The True Light Feb 24 1899

From Smith Hoge

  (Smith is a member of the 161^st Indiana and is stationed at Habana, Cuba.  This letter was written to his sister, Mrs. Nora Crawford, to whom we are indebted for the use.)

  On the sixth we were paid off and the Paymaster told us of the Manila fight, but no details.  On the 11^th we got papers which told of the fight.  There has been some talk of sending our regiment there but only rumors to that effect.  Some of the officers do not want to go, others do, but it is doubtful if we have a chance.  Reports are thich about what we are to do and we can place no dependence in what we hear.  While at Jacksonville I started a story that we would go, or stand a chance of going, to Paris next spring.  That has gone the rounds so we can’t place any thing in reports.  We are now told we will soon go home and the time is set for April 1.  Perhaps this is the same as my “story”.

  Our regiment has had only three deaths since we have been here; two from small pox and one from typhoid fever.  We have only about 16 sick now which are mostly in our regimental hospital.  One has small pox.

  If anyone thinks it cannot get cold here they are mistaken., although it does not stay cold long it seems sometimes cold enough to freeze boiling potatoes.  We had no frost but if we did it would do untold damage.   Last Thursday we had a cold spell with high winds which tore our assembly tent to pieces, and Sunday night we had a very hard storm which tore down a large number of tents.

  I was over in Morano and saw a Spanish thermometer, which registered 21 above centegrade, 96 above, Farenheit, which is very comfortable weather here.  The Cubans are bundled up with all they can get on and stand shivering as they say: “muche frieo..”  It is something unusual to them, for, especially the children, wear nothing but gunny sacks around them.

  We had a corps review the 31, ult., and was to have another Saturday, but was postponed.  It was a grand sight to see the boys pass in review and causes the blood to course quickly thro ones veins to see the sons of the mightiest country on a foreign soil master of the situation. 

  For a time we had to use Cuban beef but we did not relish it after seeing it mussed around among the dirt and flies.  We how have American beef once or twice a day, furnished by Swift & Co. of Chicago.  They have ice plant and cold storage at Quenemo which was built by the government.

  We will have to eat hard tack for a few meals on account of the weather, but we generally have good bread and plenty to eat.

  I have not been to the military cemetery for about a month.  There were eighteen buried there then.   The Cuban cemetery lies close to it and is surrounded by a high stone wall like a fort.  A man lives in it and takes care of it, buries the dead as they are brought in, and digs up their bones as their place is wanted for some one else.

  Gen. Carcia’s remains were buried Saturday in the Christobal Colon Cemetery.  The Cuban and American officers had a little difficulty through a misunderstanding in paying tribute to the dead patriot (a Washington).  I was there one day about a month ago.  It is four miles east across the mountainous stony country.  The cemetery contains about 80 acres.  I saw the graves of the crew of the Main, which are in the center, and the celebrated Fireman’s monument, which is a large fine structure.  In the dead house I saw four cadevers, which I suppose were too poor to be buried.  They were covered with dry lime.

  The mail will come this evening, if the boats don’t sink, and I hope I will get at least three letters. 

Smth Hoge.