j&BHI '^t-f&topititatgatuifjKt' HfPii^HglH '*sEse* ^BRHiiBi ~!m!*S*9- BANCROFT IIBRABY THE LITTLE I SAW OF CUBA Juu c* t. BURR McINTOSH WITH ILLUSTRATIONS ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR F. TENNYSON NEELY PUBLISHER LONDON NEW YORK COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY F. TENNYSON NEELY IN UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN All rights reserved ~3 6"! Bancroft In presenting these pages there is in no way a desire to add to "War Literature," or to attempt the slightest infringement upon the rights of various historians. Nor was it the intention to ever "write a War Book." The possible intrinsic value of the photographs was responsible for the publisher's offer. This is the consequent result. It is simply a consecutive description of events which were observed by the writer. If mention is not made of the many whose deeds should be recorded, it is because of the fact that only such scenes as were personally witnessed are recalled. Should the acts of some seem magnified, as compared with their deserts, it is because of the memory of associations pleasant moments having been so far apart. Fate having decreed that signal acts of success should not be accomplished, because of events having transpired as described, or because of absolute physical incapacity, no effort is made to lay claim to any performances of especial merit. THE AUTHOR. IT IS ONLY THOSE WHO HALF KNOW A THING THAT WRITE ABOUT IT; THOSE WHO KNOW IT THOROUGHLY DON'T TAKE THE TROUBLE." THOMAS HARDY. The Little I Saw of Cuba. CDKING backward, recalling the scenes and moments which seemed at the time to be filled with events of the greatest magnitude, one's mind and views cannot fail to be re- garded as having been altogether out of proportion. A very slight knowledge of psychological forces leads me to believe that time has tempered judgment in the minds of almost all of those who have suffered, either directly or indirectly, from our invasion of Cuba. Many homes which have been bereft, many hearts that a few ", . brief months ago were bowed with grief, have learned to White House, June 4th. recognize the inevitable. The scars are there. Until the last trumpet call is sounded, they will remain. But those who have cul- tivated the ability to philosophize, in even the slightest de- gree, have appreciated the absolute futility of attempting to obtain redress. Thousands of harrowing tales have been told of suffering, of sickness, and of death. To whom is one to turn for satisfaction ? If your boy President McKinley's Desk. fell in the Rough Riders' first battle in that runaway rainbow chase for glory to whom shall you look for comfort ? The leaders survived, and are achieving fame and glory. What else does the world care for ? If your husband died Army and Navy Building, June 4th. of absolute neglect because of there being no suggestion of comfort in the illy-equipped hospitals in Cuba, who cares to hear a recital of your woes ? If he who was dearest to you, fought his fight bravely and well, and was then forced to go to the pest-holes of Montauk, instead of to your loving arms, forced to have the last vestige of life choked out of him 2 by strangulating " red tape," from whom shall you demand justice ? A hunt for sympathy is hopelessly futile. And how insignificant the imagined woes of many appear when the real ones of hundreds are told. Those in the advanced ranks, who fought for political or personal advancement, have nearly all been rewarded. Their fame will grow with each succeeding day. Misdeeds and mistakes will sink into oblivion, while accomplishment, however slight, will magnify. On Friday, June 3, 1898, at midnight, I left New York to go to Wash- ington. The desire to achieve was quite as strong as that which burned in the breast of almost any " correspondent," " reporter," or other seeker of knowledge to record. A three hours' wait in the President's reception-room enabled me to study character, and the necessity for " favor." The room was thronged by all manner of people, from senators seeking army offices for constituents, all the way to myself, whose humble petition was merely to obtain a letter granting me privileges as great as any other newsgatherer. During the hours which intervened between the arrival and departure, I was enabled to take a photograph of the desk upon which much of the business of the nation has been transacted. If there is fault to find with those at the head, I did not see it. The fault to be found with those in medium and "petty" command, I did see. Appreciating the value of time to me, Secretary Porter went to the War Department and, through the added courtesy of Secretary Mason, obtained a letter from his chief, Secretary Alger. It is a pleasure to recall the graceful and considerate treatment of all of 3 WAR DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON. June 4, 1898. To the Commanding General of the Military forces of the United States. Dear Sir: This will be handed to you by Mr. Burr William Uclntosh, representing Leslie's Weekly. At the request of the Hon. William J. Arkell, my personal friend, I will be pleased if you will extend to him all courtesies you can In accomplishing the objeot of his visit. He it permitted to accompany the transports for the military forces, if not inconsistent with the best interests of the United States. Very truly yours, White House from Lafayette Square. these gentlemen President McKinley, Secretary Alger, and the others mentioned when contrasted with the conspicuous absence of anything akin to it encountered after reaching Tampa. On the way down we had for fellow-passengers a 4 number of " dark recruits," who were en route to become " sol- diers." I imagine this particular car load developed into an unsuccessful " experiment." Still they may be, even at pres- ent, drawing pay. Upon arriving at Tampa, Tuesday morning, June 7th, everything was found to be in a rather excitable condition. Even the most acknowledged tenderfoot could scent trouble. It was being whispered that the entire army was to move that night. Newspaper men were hurrying about in a Dark Recruits. wild endeavor to be "located" to get aboard the most ad- vantageous transport. But I was all right. Hadn't I a letter from the Secretary of War, admitting me into the choicest inner circle? Hadn't I known one of General Miles' two aides for years, under the most pleasant circumstances, and hadn't I several cards and notes to the other, who was such a " good fellow" ? Well ! After arraying myself in fine linen purple linen, too I called upon my old pal. He was very 5 Tampa Post Office. busy, but what did I want? "Oh! nothing much! merely to be allowed to go aboard the Seguranfa with General Shatter, with whom all of the foreign representatives and a few news- paper men were to travel." My old college chum had to leave me for a few minutes. His partner, the "good fellow," then read the cards and notes which I presented, and said he would see about it. In a few moments he returned with the infor- mation that he was very sorry, but it was impossible to get any more aboard, etc. After a few moments' reflection, in the recesses of the large hall, I decided to present my letter to Train which Blocked Ours near Tampa. Camp near Tampa, June 8th. Arrival at Port Tampa, June 8th. General Shafter. With the most fascinating beam in my repertoire, I softly knocked upon the door, entered and presented my introduc- tory epistle, which was to obtain for me the best stateroom on the ship. Later, I thought I must have handed him an advertisement for anti-fat by mistake, but further examination showed that it was in reality my magic letter. General Shafter did, however, deign to pick it up. How much he read of it will probably never be truthfully recorded ; I