The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-02-05
CAPT. STHTz AND
Is MEN WENT OUT
CUNNING FOR H[x|CAhS

ID says:
The first and second battalions
left Laredo the 18th of January to
hike down the river to relieve the
First New Hampshire regiment. who
were stationed at the various out
posts along the river. Companies
ID and c of the first battalion ar
rived in Zapata about noon Jan. sth,
four hours ahead of schedule time
The men were all in good condition,
although tired and dusty.
Leaving Laredo at 8 a. m. Jan.
4th. we liked first to Santa Rosa
Farm, where we made camp, Co.
G. second battalion. relieving the
New Hampshire company stationed
naer the river. Santa Rosa is an
immense onion farm having one
field of about $1,000 acres.
We were up and on the road the
next morning before daylight and
by IL o'clock were at Dolores ranch,
Co. E. second battalion. was dropped.
The main column pushing onacross
Dolores creek and making camp
about miles from the ranch house
and near the river. The dust was
bad and every one was tired and
dirty, so as soon as camp was made
everybody started for the river,
where we made delightful plunge.
The following morning, everybody
being much refreshed by their
plunge and a good nights rest, we
started out on our longest days hike
ami about noon we passed through
San Ignacio, the scene of the raids
upon our troops. Troop X of the
Fourteenth Cavalry, now stationed
at Laredo, were surprised at this
place The cavalrymen killed
Mexican general, two colonies and
several other officers, besides a few
ordinary privates, losing only one
nan and one wounded These Mex
leans are buried where they were
Killed and the people in San Ignacio
keep their graves decorated all the
time Companies n and F, second
battalion, dropped off here. Robert
Ellison is member of Co. H. Bob
is getting along finely but like most
of the other boys he would like to
be back in the Land OF Flowers
The first battalion marched on about
two miles before stopping for mess
After about two hours rest we hiked
into Ramerino, Co. B. who were to
be stationed here, marched in to the
small Notifications consisting OF
bank of sand bags thrown up in
circle.
In this enclosure they pitched
their pyramidal tents. while we
pitched our pup" tents outside.
The ground was covered by a variety
OF cactus which grows close to the
ground in solid mat of thorns.
These mats are abut six feet in dia-
meter and il Is some Job to get the
ground clear Of all these thorns:
at all hours Of the night one might
hear some of the men roll over on
one Of them and tell the stars his
woes
We got an early start the next
and took short cut across
the hills. The wagon train was
compelled to go around by the road.
owing to the deep arroyos and holes
over which we marched. Co. A
turned off on the road to Uribeno
Cos. c and D taking the main road
TO Zapata.
We are camped in the court yard
20. d on one side of the court house
and Co. c on the other. A trench
runs entirely around the camp. and
has a parapet of rock covered with
affording excellent protec-
ton in case of attack. The court
house is fiat rocfed. two-story
with small one-story adj
tition in the rear. enclosed by
ten-foot stone wall.
All cur water has to be hauled
rom the river and boiled before
Using 1T for drinking purposes. The
current in the river at this place Is
'ery strong but not dangerous
There is an island called mo Mans
and" which is claimed by both the
United States and Mexico. At the
DOT of this island the Blue River of
dexico flows into the Rio Grande