Evening Star Newspaper, September 9, 1898, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1898-16 PAGES. —— th Infantry in the trenches. In getting | ho their postion In the trenches many of | the men in the reziment had exceedingly j harrow escapes from being 5! y pumber of them were grazed >y and a number had such narrow ¢: to be almost miraculous. F ing thickly at this time in the the shells -were screaming incessantly tunately no one was hurt and ine regiment teok up its p on in the trenches in the day. No regular meals had served to the men during hard mare ana the provisions they 1 them, which should have ed them all cay, were used up in a shor A good deal of food was given away the men to her soldiers, who were hungry, the re- sult being that during the afternoon of the 10th the District men had exceedingly ititle to eat themselves. 2 There was very the I and a little to eat in the 1th of July, trict regiment on good al ot excitement to make men for- get their hunger. The men were kept bus- liy at work digging tre. shes or on the fir- ing line, where a constant fusillade was going on. Spanish sharpshooters were thick in the neighborhood, many of them being up in the trees, and their shooting was so accurate that it was necessary for cover. A truce on of the 11th, rpshooters paid men p well under flag went up on the afte: although the Spanish s! little attention, but popped away every now and th An Honorable Position. The District regiment was occupying at this time probably the weakest point In the American line. It was the point where it was supposed the Spanish would make an effort to break through, and it was a k of confidence in the District o place them in t post of honer. Lawton told Col. Harries that he was holding the most dangerous point of the line, and Col. Harries replied that his regi- ment knew it, and was glad of it. Gen. Lawton was amazed when he found that the District regiment was armed with Springtield rifles, and had been sent clear to the front line with these weapons instead Finally he said that in spite of ior arm3 he had confidence in the and would leave them where they is just as proud 3 taken part in ul engagement, and been forced to She is happier in the fact that were not called on to give up thelr were. of her b a gene the battlefield. Her regime: re, in the post of danger, ready t nt, to die. Had there been an attack, n advance, every inch of the District | tory makes it certain t 1 men would have adquitte: es nobly. \ night of the 11th was one long to | 1 by every man in the com- The rain came down as never rain In the experince of any on> in It fell in sheets, in a deluge. n had no tents and not all of th n rubber blankets. Some of the men Sergt. Maj. E. J. Anderson. were working in the trenches, some slept ng up and some lay in inches of wa- the ground. Occasional firing from | kept alive the possibility of a d constant vigilance was kept he trying darkness. During the was searczly anything to eat } and in the morning, there to distribute. Real “provi- men in the regiment were the happy rs of on? hardtack, but that was side limit of opulence, and the di- vision of a single hardtack between four | or five men was common. Many vain re- arets were felt for the many pieces of hardtack presented to the people as sou- venirs. Probably the sun did not rise on a tough- er, more forlorn-looking outfit than the District regiment on July 12. Drenched to the skin, worn out for sleep, nothing io eat, the men were experi+necing the harder de vf war. All day long, with scarcely anything to eat, the men worked improving their intrenchments, and finally went sup- to bed, discussing th: comparative » of boot tops and belt straps a3 adiei. During the night Col. Harries made an inspection close up to the Spanish lines and heard the en2my at work extending their lines. The following day, July 18, there wes great cheering all along the line at the ap- pearance of Gen. Miles and Lieut Hobson, o rod: through. The District men were ding their lines right along, as were ish, and on this day a Spanish of- in under @ flag of truce to in our lines were being extended. anke fashion the reply was a ‘o why the Spanish were doing ning. An agreement was reached :ch operations pending further the ou que as the same eived putting ent in the division under mmand being in the ion, afterward Corps. In the h> 3d 20th t nd Ist District of The District regiment was af- prigaded wit the 9th Ma: Sth Ohio, known as the Presi- nd tk w same night Col. Harries went out in se what was going on. The ts. The Dis- was then up to within 175 yards anish line. During the day th regiment received some but food was still an exc>edingly scarce and valu- able commodity. News of Surrender. ring of the 14th the men spent in ner improving their works, and on came the news that Santiago its troops would be surrendered. ering was forbidden and the men were compelled to rejoice In quiet at ry for American arms, although icing was mixed with dissappoint- refore the re ment that the regiment had not obtained a chance show its mettle in battle. As soon the news of Santiago's fall came the regiment at once turned its eyes on Porto Rico, and an immediate effort was made to be sent on the expedition to that island. By the close of the Nth rations were comi n to the regiment in good quan- titles and the men were relieved of their long fast. The regiment had also been sending in for its tentage and was getting in a more comfortable condition. Pack trains were m: out of the officers’ horses and much-needed baggage was brought to the front. The regiment changed its lines somewhat so as to prevent the ingress or egress of any one, and was put ta the work of a strong and hard guard duty. Some weleoms mail and copies of The Star came to the men about this time. The arrival of mail and papers constituted a day of re- jotcing for all hands during this and all sei sugh every joyal heart. At