only know that he threw it across the table with the brief remark : " Lieutenant Miley attends to that!" " I beg your pardon, "I plucked up courage to say; "but I thought the letter, being from Secretary Alger, I would present it to you and the matter would be attended to ! " Mrs. Borrowe. Miss Wheeler. General Shafter. Sergeant Borrowe. General Wheeler. Colonel Astor. Arrival at Port Tampa, June 8th. "I don't know anything about it; see Miley ! " Upon receiving this brusque reply, I went to "see Miley." Again the "magic letter" was offered for inspection. I was granted permission to go aboard the Olivette, which was to be used as the hospital ship and newspapermen conveyancer. Several times later I endeavored to convince Lieutenant Miley of the fact that I was an exceptionally interesting com- pagnon de voyage, but he only smiled haughtily. He did however say, when I told him that the "good fellow" wished to obtain permission for me, thr.t, "If he says you can go, that's all that's necessary." I was begin- ning to learn that there was finesse in the army as well as in the wide, wide world. When coming from the noonday meal, I saw General Miles sitting on a couch in the hall. As the letter was really addressed to him, I presented it. After reading, he returned it with the remark : "I'll see General Shaf- Inspector-General Breckinridge. Sergeant Borrowe and the Dynamite Gun. ter. " That Was easy. He Couldn't 8 help it. But that he was enlisted in my services I very seriously doubted. In fact, from the manner of his recep- tion of the letter, I was prepared for events which have since transpired. But there is One who looks after His own. While in the rotunda during the afternoon I met "Jack" Logan. After hearing my woes he said : " Come wi th us ! " I asked him sented, and learned commanding an in- was on board the learned that, besides there were 400 and that the officers fellows." The term aroused my misgiv- wrote a formal note in command of the ing permission to very graceful affirm- ceived the next morning at Port Tampa. ' J who "us" repre- that General Bates, dependent brigade, Matteawan. I also over 1,100 men, horses and mules, were all "bully good "good fell ow" ings, but finally I to Major McCaskey ' ' Twentieth, ' ' ask- accompany him. A ative reply was re- Of the few things which I have to be grateful for, my good fortune in Transports, 8 A.M., June 8th. being cast with the men on board the Matteawan is by far the greatest. There were thirty-two officers, mostly from the "Twentieth," and the others from two troops of mounted cavalry. They were, without exception, as fine a lot of men as it has ever been my good fortune to meet. I trust I may be pardoned for monopolizing the space with a few of their pictures. Gen. John C. Bates was in command. He is now in command at Cienfuegos, which can scarcely be a very desirable post. He is a soldier, a man and a gentleman. His record during the 9 rebellion, then during many campaigns on the frontier, and later in Cuba, tells the manner of soldier he is. The love and respect of his followers prove their estimate of him as a man. His thoughtfulness, and almost womanly General Shatter. Lieutenant Miley. Arrival at Port Tampa. 10 gentleness in his interest for the welfare of those about him, is evidence that he is truly a gentleman. But he is not a politician, and he has not, nor does he apparently seek to have, any "pull." By all the laws of right and justice, the brigade under command of General Bates should have been the first to land on Cuban soil. None Our Foreign Guests. II other was so completely equipped throughout. Not only was he not permitted to be the first to land, but, after landing, he was kept at Siboney for more than six days, doing "police duty." Having gotten the subject of transporta- tion settled, I moved about the city of Tampa during the day. One of the photographs taken was that of the "post-office." The management of this was about on a par with everything else. Really expecting a letter, I "fell in" behind about forty people soldiers, natives, white and black and stood or ' ' moved up ' ' for about half an hour. At the expiration of that time, having made but little appreciable difference in my location, I went up to the third man from the front, a colored native, and offered him a quarter for his place. Thus, within five minutes, I was enabled to gaze through a small window and shout the name which I have made to suffer for years. After the effect of the shout had died away a small, overworked-looking woman wearily took out two big stacks of "Ms," and began to pore over them. An offer of assistance was spurned. It took her exactly four minutes and a quarter. Hundreds of soldiers had to leave that night without even the privilege of inquiring for letters from home. On the floor inside, 12 Captain Stewart M. Brice. ) W. Astor Chanler, June 8th. mail bags were piled up until the place was almost impassable. A study of the condition of the railroad track proved an absolutely criminal congestion. An officer, high in the counsels, told me that night, during a search for clothing for a certain regiment the previous day, twenty-six cars were either unlocked or broken into before the desired articles were found. The cars were opened because there were no distin- guishing labels upon them. Many contained perishable goods, and were, at that time, in a very bad condition. Furthermore, they had been there for days, and probably would remain for some time. While seated in the Tampa Bay Hotel that evening, at about eight o'clock, I heard a heavy, shuffling tramp outside. A long line of dark figures had come to a halt. It was my first introduction to the "Rough Riders." A quarter of them were already stretched out upon the hard pavement. They had marched in from their camp, through 13 16th Infantry Embarking. Our Protector, the " Helena." sand several inches deep, to receive their pay. It was interesting to peer into the faces all along the line, and recognize men, some of whom I had not seen for years, and others who at our last meeting were arrayed in the prescribed apparel of fashion. Channing, Devereaux and Cash of Princeton ; Greenway of Yale, whom I had not seen since the last game at New Haven ; Goodrich, Harvard's ex-'Varsity captain, whom I had not met since his Waterloo at Poughkeepsie ; Wadsworth, Bull, Cowdin, Worden, Ronalds, " Willie " Tiffany and others. At the first glance, one ; could feel only like laughing to remember all of these boys as they were when last seen, compared with their present surroundings. But a few moments of contact showed distinctively the attitude of every man. They were there for accomplishment, each determined to be ahead of, or at least beside, his fellows. Pilot Boat off Egmont Keys. Later, I moved along the line to the office of the paymaster. It happened that while there, I saw "Willie" Tif- fany draw his last pay, which he did with a smile of mingled pride and sat- isfaction. When Elliott Cowdin re- ceived his quota, he having the privi- lege of ' ' falling out " for a few minutes, we went into the hotel. One of his thirteen dollars was immediately ex- 1 changed for two long, fat cigars. He was quite the happiest man in the place, because he only learned late that afternoon that he was to be taken from his troop which was to remain and transferred to the lucky ones. Outside, a few moments later, hurried whispers proved that the re- ports of the intended departure were true, and shortly the " Rough Riders " were on their way to their camp, which was deserted long before sunrise. In the meantime, a general activity was shown. Word was passed to the newspaper men that they were to be permitted to journey to Port Tampa, on the train with the commanding general. It was 15 The " Helena." further stated that