Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1898 — More of Dr Ira’s Observations. [ARTICLE]

More of Dr Ira’s Observations.

Dr. Ira Washburn’s parents have received another extended letter from him describing, under date of Aug. Ist, the terrible candition of our soldiers around Santiago, on account of sickness. But as the news papers have already made that condition familiar, and further, as now that condition is vastly improved by increased medical and hospital facilities* aud still more by sending many of the unfortunate soldiers uortb, we omit the most of the letter bearing j on the sickness of the soldiers, but i append some interesting observations j and personal oxperiences: He writes: The conditions now are good to what they were before the surrender. The men were in the rifle pits all the time for three days and it rained all the tims. One night it rained hard for eleven hours and (ve were up all night walking back and forth trying to keep warm, but we were completely soaked so it was not possible to warm up or keep a fire going. An occasional bullet would fly over our heads and keep us from falling asleep. It was the worst night I ever spent and I do not care to have it repeated. I saw o*r dynamite gun and a gatling gun work in conjunction and it was worth witnessing. About (300 yards from the dynamite gun was a Spanish block house. Tb* l 'house

was about 20 feetand 50 feyt long. Jt-'TTlis thought to be desertThe soldiers thought they would give it a shot for practice. The charge of dynamite fell plump on top of the house and completely demolished it. The Spaniards run out of it thick us flies. The gatling gun was turned upon them and its effect was wonderful. Not over 10 -escaped out of forty. The Spanish are good marksmen. Our men had a good deal of respect for their abilities in that branch of business. This is later than what 1 wrote. The general health is better. None of our men have died in regimental hospital or quarters. I hope that when we leave Cuba it will be for good. I have no desire to return. We spend all our time looking after our comfort and that of the sick. The joys of the camp-fire we used to* read about are only pipe-dreams, here. I hope the two nations will soon be at peace in time for me to do my years work at Hysh Medical College. lam longing for a change-of table fare. What 1 want most is pie. I believe a good fat apple pie would have the best effect. Rice and canned tomatoes are good about once a month but when they come all the time they get awfully tiresome. I am getting a week older every May and the wrinkles in my face multiply under this tropical sun but that doesn’t bother me like the grub does. lam more patriotic than my stomach is and the next time 3 go to war I’ll leave my stomach at home. Yours, lua Washburn.