of this shot, marking the t x nd enlarged empire for the ci Harries, who, with the Qmstr. Sergt. C. E. Mortimer. ether officers, was on horseback to the front of the line, gave the order to present arms, and while the regiment stood at pre- sent the band played. “The Star Spangled Banner.” People at home may have an idea there are better bands than the Ist Regiment organization, but no band in all the world, aceording to the testimony of every man in the regiment, ever played “The Star Spangied Banner” as it was played that a The men came to order arms, and led by their colonel the regiment cheered. Never was there such a cheer as came from those throats. It was a volume of sound that rolled over the hills like an overwhelming (orrent. It was taken up by miles and miles of soldiers until the sound almost rent the skies. The band played “Yankee Doodle,” “Dixie,” “Columbia” and last of all “America.” As the notes of the gicrious anthem floated out, Colonel Har- ries turned to his men and with his sword as a baton led them in singing the words. It was a glorious chorus of 861 manly voices, husky with emotion, but rising higher and higher as they sang of the gierl of the land for which they fought and for whose glory and honor life was a saccifi In front was the fallen : s and stripes floating over it. To the right and to the left was miles of cheers and music. Capron’s Battery was thundering out its salute of twenty-one guns to the flag. It was a.scene the regi- ment will never forget and which will make future patriotic occasions seem weak to its men. Had Become Acclimated. ‘The day after the surrender Colonel Har- ries made an earnest application to go to Porto Rico with the expedition to that is- land. The day’s sick report showed only five men not ready for duty, and the colo- nel pointed cut to General Miles and Gen- eral Shafter that the regiment was in sp!endid condition, and was not tained with fever. Tuesday, the 19th, the regiment moved its cemp, and in conjunction with the 9th Massachusetts and 1st Illinois camped on the ridge above General Wheeler's head- quarters. The boys made themselves at home ut once in their new situation, which was one of their natural faculties. The men of the command had become by this time almost perfect soldiers in every par- ticular. This is Colonel Harries’ opinion. and it was also the opinion of army offi- cers who visited the camp. They were thoroughly Cubanized by this time and were as one with the soldier who was asked w if xe had just arrived, and who replied: “Naw, I've been here always.’ The men were thoroughly acclimated by this time to having centipedes crawl over them or to tarantulas in their boots. ffithr, in command of the com- Yy. was an angel in biue to the reg- He secured stores where others were hungry. and it is whispered he drew retions for his men from several sources. Grifiths is described by one of his w offica-s as the ‘mildest mannered man who ever stole hardtack to feed his regiment.” Battalions of the regiment in these days stood guard over the Spanish prisoners, and the indescribable filth and insanitary condition of the Spanish camp was responsible for much of the fever that later spread threugh the regiment.» There were some changes among the offl- cers. Capt. Simonson had resigned and Lieut. Mock was nominated as captain and assigned to his eompany. Second Lieut. Boiseau wes nominated for promotion to first lieutenant and First Sergt. Sheridan Ferree was nominated for second lieuten- ant. The men were losing faith now about go- ing to Porto Rico, as it was believed tha fever scare would prevent any of the troops in Cuba beiig tsken. At that time the de- cision was an injustice to the regiment, as it was in perfect con@*'on, and had it been sent to Porto Rico woyld have almost cer- tainly escaped without a touch of fever. Nearly every afternoon these days was marked by a terrific rain starm, against whose violence no shelter sufficed. Fighting Disease. July 21 Lieutenant Cook and Private Poore were sent to the hospital, suffering with typhoid. There was no proper food for them in camp. The day before an effort to get something for these men, an offer of $20 for a can of condensed milk had been made by Colonel Harries, through the camps of thirty regiments, but the milk was not found. The surgeons of the regi- ment kept the men fillled up with quinine and prevented them from eating the fresh beef which began to be issued on the 2zd. These precautions aid much to prevent talities from fever and dysentery, which dso many men in other regiments. On 1 some of the regiment went into go and saw with their own cyes the troubles the army would have had if it had been necessary to make an assault. On the 24ih the welcome announcement was received that Capt. Theodore Mosher nad been appointed lieutenant colonel of the regiment, to which place he had been nominated by Colonel Harries before the regiment left the United States. Captain Mesher had been seriously wounded in the fighting before Santiago, and he did not accept his assignment until early in Sep- tember. The appointment was splendidly received by the regiment. The regiment was still anxious to go to Porto Rico, although without much hope. Col. Harries had been promised that if any troops went from Cuba his regiment should be among them. July 25 Lieut. Cook was sent home on a hospital ship. Private Poore was too sick to go and lay dying in the hospital at Siboney. Dark Days. From this on the stay in Cuba was one struggle with sickness. That the men did not die in large numbers was due solely to the discipline maintained throughout by Col. Harries and to the splendid work cf the surgeons, who fought disease night and 4 Fifty-three men were on the sick list by this time and the number kept increas- ing. The men suffered from dysentery, malaria, and it is quite probable that many mile cases of yellow fever existed in the regiment. Rain