this train was to leave Tampa at 2.30, and generally understood that everybody was to go immediately aboard the transports, which were to be under way before daybreak. The scene in the rotunda of the hotel, from ten o'clock that night until the departure for the train, was most interesting. All of the foreign representatives were attired in their full regalia. Scores of officers, in various uniforms, were moving about, either attending to farewell messages, final duties, or say- ing good-by to wives, sweethearts, or sisters. Some of these scenes were infinitely more painful to witness than the miseries which were encountered later. Half after two arrived, and no sign of the departure. An hour later, for some unexplained reason, the for- eigners began to move out across the lawn to the "special train" which was in waiting. This train consisted of three passenger cars and two for baggage. The former were about on a par with the commonest smoking The " Cherokee ' : in the Bay. cars familiar to the North. Within 16 a very few minutes these were all packed. The representa- tives of the great foreign nations who were our guests " hustled." There was absolutely nobody detailed to look after their welfare or comfort. They were crowded into these cars like sheep. While it is quite true that " War is hell" and "no picnic" and all that, still I can hardly reason out why these men should have been subjected to the The " Seneca. discourtesies which others soon learned to take for granted. After sitting in the cars until long after daybreak, we were made aware of the fact that something was happening. It was soon learned that General Shafter had arisen and was sitting on the porch overseeing the loading of his per- sonal effects into two cars. This done, half an hour later we started. After a ride of a few hundred yards, we were 2 17 !< Olivette, 1 Hospital and Newspaper Boat. halted, because of a train ahead blocking the track. Another hour passed, and we reached Port Tampa. A number of rather interesting groups and people were "snapped" immediately upon our arrival. The first was a group at the rear end of General Shafter's car quite an interesting one, because of the prominence acquired later by all of the men in the party. Two of them were of especial interest to me Colonel Astor and Sergeant Borrowe. It was really an interesting study to watch the democratic bearing of the former. In conversation one evening, during that long period of tiresome waiting at Port Tampa, I remarked : " It seems rather strange that you should take the risks and fortunes of war, when life means so much to you." His reply was : " We only have one coun- try. If we lose that, we lose everything'. We're all in the same boat." I saw him leave Siboney late one after- noon, to ride, unaccompanied, a distance of seven miles through a country fraught with many dangers. Then on El Poso Hill during the firing of our guns upon San Juan, and still later on board the Aransas. While this ship > was docked at Santiago he sent men for a large i supply of ice. He was ever ready to perform his duty or deeds of thoughtfulness. Hundreds of others also performed praiseworthy acts, but, somehow, I feel a bit of innate satisfaction in mentioning these few facts. Hallett Borrowe was another whose achievements were excep- The Dear Old " Matteawan. 1 18 tionally interesting. Up to within a few minutes of six o'clock on the day the order was given to leave Tampa, it looked very much as though he were to be left behind. He had been with the " Rough Riders" in Texas, but his troop was one of the unfortunate " stay-at-homes." During the day he arranged to be with General Stone on the Matteawan " Docking, Afternoon of June 9th. 19 Engineer Corps. At the that General Stone should Somebody suggested the dy- bit of influence he was then reported this informa- and asked permission to go remain behind. He was vided the gun went with the this seemed impossible, effected. It will serve no the petty small ness of one lauds to-day. Had fate had not returned, it would highly interesting facts to history of our late war. Yucatan with the " Rough " Comal." Last Time the Caprons, Father and Son, Met. last moment, it was decided not go to Cuba at this time, namite gun. By aid of a given command of it. He tion to his chief officer with the gun rather than granted permission, pro- " Rough Riders." At first Finally, a compromise was good purpose to relate here or two whom the world been unkind to him and he be my pleasure to add some the unpleasant side of the But he finally sailed on the Riders." There was never anything than he was to that a more devoted slave to gun. I saw it landed at Daiquiri on the evening of the first day. There was no way to get it to the front. By justifiable bribery it was advanced well across the mountains toward Siboney the night of the 23d. Here he was halted by the commander of a Massachusetts regiment. Expostulation was in vain. The night was pitch dark and the rain fell heavily until almost daybreak. After sitting up all night, looking to the welfare of his priceless mules, Borrowe was finally permitted to depart. He arrived in Siboney some time after eight o'clock on the morning of the 24th, as wretched a man as one may imagine, when told that the " Rough Riders " were in a fight. He immediately pushed 20 on to the front, arriving too late to be of service, but during the hottest of the fighting, on both the ist and 2d of July, nobody was responsible for more deadly work than Sergeant Borrowe and his dynamite gun. Dozens of people told me of his marvellous, reckless courage, while he and his men stood for hours in a peculiarly exposed po- sition. Captain Hallett Allsop Bor- rowe deserves all of the credit which may be bestowed upon a man who accomplished what he had under- taken. It is a great pleasure to be able to feel kindly and admiringly toward a man and to have an opportunity to express that admiration. Of course it is better in every way to " never say anything of a person, unless you speak kindly " ; but as these few im- pressions are the reflection of per- sonal observation and belief, it would be unfair to myself and to the reader were they not presented with fidelity. When people censure Dock, June ioth. me for bad taste and lack of diplo- 21 macy in commenting upon idols, I see my error. When acts of a certain general have been criticised, a great many people have said : " What have you against the South? 11 Nothing. I am extremely fond of the South and of Southern idols, but when one sees a Southern idol and a Northern idol under the guise of fighting for their country, act as press agents for themselves and each other in their pursuit for political advancement when a close study of their acts proves this fact, one must record the truth. Perhaps what may be styled the "ill-advised venom" in these remarks is prompted by personal prejudice. Perhaps it is because others, who did quite as much, or more, have received no credit, they not having " claimed everything." The arrival at Port Tampa on the morning of June 8th was Sweet Liberty, Sunday, June 12th. Loading and Unloading. the signal for a great deal of bustling on the part of everybody to see who could accomplish the least with the greatest possible fuss in the longest time. Scarcely anyone knew just what was to happen, or how. After snapping a few more pictures, amongst 22 Baggage Room, Post and Telegraph Offices, Port Tampa, Sunday Afternoon, June 12th. others "Willie" Astor Chanler and Captain Stewart M. Brice, both of whom "made good," I hurried aboard the good ship Matteawan, expecting to depart immediately for Cuba. We lay there for several hours, when we were told to proceed on our way. Everyone prepared to write "farewell letters." Just before sunset we arrived five miles