LIBRARY OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 973.894 
 
 RVEY
 
 CORPORAL W. T. GOODE, AUTHOR.
 
 THE 
 
 "EIGHTH ILLINOIS 
 
 BY 
 
 CORPORAL W. T. GOODE" 
 
 COMPANY F. EIGHTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER REGIMENT. 
 UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 THE BLAKELY PRINTING COMPANY, 
 1899.
 
 Copyrighted, 1899, 
 
 BY 
 W. T. GOODE.
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Far back in the early seventies the desire for mili- 
 tary organization first began to inspire the hearts of 
 the leading colored men of the state of Illinois. From 
 time to time the different leaders of the race in the 
 state have espoused the cause of such an organization 
 with zealous love and interest for the betterment of 
 their coherents and for its future benefits to the Negro 
 race in its entirety, not only in Illinois, but through- 
 out this broad Union. 
 
 As early as 1870 this military spirit and feeling 
 bubbled up in the hearts of the colored men in Illinois, 
 and like the subterranean activity of a passive vol- 
 cano, kept constantly bubbling, burning and boiling 
 up until it reached the crater of their ambition. The 
 lava of aspiration, overflowing the open apex of the 
 mountain of "Success," crept down its steep slopes until 
 its warmth had animated the ambition of the entire 
 colored population of the commonwealth. In due time 
 a military body, known as the Hannibal Guards, was 
 created, and for a number of years this organization 
 was cherished and supported by the citizens of Chi- 
 cago. This military body was organized shortly after 
 the big fire in Chicago of 1871. It prospered for 
 awhile, then gave way for another and a more progres- 
 sive body known as the "Cadets." 
 
 The Cadets were well drilled and disciplined, being 
 5 
 
 224333
 
 6 PREFACE. 
 
 made up of intelligent young colored men, many of 
 whom belonged to the military guards of various, other 
 states, notably Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 
 Virginia, Maryland and others, and in many instances 
 the leaders were men who had seen active service in 
 the war of the Rebellion. 
 
 Notwithstanding the progress and efficiency in mili- 
 tary. affairs resulting from the existence of the "Ca- 
 dets," new memberships, fresher brains and greater 
 ambitions figured in a future destiny. A new and 
 broader field was planned and mapped out; the pre- 
 vious organization was local, their ambition now be- 
 came national. Hence, with the passing of the Cadets 
 a larger and grander association was ushered into prom- 
 inence. It was called the "Old Sixteenth." This was 
 in the early eighties. Having more energy and in- 
 fluence behind it, the "Old Sixteenth" soon gained ad- 
 mission to the military organizations of the state as 
 member of the Illinois state guards or state militia. 
 
 With such men as Captain Moore and Captain 
 Brown and others, the Old Sixteenth could not be 
 otherwise but a success. After belonging to the state 
 militia for a number of years the Legislature was un- 
 able to make further appropriations for its main- 
 tenance, when it was dropped from the military roster, 
 but the colored men were undaunted. It was not 
 their intention to be discarded. So on the night 
 of the fifth of June, 1890, that military spirit was 
 ablaze again in the form of another organization, this 
 time to be known as the Ninth Battalion of Chicago, 
 which will be spoken of in the succeeding chapters. 
 Among the promoters of this movement were such
 
 PREFACE. 7 
 
 men as John R. Marshall, J. C. Buckner, B. G. Johnson, 
 J. C. Bish, J. C. Jordoti and others. With such cour- 
 ageous leaders as these the creation of the Ninth was 
 wrought, being a signal military success, and ultimately 
 became the nucleus of the Eighth Illinois Volunteer 
 Regiment (infantry). The members of the Ninth were 
 progressive and their ranks continued to grow until a 
 battalion of four companies was formed and well -dis- 
 ciplined, being encouraged by ambition. They applied 
 to Governor Joe Fifer for admission into the state 
 militia, but he refused their request on the grounds that, 
 there was not enough money in the state treasury for 
 an appropriation to be made for the Ninth Battalion. 
 
 The colored Illinoisans did not take "No" for an an- 
 swer; consequently, in 1894, they placed Maj. J. C. 
 Buckner in nomination as a state representative and in 
 November of the same year elected him from the 
 Sixth District of Illinois to the Legislature. Subse- 
 quently Major and Representative Buckner framed a 
 resolution which became a law, creating a vacancy in 
 the state militia and making an appropriation for the 
 same. The Ninth again made application for admis- 
 sion to the state militia to Gov. John P. Altgeld, then 
 governor of the state, who was impressed with and 
 friendly to the scheme, indorsed the movement, giving 
 it his earnest efforts and support, and by orders em- 
 anating from his executive chamber, the Ninth Bat- 
 talion of Chicago became the Ninth Battalion of the 
 I. N. G., or Illinois National Guard, which afterward 
 was recruited to the standard of a regiment and mus- 
 tered into the state as the Eighth Illinois Volunteer 
 Regiment (infantry).
 
 8 PREP ACE. 
 
 Considerable criticism, much of it of a prejudicial 
 character, has been published about this regiment, and 
 greatly to its detriment. The author of this book has 
 endeavored to eradicate the falsities of these criticisms 
 by presenting to the public a true story of the Eighth 
 Illinois Volunteer Regiment (infantry), colored, who 
 were sent forth as an experiment to the soldiery of the 
 United States army. 
 
 To say that the experiment was a success is putting 
 it mildly, for the triumph of this regiment over all ob- 
 stacles and prejudicial barriers has certainly shaped the 
 future destiny of the Afro-American as a peaceful 
 citizen as a brave and courageous soldier, as a leader, 
 and a prominent factor in the vicissitudes of human 
 affairs. 
 
 The reputation of Negro soldiers their bravery, and 
 conduct will compare favorably, not only, with the 
 white soldiers of our own army, but with the soldiery 
 of the whole civilized world. This is a sweeping state- 
 ment, but who is there dare to refute it. There have 
 been so many conflicting stories put in circulation con- 
 cerning the Eighth Illinois Regiment, some of whioh 
 if allowed to go uncontradicted would leave a lasting 
 stain on its good name, while others were so biased 
 in their nature as to hardly need a refutation, the 
 author feels that it is only an act of simple justice to 
 give to the public as true and complete a story as pos- 
 sible of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Ninth Battalion Its Origin 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 The Eighth Illinois Volunteers 29 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Roster of the Eighth Illinois 48 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Biographies of the Field and Line Officers of the Eighth. . 65 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Synopsis of the Trip to Cuba 108 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 What We Saw in Cuba 142 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Incidents of the Campaign 197 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Courage Knows No Color. 222 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 >, The Mannana Club at Palma 243 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Religion in the Eighth 249 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 In a Foreign Prison 264 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Homeward Bound 271 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A Welcome Home 291 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 The Last Retreat 300
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Page 
 Corporal W. T. Goode, Author Frontispiece. 
 
 Colonel John R. Marshall 63 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel James H. Johnson 67 
 
 Major Robert R. Jackson, Post Commander 71 
 
 Major Allen A. Wesley, Chief Army Surgeon 79 
 
 Major Franklin A. Denison, Judge of Court of Claims.. . 75 
 
 Captain Jordan Chavis, Regimental Chaplain 247 
 
 Captain Richard P. Roots, Post Commandant 205 
 
 Lieutenant James A. Nelson, Regimental Quartermaster. . 83 
 Lieutenant Harvey A. Thompson, Regimental Adjutant. . 91 
 
 Lieutenant J. W. Curtis, Post Surgeon 95 
 
 Lieutenant Edward S. Miller, Field Hospital Surgeon.... 99 
 
 Lieutenant C. L. Hill, Post Quartermaster 185 
 
 Lieutenant James M. Rauls, Post Adjutant 189 
 
 Sergeant William I. Barnet, Chief Musician 87 
 
 Field Hospital Camp Marshall 135 
 
 Company F Non-commissioned Staff at Palma 193 
 
 A Cuban Casa 156 
 
 A Cuban Water Boy 168 
 
 Camp Marshall, San Luis 131 
 
 A Soldier's Dreant 223 
 
 Camp Marshall, Camp Tanner 23 
 
 Spanish Soldiers 153 
 
 A Spanish Block House 162 
 
 The Mannana Club at Palma 241 
 
 Cuban Soldiers 148 
 
 The First Barracks at Palma 177 
 
 Post Hospital, San Luis de Cuba 261 
 
 Santiago Bay The Reina Mercedes 123
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 THE NINTH BATTALION ITS ORIGIN. 
 