fel! heavily every day, and health Was not to be expected under the circum- stances. The sick report on the 26th jumped up to 97, and on the following day went up to 176, and the conditions were getting worse. Colonel Harries was at- tacked with fever, and for many days Was an exceedingly sick man, although he never gave up command of his regiment, other periods of the regiment's absence from heme. The 15th of Juiy was spent in guard work and on the following day this labor was greatly added to by the duty of keeping the reconcentrados out of the lines. The men were getting food in sufficient quantities and had fully recovered their vigor. Splendid health marked the regi- ment, the sick reports not exceeding five men. On the 15th notification was received that the surrender was complete, and the regiment moved back out of the trenches to the ridge. where there was more room. White flags were up ail along the line. Memorable Scene. On Sanday, July 17, Capt. Capron came inte camp in the morning to set his watch by Col. Harries’ timepiece in preparation for firing the salute at 12 o'clock, the sa- lute which was to mark the fall of the Spanish flag over Santiago. E Every man in the Distrist Regiment real- ized the tremendous importance of the day's events; knew that it practically meant the end of the war; knew that the Spanish emblem was to disappear from this side of the world. The regiment assembled on the lines at 9 o'clock in the morning, at which time the proceedings outside of the city were completed. Promptly at neon the first gum from Capron’s Battery but stuck it out in the camp until the end. The regiment had been informed that it was to be sent home immediately, and every heart was filled with longing for home. Spaniards, Cubans, Americans were dying in all directions like sheep, and pes- tilence spread its black wings over the entire army. It would not have been re- markable if the District regiment, made up of men so short a time from loving homes and ‘careful attention, had lost heart and disetpline had been relaxed. To the con- trary, however, the officers at all times kept the men well in hand, and the men nected In a sacred way with this period in the minds of the boys, and that name ts Clara Barton. This noble woman extended her hand to the sick and suffering District boys, and the supplies she sent to the camp were as drops of water to a parched throat. In the early days of August the sick re- port still went lower. and the regiment was daily expecting orders to embark for home The men were ordered’ when they left to leave all tents standing and to destroy all beddage. Lieut. Field fell fl in the early days of August and was sent to hospital. This was a severe blow to the regiment, as Lieut. Field was almost invaluable as a ‘quarter- master. Lieut. Griffiths shouldered the bur- den along with his other duties. Licut. Herron was also a very ill man. By this time yellow fever was raging all over the American camp, not in a virulent form, but as it usually appears at the start of an epidemic. Lieut. Harden died at Siboney August 9. Catania Refused. On August 11 the silver band with the word “Santiago” and the date, which the regiment was entitled to put on the staff of the regimental colors, was procured. The same day Col. Harries was informed that the regiment had been ordered to embark the transport Catania on August 13. Col. Harries was between the dilemma of his own and his men’s desire to get home and his knowledge of the “unseaworthy character of the Catania. The boat would not steer, her small boats were worthless, her machinery was of no use and her crew inefficient. A medium storm would certain- ly prove the end of the Catania and aii on board. Col. Harries took the line his duty clearly pointed out and entered a firm pro- test against returning on the Catania. This protest proved effectual, and al- though it delayed the departure of the regi- ment for a time, fis wisdom was clearly shown by the eleventh day passage of the Catania to these shores, and the horrible condition of the men who came on her. August 14 Lieutenant Herron left for home on a hosital ship. Socrates Maupin, a popular member of the regiment, was dead, and his body was held to bring to this country for burial. Of tor Home. August 17 there was s. medical inspectfon of the camp, and August 18 orders were received to embark 500 of the regiment on the transport Hudson. The 2d and 3d Bat- talions were designated to go by Colonel Harries, under command of Major Hine. The order for a part of the regiment to go had a splendid effect on the men, and singing and laughter were heard once more in the camp. On the 19th there was a partial issue of clothes and the old stuff was burned. At 10:30, with the band playing “Home, Sweet Home,” the 2d and 3d battalions started on the march from the camp to the steamer. The appearance of the men was good, and there was no straggling. The Hudson's Voyage. ‘The march to the embarking point was a tedious one, considering the condition of the men, but at the same time a pleasant one, because every step brought the men nearer to home. By afternoon the two bat- talions, with the band, were safely housed on the Hudson, and early on the following morning th2 ship's nose was pointed to sea and the men were fairly homeward bound. The men were glad, indeed, to get started, but there was no outward enthusiasm. These boys in blue had gon> through too much to show any great feeling. Then the large number of sick and suffering com- rades was a damper. During the trip to this country Dr. Cox and Dr. Ebbert, who had been attached to the regiment, and who 1 performed spiendid service, had a long, hard fight to ward death from many of the men under their charge. The doctors were hampersd by the lack of proper food for the sick and by the insufficient supply of medical stores. All their work could not keep death from claiming Private Wm. Me- Donald, who