off 23 Egmont Keys lighthouse and, according to orders, dropped anchor. There were a dozen transports lying about. The picture of the pilot boat shown was taken after the final farewell to the man who had guided us thus far on our journey. Away off on the horizon to the south, the dim outlines of a wrecked schooner could be seen, and near her, almost as far as the eye could reach, those of our own Indiana. It was an impressive moment. Our last letters were on their way with the pilot and we were now but waiting for the dawn of another day, then to proceed on the journey which held so many varied possibilities for us all. Hardly had the evening meal been no, not enjoyed gone through with, than a very busy craft was seen running up to one transport after the other. When she came within hail- ing distance, the dulcet tones of the megaphone frightened the sea-gulls from their perches, with the order : " Return to Port Tampa immedi- Prisoners Released. ately. There is a Spanish fleet 24 outside the bar." At the moment the order was given, nearly every officer in the command was on the bridge. Scarcely a word was spoken. The sentiment of all was voiced by one who finally remarked : " What damned rot ! " For the rest of the evening, everybody pre- sented a lengthened face. Those on our boat were regular army men. They were there equipped, ready and anxious for fight. We were anchored a good half-mile farther toward our goal than any other transport. To the joy of all, the captain of the ship refused to return, because his charge was too unwieldy and he didn't know the channel. So we retired, in the calm assurance that we would lie there until the next morn- ing, when the others would return from their wild-goose chase and the journey would be resumed. Next morning at daybreak I awoke, feel- ing the ship in motion. Hurray ! we were on our way. Only we weren't. Through the wooden slide at the foot of my bunk, the classic Friday, June ioth. 25 walls of dear old Port Tampa were once more visible. Yes ! a pilot had come down on a special boat during the night and we were " added to the list." The next few days were quite as remarkable in their way as any through which I have ever passed. Possibly it would be well to be able to reconcile oneself to existing con- ditions, but it is a failing of a very large majority of newspaper men of the present day, that they imagine everything should be done exactly as they wish and have planned. Other- wise, with the present liberality, which* enables almost any writer to give vent to his personal feelings through the columns of the paper which he (mis)represents, it usually goes rather hard with the officer who has been so neglectful as not to have cultivated his general acquaintanceship or friendship. Therefore it was that General Shafter and his aide, Lieutenant Miley, both of whom seemed to take an especial delight in cultivating the 26 13th Infantry after Drill. " Break Ranks ! " enmity of every newspaper man with whom they came in contact, were subjected to so much unpleasant criticism. It was this failing which was responsible, fundamentally, for the unkind comments upon General Shafter. Both he and Lieutenant Miley were about the last men in the world that one would wish to meet, if seeking a favor or courteous reply to anything. And yet they performed the duties which they went there to perform. Lieutenant Miley did as good 27 work, if not better, than any other officer in Cuba. He was on El Poso Hill early on the morning of the ist, one of the most inspiring and indefatigable of workers. Later in the day, about four o'clock, after he had been for hours in r-r : : : : r : : = ^^^^^^^^^1 *^ e thick f tne f ra 7> I saw him at ^^^^^t the ford by the "Bloody Angle," ^^fjMB [I! his tal1 figure rearing like a monu- ment amid the chaos and death _^ . - which surrounded him. ^^^i^^-^^^f^^Jlii^^^m^-^^l -Our Foreign Guests" were photographed shortly after our ar- rival at Port Tampa on the morning of the 8th. They are surrounded by several of our army representatives and a few natives. They were kept standing there for several hours pending their boarding the Segu- ranfa. " Sergeant Borrowe and his Dynamite Gun" are interesting, be- cause of the fact that he and it are apparently being "examined" by Inspector-General Breckinridge, who is standing there. The "Matteawan Docking " was taken on Thursday afternoon. While 13th Infantry at Breakfast. 28 but little of romance is here, there is a suggestion of her unromantic appearance. I came ashore, via the pilot boat, early in the morning and was thus enabled to welcome her. The other "Scenes about Port Tampa" were taken at intervals from Thursday until Monday. The mules and horses coming up the track had just been liberated from the various ships. Those on the Matteawan (over 300) had been aboard for eight days, having come from Mobile. If actions really speak, those poor beasts told volumes, judging from the way they rolled about on the jagged clinkers and ties. They were being driven to a camp a mile and a half inland, where they were per- mitted to revel from Friday morning until Sunday after- noon, after which they were returned to their prisons, to remain for ten or twelve days. They were packed side by side, a rope the only partition, and about six inches of space between each. Those lying down had given up the struggle and found their final rest in the bosom of the deep, broad sea. Had fate been less propitious, had even the average rough weather prevailed, another dark chapter would have been recorded. The " Post Office and Telegraph Office " will be of inter- est to many, because of the fact that every letter, or telegram, 29 Walter Cash. Mason Mitchell. " Willie " Tiffany. On Board "Yucatan," Friday, June 10th. Sergeant Hallett Allsop Borrowe. which was sent to or from Port Tampa passed through this small, inadequate building. These two offices were in the large building. The smaller one to the left is the baggage room. Telegrams from there to New York cost nine cents per word. The railroad fare from Tampa to Port Tampa nine miles was forty- five cents, or fifty cents for the round trip. One generally learned of the " round trip" after boarding the train. Sunday evening, June i2th, in company with two officers, I went into the post- office to try to search for letters which we were all expecting. The office in Tampa was as a barren desert, freshly scoured, when compared with it. There were letters to the number of hundreds of thousands piled up in one side of the room, at least three feet deep. A great many had been assorted and placed in several bags hanging in a row along the wall. From these were taken package after package of letters directed to different regiments. Many to whom they were addressed were still aboard transports in the dock, while others were lying out in the bay. Thousands of farewell letters were there, to be received weeks later in Cuba, or perhaps lost or returned. Undoubtedly, many misunderstandings arose which left indelible impressions upon faithful hearts. And yet I never saw a more obliging or hard- working man than that postmaster. He had been laboring night and day with his army of two assistants. Therefore, if any hearts have gone astraying, because of loving messages not having been received at that time, turn back, I pray thee ! The " i6th Infantry Embarking" gives a very fair idea of the way the men appeared while waiting to go aboard the transports, and "Sweet Liberty" shows a number of our life-savers during their brief sojourn on land, Saturday, June nth. 30 The "i3th Infantry at Breakfast" same morning. Similar ones The " i3th Infantry after Drill " after the semi-daily exercise. shortly before sunset, Captain Saratoga, where we met Major produce something of a life- colored liquid