Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1899 — Another From the Soldier Boys. [ARTICLE]

Another From the Soldier Boys.

Havana, Cuba, Meh. 19, 1899. Editor Republican: It is very difficult now to obtain material for a letter as there is nothing new, except new “grapevines” or “pipes,” as we call them. They are too numerous to mention. One can. hear as many as a dozen in a single day. Every story of course savors of our home coming or if not us it is some regiment more lucky than ours. We have good reason to beleive that in less than ten days our regiment will be off the island, providing something unexpected does not bob up. You cannot count a single hour in advance in the army. Since my other letter I have been to the city twice. On the first trip I viewed a few of Uncle Sam’s mighty fighting machines, the Texas, the New York, the Brooklyn, the Chicago and the Resolute. Our party spent a short half hour on the New York. The jolly tars were very polite and seemed to take quite an interest in showing us around and in explaining the working of the great guns. From there we went to Morro Castle but could not enter because it was being disinfected. But we were permitted to go all around and over its walls. On March 16th I was very agreeably surprised by a visit from our genial townsman, Bert Hopkins. We tried to make things pleasant for him but with our very poor accomdations I fear we succeeded very poorly. I don’t think he will look for the recruiting office any way. But he did say that he prefered our meal to the Cuban meal which' he ate in the city. Through his aid I procured a pass for the city and on St. Patrick’s Day in the morning we procured first class passage and after a half hour jolting and jostling over seven miles of Cuban railroad we alighted at Concha station. We determined to visit Morro Castle and after about two hours hard work we succeeded in breaking through all the red tape that one finds in the army and with an escort were permitted to enter. Our only reward for the trip as I can see is that we can boast hereafter of having been all through the Castle. For there is nothing within of any interest to see. Before separating in the afternoon we went to the health officer and Bert procured the necessary certificate to take him from the island. As we came down the stairs Bert says, “if I get out of Cuba alive this time I will never come back,,” and I, -like the patrons in the Hosier Schoolmaster, says, “tbems my sentiments tew.” Lieut. Col. Backus returned to the regiment the 15th and Major Magrew returned the 13th. The Col. had been to Texas and the Major was home on sick leave.

Lieut. Ward with a detail has gone as an escort for the pay master on his trip over the island. Several boys from our company have been over to Matanzas visiting friends in the 160th. That regiment starts for the states today or tomorrow. The weather is very hot now and getting hotter every day. Today the wind is blowing just as it does at home in the autumn. Some two weeks ago when you had the oold spell I guess we got the tail end of it again. Overcoats were in style for two days. There has been some excitement here caused by the action of the Cuban assembly. I believe the president would do right if he-knocked it into flinders or in other words dissolved it It

does not voice the people’s sentiments. They are in sympathy with General Gomez. Sat. Mcb. 11th, was general house cleaning day. Every tent was torn down and every floor turned bottom side up. It caused much grumbling and in some companies the order had to be given twice. Things may have been worse but the boys knew that it was to be pay day. If you want to touch a soldier’s heart just pay him off. And if you want to see many of them part with their money just visit some tent with a table in the center surrounded by an excited group. Here is were the boys seven out. Perry Sorrel declares that if we don’t start home before long be will take that life preserver which he wore, while coming across on Mobile and swim to Savanfiah. Frank Hawkins says Perry can go if he wishes but as for himself he means to stay near that pretty seniorita that he met while in Quemados, just as long as possible. Frank Shide thinks Hawkins can do as he pleases of course but he says he has found a Pearl at home that suits him. Your head is level Frank. Corporal Hausman says he would enlist in the new Volunteer army if he thought that be would get enough to eat. Better not risk it Earl. Robert Evan likes the army so well that he intends to enlist immediately in the regulars. Bob means to win a name that will equal or surpass his namesake’s “Fighting Bob.” When this letter reaches you I hope to be out on the briney deep or getting ready to go at least. Respectfully yours, Wilber Tharp, Co. “I” 161 Ind. Vol. Inst.