 On the evening of May 5, 1890, a meeting of repre- 
 sentatives of the colored people of Chicago, 111., was 
 held, with the object in view of organizing several com- 
 panies of infantry, which culminated in the organiza- 
 tion of a company of infantry, which was the nucleus 
 of what afterward became the Ninth Battalion of 
 Chicago. The meeting was held at Central Hall, 
 corner Wabash avenue and Twenty-second street. 
 The meeting was presided over by Mr. J. C. Bish. Af- 
 ter the chairman had announced the object of the 
 meeting, there was a number of interesting and en- 
 thusiastic addresses made by many of the prominent 
 gentlemen present, not only as to the advisability of 
 such a project, but the credit such an organization 
 would reflect upon the colored people of the state 
 of Illinois, as well as in Chicago. The formation of 
 such an organization, it was thought by many, would in 
 time prove a beneficial and a social advantage to the 
 colored residents of Illinois. The chairman, upon mo- 
 tion, appointed a committee to canvass the matter 
 thoroughly, and report at the next meeting, called to 
 convene three weeks later. 
 
 The committee appointed by the chairman was com- 
 posed of the following, who were well capacitated for 
 
 13
 
 14 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 the work intrusted to them : B. G. Johnson, chairman ; 
 J. C. Jordon, secretary ; W. J. Delacy, J. C. Buckner, C. 
 D. Taylor, J. E. Carter, Alex. Taylor, J. E. Bish and 
 C. Lenox. 
 
 On the evening of May 19, the committee reported 
 favorably on the proposition of creating a military or- 
 ganization, to be known and recognized as the Ninth 
 Battalion (infantry) of Chicago. Mr. Henry B. 
 Chamberlin,the editor of the "Guardsman," was present 
 upon the acceptance of an invitation. He being 
 called upon, responded, and made a very able and 
 acceptable address, which was highly (appreciated. 
 Afterward he was urged and finally consented to 
 take charge of the preliminary instructions, and after 
 drilling a squad of men that evening, he was thereafter 
 for quite a while recognized as their instructor and 
 tactical guide. With the untiring efforts of Mr. Cham- 
 berlin and under his able and thorough instructions 
 the battalion was soon a success. 
 
 On June 5th, Company A was organized, with a to- 
 tal of 39 men, with Mr. B. G. Johnson as captain, Mr. 
 J. C. Buckner as first lieutenant, Mr. J. R. Marshall, 
 second Lieutenant, and Mr. J. C. Jordon, first sergeant. 
 Company A thrived splendidly, the members being 
 banded together for one grand purpose, there being 
 neither contention nor dissension among them. It 
 was not long ere Company A had reached such propor- 
 tions numerically, under the guidance and instruction 
 of Mr. Chamberlin, that it was deemed necessary to 
 organize the second company, which was company B. 
 This company having been organized, was mustered 
 in on the i8th day of July, 1890. Mr. Walter S.
 
 THE N'INTH BATTALION ITS ORIGIN. 15 
 
 Tipton was elected its first captain ; Mr. J. H. Johnson, 
 first lieutenant ; Mr. H. R. Roberson, second lieutenant, 
 and Mr. A. Thomas was appointed its first sergeant. 
 
 Companies A and B having been formed, they 
 worked harmoniously and successfully together, both 
 tending toward the same common purpose, the better- 
 ment and elevation of the colored race in Chicago and 
 Illinois. Having two separate and distinct- heads, it was 
 considered essential now to have one general head 
 for the two companies ; hence a battalion was organ- 
 ized and a new command created, that of major, and 
 Captain B. G. Johnson, commanding Company A, was 
 elected major of the new battalion. Major Johnson's 
 first staff was composed of the following officers: J. 
 E. Bish, adjutant, with rank of captain; Dr. D. H. 
 Williams, assistant surgeon, with rank of captain ; 
 J. N. Croker, inspector of rifle practice, with rank of 
 captain ; R. J. B. Ellington, quartermaster, with rank 
 of first lieutenant. The non-commissioned staff was 
 chosen as follows: W. A. Jones, sergeant-major; 
 Henry Graham, quartermaster sergeant; J. W. Muse, 
 commissary sergeant ; Moses Trent, color sergeant ; 
 T. B. Jackson, ordnance sergeant ; Frank Hamilton, 
 hopital steward. The musicians were Willis Sykes 
 and Charles Hunt. The promotion of Captain John- 
 son to the rank of major created a vacancy in Com- 
 pany A for the captaincy, consequently First Lieuten- 
 ant J. C. Buckner was chosen and Second Lieutenant 
 J. R. Marshall was made first lieutenant, and First Ser- 
 geant J. C. Jordon second lieutenant. 
 
 As soon as the battalion was formed Major Johnson, 
 Captain Buckner and First Lieutenant Marshall, ably
 
 16 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 assisted by the captains and lieutenants of B company, 
 set about immediately in an untiring effort at securing 
 uniforms for the members, and fatigue uniforms were 
 eventually procured. A drum and bugle corps was 
 now all that was needed to make the organization com- 
 plete and the task of enlisting them was detailed to 
 Captain Buckner, and he successfully and satisfactorily 
 performed this duty. 
 
 After they had succeeded in getting them uniformed, 
 the bugle corps was the pride of the battalion. We 
 still find Mr. Chamberlin giving instructions to the 
 battalion, but at this juncture business duties com- 
 pelled him to relinquish his position, and with regret 
 on the part of himself, as well as the battalion, his con- 
 nection with the organization ceased. Mr. Chamber- 
 lin was succeeded by First Lieutenant George W. Bris- 
 tol, who afterward became captain in the First Infantry 
 Illinois National Guards. The battalion by this time 
 numbered about 185 men, of which 115 were fully 
 uniformed. 
 
 Company drills were held every week, on Monday 
 nights. Battalion drills were given on the third Mon- 
 day in each month. The battalion prospered, and was 
 a success. After a while C company was added. Then 
 D company was organized. Thus they remained for 
 several years. 
 
 A a well drilled battalion, the Ninth made applica- 
 tion to Governor Joe Fifer, then governor of the 
 state, for enlistment in the state militia, but the ap- 
 plication was denied, the governor's excuse being there 
 was no provision made for such an organization in the 
 last appropriation of the state Legislature.
 
 THE NINTH BATTALION ITS' ORIGIN. 17 
 
 All efforts failing in being attached to the state 
 guards by the promoters of the battalion, in 1894 the 
 colored voters of Chicago elected John C. Buckner, 
 (who was then major of the battalion) as a state 
 representative in the Legislature. He, having the 
 interest of his race at heart, as well as the welfare and 
 progress of his battalion, contrived, through great and 
 untiring efforts, and political influence, in having the 
 legislative body of the state enact a law, of which 
 Major Buckner was the father, creating a vacancy in 
 the state militia, for an additional battalion ; and also 
 making an appropriation for creating the same. Sub- 
 sequently they were mustered in as a part of the state 
 guards, being attached to Colonel Turner's command 
 of the First Infantry, National Guards, as the Ninth 
 Battalion, Illinois National Guards (infantry) and well 
 have they proven their fitness for the place. Upon all 
 demonstrations of public nature, the Ninth compared 
 favorably with the other National Guards of the state. 
 