with a frothy Milwaukee, and having been for some time, the taste was From the main deck we stepped lying close alongside. Here I Stevens, doing guard duty. Go- Craig Wadsworth, Henry Bull, Mason Mitchell, and "Willie" sunset, and so the photograph not be reproduced here. One with some success not what I is in every way, it is by far the four hundred which were devel- Last Photograph of Sergeant Hamilton Fish, taken Alive, Friday, June 10th. is a typical scene, taken the were enacted all along the wharf, shows one of the companies just On Friday evening, June loth, Brice and I went aboard the McKibbon, who had promised to saving nature. It was a brown- white top. It had been made in resting in close proximity to ice extremely bracing and gratifying, across to the Yucatan, which was found Lo rimer Worden and " Joe " ing to the upper deck, we found Elliott Cowdin, Walter Cash, Tiffany together. It was after which I attempted to take will taken a few moments later met could wish, but even poor as it most precious one of more than oped with greater or less degree of success. I had returned to the Saratoga and was waiting for the men who were in the group on the upper deck to follow they having accepted the invitation from Major McKibbon to enjoy the hospitality which had been extended to us, when someone moved toward the man who was doling out the evening provender. It was the first time I had seen him Exton. CralW. Davis. Lafferty. ciraduates of '98. The Latter Two were Killed before San Juan. for several months. Upon the last occasion he was clothed in the height of fashion, and surrounded by all the luxuries which it is possible to enjoy After he had been given his portion of "canned beef," beans, and hard- tack, I shouted : " Hello, Ham ! " He turned, and walking to the rail, started to extend his hand, but at my request, deposited his precious burden beside him and posed for a " snap." As he did so I said : " Now, look like a Tough Rider." Little did I dream at the moment that it was to be the last picture taken of poor " Ham " Fish alive. Afterward we shook hands, and he joined the rest of the party, still carrying his precious bur- den, which act was the cause of a great deal of joking and merriment on the part of everyone. We then went our various ways, they to return to the Yucatan and I to the Matteawan. In looking over the photographs which are reproduced here, it seems almost fateful and makes one really believe in that " rule of three," to find three almost consecutively, one or more in each of which was doomed never to see his home again. Sunday afternoon, while talking with Lieutenants Cralle and Exton on the veranda of the Tampa Bay Inn, two unusually good-looking boys in uni- form approached. They were introduced as fellow classmates. At my suggestion, all four moved to the railing and leaned over in order that the sun might strike their faces enough to obtain, at least, some semblance of a photograph. This proved to be another one of extreme interest, because I be- lieve it was the last photograph taken of Lafferty and Davis. They had all four been graduated from West Point only a few brief weeks previously. The history of the gallant death of both has often been told by newspapers and historians. Later that afternoon I again met Tiffany, Wads- worth, Bull, and Van Schaick. They were retail- Rough Riders - Sunday> June 12th ' \ng, without any suggestion of complaint, the actual hardships experienced on shipboard, during the few days they had been lying out in the harbor. Having been granted a brief furlough of three hours that afternoon, they had come ashore 3 33 to skirmish for whatever they could lay their hands on in the way of edibles. Inasmuch as the native chicken and worse fish had been refused permission to run in opposition to the army fresh beef, there was for the young men to secure anything. I suggested that a few things on board the Matteawan might be helpful a box containing about twenty pounds of lemon wafers, some pickles, and lemons was under- neath my bunk at the time. Relying upon my ability to replenish the store the next morning, I invited the party to go aboard and bear away the precious provender. It is a matter of deep regret that the picture of the four men taken that Sunday afternoon, while going aboard the Matteawan, should contain one to mar it. The one at the foot of the ladder would have left a very much better impression upon my mind had fate only decreed that he should have stumbled and acci- dentally been drowned ; but he was there, and after having accepted my hospitality on one or two other occasions later while in Cuba, Mr. Cook finished with a grand flourish by stealing a very precious pair of boots. But as we must take the good with the evil in life, the picture is herewith produced, as it is one which will undoubtedly be prized by a great many friends of Sergeant " Willie " Tiffany it being the last photograph taken of him alive. The circumstances of his death in Boston, after having come north aboard the ill-fated Olivette, have been published and commented upon quite extensively. There can be no question in the mind of anyone that, had he been per- mitted to land at Montauk, as Captain Borrowe was, " Willie " Tiffany 34 venders of no possible bad way 'Rio Grande" Backing Out, Sunday, June 12th. Sergeant " Willie " T'ttany. Henry Bull. Craig Wadsworth. THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH OF SERGEANT "WILLIE" TIFFANY, GOING ABOARD THE " MATTEAWAN," SUNDAV AFTERNOON, JUNE 12TH. would still be in the land of the living. Or even had he had five pounds more of weight to lose, he would in all proba- bility have withstood the ordeal, even after reaching Boston. I saw him the night of our landing at Daiquiri, June 22d, as cheerful and anxious a soldier as any in the entire regiment. After the Rough Riders' fight at Guasimas, he was lying on the ground, quite ex- hausted from the work of the last few hours, the most cheerful and sunny- looking man of the twenty or thirty who surrounded him. On the morn- ing of July ist, after our guns had begun firing from El Poso Hill, while returning to the foot of the hill in search of a rubber coat, I saw Tiffany, Cowdin, and Thorpe Princeton '85 Bull, and two or three others, sit- ting in a group, waiting anxiously for the order to move to the front. Cow- din shouted : " Hold on, there ! Take us. Now, look pleasant, fel- lows ! ' ' But I was in a hurry to get back to the excitement. That was the last time I saw " Willie " Tiffany. 37 'Rio Grande" Backing Out. How little we can judge of what is the proper thing to do ! That scene is not imprinted on one of my films, would also have been the last picture taken of Thorpe, who died performing his duty. Still another death is recalled by seeing the " Co?nalNo. 7 " and the " Yucatan No. 8 each other in the slip at the Comal was Captain gallant commander of the Yucatan was his boy, Cap- This was the last opportu- grasp each other by the tan followed the Comal Sunday afternoon, things nite shape as, one by one, of the slip on their way to or three pictures of the passed our ship, give a number of men and their cheers, and sbcuts of rec- Major McCaskey stood on "Miami," on which the "Rough Riders" Returned. It lying within a few yards of Port Tampa. On board Allyn Capron, Sr., the 5th Artillery, while on the tain Allyn Capron, Jr. nity father and son had to hand, although the Yuca- all the way to Santiago, began to take more defi- the transports backed out join the fleet. The two Rio Grande, taken as she very good idea of the animal spirits. Music, ognition filled the air. the bridge of the Matte- farewell to his son, who Cavalry. awan waving a smiling was a member of the 6th The various scenes, incidents, and intrigues which it was possible to hear or witness during those few days would fill many volumes, but we were finally under way, leaving the memories behind. At daybreak on the morning of Monday, June i3th, it was confidently asserted that the expedition was to start ; but a great many of the older officers and men 38 Nea'er 1 Almost a Collision. 