died August 22 and was buried at sea. : Major Hine, who had long been sick, but who had fought the attacks off, was obliged to succumb and go on sick report, and Ma- jor O'Brien took charge of the command and looked after the men_in a way that brings him credit as an officer and regard as a man. Montauk Point was sighted Monday night and there was joy on board. Next morning the boat was in the harbor and the trans- port Vigilant took the sitk to the: shor, of whom about ninety were:sent” to-hospital Lighters took the men on shore, where they were welcomed by the Red Cross and by representative of The Evening Star's re- lief fund, who did all that could be done for their comfort. The men were marched to the detention camp at Camp Wikoff, where they stayed two days, and then re- moved to a separate camp some three miles from Montauk Point. Here Major O'Brien took every means to make his men com- fortable, and in this he was assisted by The Star's relisf fund, in charge of Major Neumeyer, aided by Lieutenant Sweigart and by the committee sent by the Citizens’ Association. Sergeant Newton H. Ferree died on the 28th at the hospital. To God's Country. . | Col. Harries and the 1st Battalion had been left on Cuban soil, but the same fay that the Hudson sailed, August 20, orders were received by the colonel to embark on the Minnewaska on the 22d. Deaths were common enough in Cuba then, and bodies were being burned instead of buried. On August 22 the 1st Battalion and the regimental staff got away from its camp by 11 o'clock in the morning, and, with loaded wagons, started on a slow march to Santiago. The men were weak, and seven dropped on the w When the city was reached, however, the men braced up won- derfully and went past the palace, where headquarters were, with heads up and the true swinging gait of the veteran. It was a fine exhibition of nerve. The command was soon on board the transport, where the men made themselves comfortable. Col. Harries was the ranking ofiicer on the transport. The Mianewaska did not get Ler anchor up urtil 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon of the 23d, when the order s given of “Full speed ahead for home.” he food was poor on the transp.(, and this part was @ special and serious hard- ship for the sick men, many of whom scarcely were able to get any proper nour- ishment until they landed in this country. August 26 Private Bohiman died. There had already been one burial at sea, that of a ship's fireman named Baldwin, and after it was found impossible to carry him further, the body of Bohman was also consigned to th€ deep, with impressive ceremonies by the chaplain. Fire Island was sighted August 28 at 11 a.m., and in the evening the ship got into Fort Pond. The next morning she was in- spected and given a clean bill of health, and on August 30 the men were taken ashore and marched to the detention camp at Camp Wikoff. The Ist Battalion was safely housed in detention camp on the afternoon of the 29th, about sixty of the command, how- ever, going to hospital. At Camp Wikom, The battalion left the detention camp Sep- tember 1, and the regiment was again formed, and Col. Harries resumed com- mand. The ist Battalion had been looked after as the first arrivals had, and all the men were grateful for the thought of those at home, ‘where the hearts of all were turning. ‘The men were anxfous_ that there should be no delay in going home, 2nd orders were soon issued for the regi- ment to leave for Washington September 8, men continued to improve every day, al- though the fact that no bedding was’ fur- nished was a source of danger in the colder climate if hard rains had come on. Three deaths of District men in the hospital gent @ gloom over the regiment. Lieut. Mock cores his commission as captain at Mon- ebbing away. , During this depressing period the regt- ment captured a bronze gun of the states of 1700, which was brought back with them and is one of their dearest posses- sions. Col. Harries took a prominent part in the organization of “The Society of the Army of Sant de Cuba.” a ine lago ‘ul By the 30th hundred, «1 wrote a letter -to the officers the regiment, in which | Trecomd compared ents. The list is as follows: yey pany M, Chickamauga; Corpoj bur F. Town- er, Company D, it; Howard G. Owens, Company D, est; First Lieut. R. J. Harden, Com; Santiago; Soc- rates Maupin. Cot Santiago; Wm. F. Pocre, Company, ntiago; William A. MacDonald, C K, _ steamship Hudson; Alphonsus , Company B, transport Minonewa: 5 ACh Company C, pnewaahe iygite: Sergt. New- ton Ferree, Company. +z Montauk; George Gaskill, Company L,gMontauk; Thomas P. C. Maddux. Company, B,;Montak; George Schultz, Company Montauk; Frank B. Griffith, Company Ty) uk. - The District regimgpt G49 not march from their camp at. ico ak 6 o'clock Thurs- day evening, September §, when, with the band playing, they started for, Montauk, which was reached about 7. The regiment was reviewed by Gen.,Bates on_its way to the station, who complimented, it highly. Cars were boarded at Montauk, and the tedious ride on probably’ the worst railroad in the workl was commenced. Long Island City was not reached until after 1 o'clock, when ferries, were taken to Jersey City, and then cars to this city, where the regi- ment received the royal welcome which all Washington was proud to extend to her returning herpes. TOM C. NOYES. DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY Men of the Regiment Who Gava Up Their Live, ‘The men from the District regiment, who gave up their lives for their country, are as follows: 5 JOHN RILEY, Company M, Chick- amauga. . : Corporal AUSBURN F. TOWNER, Company D, Key Wes! HOWARD G. OWENS, Company D, Key West. First Lieut. R, J. HARDEN, Com- pany A, Santiago. SOCRATES MAUPIN, G, Santiago. ; WILLIAM F. POORE, Company K, Santiago. WILLIAM A. MacDONALD, Com- pany K, steamship Hudson. ALPHONSUS J; BAHLMAN, Com- pany B, transport Minnawaska. CHARLES WALDMAN, Company C, steamer Olivette. 