 When the state was called upon for her quota of 
 men for the volunteer army, the Ninth was among the 
 first organizations volunteering their services. It was 
 found impossible to accept their offer in filling the 
 quota furnished by Illinois under the first call for 
 troops, but under the second call they were mustered 
 in. Their offer could not be consistently refused, as 
 their merits demanded, and public opinion exacted it. 
 Governor Tanner, who accepted their offer, has had no 
 occasion to regret his action, but has every reason to 
 feel proud and gratified at the splendid showing made 
 by this Illinois regiment of colored officers and colored 
 troops.
 
 i8 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 The original roster of Companies A and B, Ninth 
 Battalion, Illinois National Guards, was as follows: 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 Captain John C. Buckner 
 
 First Lieutenant John R. Marshall 
 
 Second Lieutenant John C. Jordon 
 
 First Sergeant C. L. S. Wickliffe 
 
 Second Sergeant J. H. Johnson 
 
 Third Serpeant Frank Nichols 
 
 Fourth Sergeant Theo. R. Vanpelt 
 
 Fifth Sergeant C. M. McCloudy 
 
 First Corporal J. H. Harris 
 
 Second Corporal George Holmes 
 
 Third Corporal J. C. Cowen 
 
 Fourth Corporal . , W. Dyson 
 
 Privates. W. A. Fergerson, George Allen, Asa Al- 
 len, C. H. Barnes, Ed. Bunch, A. L. Baldwin, J. C. 
 Brown, E. L. Benson, F. Bell, J. Bell, M. L. Baldwin, 
 L. Coleman, R. L. Ferguson, T. Grayton, Thos. Gray- 
 ton, Robert Good, A. C. Harris, F. W. Harsh, Dick 
 Johnson, Littleton Jones, H. Jenkins, C. Lenox, H. 
 Lenard, Robt. Lewis, Dan Laurance, Ed. Mead, Rob- 
 ert Malone, James Nelson, D. G. Orr, R. Parsons, T. 
 Porter, Prembill, R. E. Rhoades, W. H. Smith, James 
 Scott, A. L. Smith, S. S. Scroggins, George Summers, 
 G. T. Taylor, P. A. Taylor, T^ La Bough, E. J. Smith, 
 Head Strue, Scipio Spinks, L. E. Washington, J. E. 
 Wright, D. Wetzell, W. C. Wright, W. H. Washing- 
 ton, A. B. Wingfield, Joe Wickliffe, Logan Webb.
 
 THE NINTH BATTALION ITS ORIGIN. 19 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Captain W. S. Tipton 
 
 First Lieutenant J. H. Johnson 
 
 Second Lieutenant Henry E. Robeson 
 
 First Sergeant A. Thomas 
 
 Second Sergeant G. R. Scott 
 
 Third Sergeant C. L. Hunt 
 
 Fourth Sergeant H. C. Miller 
 
 Fifth Sergeant H. Love 
 
 First Corporal E. H. Moore 
 
 Second Corporal J. D. Fellows 
 
 Third Corporal H. F. Harden 
 
 Fourth Corporal I. Gibson 
 
 Privates. E. Brown, J. Bell, G. T. Baker, R. Burk- 
 halter, R. E. Burrows, Wm. Caskey, J. A. Anderson, 
 S. Amett, H. Elby, L. Frazier, F. Everett, R. W. 
 Summers, G. Harden, J. G. Owens, T. J. Hunter, N. 
 Howard, F. Hartsfield, L. Jones, F. B. Jackson, B. H. 
 Jones, J. Miller, E. Knight, J.E.Morgan, G.W.Kenby, 
 P. G. Orr, J. Porter, M. Tudlock, W. Paris, F. R. Per- 
 ryman, W. O. Pelky, C. H. Parker, G. Thomas, B. 
 
 F. Williams, W. R. Williams, R. White, P. R. Miller, 
 J. Wood, S. Young, E. S. Thomas, William Jones, 
 E. H. Anderson, J. U. Venie, H. White, H. Phinny, 
 
 G. H. Johnson, C. Thomas, W. W. Bond, S. M. Bowe, 
 E. Ward. 
 
 BIOGRAPHIES OF THE PROMOTERS OF THE OLD 
 NINTH. 
 
 Major B. G. Johnson, Commanding the Ninth. 
 Major Benjamin G. Johnson was born in November, 
 1859, at Baltimore, Maryland. He received his edu-
 
 20 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 cation at a normal school in that city. In 1874 he 
 moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he became 
 interested in military affairs, and enlisted in the Burn- 
 side Guards, as a musician. Soon after he entered 
 the ranks as a private, and was promoted to be cor- 
 poral. He remained in Providence but a. short time, 
 when he went to Boston, Mass. In 1879 ne kft Bos- 
 ton and came West to Chicago, securing a position 
 with the Pullman Palace Car Company, where he re- 
 mained till 1 88 1, when he accepted the position as 
 steward in the New York Cafe. Through the influence 
 of Hon. W. H. Bradley, clerk of the United States 
 Court, he was appointed to a position under the col- 
 lector of the port at Chicago. Later on he was pro- 
 moted to be an inspector of customs. In a civil-service 
 examination for this position, he passed with the high- 
 est and best examination, and was the first on the 
 eligible list of a class of seventy-seven applicants, his 
 percentage being ninety-two. He is a member of the 
 order of United Brothers of Friendship, and was for 
 a term of two years a district Deputy Grand Master. 
 It was through the earnestness of his labors that the 
 battalion was first uniformed. 
 
 Capt. James Ellis Bish, adjutant, Ninth Battalion. 
 
 Captain James Ellis Bish, one of the most prominent 
 and influential colored men in Chicago, and a prime 
 factor in all municipal elections, was born at Bonne- 
 Terre, Mo., October i, 1859, of slave parents. His 
 father having died in 1869, little James had to go to 
 work and assist in supporting the family. He at-
 
 THE NINTH BATTALION ITS ORIGIN. 21 
 
 tended school at Belleville, 111., after which he returned 
 to his native place and began teaching school, but was 
 compelled to leave by the Klu-klux. In 1872, he set- 
 tled in Belleville, keeping a cigar store and lunch coun- 
 ter at the depot. In 1876, he went to Alton, 111., studied 
 telegraphy, secured a position in the law office of A. 
 W. Hope, ex-mayor, where he read law. Coming to 
 Chicago in 1881, he was employed by Price's Baking 
 Powder Company for eight years. He is a good or- 
 ganizer, a fluent speaker, industrious, and a repre- 
 sentative man of his race. 
 
 Captain J. Norman Croker, Inspector of Rifle Practice. 
 Dr. J. 'Norman Croker is the son of John N. and 
 Sarah Croker of Richmond, Ind. Having left his 
 parental home, he claimed Chicago as his residence. 
 He began his education in the Indiana public schools. 
 Later he attended the Wilberforce University for a 
 period of three years, after which he returned to the 
 Western metropolis to complete a course of medicine. 
 After arriving here he found himself short in funds 
 and was unable to enter college. He therefore went 
 to work for two years as a clerk in a downtown cloth- 
 ing house. He then entered the Medical College of 
 the Northwestern University. In the meantime he 
 was clerk in the county treasurer's office, under Col. 
 Geo. R. Davis, and in the assessor's and collector's of- 
 fices. In 1889, he entered the Rush Medical College of 
 Lake Forest, and after taking a complete hospital and 
 medical course, graduated in 1890, as number fourteen 
 in a class of ninety-seven students. Dr. D. H. Wil-
 
 22 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 liams was selected by him as his preceptor, who, of 
 course, desired him to locate in Chicago. His choice 
 of locality was in the vicinity of State and Twenty- 
 second streets, but on account of his color, he was 
 unable to secure a location there, until Mr. Franklin 
 McVeagh, who was a friend of his, secured for him 
 the present location, southeast corner of State and 
 Twenty-second streets, where he succeeded so readily 
 he has received the sobriquet, "The lucky man." The 
 extension of his practice as a physician compelled him 
 to withdraw from the battalion. 
 
