USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of companies I and E, Sixth Regt., Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Whiteside County > Part 19
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
pieces across the ends at the head and foot. Strips of the same material are nailed across the under side of the box. These strips are placed about two inches apart and those on each end extend two feet beyond the side of the box. The corpse is placed in the rough box, four men, one at each corner of the box, place it upon their shoulders and the cortege begins its long tramp to the cemetery, which in many instances is sev- eral miles distant.
The little party was always preceded by a man bearing a small wooden cross. The face of the dead was unprotected from the fierce rays of the sun and the procession hurried along with little or no cere- mony: Arriving at the cemetery, the body was soon in the ground unless the hour for the burial day had passed. In that case the coffin and contents- were placed in charge of the sexton and the burial post- poned till the morrow.
The party of exploring soldiers had passed the cemetery several times as it was located on the street which led to the town from our camp. This morning the boys turned up the path which led to the entrance of the burial grounds and as they neared the gate the frowning walls which surrounded the little city of the dead, looked anything but inviting. At the gate they were met by the sexton who appeared courteous as one could wish and they were led inside. On the inner side of the walls and on each side of the en- trance was a large room built of stone. In these rooms were stored a number of rough coffins some of which contained bodies soon to be consigned to the grave.
Awed by the presence of the dead, the men
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BURIAL OF A PORTO RICAN CHILD.
looked about them silently and as they moved about the dark room they came across a small coffin containing the remains of a child, a little girl. Drawing nearer, they saw that the pallid face and hands were nearly white. Clad in a garment of white, with her little hands so thin and wasted as to be almost transparent. folded across her bosom and clasping a small bunch of flowers; with closed eyes and just the faintest semblance of a smile lingering about the corners of her mouth, the little child appeared to be sleeping. There was a look of peace and contentment on the white face which proclaimed that death had come without suffering to the little one.
As the men stood gazing upon the pure face of the dead child, they were visibly affected by the sight and not a word was spoken. Who knows what was in their thoughts at that moment ? They may have mourned the loss of one whose innocence, purity, and sweetness was forever pictured on their minds. and the silent form before them, with its childish face may have taken them back to days of yore, or caused their hearts to ache as the memory of a scene in the little church yard back in the states came forcibly to them -- the rattle of the earth as it fell on the casket below, the voice of the minister. slowly but distinctly repeating, "dust to dust, ashes to ashes." and the sweet face was hidden from view for- ever.
Or they may have been thinking of those whom they had left behind them, alive and well when last heard from, but may have been sleeping in the grave for aught they then knew, as news came slowly, and death may have entered the home across the sea weeks before, and they not be aware of it. They were aroused by the en- trance of a man and two little boys who came toward
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them, and without casting a look at the body, picked up the box and carried it out to the burial grounds.
The men followed and watched the native as he placed the coffin on the ground, and without regard as to location, began to dig a narrow grave. In his down- ward course he came upon the bones of a body which must have been in the ground for some time. Kicking them out of his way he continued to throw out the earth until he reached a depth of not more than three or four feet, when he placed a cord underneath the corpse, at the knees, and another at the neck, and lifting the body from the rude box, placed it in the shallow grave, picked up a handful of earth. pressed it to his lips, threw it upon the upturned face in the grave and hurriedly covered the si- lent form. After partially filling the grave he jumped into it and tramped the loose earth down, then completed his task. Without the slightest sign of emotion, the man and two boys, apparently the father and brothers of the dead girl, turned from the grave and returned the rented coffin to the stone room at the entrance. and hur- ried out upon the street.
If that man was the girl's father then he had either a heart of stone or a will of iron, as he was narrowly watched from the beginning of burial and the expres- sion of carelessness never left his face. Not in the slightest did he appear to care whether he was perform- ing the last sad rites for one who should have been the light of his life, or digging a post hole. He did not lin- ger an instant after he had completed his task and he did not glance backward as he hurried away. But be- neath that untidy blouse there might have been a bleed- ing heart, torn with anguish, as he realized that the dear, sweet face, was gone forever. And perhaps far up in the
a
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EXPLORING THE CEMETERY.
mountains a fond mother sat alone in her grief, thinking of the little one, on whom in their poverty, she had lavished her all, a mother's love. The prattling voice was stilled and the patter of her footsteps on the rough board floor would cheer the mothers heart no more.