30 shook their heads and said : " No, not on the 13*." And so, whether caused by superstition or for reasons of which outsiders knew nothing, the start really was not made until next day. When we awoke Monday morning, we found that the Matteawan had pulled out before daybreak and was anchored five miles down the bay. As it was an even chance that we would not start until twelve o'clock at least, I climbed aboard a steam tug which had come alongside and returned to Port Tampa. A long and arduous search for food in the company's store there, showed that those in charge must have had a Government training; : o it was impossible to purchase any- thing which you wished, even though it was lying before your eyes. Pro- hibitive quantities, or red tape of some kind, rendered it impossible to make purchases in anything like a reasonable length of time ; but, with an armful of food and other things, at about eleven o'clock, I hastened away and chartered a sailboat. The 40 The Final "Farewell Letter." wind at the time was blowing at the rate of two and five-sixteenths miles an hour. This terrific speed was not to be kept up. After proceeding about a mile the sails became limp and lifeless. The captain of the boat, a rather " shifless " looking sort of young man of twenty, and his crew of two, began to " pole." At the expiration of another hour and a half we were within a mile of the Matteawan. It was discovered that the tide was actually assisting The "Margaret," with General Miles and Party Aboard, steaming through Line of Transports, off Egmont Keys, June 14th. us, in fact really doing more than its duty, for we were being carried out. By desperate " poling" on the part of all four of us, we finally came to within a third of a mile of our goal. Seeing that the chances were, that we would ere long be at the mercy of the deep sea, I began to utilize the lungs which had been so advantageous in earlier years, in such cries as : " Hello ! Hello ! Man drowning ! " and kindred expressions. A boat was seen to leave the side of the Matteawan and come toward us. It developed that it was in command of Lieutenant Kockersperger. Handicapped as it was with a name like that, it finally got to within twenty yards of us. An expression of supreme disgust and regret passed over the features of the commander of the craft, when he found that nobody was actually drowning, or starving, or being burned to death. It was only after a half-hour of expostulation and when we had been carried about three hundred yards down the bay, that we were finally rescued. The boat I left anchored there, to return with the aid of a good wind several hours later. That evening, an hour before sunset, while the Matteawan was lying at anchor again waiting for a pilot the procession of transports passed on the way to Egmont Keys. It was a succession of interesting and inspiring moments. As each one sped by, the band on board played a spirited tune, wniia cheers from the hundreds of throats on both ships added enthusiasm and excitement to the scene. Suddenly, out of the mist, I saw a large figure " 8 " loom up against the side of one of the fleet. I turned my machine on her at a distance of about two hundred yards. As she approached, it became evident that something was wrong with her steer- ing gear. When one hundred and fifty yards away, her whistle blew and the huge anchor on the starboard side dropped suddenly, while the heavy churning of the sea in the rear proved only too plainly that the Yucatan was, for some unknown reason, getting beyond the control of At Sea, June 16th, Flagship " Segurar^a " in the Centre. her navigators. Her COUrSC changed, 42 Five Miles off Egmont Keys, June 14th. The love of adventure and danger was so strongly engrafted into those on board both vessels that, instead of a sigh of relief, a very pronounced one of disappointment seemed to come from the breast of every man within hearing. A number climbed over the railing of each vessel in an endeavor to shake hands with the men on the other. After a brief halt of a few and for a few moments inasmuch as her bow was aiming directly at us who were standing on the bridge visions of the first big "scoop" crowded through my over-anxious brain. When about two hundred and fifty feet away, it became evident that she was finally under control, although not until her bow was within three feet of the Mat- teawan did she come to a dead stop. 'On The Way," June 17th. 43 moments the Yucatan began to recoil, and was soon speeding on her way. It developed that the steering apparatus had really become seriously confounded, and, had the vessel not been brought to a halt at the instant she was, it is highly probable that there would have been no " Rough Riders' " deeds to record in Cuba and, more, this addition to " war literature" would not have been forthcoming. Thirty-five hundred pounds of dynamite, which was later to be associated with the dynamite gun, rested in her bow. My unlucky star was already beginning to set in the firmament of " misses." That night, nearly everybody was busy writing the last instalment of "farewell letters." We knew that we had surely left our homeland behind, that some of us would not rest foot upon it again for weeks, perhaps not for months, perhaps never. During my life I have seen the lights of Fire Island, Sandy Hook, Staten Island, New York, after having been away for months and was returning to those who were dearest to me on earth. The conditions have been reversed, as these views have faded when entering upon journeys in quest of fortune, but there was always a certain definiteness to those occasions which was entirely foreign to the feelings and thoughts which surged that night while sitting on the bridge, looking off at the distant lights along the dock at Port Tampa, with the shore dotted here and there by lights from the camps of those who were left behind. Nearly all of the married men, and those who were fortunate enough to have "A Quiet Game," June 17th. 44 sweethearts or families, scrambled over each other in their wild desire to write for hours. Next morning when we awoke, we were steaming back to our old stamping ground off Egmont Keys. Here the line was formed, and upon the arrival of the flagship Seguranfa things began to take definite shape, until the middle of the afternoon, when an- chors where hoisted and the journey begun. If, during the night before, or during the writing of final farewell letters that morning, anybody on board our ship had felt regret at leaving home behind, there was no evidence of it after we were under way. The spirit of adventure and desire for achievement was so strong that all thoughts of anything except what the immediate future might contain, seemed to vanish. It was a most interesting and inspiring sight to see the ships which preceded or followed us, at a distance of one- eighth of a mile apart, turn the buoy five miles off Egmont Keys and " Come Five I Come Seven I " June 18th. '' follow their leader." General John C. Bates a Soldier, a Man, and a Gentleman. A few days on shipboard gave me an insight into the lives and customs of regular army men which was an intensely interesting study. At no time was there evidence, from General Bates to the youngest lieutenant, of anyone mani- festing a desire to impress anybody with the importance of his position. Our meals were taken in four sections of eight men each. This lasted for two days. It has been my ill-fortune at times to be grateful for almost anything in the