 First Lieutenant R. J. B. Ellington, Quartermaster. 
 Lieutenant Robt. J. B. Ellington was born at Fred- 
 ericksburg, Va., November 22, 1848. After receiving 
 a very good education, he took up the trade of 
 coopering, at which he worked until the outbreak of 
 the war. Being imbued with the spirit of patriotism 
 that prevailed in the Union at that time he enlisted 
 in the Fourth Vermont Volunteers (infantry), Second 
 Brigade, Second Division of the Sixth Army Corps. 
 He was in the campaigns of the Wilderness, Freder- 
 icksburg and Shenandoah Valley. At the close of the 
 war Robert, drifting with the tide of emigration, found 
 his way to Chicago, finding employment as armorer 
 of the First Illinois National Guards. He rendered 
 valuable assistance in the commissary department dur- 
 in the Stock Yards riots. He is a high Mason, and 
 took a prominent part in organizing the Knights of 
 Pythias Lodge, of which he was one of the first officers; 
 and he also is an ardent lover of the Eighth Illinois.
 
 THE NINT* ATTALIONITS ORIGIN. 25 
 
 Major John Clinton Buckner, Then Commanding Com- 
 pany A, Ninth Battalion. 
 
 Major John Clinton Buckner was born on his father's 
 farm in Kendall County. 111. He received all the ad- 
 vantages of an early school training and at the age 
 of fourteen years entered the- John Dillon Grammar 
 School, at Joliet, 111., and in time graduated therefrom 
 with honors. Afterward he spent two years at the 
 Northwestern College, at Naperville, 111. He would 
 have completed his course, but ill health interfered. 
 Seeing new and strange faces and things fasci- 
 nated Young Buckner, and consequently diverted his 
 desires and ambitions from farm life to that of the 
 city. Accordingly in 1876 he became a full-fledged, 
 bona fide resident of Chicago, securing employment 
 at first in the Adams & Westlake Brass foundry, after- 
 ward working for the well-known caterer, H. M. 
 Kinsley, and later with William Werner. Captain 
 Buckner being one of the principal promoters of the 
 battalion, became major, succeeding Major B. G. John- 
 son, who, after many years as an ardent and faithful 
 leader, resigned. With fresher brains and renewed 
 efforts, at this juncture the Ninth was clamoring for 
 admittance to the state National Guards. Hence, the 
 scheme of electing Major Buckner to the state Legis- 
 lature in the interest of the battalion and the entire 
 negro race in the state worked like a charm, and was 
 successful. The fact of electing J. C. Buckner to the 
 Legislature not only gave the military feature a state 
 cognizance, but has given the colored people of Cook 
 County, Illinois, a standing representation, by send-
 
 2") "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 ing one of their race back at each election. Many 
 persons remember the Spring Valley, 111., affair, or 
 riot, in 1896, when Major and Representative J. C. 
 Buckner, upon his own responsibility and taking his 
 life in his hands, proceeded to the scene of disturbance 
 and caused justice to be meted out to the Negroes of 
 that region, and to use a slang phrase, he made it so 
 hot for them, that some of the most prominent citizens 
 had to skip out, including the mayor of the town, to 
 escape justice. "The leading and most prominent 
 citizen" garb did not work as well in Illinois as it does 
 in other states, particularly in the South. To support 
 him, the boys of the Ninth Battalion were eager to 
 break open their armory, take out their arms, and go 
 down there to revenge the wrongs to their fellow men, 
 and it took the combined energies of some of the 
 more conservative members of the race to overcome 
 such motives. This was the material of which J. C. 
 Buckner s battalion was composed. 
 
 Captain Walter S. Tipton, Commander of Company B. 
 
 Captain Walter S. Tipton was born at Mount Ster- 
 ling, Ky., in 1857. When but a boy he left home and 
 went to Cincinnati, O., where he received his educa- 
 tion. He took up the profession of an actor and be- 
 came quite well known in the minstrel profession, hav- 
 ing traveled extensively. He organized Company B 
 and was unanimously elected its first captain. He 
 was among the foremost in his efforts to get the boys 
 uniforms.
 
 THE NINTH BATTALION ITS ORIGIN. 27 
 
 First Lieutenant John H. Johnson, Company B. 
 
 First Lieutenant John H. Johnson was born in Balti- 
 more Md., in 1858. He received his education from a 
 normal school of that city. In 1876 he went to Provi- 
 dence, R. I. While there he joined the Burnside 
 Guards, as a drummer boy. In 1876 he moved to 
 Boston, Mass., to live. In 1879 ne came to Chicago, 
 and when the Ninth Battalion was organized was 
 elected the first lieutenant of Company B. All the mem- 
 bers of his company speak well of him. 
 
 Second Lieutenant John C. Jordon, Company B. 
 
 He was born in Baltimore, in 1861, and obtained an 
 excellent education in that city. His first experience 
 as a soldier was begun July 8, 1887, as private in the 
 Baltimore Rifles, Maryland National Guards. In 1881, 
 while the state troops were camped at Frederick, 
 Major Matthews, one of the officers of the camp, 
 highly praised him for his soldierly bearing, and he 
 also received a gold medal from his lieutenant, Wil- 
 liam E. Filgham, for being the best drilled private. 
 Afterward he was promoted to a corporal. Later on 
 he came to Chicago, joining Company A, and was 
 made first sergeant upon the advancement of First 
 Lieutenant Buckner to the captaincy. Second Lieuten- 
 ant J. R. Marshall was made first lieutenant, and con- 
 sequently first sergeant John C. Jordon was promoted 
 to second lieutenant. 
 
 Captain Daniel H. Williams, Assistant Surgeon of 
 
 Ninth Battalion. 
 Captain Daniel H. Williams, assistant surgeon
 
 28 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Ninth Battalion, was born at Hallidaysburg, Pa., in 
 1857, an d received his education in Wisconsin. He 
 graduated from the Chicago Medical College in 1883 
 with high honors. Afterward he was a surgeon in 
 the South Side Dispensary and an influential member 
 of the Illinois State Board of Health. He is a member 
 of the Chicago Medical Association, the American 
 Medical Association, the Medico-Legal Society, etc. 
 He also was a promoter and earnest worker in the 
 Provident Hospital and Training School of Chicago. 
 He was also called to Washington City as chief physi- 
 cian in the Freedman Hospital, where in February, 
 1897, he superintended one of the most difficult and 
 miraculous operations that was ever performed in 
 surgery in America.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Of ali the wars and conflicts that the United States 
 government has been concerned in, at home or foreign, 
 there were never such complications and diplomatic 
 proficiency brought into question to test the American 
 statesmanship as has the late American-Hispano war, 
 or the war between Spain and America. Never was 
 there a war that has brought nations and even races 
 into such close bearings as did this last conflict. And 
 yet, while it was not a bloody conflict as a whole, it 
 was a beneficial one, not only to the Americans, but to 
 the entire civilized world. Its results have demon- 
 strated the effects of the high explosives used in mod- 
 ern warfare, and from a scientific point of view it has 
 proven to some extent the results of naval combats 
 with modern men-of-war. 
 
 These are not all of the benefits derived from this 
 last war; it has brought abruptly to a close the long, 
 irresistible, oppressive and barbarous misrule of the 
 once proud and haughty Castilian scepter upon this, 
 the free soil of the American continent. 
 
