strike
! was on and as the peace of that place
was threatened, but we had only. been
there one month, just long enough to
| get acquainted and to be liked by the
people, when peace was restored and
we were ordered back to Camp Co.
iumbia. We did not much like to 20
but orders are orders so back we
went, but again only to remain there
a few days for about that time the
marines were being relieved in the
interior and we, Co. c. were sent to this
Eplace, ,Guines, February 21st. where
we bave5remained ever since, and all
| the boysiof the company are In hopes
that when we leave here It will be
/ for the good old U. s. A., the land Of
the free and the home of the brave.
Now, after taking a couple OF COLI
ones I shall endeavor to give brief
account OF the storm which we hal
to endure on the 18th OF October O6.
About ! p. m. we were told to make
preparation for cyclone. but there
was no preparations to be made. All
we conld do was to remain in our
tents and wait for the worst and we
ibid not have to wait long for by 10
O'clock It was ut hand and before mid.
might all the tents Of about 1000 sol.
diers as well rs great many build.
ings were all blown down and we were
left out in the pouring rain and I wish
to say that lby the time 1t was over
there; was not a man that needed al