Shortly after the departure of the man and boys, the soldiers roused themselves and looking around saw that the little cemetery was not more than five rods square and surrounded by a high wall of solid masonry. Loop-holes had been cut through the wall and it appear- ed as though the Spaniards had made preparations to make a stand in this temporary fortress. Within the walls was numerous vaults or tombs. This was where the wealthy people disposed of their dead. Everything was in a dilapitated condition and the front of some of the tombs were broken open. Peering within, human bones, from which the flesh had long ago decayed, lay in perfect order, the complete skeleton exposed to view.
The area contained in the grounds. and the large number of burials which occurred within the walls, had resulted in many skeletons being unearthed in the sink- ing of fresh graves. A wall had been built diagonally across one corner, and into this space the disinterred bones had been thrown. They had been accumulating for years and as the heavy door well up the wall was thrown open it was found to be full of grinning skulls and human bones of every description, With a feeling of abhorrence the party of soldiers left the place, and it was with a sense of relief that they heard the massive gates close behind them and the sickening sights were shut out from their view by the high stone wall.
Shortly after our arrival at Guanica, Colonel Foster
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
had been taken sick, and although he remained with the regiment, the duties of the commanding officer fell upon Lieut. Colonel Kittilsen. He was a most popular officer and held in high esteem by the men. His man- ner was quiet but determined and he fell gracefully into the position as acting colonel. Colonel Foster slowly regained his health and resumed command of the regi- ment in a short time. The opportunities for drill were scarce as the ruggedness of the country would not per- mit of more than a practice march. The men were taken out for a march several times while at Utuado, and an attempt was made to give them a company or battalion drill but with poor results.
A half dozen native boys had followed the troops for some time and were about the camp so much that the boys began to experiment on them and endeavored to teach them a little of the English language. They were eager to learn and would repeat a word over and over until they became very proficient in its pronunci- ation. The soldiers first taught them to swear. With this accomplishment they soon became popular through- out the regiment. Of course the natives thought the boys were sincere and were very proud of their abilities and aired them on every possible occasion. If a soldier spoke to one of them with the air of one expecting a reply, the native would pay strict attention to every word and appear to be weighing it in his mind and look- ing up innocently, would reply by repeating a string of oaths that would put a drunken sailor to shame.
When we were in camp at Utuado, one of the boys took a machete and going to a stone bridge about a half mile from camp, cut a large bundle of bamboo twigs to put in his tent to sleep on, Rolling the twigs
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THE ENGLISH SPEAKING NATIVE.
into a couple of canteen-straps he started for camp. The load was an akward one and after several in- effectual attempts to keep it under his arms, he rolled it onto his head, native fashion. The loose twigs dragged the ground and nothing could be seen of the soldier excepting his shoes. As he moved toward camp the bundle became heavier and it slipped from side to side scratching his neck and bending his head forward until he became exasperated and was nearly at the point of throwing the whole thing, canteen-straps and all, in the ditch by the roadside. Taken all in all, he was in an unpleasant state of mind and in no humor to take a joke.
As he plodded along, he heard footsteps approach- ing, and thinking it might be a comrade whom he knew and would assist him, he was about to call to him when the sound of the footsteps ceased and in a moment a hand parted the hanging twigs and a face peered up at him. It was one of the natives who had been hang- ing about the camp. He had evidently expected to find one of his countrymen under the enormous bundle of twigs as it was seldom a soldier made an attempt to tote anything on the head, and in fact it was an un- usual sight to witness a soldier carrying anything heavier than a load of Porto Rican rum. At any rate the native opened his eyes wide with surprise when he saw the blue uniform of a soldier through the mass of brush, and no doubt, wishing in some way to apologize to the "Americano, "looked up at him and speaking in English, jerked out a combination of epithets, inter- mingled with a profusion of oaths, which caused the soldiers blood to boil.