 Then there is another question it has settled; a 
 most perplexing problem, the consequences of which 
 have been determined, and that is, this war has proven 
 to the satisfaction of the entire world that a once de- 
 
 29
 
 30 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 jected, oppressed and much despised people, namely, 
 the Negro race, is capable of assisting in all human 
 affairs. The subject has often been argued and sus- 
 tained, and it yet predominates in some minds, and is 
 believed by a few prejudiced and bigoted people, that 
 the North American Negro is, and has forever been, an 
 irresponsible, unreliable and nonchalant human be- 
 ing, willing rather to be led than to be a leader: to 
 follow rather than to be followed. Let us notice this 
 fallacy and follow the career of the black brother. 
 
 For more than two centuries the Negro soldiers have 
 had to feign content, while their well-deserved honors 
 were thrust upon their white brother's head. 
 
 How remarkable the fact that the Negro soldier, 
 though having been cheated out of his just deserts, 
 not only in the Revolutionary war, when the black man 
 was not only the first to fall, but the first to lose his 
 life's blood in behalf of his country's glory, and in be- 
 half of union and liberty, in the personage of Crispus 
 Attucks, but, also, in the wars of 1812 and 1848 the 
 Negro soldier was found indispensable. They were 
 not utilized in the fighting capacity alone, but in build- 
 ing bridges, felling trees, to impede the enemy's ad- 
 vance, throwing up breastworks and digging trenches, 
 all of which were essential in warfare. And in the 
 war of the Rebellion in the United States, when the 
 Negro's destiny was at stake, the then degraded slave 
 and chattel fought most bravely and desperately for 
 his liberty and freedom. But the crowning glory and 
 credit were awarded to the Caucasian officers who 
 had commanded and led them, and after the battle and 
 victory the Negro soldier was told : "You have fought
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 31 
 
 bravely and well. Now go home and be good servants 
 and be obedient to your masters." 
 
 Upon all occasions, in every emergency and in every 
 cause wherein the love of union, liberty and freedom 
 was involved, the black soldier has always been the 
 first of his countrymen to respond to his country's call 
 and answer "Yes." 
 
 When the pride and governmental honor of this 
 great republic of ours was insulted and the stars and 
 stripes of our nation were ruthlessly assaulted; when the 
 236 white American seamen and the 30 brave colored 
 men, under the same circumstances, were blown up, 
 right at the gates of their home shore, the Negro sol- 
 dier was among the first to seek revenge through the 
 medium of the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, 
 and his earnest appeal, his constant cry was: "Give 
 us a chance. We don't need white officers for our 
 leaders, we can lead ourselves," and when, in response 
 to his pleadings, he was given a chance and accorded 
 the privilege of demonstrating to the world his valor 
 and patriotism, nearly one thousand three hundred 
 Afro-Americans on the morning of the thirteenth of 
 July, 1898, at Camp Tanner, Springfield, 111., held up 
 their right hands and avowed loyalty and allegiance to 
 the government of the United States. Such an oath 
 was taken before the mustering officer of the United 
 States, Major Ballou. 
 
 Was the Negro going to do battle the second time for 
 honors he had already won? As being a brave and 
 valiant soldier in time of war and a law-abiding, lib- 
 erty-loving citizen in time of peace? No. His en- 
 listment this time called upon him to do combat for
 
 32 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 humanity's sake. And he was equally willing and 
 anxious to assist in the liberation of another oppressed 
 and downtrodden people who were fighting for their 
 rights and privileges the Cubans. Nor was this all 
 he had pledged himself to do. He had voluntarily 
 sworn that he would uphold and protect the flag of 
 his country the stars and stripes which was most 
 grossly insulted on that fatal night when the ill-fated 
 Maine went down to the bottom of the waters of a 
 then supposed friendly nation Spain. He was also 
 going to do vengeance against the treacherous mur- 
 derers of those 266 brave seamen who met their fate 
 right under the frowning guns of Moro Castle, in 
 Havana Bay, and within a hundred miles of their home 
 shore. Such a daring and dastardly deed will never 
 be obliterated nor blotted from the annals of Ameri- 
 can history, neither will it die out in the hearts of the 
 young patriotic sons of America. 
 
 For over three hundred years Spain had held a des- 
 potic sway over many islands of the Caribbean Sea, 
 including the greater portion of the South American 
 continent. From time to time she had been forced 
 to relinquish possession after possession, province 
 after province, until only two were left to further en- 
 dure her oppression and iron-handed misgovernment. 
 In 1868 the island of Cuba, the second last, the rich- 
 est and most productive of her many possessions, de- 
 termined to discard or repel the oppressive and tyran- 
 nical misrule of Spain by instituting and waging a 
 vigorous war against her, which continued unabated 
 for ten years, until 1878, and even then they did not 
 cease their hostilities until Spain, through duplicity
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 33 
 
 and false promises, made concessions and treaties, 
 which she afterward violated and broke. The insur- 
 gents had laid down their arms to false terms and 
 diplomatic trickery and disbanded. 
 
 Spain's deception had its desired effect, and she be- 
 gan anew her tyranny and oppression, levying tax 
 after tax upon the poor Cuban, until he barely could 
 live. He even had to pay a tax upon tlie letters in a 
 sign that hung over the door of his little place of busi- 
 ness. While the Spaniard was exempted from most 
 taxes, it required only to be known that a resident 
 was a Cuban, and not in sympathy with the govern- 
 ment of Spain, to incur the heaviest of taxation.. The 
 poor Cubans, having disbanded, disposed of their 
 arms and munitions, had naught to do but become sub- 
 jected again to a greater degree of oppression and 
 tyranny than before. 
 
 On February 24, 1895, there was another, and the 
 last uprising or insurrection among the Cubans, who 
 were determined this time to endure taxation and im- 
 position no longer. With well prepared plans there 
 were fought in Los Negros (Black Forest), in the 
 province of Santiago de Cuba, three fierce and im- 
 portant battles. These battles occurred simultane- 
 ously in three towns Jiguari, Baire and Guantanamo. 
 These were the first real combats of the last insurrec- 
 tion and the results were effective. They being 
 fought on the same day and almost at the same hour, 
 the blow was sudden and decisive. 
 
 The leading generals in this movement were Gen- 
 erals Marti and Jesus Rabi. General Rabi lives, when 
 at home, in the mountains near Palma, Soriano de
 
 34 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Cuba, but is at this writing in command of the insur- 
 gent army in the eastern part of the island, being 
 commander-in-chief of the army of Eastern Cuba. The 
 insurrection spread rapidly and the aspect became 
 graver when the invincible Antonio Maceo and Gen- 
 eral Marti came back to the scenes of war. General 
 Marti still lives in San Luis de Cuba. Jose Maceo, 
 the young, brave general and brother of Antonio 
 Maceo, General Castillo, who had such a miraculous 
 escape at one time in coming to America, and General 
 Roloff, of filibuster fame, were all noted fighters. 
 Calixto Garcia and Maximo Gomez were living in 
 banishment from the island on account of the last 
 conflict, but upon the final uprising they hurried back 
 to the island, took up the gauntlet once more, and for 
 the last time against cruel Spain. Then there is that 
 tall, straight, black Cuban general, Quintin Bandaras, 
 "Old Defiant," who disobeyed the orders of General 
 Gomez and fought most independently, yet valiantly 
 and victoriously in the province of Santa Clara. He 
 it was who was at the head of all the black Cuban cav- 
 alry, and he also captured the capital city of Santa 
 Clara, with her thirty-eight thousand inhabitants. At 
 present Gen. Quintin Bandaras resides in a Santiago 
 de Cuba suburb, and whenever he passes through a 
 calle there is always a crowd to follow. He is much 
 respected and honored. 
 
 I feel that it is a good opportunity here to mention 
 the most noted generals who took part in this last 
 struggle. There were many daring ones, and brave, 
 even to a fault, such as the Maceos, previously spoken 
 of, the young Texan hero, General Anrenguren, who
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 35 
 
 was only twenty-six years of age when he sacrificed 
 his life in behalf of the Cuban cause, being ambushed 
 and killed right upon the threshold of his sweetheart's 
 home. He it was who gave that most cruel Spanish 
 general, Fondevilia, so much trouble and uneasiness 
 in the province of Pinar del Rio and in Habana prov- 
 ince, around the suburbs of the city of Havana, chiefly 
 Guanabacoa, many times chasing the cowardly Span- 
 iard right up to the gate of the city of Havana. 
 
