A Pleasant Trip
Title
A Pleasant Trip
Subject
Given the soldiers of the first battlion -Our Boys in It - A Newspaper Correspondent Accompanies them - A fire at Marianao.
Description
Camp Colombia, Near Havana, Jan. 22, 1899.
For the Standard- Garrison duty in Cuba is not so humble a task as was supposed by the boys before leaving the states, and since the active service has begun, the operations give the soldiers ample opportunities for a considerable amount of knowledge concerning the resources of the famous island. the first and famous Battalion of the 1st North Carolina regiment, Companies L of Concord, H of Waynesville, K of Raleigh, and Kia Statesville left this morning for an extensive March over a portion of the province of Havana and will in encamp on the south side the island on the Carrabean sea coast for six days, and then return. Major Smith, of the first battalion, is in command. The boys were in a state of high glee when leaving camp this morning, each man carrying his blanket-roll - one half shelter or "dog" tent, one blanket, one poncho, one change of underclothes, a gun, and twenty-five rounds of cartriges, together with the haversacks, canteen and mess outfit. The band accompanied the boys as far as Monte del Jesus, a small park place near Havana at the intersection of the main thoroughfare or pike which leads towards the mountains. Kodaks, writing materials and provisions were taken in great quantities and the trip will be quite a pleasant one to those who were fortunate enough to have been called out. About sixty five of the members of each company were taken, leaving a detail in each street. Leiut. J F Goodman, Corporal Williams, Marshal Mabrey and H P Deaton were left in charge of quarters, to look after those left behind. Capt. Hill lead the line of march. One week is supposed to cover the time they will be absent. The weather is quite favorable, it being cool and pleasant. One battalion of the Sixth Missouri regiment has gone on a similar trip in a different direction for the same length of time.
The North Carolina regiment was yesterday honored by a visit from Mr. W E Christian, the famous story writer and newspaper correspondent. His mission here is in the interest of the Washington Post, Raleigh News and Observer and some New York periodical. He was the guest of Major George E Butler last night and this morning he donned a uniform and accompanied the first battalion on its march. North Carolinians may expect some excellent stories about the famous first from the versatile pen of this prominent writer.
A very disasterous fire occured at Mariano on Friday night the market place having burned down. It is said that the soldiers who are there doing provost have enough cigars and tobacco to last them many months. There are others less fortunate however.
At this particular season the entire island where cultivation is not in process is covered with the most beautiful and fragrant of flowers. The predominating flower is a degenerated specie of chrysanthemum bearing a yellow cast, and from every hillside one can see acre upon acre covered with this beautiful blossom and with a favorable breeze the air is odorous with their delicate perfume. In speaking of flowers recalls the fact that the florists raise their pot plants in reed or "cane" joints, some of which are as large as ordinary water pails. There are many rare and pretty vlowers cultivated here, and nearly every home has a court or conservatory.
Sugar and molasses cane is now ripening and the harvest has begun. From every hill from miles around great volumes of smoke can be seen arising from molasses mills and sugar refineries. The poor, depressed Cubans are beginning to cheer up since the indications of returning prosperity and buisness.
The sweet potato is one of the principle products of the island, but the vegetable has very little nourishment. Its meat is white and mealy, though void of taste.
Camp Colombia was aroused from its usual quietude tonight about 9 o'clock when the great water tank on the Havana Muriano railroad toppled over. The crash and splash was heard for several miles and soldiers gathered around the scene in about the same state of excitement as they did at the Harrisburg wreck. Fortunately the train had just passed and as "wearly Willies" do not hang out there no lives were lost.
Some of the boys have pretty sore arms from vaccination, but otherwise all are well.
For the Standard- Garrison duty in Cuba is not so humble a task as was supposed by the boys before leaving the states, and since the active service has begun, the operations give the soldiers ample opportunities for a considerable amount of knowledge concerning the resources of the famous island. the first and famous Battalion of the 1st North Carolina regiment, Companies L of Concord, H of Waynesville, K of Raleigh, and Kia Statesville left this morning for an extensive March over a portion of the province of Havana and will in encamp on the south side the island on the Carrabean sea coast for six days, and then return. Major Smith, of the first battalion, is in command. The boys were in a state of high glee when leaving camp this morning, each man carrying his blanket-roll - one half shelter or "dog" tent, one blanket, one poncho, one change of underclothes, a gun, and twenty-five rounds of cartriges, together with the haversacks, canteen and mess outfit. The band accompanied the boys as far as Monte del Jesus, a small park place near Havana at the intersection of the main thoroughfare or pike which leads towards the mountains. Kodaks, writing materials and provisions were taken in great quantities and the trip will be quite a pleasant one to those who were fortunate enough to have been called out. About sixty five of the members of each company were taken, leaving a detail in each street. Leiut. J F Goodman, Corporal Williams, Marshal Mabrey and H P Deaton were left in charge of quarters, to look after those left behind. Capt. Hill lead the line of march. One week is supposed to cover the time they will be absent. The weather is quite favorable, it being cool and pleasant. One battalion of the Sixth Missouri regiment has gone on a similar trip in a different direction for the same length of time.
The North Carolina regiment was yesterday honored by a visit from Mr. W E Christian, the famous story writer and newspaper correspondent. His mission here is in the interest of the Washington Post, Raleigh News and Observer and some New York periodical. He was the guest of Major George E Butler last night and this morning he donned a uniform and accompanied the first battalion on its march. North Carolinians may expect some excellent stories about the famous first from the versatile pen of this prominent writer.
A very disasterous fire occured at Mariano on Friday night the market place having burned down. It is said that the soldiers who are there doing provost have enough cigars and tobacco to last them many months. There are others less fortunate however.
At this particular season the entire island where cultivation is not in process is covered with the most beautiful and fragrant of flowers. The predominating flower is a degenerated specie of chrysanthemum bearing a yellow cast, and from every hillside one can see acre upon acre covered with this beautiful blossom and with a favorable breeze the air is odorous with their delicate perfume. In speaking of flowers recalls the fact that the florists raise their pot plants in reed or "cane" joints, some of which are as large as ordinary water pails. There are many rare and pretty vlowers cultivated here, and nearly every home has a court or conservatory.
Sugar and molasses cane is now ripening and the harvest has begun. From every hill from miles around great volumes of smoke can be seen arising from molasses mills and sugar refineries. The poor, depressed Cubans are beginning to cheer up since the indications of returning prosperity and buisness.
The sweet potato is one of the principle products of the island, but the vegetable has very little nourishment. Its meat is white and mealy, though void of taste.
Camp Colombia was aroused from its usual quietude tonight about 9 o'clock when the great water tank on the Havana Muriano railroad toppled over. The crash and splash was heard for several miles and soldiers gathered around the scene in about the same state of excitement as they did at the Harrisburg wreck. Fortunately the train had just passed and as "wearly Willies" do not hang out there no lives were lost.
Some of the boys have pretty sore arms from vaccination, but otherwise all are well.
Creator
Harry P. Deaton.
Source
Daily Concord Standard
Date
January 28, 1899.
Format
Newspaper Article
Type
Newspaper Article
Identifier
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068267/1899-01-28/ed-1/seq-1/
Files
Collection
Citation
Harry P. Deaton. , “A Pleasant Trip,” The North Carolina Experience in the Spanish American War, accessed April 28, 2024, https://csilkenat.omeka.net/items/show/17.