Out of patience with himself in his struggle to keep
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the bundle of twigs from getting away from him. Dis- appointed in not finding the newcomer a com.rade who would give him a lift with his troublesome burden, and maddened by the idiotic expression on the face of the native as he repeated his insults, the soldier threw the bundle to the ground and made a dash for the little man dressed in white. The native, innocent of any wrong intent, but proud of his vocabulary, was first surprised and then frightened and he jumped out of reach of the soldier and flew down the road, barely touching the ground, with the soldier a close second. After a short chase, the soldier saw he was being outstripped and coming to a halt, he recovered his senses and sitting down, laughed heartily as he thought of the hours he had spent in teaching this same native how to swear and he saw that the joke had been turned upon himself. With just the slightest feeling of shame he returned to where he had thrown the bundle, and again taking up the burden he continued on to camp.
By this time the condition of a majority of the men was extremely bad. The malarial fever had been working on their systems for sometime. Nearly every man had stomache or bowel trouble and the surgeons were handicapped by an inadequate supply of medicine. They were working hard with what they had, but it was of little avail in many cases and the men grew gaunt aud thin. The hospital was filled and the men in camp were not fit for duty. Some kept up by ex- ercising their indomitable will power, with a full de- termination not to give up until nature gave way en- tirely.
The weakened condition of the men was undoubted- ly due, in a great measure, to the lack of provisions and
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VOLUNTEERS DISGUSTED.
the quality of the little that was issued. There was cer- tainly something wrong in connection with the commis- sary department. Uncle Sam never intended that his soldiers should be half fed. The men were discouraged and sorely disappointed by the treatment they had re- ceived since departing from the shores of their country. They had never expected much. yet, when enlisting as soldiers, they had not considered the salary, cared little what duties might be imposed upon them, but felt they were entitled to plain substantial food enough to keep them in bodily health and strength.
To this day, the men who were either robbed of their rations, or through neglect allowed to suffer for want of them, cannot say positively where the trouble was, or who the guilty ones were that lined their pockets with ill gained wealth at the expense of the men in the ranks. The regiment had been on the island just one month, yet had some of their friends chanced to appear in their midst it is doubtful if some of the soldiers would have been readily recognized as the robust, light hearted troops, who, a few weeks previous had eagerly awaited the summons to go to the front.
It does not appear possible that any man who was a citizen of the United States could be guilty of scheming against the American soldier, and it is possible that such was not the case and the fault lay with the in- experience of the officers who were charged with the care of the men. At any rate the fact could not be dis- guised that there was a terrible wrong being done the men, and if intentional, the law has yet to be framed which would deal out the punishment which such a crime deserved.
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
CHAPTER XXIII.
On the twenty-fifth of August. orders were received to return to Ponce at once and as soon as transports could be provided we were to embark for home. The following morning the return march was begun. With our band leading we marched down the roadway, our faces turned homeward. We had but fairly made the start when it began to rain and it continued to come down all day. The force of natives had been kept continually at the work of opening the trail and had succeeded in a measure. Here and there huge rocks rose up in the very center of the trail. These were yet to be blasted and broken up. The daily downpour of rain made the task of building roads an everlasting one as the trail that was opened one day might be blocked with earth and rocks the next.
The regiment arrived at Adjuntas late in the after- noon. On the outskirts of the town, as we came in, we forded a stream which was a raging torrent for a time. caused by the heavy rain during the day. We had crossed the stream when advancing to Utuado but at that time the current was sluggish and the water shallow. Some of the men would not make the attempt and re- mained on the opposite banks until the water had sub- sided. A little party of soldiers crept into an abandoned
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RETURN TO ADJUNTAS.
hut close to the stream and partly up the mountain, awaiting for the storm to abate. As they lay in the single room, enshrouded in darkness, the little build- ing gave a lurch and went crashing down into the water. Luckily for the men, the walls separated and they es- ' caped injury.