 The most noted of these many Cuban generals are 
 four in number, to wit: Gen. Maximo Gomez, born 
 in Kingston, Jamaica, who was the commander-in- 
 chief of the entire Cuban army, and who led the white 
 infantry ; Gen. Antonio Maceo, who was 'at the head of 
 the black infantry ; Calixto Garcia, who led the white 
 cavalry, and Gen. Quintin Bandaras, who commanded 
 the black cavalry, which numbered,, at the time he cap- 
 tured Santa Clara, atiout six thousand cavalrymen. 
 Let us notice this grand army white soldiers under 
 white officers and black soldiers under black leader- 
 ship, all fighting in unison and harmony together. 
 They were not struggling for a white cause or a black 
 supremacy, but for Cuba libre. 
 
 Philippi Maceo is still living at this writing. He 
 resides in Santiago de Cuba, and while not a partici- 
 pant in this last struggle, was a veteran of the war of 
 1868. Senora Maceo, widow of Antonio Maceo, is 
 still residing in Santiago de Cuba, with her little son. 
 She stayed in Kingston, Jamaica, during the struggle, 
 but after the war was declared at an end, returned 
 to her home, her own dear native land. The last 
 named generals, Bandaras and Maceo, we make men-
 
 36 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 tion of and mark with more stress, because they were 
 more or less identified with the Negro race, and the 
 mere fact of their being Cubans did not exempt them 
 from the nomenclature of "Negro," for nominally they 
 were such, as the term "Negro" (niger) or black, per- 
 taining to individuals of a darker hue, has been 
 stamped upon the pages of the white man's history, be 
 they Americans, Cubans, Castilians, French, or any 
 other nationality. Hence, these last-named generals 
 were termed and identified with the Negro of America, 
 and hence the cause for which they fought and strug- 
 gled elicited the feelings and even the sympathies of 
 the members of the Eighth Illinois, saying nothing of 
 the allegiance they avowed to the government of the 
 United States. 
 
 Therefore, when the President of the United States, 
 urged upon by emergencies and respect for his coun- 
 try's pride and honor, issued a* call on Ihe 23d day of 
 April, 1898, for 125,000 volunteer soldiers to re-en- 
 force the regular army of the United States, it was then 
 that the members of the military organization known 
 and recognized as the Ninth Battalion of the state of 
 Illinois, and a part of the state militia, proffered their 
 services and were among the first of their countrymen 
 to offer themselves and their lives, if necessary, for 
 the cause of humanity, honor and liberty. Though 
 their services were not accepted on account of preju- 
 dice and a lack of confidence in the colored brother, 
 his oft-heard cry was, "Give us a chance; give us a 
 leadership." 
 
 Public indignation and excitement were rife. The 
 United States government was confronted by a war
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 37 
 
 with Spain ; men were needed and accepted irrespective 
 of race or color. So, when the president issued a sec- 
 ond call for 25,000 volunteer soldiers, which was on 
 the 25th day of May, 1898, that prejudicial barrier was 
 broken down and on the 28th day of June, 1898, John 
 R. Tanner, governor of the state of Illinois, caused to 
 be stamped upon the annals of the state of Illinois the 
 birth of the Eighth Illinois National Guards, composed 
 entirely, from colonel to private, of colored men, of 
 the state of Illinois, the only colored regiment in our 
 history commanded entirely by Afro-Americans. It 
 bespoke a new era to the Negro loyalist of the Union. 
 
 The President made a requisition on Governor John 
 R. Tanner for a second quota of men. The governor, 
 having identified himself with the boys of the Eighth 
 Regiment, believing in their worth and having confi- 
 dence in their valor, subsequently tendered their services 
 to the president and the war department. After much 
 deliberation and speculation, accompanied by the untir- 
 ing efforts of Governor Tanner, the Eighth Regiment 
 Illinois National Guards became, on the i3th day of 
 ' July, 1898, at Camp Tanner, Springfield, 111., members 
 of the United States volunteer army, to be known as 
 the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Regiment (infantry). 
 They were sworn into the government service by 
 Major Ballou, of the United States regular army. 
 
 The oath that was taken required that the men 
 should serve the government for a period of two years, 
 unless sooner discharged. About this time great and 
 varied preparations were being enacted and consum- 
 mated with regard to sending and distributing United 
 States soldiers in the different provinces of Cuba, espe-
 
 38 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 daily the most strategic and important provinces, 
 which were Havana and Santiago de Cuba. 
 
 It was decided upon by the War Department and the 
 President to finish the fight and occupy the island with 
 a volunteer army and recall the regulars and the vol- 
 unteers who had struck the first and fatal blow. The 
 rainy season, which had then begun, together with the 
 hardships and deprivations they had undergone and 
 endured, had greatly decimated the ranks of the 
 American soldiers in Cuba. Typhoid, yellow and 
 malarial fevers were beginning to be prevalent and 
 rampant, therefore it was advisable to withdraw the 
 former army and supplant it with the new, fresh vol- 
 unteer army. There were many speculations on the 
 part of the many regimental commanders or colonels 
 as to who should get to the front the first and as to 
 what provinces they would be consigned to, Havana or 
 Santiago de uba. The requirements seemed to 
 point toward the scenes of Moro Castle and San Juan 
 Hill at Santiago. The Eighth and Ninth Illinois, hav- 
 ing been called out by the state, also took the fever of 
 going to the front, and the trend of their ambition was 
 for Santiago. Both commands arrived at Camp Tan- 
 ner the same week, the Ninth, or Congressman Camp- 
 bell's command, and the Eighth, under Maj. J. R. Mar- 
 shall. The former arriving at Camp Tanner Monday, 
 June 27, 1898, and the Eighth reaching there four days 
 later, which was July I, 1898, and neither regiment 
 having its full quota of men, they began recruiting at 
 once, and there was great rivalry between the two 
 commands as to which would be called first. Gover- 
 nor Tanner was urged upon, on one side, to get the
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS:' 33 
 
 Ninth away the first, while on the other side the friends 
 of the Eighth were pressing matters for their regi- 
 ment. It seemed for a while that it would, be first 
 come, first served; a game of chance, or the first to 
 recruit up to the standard and be mustered in, the first 
 to go. The Eighth was the first to get a full list of 
 men. It could have taken a full regiment from Chi- 
 cago, but six companies from Chicago were all that 
 were allowed, the regiment being augmented by six 
 other companies from Southern Illinois. 
 
 It was an incident, well worthy of laughter, to see 
 Maj. J. R. Marshall borrowing men from the Chicago 
 companies to fill up the other six companies. It was 
 a case of trade, borrow and promise, and as has been 
 said, an observer, taking note of the situation, really 
 would have to laugh at Colonel Marshall, hustling here 
 and there in his shirt sleeves, for the sun was very hot 
 those July days. He would hold up first one captain 
 and then another, borrowing men, and the captain 
 for whom the man was wanted would be following, 
 boy-like, in his wake. Presently Marshall would 
 break away, giving that usual, familiar laugh of his. 
 He would have his man. Then you would see a pri- 
 vate with a little bundle in his hand emerge from a 
 tent. He would look back and say, "Well, good-by, 
 boys." Another would ask : "Where are you going, 
 pal ?" "Oh ! Colonel Marshall is going to put me in 
 company K," or L or M, or whatever company it might 
 be, and the colonel and captain would walk away vic- 
 torious and satisfied. This condition of affairs lasted 
 about four days, and Colonel Marshall had the roster 
 of the Eighth Illinois Regiment complete,
 
 40 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS" 
 
 In the meantime Colonel Campbell had been down in 
 the state, brought in a trainload of new, fresh farmer 
 boys, raised his regiment to the numerical standard, and 
 prepared to have them sworn in by presenting them to 
 the state adjutant-general, Reece, who in turn had 
 Major Ballou begin mustering them in, which work was 
 begun on Wednesday, July 6, 1898, and by Tuesday of 
 the next week the Ninth Illinois Volunteers were 
 United States soldiers. 
 