5 Sergt. NEWTON FERREB, Com- pany K, Montauk. GEORGE GASKILL, Company I, Montauk. , Pe i THOMAS P. ¢. MADDUX, Com- , B, Montau! E SCHULTZ, Company M, Company Montauk. FRANK B. GRIFFITH, Company I, Montauk. } Fourteen Died for Country. The Distriet regiment’s roll of honored dead inciudes the names of fourteen brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for a country that will not’ fail to appreciate their services. One commissioned officer, two non-commissiofed’ officers and eleven privates make up thelist of iosses so far, but how many more of the gallant buys will succomb to the dread fevers and ill contracted in the Cuban trenches cannot be known at present. All are back in their native land, however, and with the excel- lent treatment they“fure*receiving it is not beheved that number will be increased to any extent. Not thé ti¢tims of bullets, al- though they werdé“undtr fire from the enemy at Santiago, the District boys have fallen like so many’ @thers in the American armies from the dlseast® of a deadly cli- mate. It require@ as‘@much bravery to march into Cuba 4% ‘into the thickest of any fight the world fas ®nown. An unseen enemy gaunt andierafty, fever, stalked bolding through the“rabkes and could not be repulsed. © ~ $ at Jona Riley. The first of the Bistritt boys to yield up his life was Private Join Riley of Company M, who died while; the,regiment was en- camped at Chickamauga. He was em- ployed in this cityYasiwdaborer and was among the first to enlist!" He was at Chick- amauga but, three Jays When he tet if] ana Gied within forty-eight hours. fis son, twenty years 0} ; is Sti] with the regi- ment. * Howard . Owens. Private Howard ,G. Owens of Company D dizd at Key West. ‘Dhis brave boy was on the iransport-Catenia with his regiment, and fully expected to be at Santiago with the rest of the boys. While the sip was making ready to sail he fell ill with yellow jaundice, was put ashore at the Florida k2y and soon succumbed, Ausburn Towner. Corp. Ausburn Towner ef Company D also died-at Key West on July 6. He was a na- tive of Dlmira, N. Y., and a graduate of the High School in this city. He was connect- ed with the Ordway Rifles befora enlisting in the Ist: Regiment, and gave up a lucra- tive position with the United States Express Company to.go to the front. He was twen- ty-six years old, and was well known in re- ligious cirel2s. Lieut. R, J, Harden. First Lieut. Richard:J, Harden of Com- pany A was the first™of the regiment to succumb in a foraign land. He died at Si- boney, Cuba, away from friends and rela- tives, and even his comrades in arms had been compelled to leave him and push on to the trenches before Santiago. Jieutznant Harden was an officer of the Emmet Guards for several years, and was not in the best of health when the Ist District Regiment was organized. He declar2d, however,, in his patriotic enthusiasm that he was perfectly abte io stand the hard- ships that he knew must come with war, and so he receiv2d his commission and went to Cube with the regiment. He now lies buried oni the side of ome of the Cuban hills along with other gallant men who gave up their lives on the island. Socrates Maupin. A few days after Lieutenant Harden's death a cable message to his parents in this city announced the demise of Socrates Mau- pin of Company G, who died in the general hospital at Santiago. ‘No previous mention had been made of his illness, and the news of his death was a great shock to the entire city. He fell a victim of typhoid. Socrates lived with his father, William Maupin, at 228 Bast Capitol street, was a student at the Eastern High School and had a hest of friends in Washington. He enlisted with his brother John, who succeeded, after many hardships, in reaching this country with his. brother's body. Socrates was buried a few days ago at Arlington. Wm. F. Poor. William F, Poore of Company K also died at Santiago. He was ill with typhoid cn reaching the is died, He was a bij | Wm. A William A. Mc: died on the trans his home in this man of Company Minnawaska and Company C died All were well-kno , At The remaining: nd-on July 20 he in this city. nald. of Company A udson, en route to on the transport es Waldman of the list died at Newton Ferree's @ son of Newton Department. Hi i a et a i cg a ‘No, triends MEDICAL HISTORY How Disease Was Fought in the Dis- trict Regiment. BRAVE STRUGGLE OF THE DOCTORS The Heartbreaking Experiences After Surrender at Santiago. A WONDERFUL RECORD The medical department of the Ist Regi- ment of the District of Columbia has a history that in the years to come will prove as interesting as will be the mili- tary exploits of that proud organization. Little did the men and boys who last May put forth their best efforts to hop across the floor of the drill hall of tue National Guard armory gracefully and in a man- ner to indicate strength and vigor imagine what was before them and what hardships, deprivation and sickness it would fall to their turn to endure. The surgeons of the regiment declare that almost to a man they have held up with wonderful cour- age. They have shown the greatest pow- ers of endurance, combined with patience, and if ordered to remain in Cuba they would have continued to obey orders until none were left to do so. Good Discipline. In comparison with other regiments with whom the surgeons came in contact the discipline of this sregiment stood out in bold relief, and was a strong factor in pre- venting the demoralization that invaded many regiments when their men were fall- ing right and left with disease. This dis pline saved many lives, as a frightened, demoraiized man is a much more difficut an to restore to health than one who has | ~trol of himself. ne District men passed a most rigid ex- amination, and when they started from Washington were the equals physically of any body of men that entered the army. They did not remain at Camp