shape of food, but that which was presented after the second day to those who were enjoying the "officers' mess " was slightly different from anything which I had yet encoun- tered and made almost anything in the past seem to have been slandered. As the steward was a very well-meaning man, and I had no right to object anyhow, I shall refrain from further criticism, although I cannot leave the subject without dwelling briefly upon the merits and appearance of the steward's "devil." His nationality I did not attempt to discover. His age was probably eighteen, the brown shirt which he wore throughout the journey was aged perhaps fourteen, and the towel with which he covered everything, from soup to pudding twelves times a day was possibly not over eleven years. But he had a pleas- ing, "childlike and bland" smile for everyone, and 46 seemed to revel in the recesses of a pantry, one look into which was sufficient to cause hours of regret to those of us who were unused to that side of life. After the second day, about one-third of the officers "kicked the traces" and began to have their meals served on deck. During all of the third day I watched them, but resolutely returned to the attack upon what was to be found in the dining-saloon. On the morn- ing of the fourth day, two or three of the boys allowed me to partake of their really tempting-looking food. I never tasted anything in my life so good as that canned beef was, that morning; the beans were delicious, the tomatoes simply ideal, and the coffee marvellously stimulating. At noontime, being possessed of a wholesome appetite, these things again seemed most tempting and inviting. I was about twenty minutes late for the evening meal, and next morning a stray lemon was enough to satisfy the cravings of hunger; nor did the dinner bell from below or the shouts of my new table companions arouse any further yearnings at noontime. But that evening, Adjutant John A. Logan, in dress regalia, approached me and said : " Wouldn't you like to have a few of the things in my delicatessen box?" I looked steadily and questioningly at him, then resentfully replied : " I don't see just why you should recall by-gone days or refer to anything suggesting delicatessen." He said: "Well, I've got a box down there with about a hundred different cans and bottles in it." I didn't wait to walk down, but made believe to faint and fell off the bridge on to the deck, in a mad rush to get at that box. Two days of feasting followed, and then the non-desire came once more. During the journey, a study of the men on board and their lives, proved to be of unusual interest. Many tales were told of the prices charged by the cook for delica- 47 Major William S. McCaskey, of the 20th. Captain " Joe " Huston. cies such as pie, pudding, fresh bread (all remnants from the officers' mess), or ice water. Two cases of beer sold originally for fifty cents per bottle and, toward the end of the journey, for a dollar each. The entire contents of the cases were purchased with avidity by men whose salaries were thirteen dollars a month ; but these purchases were made cheerfully by those who had become wealthy. A "crap " game down in the hold, far from the eyes of the officers, was quite as exciting as one could wish to see. Very often as much as thirty or forty dollars would depend on whether it would " come five" or "come seven"; but nobody complained. The losers were jeered and ridiculed by their companions, but not a temper did I see in that It was a continuous which confronted us for until, on Friday even- we saw the mountains our first view of " the freed." Ordinarily, Lieutenant M. F. Smith, ?0th Infantry. single display of ill- entire body of men. panorama of sameness the first three days, ing, off in the distance rising out of the water land which was to be these views would have to land, had not nearly up all hope of doing so period had elapsed. In three transports were frequently became un- Lieutenant Kockersperger, 2d Cavalry. 4 8 awakened a keen desire everybody begun to give until some indefinite our extreme rear two or towing lighters. These ruly and manifested a Captain J. F. Morrison, 20th Infantry. Lieutenant F. R Day, 20th Infantry. desire to remain behind. On these occasions the entire fleet would be halted, sometimes for two, some- times as long as seven hours. Nobody would have minded this, because of the extremely pleasant com- panionship, had it not been that they sympathized with the suffering animals. The condition of those on board the Matteawan, even though it was better than that to be found on any of the other trans- ports, was enough to arouse the just indignation, which it did, in the breasts of the men. On Saturday morning, I started to make a tour of investigation, but five minutes' intimacy with that awful atmosphere was enough to gratify one's ambition for knowledge. Hundreds of the men slept on the same deck, and in the same atmosphere, with the three hundred horses and mules. Everybody on board had hoped to be landed by Sunday morning at the latest, but that time found us still on the northern side of the island, and just before sunset Cape Maysi, with her light, loomed up in the distance. The knowledge that we were at last on the homestretch, caused a sigh of intense relief and gratification to come from every heart. And yet, but for the animals and the desire to get at the work which they came to accomplish, all Lieutenant C. W. Exton, 20th Infantry, Captain A. A. Greene, 20th Infantry. 4 Lieutenant G. H. Estes, Jr., 20th Infantry. Lieutenant L. T. Richardson. 20th Infantry. Lieutenant C. C. Smith. 20th Infantry 49 would have been only too glad to have had the journey many times as long as it was, since it enabled many of the officers and men who had known each other but slightly, or who had been friends in years gone by, to become better acquainted, or to renew ties which had been happy ones in days of yore. Captain "Joe" Huston and "Nigger Bill" Wright were the two chief conspirators of the "bad boys." They were constantly endeavoring to lure unsuspecting officers or unsophisticated newspaper men into dark corners, where they taught them the mysteries of how they should say, "That's good ! '' but somehow, one never rebelled or wished to seek other company if they were near. When they reached land, in some mysterious way, they seemed to manage to accomplish a great deal of admirable work. " Sammy " Smiley, who, with young Wright, formed the duet of aides to General Bates, was .he dude of the ship, and his chiefest heartache must have been after he lost thirty-five pounds from a possible one hundred and thirty-eight that his clothes wouldn't fit him for weeks. " Micaw- Lieutenant R. W. Mearns, 20th In- fantiy. Wright. ber" Wilkins, quarter- I am grateful to say vender of the " 2oth " the stories of what "Kockey," he who briny deep when I was upon the rocks at Port of a " continuous per- body on board. He and his fund of German Captain H. B. Moon 20th Infantry. 