 Colonel Marshall having been bested in this, the first 
 bout and preliminaries, being undaunted, turned his en- 
 ergies toward the colonelistic plum, when it should 
 have fallen. There was a great strife for the colonelcy 
 of the Eighth Illinois. To be colonel of this experi- 
 mental and speculative body of men would be note- 
 worthy and famous. Therefore there were quite a few 
 candidates for the leadership. The three warmest con- 
 testants were John C. Buckner, major and a representa- 
 tive of the state of Illinois ; Charles G. Young of Ohio, 
 who was a West Point graduate and major of a bat- 
 talion in Ohio, and the successful candidate, Maj. J. R. 
 Marshall, who was major of the old Ninth Battalion 
 Illinois National Guards. 
 
 Then there were aspirants of the white race, who 
 knew a good thing when they saw it ; whose bosoms 
 were animated with the ambition of leading this famous 
 body of soldiers to the front. But the Hame of their 
 aspirations was quickly extinguished by the constant 
 and exclamatory cry of the Negro race, the Negro 
 press and coherents of, "Give the Eighth Illinois a 
 Negro colonel for their leader!" coupled with the ap- 
 plicants' cry of "Give us a chance !"
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 41 
 
 For many .days there was a lull ; the fight for leader- 
 ship seemed to have abated. The members of the 
 Eighth were held in suspense. They were growing 
 tired of the inactivity of the soldier life of Camp Tan- 
 ner. They wanted to enjoy other scenes, and clamored 
 for a change. 
 
 It was just one week after the Ninth was mustered 
 in, when on Wednesday, July 13, 1898, the Eighth 
 Illinois was mustered in. Then there was a little jocu- 
 lar scen'e enacted when some one remarked : "Boys, 
 they've got us now. Suppose they give us a white 
 man for a colonel, instead of a colored man. What 're 
 you going to do then?" "I'll desert," answered one. 
 "I will, too," remarked the second. "We will commit 
 mutiny," sanctioned many more. Then one big, con- 
 servative fellow said : "Oh ! fellows, it's no use to start 
 anything now. The stuff's off. If you start anything 
 now Uncle Sam would go out West and fetch the whole 
 of the United States regulars and turn them loose on 
 you. What you going to do then?" Finally we all 
 returned to our company streets and spent the after- 
 noon and evening in gossiping. 
 
 It was interesting to see such a ragged, motley set of 
 United States soldiers as we were. There could not 
 be found a good pair of pants, a whole coat or a decent 
 pair of shoes in all the companies. The day after our 
 regiment was mustered in and about ten o'clock in the 
 morning we began electing our captains. Having done 
 this, it remained for them to be commissioned, which 
 was done soon after. 
 
 The day was very hot. Old Sol had nearly reached 
 the zenith, when one of the sentries at the dome build-
 
 42 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 ing, which was the headquarters of General Reece and 
 Major Ballou, told one of the soldiers that was passing 
 that Maj. J. R. Marshall and field staff were inside be- 
 ing commissioned. This was too good news to keep 
 secret, so down through the company and regimental 
 streets he went, telling every soldier he met: "The 
 thing is settled now ; Major Marshall's going to be our 
 colonel." "Ah ! go on fellow ; that's another one of 
 them black dispatches." Then the dispenser of the 
 news, becoming exasperated, stopped right still and 
 said, "This is a sure thing, this pop, fellow, 'cause they 
 got him right over there to the dome building, fixing 
 him up now." It was but a few minutes before there 
 was a ragged, dusty, hilarious crowd of about thirty- 
 five or forty boys, emanating from every company in 
 the regiment, and resembling a small mob or riot, 
 marching on toward the dome building. "What's the 
 matter ?" was asked by many a one ; but the excitement 
 was too great ; no one had time to tell anything. Fi- 
 nally they passed out of view around the southwest cor- 
 ner of the building. We did not have to wait long to as- 
 certain the facts. In a very short time the crowd reap- 
 peared from around the corner of the building, noisier 
 than ever, and all clamoring for the central spot, for 
 right in the center, upon the shoulders of five or six 
 men, sat Col. J. R. Marshall of the Eighth Regiment, 
 who, after having received his commission as colonel 
 of the Eighth Illinois Regiment of the United States 
 Volunteer Army, and the first colored colonel who was 
 ever commissioned by the government of the United 
 States, was carried by the boys from one end of the 
 camp to the other, exclaiming as they went, "Who is
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 43 
 
 the colonel of the Eighth Illinois?" and answering, 
 "Col. J. R. Marshall." "What's the matter with Col- 
 onel Marshall?" Answer, "He's ail right." "Who is 
 all right?" "Colonel Marshall." "Hip, hip, hip, 
 hurrah ! for Col. J. R. Marshall." After they became 
 satiated with this he was let down to the ground, and 
 bending him over, each man took one light tap at him 
 with a paddle that was made for the purpose, after 
 which he was turned loose and went to his quarters. 
 Each respective major, captain and lieutenant was 
 hunted down by members of their companies and com- 
 mands, and were treated in the same manner, after 
 which the men disbanded, going to their tents satisfied 
 and contented, and I am proud to say they have been, 
 upon the whole, contented, subservient and obedient to 
 all commands and orders throughout their services as 
 members of the United States Volunteer Army ; and 
 though being away from their homes and kindred for 
 more than nine long, hot and laborious months, some 
 times fed, and some times hungry, they were returned 
 to their homes and mustered out, even with less 
 emolument from the government than they expected, 
 they bid their command adieu, separated like brothers, 
 like men, like soldiers, undemonstrative, but with con- 
 tent, passing onward to their families and friends, back 
 into the walks of the civilian and citizen, without a 
 word of discontent or a murmur, thus closing an epoch 
 in the history of the Eighth Illinois Regiment. 
 
 The colonelship having been settled, and the two 
 regiments being satisfied as far as the command or 
 leadership was concerned, attention was turned to the 
 question as to who was to be sent to Cuba. The bovs
 
 44 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 of the Ninth were seeking a chance to distinguish them- 
 selves, while on the other hand the Eighth was just 
 as eager as its opponent in courting fame and honor 
 for itself, and to make a new era for the negro 
 race, and it was a fact beyond questioning that the ex- 
 istence, the conduct, deportment and military achieve- 
 ments of the Eighth would characterize and shape the 
 future destiny of the entire negro race in America and 
 elsewhere, not only as soldiers, but as civilians, and as 
 citizens full fledged in all the vicissitudes and walks of 
 life. They could be rejected with impunity, or be ac- 
 cepted as being capable and reliable, according to their 
 failure or success. It was the first the individual duty 
 of each commissioned and non-commissioned officer, 
 and even each private, to act toward each other as to 
 not only incur the favor of the American government, 
 but to be respected by the many civilized nations of the 
 world. I believe they have won the admiration of them 
 all. 
 
 Though their deportment and services were so char- 
 acterized as to bring all but success in abating that 
 prejudical barrier, it has had a great tendency in allevi- 
 ating to some marked degree that racial hatred in all 
 parts, exclusive of the haunts of the lynching bee. 
 The military factor having done its part, it is now ieft 
 to the intellectual, industrial and educational, coherents 
 to affix the seal. 
 
