Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-10-03
'l'.l''!'.l'.l''l..s.. Observation-Disclosures.
!. FROM THE CANAL ZONE. J..
Observation-Disclosures. Observation-Disclosures.

Twelfth Cavalry, Corozal, Canal
Zone, Sept. 10, 7.--I;ditor keo-
wee Courier: Ever since the squad
ron made an overland mounted hike
to the city Of Aqua Dulce (Sweet
Watcr), Republic OF Panama, | have
intended sending YOU an account Of
it, but neglected to do 50. II you care
to you can print it for the informa-
ton OF some who have never been i'm
the interior OF the republic.
The lst squadron, 18th Cavalry,
commanded by Major A. G. Lott.
| 18th Cavalry, composed Of about 2S5
men and horses. left Corozal, Canal
zone, at 7.3O a. IN. on March 2Gth,
1917, eli route to the city Of Aqua
Dulce, Il. p. The first camp was
made ut Empire, G.. H., after climb
Ing over Culebra Hill, opposite Col
den Hill, the one that has caused so
much trouble to the canal by It's
slides, and only | miles being made.
which IS considered to be a very good
first days hike for cavalry that has
Il long trip in front Of them. At En-
pire the squadron had Il nice camp
ing ground; water was furnished in
| wagons made for that purpose tsome
people call them pure old "Water
WagonsD by the quartermaster at
that place, and everything else con-
venient. The daily memorandum re-
corded 'Nothing OF special note"
We left Empire on the second day
at Z a. M. arrived at Chorrera, RIP,
IL noon, and camped one mile south
OF the village at 1890, distance 20
miles. The going was very good,
only hilly for the first five miles
the limit Of the Canal Ione-and
nice gravel road, but the rest OF the
| TRIP to ChOrrera was Il little rouph
and very muddy in rainy season. Un-
der the "remarks" OF the daily memo
Tor that day is recorded: "rroops
came through In good condition. but
pack train tJamaiCan mules) had
trouble from the beginning. Large
portion OF cargo brought in by motor
truck. Train arrived at 5 p, m. with
niue cargo and in poor condition.
| II must be remembered that a Jamai-
can mule is smaller than the mule Of
the united States, and weighs from
noo to 71O pounds and only carries
about 125 pounds cargo. The camp
at this place was made on good
ground, wood and water being con-
| vcnient. We also camped at this
| place on our return trip. On Good
Friday we heard the news that war
had been declared against GERMANY
On the third day we left Chorrera
at a. m, reached little place
| called Capira at II q. m., where we
| stopped few minutes for rest. The
men bought oranges and fruit from
the natives, after which they refilled
their canteens, with water, and we
were on our way again. arriving at
Senor Don Puego's hacienda on Sa-
halisi river. Distance of davis
march. % miles, over very rough and
rocky trail. 1t may be said here that
telephone and telegraph line run
ming from Panama City to David was
constructed along this trail, the poles
being numbered from one town TO
another. and about 33 poles to the
mile. One can easily tell where he Is
at any time he cares to. The trail is
only for pack animals and persons
travelling horseback or afoot, and not
Tor touring benzine wagons nor other
wheel vehicles, and the trail is in
very poor condition. The country
this far is mountainous, with moth
ing but jungle streams. though these
are plentiful and furnish excellent
water for all purposes.
San Carlos was reached the fourth
day, after marching another 23
miles, the trail being far better than
any we had Travelled over, and better
time was made. Hay for horses hav-
ing been consumed, we had to depend
on grazing for roughness, thus maxi
ing it easier for the pack train and
enabling them to make better time
on the road. The pack train showed
up in camp a couple Of hours after
the squadron arrived. At this place
three men complained OF being sick
and were left to await the arrival Of
boat to take them to Panama,
thence to Cor0zal. was told later
that they were picked up by a little
coast wind jammer,' and after
Sncu1inr 4 hnnt iwn dnvc nn Tho anI,,,