Alger long enough to receive the germs of typhoid fever, that have been reported as greatly decimating the troops at that point. They were among the first troops there, and found and left the camp pure and healthy. At Chickamauga they bad little serious ill- ness, but one of the men left in a division hospital there died later. Queer Methods. At this camp the medical department be- gun to feel the strictures placed upon the medical purveyor, and every requisition was ordered to be cut down to the smallest quantity and the “fewest” articles before it would receive the approval of those Maj. and Surg. R. A. Pyle whose approval was necessary before the gcods could be issued. On leaving Camp Alger Major Pyles, chief surgeon, had been informed at the surgeon general’s oftice in| Washington that at Chickamauga a fully equipped medical supply depot ex- isted, and he was ordered not to be uneasy about supplies. At Camp George H. Thom- as he found a very poorly supplied depot, and a great amount of effort was neces- sary to obtain very little. But at this time friends of the regiment in Washington gave Major Pyles authority to draw on them for assistance, which he gladly did, so that the regiment was immeasurably benefited by this additional supply, many articles being furnished that were un- known to the United States army pharma- copaeia, and consequently permitted the surgeons to better relieve the complaints of the men, which were now becoming more numerous. In Shelter Tents. At Tampa the men were forced to live for some days in their shelter tents, erect- ed upon the white sand there, and were also compelled to drill and perform much laborious work. The army ration, with the heat and the work, now began to make the troubles of our men more serious, and it was not unusual for the regiment to have a sick report of fifty men, which was con- sidered quite large. Chills and fever made their appearance, but a liberal use of qui- nine kept this most aggravating disease in abeyance. The difficulty in obtaining sup- plies became greater here, and great tact and perseverance was necessary to get anything. One instance will show the policy pur- sued by those whose duty it was to approve requisitions for medical supplies. Upon one requisition was placed an order for one pound of subnitrate of bismuth, a most useful article, and yet one of which it was supposed the supply would be abundant, as it is an article of every-day consumption by the sick. It was known that it came in one pound bottles, and Major Pyles had been informed by the medical purveyor at Chickamauga that all goods were furnished in “original packages.” More than one pound Was required. Limited Supplies. Major Pyles sent his hospital steward to the proper officer to have it approved. ‘This officer, as usual, took his pencil and scratched off or reduced the quantity of the articles ordered, as he saw fit, and when he came to the bismuth he scratched the one pound. and made it one-quarter pound. The steward knew too much of military rules by this time to protest, so took his corrected and approved requisition and hied himself to the medical purveyor. Here the hospital steward on duty put up those articles which he found, and coming to the bismuth, said: “What do you want with one-quarter pound of bismuth?” “The doctor ordered one pound, but Col. cut it to one-quarter pound.” ‘Well,” answered the dispensing steward, “Tl give you the one-quarter pound, but T’ve no use for the other three-quarters of a pound, as I cannot handle broken pack- it to me,” said the steward. was the answer. “Your requisi- tion calls for juarter pound, and one- quarter pound you'll get.”” Had it not been that the regiment beld @ reserve supply of drugs donated by its at home, which supply was further increased by a seeond lot, the men must have suffered much more than they did. The regiment was at this camp deprived of the services of one of the assistant sur- geons, and many of the men best suited for hospital assistants were transferred to form a division hospital corps. A month later Dr. Pyles learned that this assistant had been sent home with typhoid fever. His loss to the regiment was greatly felt. dications of that dread disease. A hasty consultation was held, and Colonel Harries was told of his condition, and advised that he be placed ashore at Key West. No time was lost in doing this, and nothing was said to alarm the troops. Later it was learned that this man died. The remainder of the trip was uneventful, the delightful trip proving sufficient to improve every man, and when Siboney, the point of landing, was reached, every man was able to shoulder his gun and march to the front. Colonel Harries had ascertained that a number of cases of ye low fever existed at this place, and so in- formed Dr. Pyles. Orders were given that no goods of any kind should be landed and that every company, as it reached the shore, should form and march immediately three or four miles into the country, to the site of the first battle—known now as La Quasina, and there camp for the night. Notwithstanding the order that no goods of any kind should be landed, Dr. Pyies suceeded in getting his medical chests ashore, and in having them stored in the quarters of an engineer corps there, where three days later the quartermaster obtained them and brought them to the regiment at the front. At this time, the men were in fine physical condition. Their hard work at Tampa had been an excellent training, and the sea trip had thoroughly invigorat- ed them. No disease was present among them and they were fit to fight the battle of their lives. Fortunate was It they were so fit, for before them lay a battleground very different from that they anticipated, and a foe unknown and unlooked for. The long march from La Quasima to the trenches to the right of San Juan hill succeeded in exhausting every man, and in thoroughly breaking down a few men, who had had slight