Camp Cuba Libre

        JACKSONVILLE, FLA., July 23, 1898.
     TO UNION.  "The clouds have rolled by" and the rain has ceased and we soldiers once more enjoy a dry camping ground.
          My letter will not be of much interest to you for it is the same routine of buisiness in camp with nothing new to write about.  Suffice to say that the boys have become profficient soldiers and that if the Spaniards could see the bold and daring charges and hear the savage shouts of out regiment they would certainly make a hasty conclusion for peace.
     Everything goes along quietly in camp unless some rumor is started that we are to embark for scenes of action, then the camps resound with the glad shouts of the boys.
     Col. Torrey, of the Rough Riders, is gradually getting betterr.  All of his wounds that he received in the rail road wreck have healed except his feet.  He has been in bed three weeks and his men will hail with delight the time when they can see him in his saddle once more.
     Private T.G. Lake, of Co. B, 2nd Ill., is at the division hospital wounded with pistol bullets in three different places and Private H.W. Lain, of Co. H, 1st N.C., is confined at the city jail charged with the shooting.  The shooting took place down town and Lake is not expected to live.
     The concert at the Windsor Hotel last Monday night, given by the 4th Reg. band was as enjoyable affair.  The audience was numbered by the hundreds, who remained till the strains of "Star Spangled Banner" called each one to his feet in patriotic devotion and love of country,  Several extras were added to the program and among these were some vocal selections, which were sung in front of Gen. Lee and his party who were seated on the piazza of the hotel.
     Three hundred horses arrived here this week for the use of Col. Torrey's Rough Riders.
     A military wedding took place Tuesday night at the Everett Hotel by which Major Edward J. Lang, commanding the 2nd batallion of the 4th, Ill., was united to  Miss Lillie M. Hybarger, of Paris, Ill.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. H.W. Todd; under the spreading folds of a large flag.  The 4th Reg. band played the wedding march.  They have taken apartments at the Everett Hotel, where they will remain for some time.
     Commencing yesterday and continuing until further orders, rifle practice will be held every day at the rifle range a mile and half north of camp.  Two hundred men who have never shot an army rifle will be taken out each day.
     Two companies of N.C. volunteers arrived in the city yesterday morning over the Fla. Cent. & Penn. R.R. from Raliegh N.C. on their way to St. Augustine, Fla.
     A game of ball between the regimental teams of the 2nd and 45h Ill., last Monday, was very interesting, the score being 6 to 4 in favor of the 2nd.
     The tropical garden that has for some time adorned the open space in front of the tent of Col. Andel, of the 4th Ill. has been abolished and will be greatly missed.
     Work has been completed on the ditching of the 4th Reg., Ill.  The work was surveyed and laid out by competent engineers and the slope is perfected for the complete and perfect draining of the camp of this regiment in case of a long and continued rain.
     Seven hundred mules and two train load of horses arrived here today from Texas for the Seventh army corps' use.
     The 4th regiment has under construction a bakery 20X20, when completed it will furnish bread for the regiment.
     Rollie Snerley, who has for the last two weeks been in the hospital, is again with us.
     The men in Co. D, are now clad in pajamas during this warm weather and have the laugh on the other members of the regiment.
     Miss Pearl Mann is in Jacksonville teaching Gen. Lee and his staff Spanish and Mrs. Carbonell English.
     Miss Mena , who is teaching Spanish to a class in Co. "I" is making fine progress.
     Co. I received a consignment of smoking tobacco from the Ten Cent League of Vandalia this week.
     Several boys from Co. I attended a special meeting of the Epworth League last Friday night.
     Col. Bryan's regiment of Nebraska, arrived here in six sections yesterday and have pitched their tents in Camp Panama.
     Last Sunday about three thousand soldiers visited St. Augustine and some of them becoming blood-thirsty for a Spaniard entered the Old Spanish cemetry and dug up the ramains of an old Spanish Catholic Priest and some of them carried away his bones a souvenirs.
     Guards have been placed out several miles from camp so no soldier can either go to the woods or city without being pinched.
     Louis Brown has established another barber shop in squad No. 2.
     The steam tug, Dauntless, is in the harbor here undergoing repairs preparatory to the San Juan expedition.
     John A. Short of Co. I while cooking had the misfortune to spill boiling water on his body which caused him to be laid up for a few days.
     While target practice was going on it was found that the shots were missing their marks and were going to the camp of the Rough Riders, who sent word to the rifle range and the firing ceased.
     Tom Curry received a box of delicious eatables from a lady friend in Albany, Ga., and we expect when we come back to Illinois that we will lose him as he has expressed a desire to make Albany his future home.
     Ed Tilwock and Chas. Mammen took in the excursion to Mayport last Sunday and report a pleasant trip.
     Will close hoping we may take part in the next battle in Cuba.         H.P.M.

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                                                                                                    The War Situation

     All eyes are centered on Porto Rico now where Gen. Miles is daily landing troops.  It is reported that Lieut. Huse of the Gloucester landed at Guanica, Porto Rico, Monday, with thirty men and had an encounter with the Spaniards.  Four of the latter were killed before they were routed.  The Stars and Stripes were hoisted and Spanish flag pulled down.  Subsequently 4000 troops landed and had a short flight with the Spaniards, resulting in seven Americans being wounded and twenty Spanish killed.  Other troops are being rushed forward to Porto Rico as fast as transports can carry them.  At least 30,000 men will be landed this week with Gen. Miles in command.
     Peace overtures have been officially made to this government from Spain through the French ambassador at Washington, but no terms are mentioned in the message.  No armistice will be agreed to until Spain comes to our terms.  News of active operations in Porto Rico may be expected at any time.