The shelter tents were first pitched in the square in the center of the town but the rain loosened the tent-pins and the tents could not be kept standing. After several futile attempts were made, the men were moved to another part of the town and given quarters in a mill. They were packed in the enclosure like sardines but they were in the dry and as they were very weary soon rolled up in the wet blankets and slept.
A short distance out from Utuado we came upon a native traveling in the direction of Adjuntas. A couple of the boys enlisted him in their service and transferred their heavy rolls to his shoulders. He trotted along by their side for some time evincing no sign of fatigue but evidently not satisfied with the ar- rangement. He could not speak a word of English, couldn't swear even, but by his actions he made them understand that he wished to possess the rifle of one of the boys. To please him the soldier removed the roll from his shoulders and gave him his gun, can- teen and haversack, retaining his cartridge belt and bayonet. Before giving him possession of the gun, the cartridges were removed from the magazine as a precautionary measure should the native be inclined to treachery. A prouder man no one ever saw than was this happy Porto Rican. His eyes shone with delight and he pranced through the mud like a two year old
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HISTORY OF COMPANIES I AND E.
colt. And he wouldn't return the outfit but clung to it until we reached camp. Even then he remained with the boys for some time and every action spoke his pleasure in being permitted to carry the soldier's outfit.
When the regiment marched away from Utuado it left a number of sick men in the hospital there. They were to be brought to Ponce in an ambulance. The start was delayed and with a clear trail, it was a question with the driver whether they would complete the journey before nightfall or not. The teams could move but slowly at the best and they struggled through the mud at a snails pace. The driver was a thirsty fellow and pulled up his team at the sight of every habitation and leaving the ambulance made a bee line for the house to secure a drink of rum. They had not covered many miles when their further progress was checked and they were brought to a standstill by a barrier of rocks and earth which had been dislodged by the heavy rain and slid down the mountain completely blocking the trail for a thousand feet.
Night would soon be upon them but it was im- possible to proceed and they would not turn back. The sick boy's in the ambulance groaned when they were informed they would be compelled to pass the night where they were. With nothing to eat and it utterly out of the question to attempt to build a fire, the outlook was far from pleasing. Weakened by sick- ness until they were unable to sit upright, they huddled together within the covered ambulance and the long hours dragged wearily on. The rain did not cease and they became chilled to the marrow. To make the situation more aggravating the driver, who by the way
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AN UUPI EASANT EXPERIENCE.
was the only attendant accompanying them, turned his mules loose and struck out in search of a native home, there to indulge in his favorite pastime, drinking rum. He evidently was sucessful in the search as he did not return until the following morning.
The sick men were soon without water and suffered severely. How they passed the night, they themselves hardly knew. The next morning Dr. Rumt mell gained possession of an old white mule and wen- back to their assistance. It was an unpleasant situation and the approach of daylight did not improve matters materially. One course alone was open to them and this was to carry the sick men over the blockade, take the ambulance apart, drag it over in sections and set it up on the other side. This was no small chore. but willing hands soon had matters set aright and the hearts of the sick men were gladdened as the ambulance rolled away from the spot where they had spent such a miser- able night. It was one of the most severe trials ex- perienced by any of the men throughout the campaign, and the victims, who were in a serious condition at the outset, were made much worse by it.