indispositions in Tampa and on the water. Food could not be ob- tained in sufficient quantities for several days, the men and officers were without tents, no man had a change of clothing, water was two miles away and no wood eculd be found with which to make a fire. Water was too precious to throw away in washing their hands and faces, and con- sequently many days elapsed before they went through this performance. Wet From Head to Foot. Add to this the heavy rains which wet every man from head to foot, and there is shown a condition that will break the strength of any man, be he ever so strong. Dr. Pyles had pictured the plan of life of the men in Cuba. He had read the rules as quoted from Surg. Gen. Sternberg: he had reviewed the rules issued by Col. Pope, chief surgeon 5th Army Corps, and had de- cided upon the course he should recommend and the firmness with which he should insist that ‘his course be observed. Water was to be boiled. Food was to be eaten regularly and moderately. The men should only work and march during the cool hours of the day, keeping out of the sun’ rays during the hottest part of the da wet clothing should be changed for dry as needed. And now at one fell strike, every sanitary rule for existence in the island was broken. Water could only be obtained from moun- tain streams, in which dead and decom- posed Spaniards were found floating after every heavy downpour; and no means ex- isted for boiling it. Food gave out and the unknown and untried fruits of Cuba be- came a substitute. Men were seen to di- vide a hardtack among four, each taking a fourth, and then one would pick up the crumbs from the ground and eat them. Men were seen to fall prone lo the earth, fast asleep, while at work, and five ex- hausted men were seen sleeping and swa ing back and forth as they stood in a pour- ing rain, every man supported by his neighbor. Is it any wonder that the friend- ships born in deprivation and need prove the most lasting? Is it any wonder that later these men proved victims of the tropical marshes and | their miasms? No better condition could be found than such hardships gave. N better soil than that upon which the regi- ment camped could be found for its pro- duction, and yet it ves hoped men would avoid the fever tha: was then felling the troops all around, and who had preceded the District regiment to the islands a week or more. Medical Supplies Scarce. Medical supplies were at this time ex- ceedingly scarse. For the first and last time the supply in the surgeons’ hands gave out, as all they could carry in their field cases bad been distributed, and their chests, stored at Siboney, were then on the way to the regiment. Dr. Pyles tells of the request of one of our captains, who had been in the trenches all night. “Send me forty rations of quinine and a drink of whisky.” None of either were obtainable just then. Later in the day the chests arrived, and from that time to the present the requisite supply of medicine- has always been on hand, and no man has been turned away without the best treatment the United States army afforded there. Dr. Pyles vis- ited a “supply depot” the next day and in- spected their “si pply.” They had less for five regiments than he had for one. They had but 800 three-grain quinine pills, while the chests of the District regiment contain- ed between 2.000 ahd 3.000, and when they offered Dr. Pyles his share he did not have the heart to accept it. At this time the sick report of the reg- iment showed but six or eight sick daily, only two of which were serious cases. But Few Ambulances. Then came the surrender and the subse- quent order to move to other camping grounds. Dr. Pyles succceded, after grea difficulty, in obtaining one ambulance to convey the two ill men to a hospital, and placed the others on transportation w gens after chey were loaded, and was sur- prised to find that these men whom he had ordered to the hospital had preceded him to the camp. They kad been taken to a field hospital, but were sent to the regi- ment, with the statement: “If you think anything of them, you'll keep them.” The hospital had neither shelter nor hed for them. The regimert was able to give them shelter and a hammock for a bed, so they were kept a few days longer, and again Dr. Pyles succeeded in obtaining one ambulance and having them, with another who had since become very ill, conveyed to the hospital at Siboney, where two died end the other finally reached our own shores alive. These were the only ambulances Dr. Pyles at any time was able to obtain, and in all the subseouent fevers, dysenteries and other diseases the men had to be con- veyed great distances on stretchers by comrades who were little better than the The regiment had been on the island near three weeks, and yet they had a very small number sick. Every man in the regiment was taking six grains of quinine daily, an1 Dr. Pyles hoped it might prevent the fever entering the regiment, as it had all others. But this hope was vain. The first day the list jumped to 18, and to 55, 125, 175, 189 on successive days, and from this time on never was the number of sick- less than 100, and many were performing duty who were kept up by sheer grit. Men would come up for treatment and request to be marked “duty.” The utmost heroism was shown by the troops, such heroism as will endear these men to the surgeons as long as they live. Speaking of this fever, Dr. Pyles said: “A man might feel languid for a day or two cr would go on guard in the best of health, when all at once he would have a chill, a rise of temperature to 104, 105 or 106 and the utmost prostration would rap- idly follow. He would ache from his head to his toes, and the pain in his head and how much was due to the was unable to say, f those cases treated Ir unlike those in their ed to think it was t of hardtack, coffee, pork a treatment consisted in giving mass and podaphylli to thirty grains of pyrine and