5 master, was one who had charge of the pro- when I hear some of happened to others, rescued me from the about to be dashed Tampa, was the source formance ' ' joy to every- was a bit of a dude, expletives would have Lieutenant " Sammy " Smiley. Dr. Aby. lasted, had the journey continued indefinitely; but when he was on horseback and attending to his duties, he was a changed man. On the afternoon of the first day's fighting I saw him with Captain Brett, his senior officer, ride up to El Poso with a military dignity and bearing which would have done credit to the greatest exponent of that phase of the soldier's art. Captain Rodman, the senior captain, was the first officer of the " 2oth " to be wounded at El Caney, and a rare fine man and soldier he was. It would be a great pleasure to be able to pay a personal tribute to each of the officers of that entire list of thirty-two, if space but permitted. While seated on the bridge on the morning of Sunday, June ipth, I saw Lieutenant Lewis reading from a paper, his right hand lifted above his head, while before him was a sturdy-looking old soldier who also stood with hand uplifted. Upon inquiry, I learned the cause of the scene, and asked them Capt. Alfred Reynolds, 20th Infantry. Quartermaster " Micawber " Wilkins. Lieutenant E. M. Leary, 2d Cavalry. Lieutenant U. G. Worillow, 20th Infantry. Captain L. M. Brett, 2d Cavalry. Adjutant John A. Logan. to hold their positions while I "snapped" them. Thomas Dixon had been in the regular army for twenty-one years, his time for retiring, or reenlisting, arrived that day, and he was taking his oath of allegiance to the Army of the United States for another term of three years. I recall having seen him several times at Daiquiri and Siboney, but I shall never see him again : he survived the fight before El Caney on July ist and before San Juan on July 2d, but in that scrimmage of the loth, he was mor- tally wounded by a piece of flying shrapnel. On Sunday night, we watched the rugged mountains which rose abruptly from the sea, until darkness rendered them invisible, then retired early in order to be up at a timely hour next morning. Everybody expected that we would surely be landed before another sunset. For over four hours after sunrise, we steamed along the shore until we halted seven or eight miles off Morro Castle. Looking forward, the flagship was seen to steam past the other trans- ports, as she was met by numerous small craft, on her way to shore. We knew nothing of \\rnt had transpired during the past week, but at that momenWl certainly looked very much as though the commanding gerreral was going to a peace ratification, rather than on <*' sH' an " errand of trouble." All day long, under the burning, sweltering sun, the army of transports lay at -rest, nt a^word of information being vouchsafed to any as to why they were there, or what was liable to become of them. I never saw grown men 52 V Captain Rodman. Captain Rogers, Captain Irons, 20th Infantry. Two Necessities on Board: Bodyguards of General Bates and Adjutant Logan. treated so like bad boys who were kept in after school for misbehaving, but I fancy what was happening was nobody's business, and suppose it made no difference how many of the suffering animals died or were incapacitated. Our existence received no. recognition until after sunset, when one of the small war craft came to the various transports, with the order to steam out into the ocean a distance of ten miles, so that we might safely drift during the night with- out running the risk of getting too near the shore anchoring being an impossibility on account of the extreme depth of the water. That night, after halting, scarcely anyone retired until a late hour, the only signs of animation being the lights shining from the rigging or port-holes of the differ- ent transports, or the splash, into the bay, of an animal that had given up the unequal fight. The humidity was most oppressive, even out there, many miles from shore, and though we were in a position to receive the 53 The Steward's " Devil.' 1 benefit of any stray breezes which might have come our way. The next morning was a repetition of the day before. It was not until nearly three o'clock that the Bancroft came alongside and " megaphoned" us that: " General Bate s is wanted to come to the conference with General Shafter." Immediately, our commanding officer prepared himself for the journey, and within a quarter of an hour had climbed down the rope, entered the row-boat which was tossing in what was at that moment quite a rough sea, and, boarding the Bancroft, steamed away. Another long wait of hours ensued. Ten o'clock, eleven o'clock, eight bells ! As a strong breeze had sprung up and the sea was very rough, we hardly expected to receive any information before morning; but shortly after two o'clock, a light in the distance was seen approaching and we were informed through the aid of that voice-enlargener that the general was returning. When he came aboard, he was immediately surrounded in the cabin by his officers hardly any of whom had retired waiting to learn what was to be the next move. The orders for the next day were then read. We were to be at the extreme front of our division, and it was generally understood the first to land. There had been grave doubts as to this in the minds of several, but they knew in their hearts that the " 2oth " was the best equipped regiment there, and every man went to bed proud and happy in the belief that he was to be given a chance to prove his metal the next day. Among the orders received that Lieutenant Lewis Reenlisting Thomas Dixon, who had been a Soldier for 21 Years. Dixon was killed by shrapnel, July 10th. 54 night, was one which was of peculiar personal interest. If I remember correctly, it read: " Nobody not directly connected with the army shall be permitted to land, until the entire army is landed, and then not without special permission." When this sentence was read, a look of sympathy was given me by every man in the cabin. Somehow, I had managed to impress them with the belief The Last Fresh Beef Meal on Board. Off Santiago," Monday morning, June 20th. in my desire to actually be with them. This order was the fundamental cause of a great deal of the unkind criticism which was made upon General Shatter' s actions from that day. It was, without doubt, meant to affect newspaper men, and to embarrass them in no small degree. However, nothing could be done until morning; so every- one turned in, to be ready to answer the first bugle call 55 when we arrived off Daiquiri. It seemed that I had hardly closed my eyes when the call was sounded, and looking down the long TOW of men who were lying in the wooden bunks beside me to the number of over a hundred the silent figures were seen to sit up one by one. Hardly a word was spoken ; and then, only in whispers. It was really one of the most impressive moments I remember having ever felt. It was quite dark and the moving forms seemed but mere shadows. Within fifteen minutes all were dressed and on deck, fully an hour before sun- rise. As soon as the first gleam of daylight appeared, the outlines The Bancroft," coming to take General Bates to General Shafter's Conference, June 21st. General Bates going aboard the "Bancroft "to Confer with General Shafter, off Santiago, June 21st. of the mountains were seen and we knew that we were approaching the place which had been pointed out to us on Monday morning as our probable landing. There we remained for two or three hours, watching the line of warships ad- vance to within, what appeared to be, half a mile from the shore. Suddenly, a huge volume of smoke arose from behind the trestle, followed by flames which covered an area of a possible fifty yards. Immediately the bombardment began. Everyone knew the Spaniards there were burning the town. The first shot from our ships was heard, followed by scores of others. While the bom- bardment lasted, it was quite as in- spirited a scene as one could wish to witness. Within an hour the torpedo-boat terror Ericson ploughed toward us and shouted orders to " move in to within a mile of the shore." We were then possibly two miles away. This order did not seem to affect the captain of our ship. It was only after an extensive airing cf the opinions of many, that he obeyed. During the bombardment, while the ships were giving forth the mar- tial noise which for years their crews had been anxiously longing to hear, the different bands gave vent to their enthusiasm, by playing the Band on " Matteawan " Playing National Airs during Bombardment of Daiquiri, Morning of June 22