Dr. Rummell was indefatigable in his work at all times. He did not wear the marks designating him as a commissioned officer. He was simply a man in the ranks detailed to the hospital corps. But for all this he did the work of an assistant surgeon faithfully. He was an excellent physician and turned from a good prac- tice to enlist. He did not appear to give the matter a thought that he was performing duties which should have paid him a salary equal to that received by those who were working by his side. If he did not receive fitting remuneration from the government in the way
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of dollars he won the eternal gratitude and lasting friendship of the men and he was given a warm place in their hearts. The medical corps was composed of earnest workers and each one of its members will al- ways be remembered as faithful performers of their duties and firm friends of the soldiers. Major Anthony of Sterling, Ass't Surgeon Robbins of Dixon, Dr. Rum- mell of company B, (Geneseo) and Hospital Stewards Kline, Geyer and Brown, of Sterling. all combined their efforts to the end of giving the men the best possible attention and medical assistance, although at times greatly handicapped by a lack of supplies. The men understood the circumstances and will never forget the many acts of kindness received at the hands of the medical staff of the Sixth.
The Sixth Massachusetts boys were retained at Utuado for garrison duty and did not make the start home for a month or more. Some one of the hospital corps of our regiment must remain there and assist the Massachusetts corps. The lot fell upon Ralph Humph- rey, previously of company I, but who had been trans- ferred to the hospital service of the regular army while at Camp Alger. It will be remembered that the men who were transferred from the volunteer to the regular service received verbal promises that they would be allowed to follow their regiments where ever they went. Up until this period the promise had been lived up to but when our regiment turned back, Ralph was com- pelled to remain in the mountains.
One can easily imagine his feelings as he saw us us marching away. Watching the disappearing column, he looked for the last time on the faces of his comrades. He no doubt was buoyed up with the hope that he
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ARRIVAL AT PONCE.
might be relieved before the regiment embarked on the transport. But if such was the case he was disappoint- ed for we never saw him alive again. We left him there among new found friends and comrades, and from information contained in letters received from the stewards in charge of the hospital, it was afterward learned that he never once uttered a word of protest against remaining, but realizing that it was not for him to say what his duties should be, he continued the work of caring for his sick comrades without faltering and won the love and esteem of all those with whom he came in contact.
The morning following our arrival at Adjuntas, on the return march, was wet and stormy. As we were in comfortable quarters, permission was granted us to remain there for the day. The weather improved in the afternoon and the footsore and those who were sick, yet able to remain with the regiment, were placed in charge of orderly sergeants and started for Ponce. It was the intention of Colonel Foster to make the re- mainder of the journey in a single days march. The next morning we made the start. The weather was fair and the trail descended rapidly as we were then over the crest of the mountain range and were making the downward journey.
Arriving at Gagos, we rested for a short time and ate our scanty dinner. We did not tarry long at this place as we were anxious to reach Ponce. We halted in the afternoon at a point about three miles from the city and there pitched our tents on an elevated plain. This was on Sunday, August twenty-eighth. We had been on the island one month and three days, yet to us it seemed we had seen nothing but mud and mountains
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for nearly a year. Shortly after our arrival we were issued the wall tents and what a relief it was to be able to stand upright under a canvas cover.
On the return trip from Adjuntas a couple of band boys were trudging along, keeping a sharp lookout for stray chickens or ducks. At last they fonnd some but they were guarded by a watchful native. The boys could not get an opportunity to "lift" one so they formed a plan whereby they could get possession of it. They had a little money between them, but the price of one dollar, which the shrewd native placed upon the duck they selected, was more than they cared to invest at that time. One of the boys tucked the duck under his arm and walked away while the other remained and put up a long argument with the native, with the object of detaining him until his comrade had put a considerable distance between them.
With the soldier talking in English. and the native replying in Spanish, neither one comprehending the conversation of the other, the argument progressed slowly. Jingling the few pieces of coin which he possessed, the soldier ostensibly made an effort to induce the native to reduce his price. The Porto Rican was arbitrary and would make no concessions. He had grasped the outward intentions of the soldier and evidently thought if he held his ground he would event- ually get his price. As the form of the soldier who had possession of the duck grew fainter in the distance and finnally disappeared around the mountain, the owner of the fowl became suspicious then angry. The soldier who had remained, concluding his comrade had been given a good start, again jingled the loose coins in his pocket, politely informed the native to journey on to
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