phenac {duce the fevers | pains, and rhoea was not difflcult to contr ayrentery proved most obstina it was malarial quinine. Recurring Attacks of Fever. “Notwithstanding the fact that pa- tient did not cees> taking quinine he would almost certainly be attacked with the fever again and again, but in a milder ch: and usually taking the form of ch fevers, but as no tim the to recup>rate between cks, men grew weaker and weaker, that appeared only a matter of time before many must succumb. About the time this fever reached camp Assistant Surgeon Cox had been ordered to the division hospital thers, and with tim went two out of the three hospital stewards. And although his services there were a blessing to thousands Ant and ré suc atense diar- » but the Much of however, aud gave N, was giv the at First Lieut. and Asst. Surg. Cox. of suffering soldiers, yet deprived of his time when Daily about iment was » or pass before me at sic! a be brought in in a semi-conscious stat | and others would faint from sheer exhaus- tion while being examined. The heat at this time was intense, and to aggravate the condition fresh beef was issued daily, and the men not having hal any for so long, it soon showed its i effects. This issue was stopped immedi ly after its harmful influences became ay parent, and to this action I credit thi that this regiment lost no men from Giarrhoea or dysent-ry. fact her Men Grew Weaker. “The condition remained about the same, the general condition gradually growing werse, the men growing weaker and ty- phoid fev ming more p lent, one more private dying of that disease in th divisional hospital there. On our trip fr Santiago to Washington Assistant Surgeon Cox, with Acting Assistant Surgeon Eb- bert, accompanied the 2d and 3d Battalions on the S. S. Hudson and w provided With a full supply of medicines and a fair supply of nourishment and stimulants, while headquarters und the Ist Battali came away some days later on the S Minn-waska. On this vessel were se of eight commands, and I had the ve amply provided with medicines, foods, stimulants, beef extracts, ginger ale, and disinfectants. I had six acting as: ant surg-ons on board and quickly or ized a temporary hospital corps and set aside sections of the transport for hospital . of which there were not than 200, received far b tention than they had re 1d hospitals in Cuba. On man died of Bright's disease on this trans- port. while one man died on the trip of the Hudsor. also, the remains of both be- ing committed to the deep. At Camp Wikoff ail of our ill men have been ad- mitted to the general or detention hospital here, where their treatment is far better than at any other point they have been, but our men marked ‘quarters’ were im- properly fed. were compelled to sh upon rubber blankets placed on the grou and could not have rest. “The regiment at Camp Wikoff was al- mest to a man suffering from the effe of malarial diseases, manifesting them- selves in the form of catarrhal diarrhoea and dysentery, enlargel and inflamed livers and spleens and various disturbances of digestion. There was no question about the advisability of these men going home promptly. Every man should have rest and proper diet, which are absolutely es sential to restore them to health. What Physicians Should Judge. “Physicians may come and look, but they cannct know their condition as the sur- geons who have seen them pass through the various stages, who have watched them as they have slowly failed and who know the great need of rest and diet for them. “In conclusion I want to add that the universal expreseion from all surgeons and others who visited the hospital tents of this regiment in the field at Santiago was that it was the best equipped of any regi- ment in the field. The surgeon was not absent from his duties one day while there, and the men received better treatment than those in any other regiment it was my fortune to visit. The supply of medi- cine was never permitted to become ex hausted, as a reserve was coustantly kept. ‘I also want to add our record of deaths the smallest of any regiment entering a, and numbers but nine since leaving We gton in May. I know of no other giment that can number less than twen' While this is remarkable it is unquestic ably due to the discipline first and next to the constant administration of quinine te both the well man and the sick man. the prohibition of fresh beef as an articl @f food in the heat of the tropics. “There was never an army surgeon that vas popular with the men. There never fs not always com- will be, as his duty patible with the wishes of the men, but the medical men gent out h the Ist Regimcnt of Infantry, District of Columt Volunteers, have done their duty as they aw it,” concluded Dr. Pyles. Changes in Medical De; The changes in the medical department of the regiment were few. At Tampa, on July 2,Assistant Surgeon Clarence A.Weaver was transferred from the regiment to the divisional hospital, then forming at that point. Dr. Weaver is now on leave of absence, ill at Washington, with typhoid fever. Assistent Surgeon Cox was taken from rtment. | the regiment at San Juan Heights for spe- cial duty at division hospital, but has since returned to the regiment. ‘Acting Acsistant Surgeon Ebbert, con- tract surgeon, Was assigned to this regi- ment before it left Santiago, and is still on di ith the regiment. ‘Charles R. Bradbury and Marcellus R. Wooldridge, hospital stewards, were as- signed to duty at the division hospital in Santiago, along ~with Dr. Cox. Steward Weoldridge returned to the regiment before it left Santiago, while Bradbury only re- sumed his duties at Camp Wikoff Septem- ber 4. s and families of the men of tude to the surgeons and hospital attend- ants, who so bravely and patiently fought for their loved ones, that they can never repay. seem disposed to delay the meeting of the commissions. They say their instructions have not yet arrived, ere expected on