 There had to be a compromise. It was not expedi- 
 ent for the War Department to dispatch both the 
 Eighth and Ninth regiments to Santiago at the same 
 time, neither was it convenient to do so, owing to the 
 lack of oceanic transportation, hence, it was decided to
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 45 
 
 send the Ninth Illinois to Chickamauga Park to be ac- 
 climated to the burning rays of the tropical sun, which 
 they would have to endure if sent to Cuba; while on 
 the other hand it was agreed that the colored boys 
 would be better adapted to the hot weather they would 
 be expected to experience on the island. 
 
 Near, or about, the 1st of August the Ninth received 
 orders to break camp. There was just beginning to 
 grow a friendly and soldierly feeling between the two 
 rival regiments the black and the white but they 
 were separated and the Ninth Illinois was off for the 
 southern military park. 
 
 Onjor about the 5th of August Colonel Marshall re- 
 ceived a telegraphic message : "Be ready to break camp 
 in forty-eight hours." When he imparted the news to 
 the first battalion, through their major or the adjutant, 
 it was at retreat. To say that excitement was rife would 
 be putting it mild. Following this order came one of 
 greater expectancy : "Send the Eighth Illinois Regi- 
 ment to Santiago de Cuba, via New York City." 
 Words are inadequate to describe the scene at the re- 
 ception of this intelligence. Sunday morning, August 
 7th, found Camp Tanner in a bedlam. All that was 
 left of the Ninth were broken boxes, boards and some 
 straw scattered around promiscuously. In the quarters 
 of the Eighth tents, boxes and pack-rolls were piled 
 up everywhere. Guns, bayonets and canteens were 
 stacked together in all directions, wagons were passing 
 to and fro, loaded with ammunition and equipments, 
 commissioned officers, sergeants and corporals were 
 giving orders and taking them, and every private was 
 busy as could be executing the same.
 
 46 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 About three o'clock in the afternoon it began to rain 
 very hard. The cloud bath was unheeded. Camp 
 breaking went on just the same. The Eighth was going 
 to Cuba, and water was no deterrent. Everything hav- 
 ing been put in the cars, except the cooks' kitchens 
 and mess tables, the boys repaired to the grand stand 
 (the camp was in the fair grounds) to sleep for the 
 night. The seats were the beds of the soldiers that 
 night. Some were having dreams of farawav Cuba, 
 and of battlefields ; some having visions of home and 
 friends, and others were peering through the darkness 
 of the night, expecting every moment to see the head- 
 light of an engine bringing cars to take them on their 
 journey. Such was the state of many minds. 
 
 The dawn of Monday morning and the sounds of 
 reveille found them in the same expectancy. The day 
 was spent in anxiety and song. Among some of the 
 songs were, "God be with you till we meet again," 
 "Will they miss me at home, will they miss me," 
 "Stand by your purpose true," and others of similar 
 strain. 
 
 About 3 o'clock p. m. there was a long string of 
 coaches came creeping slowly and noiselessly up to 
 the platform, where we were to get aboard, then an- 
 other; still another. They were the forty-six cars in 
 four sections that were to bear the Eighth Regiment 
 away on their journey to the scenes of war a yell 
 rent the air. It put the officers to their energies, to 
 form us into companies, march us to the dome build- 
 ing to get our first government pay, preparatory to 
 taking the train. 
 
 However, the difficult task was accomplished. The
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 47 
 
 regiment was in the coaches and sentinels on each step 
 to prevent the men from getting off, buying "red-eye," 
 or a possible chance of being left.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as it was 
 mustered into United States service at Camp Tanner, 
 July 13, 1898, conisted of the following officers and 
 privates : 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. 
 
 Colonel John R. Marshall 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel James H. Johnson 
 
 Major of Second Battalion . Robt. R. Jackson 
 
 Major of Third Battalion 
 
 Franklin A. Dennison 
 
 Adjutant .Harvey A. Thompson 
 
 Regimental Quartermaster. .James S. Nelson 
 
 Sergeant Major Robt. F. Ratcliff 
 
 Surgeon Major E. A. Wesley 
 
 Assistant Surgeons... J Dr ' D ' W - Curtis 
 I Dr. E. S. Miller 
 
 Chief Musician William J. Barnett 
 
 Principal Musicians. . . J Charles W - Hunt 
 ( William E. Cooper 
 
 ( Curtis P. Somerville 
 Hospital Stewards . -< Harry S. McCard 
 
 ( Henry Turnley 
 Color Sergeant Clarence E. Thompson 
 
 48
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 49 
 
 Regimental Clerk Albert W. Hubbard 
 
 Regimental Stenographer. . .Wilson Debney 
 
 Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant 
 
 Lincoln C. Valle 
 
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS REGIMENT BAND. 
 
 Drum Major Jesse Cash 
 
 Chief Musician W. J. Barnett 
 
 Principal Musician William Cooper 
 
 Cornets. William Cooper, Henry Ren, Walter 
 Thomas, Joe Hunter. 
 
 Bass. George W. Cooper, William Robinson. 
 Slide Trombones. Addison Robinson, William 
 Reece, Earl Franklin, Walter Patterson. 
 
 Altos. Rosco Holt, John Crowford, W. Buchanan, 
 Sylvester Johnson. 
 
 Baritones. Price Woods, Morris Cobbs. 
 Clarinets. Olie Mack, Clarence Boman, Charles 
 Willims. 
 
 Piccolo. Noah W. Williams. 
 
 Chief Bugler Charles W. Hunt 
 
 Buglers. George B. Brown, Ben. Wanzer, William 
 Turner, Abraham Ejicah, David Millen, James Moly, 
 Edward Watson, Logan White, Guy Wilson, William 
 Diamond, James A. Fox, John White, John Colston, 
 Samuel Clare, William L. Scott, Ira King, Lee Will- 
 iams, Fred Makers, William Holliday, Horace Alex- 
 ander Watt Saunders, Fred Parker, James Logan, John 
 Jackson. 
 
 COMPANY A, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain Theodore R. Van Pelt 
 
 First Lieutenant John W. Allison 
 
 4
 
 50 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Second Lieutenant Stewart Betts 
 
 First Sergeant William H. Payne 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant . Abraham L. Baldon 
 
 Sergeants. William H. Hill, Jas. T. Duporte, Al- 
 fred Baldwin, William H. Thompson. 
 
 Corporals. Jas. T. Brewington, Leslie Calwin, Eu- 
 gene Campoon, Isaac Hayden, W r alter Judd, Perry B. 
 Kopperel, Hugh Mosby, Joseph Norris, William 
 Roaden, Henry T. Senders, William Whitaker, John 
 Mason. 
 
 Privates. H. K. Hurley, J. Bateman, S. A. Chase, 
 J. H. Bell, R. L. Furgenson, I. F. Brewington, I. M. 
 Cash, F. W. Allen, J. Smith, J. H. Clay, J. H. Coleman, 
 S. Burns, G. Cnggel, T. Dabney, J. Devonshire, W. 
 Dorsey, V. S. Drain, G. Dardains, A. C. Durst, S. D. 
 Dyer, A. Fanner, D. Gradey, J. Grant, O. Grear, H. T. 
 Guffin, J. Hogans, W. Hancock, W. Harper, A. Har- 
 ris, G. A. Holmes, O. W. Holmes, J. B. Hubbard, G. 
 Isobel, F. A. Jackson, J. Jackson, J. R. Jackson, T. B. 
 Jackson, R. M. Jarvis, A. Johnson, W. E. Jones, J. H. 
 King, W. Long, G. Mitchell, W. J. Newman, P. 
 Mitchell, W. Murray, G. L. McFadden, C. McPherson, 
 W. Oliver, F. C. Pegram, G. Reed, M. Reynolds, J. 
 Rice, A. Robinson, W. Sanders, R. Sanford, L. Shover, 
 E. Shaw, E. P. Smith, E. J. Smith, R. Stantey, O. 
 Sykes, A. W. Taylor, J. B. Taylor, O. Taylor, E. A. 
 Tidwell, T. Tucker, R. Twitt, T. M. Ward, E. White- 
 head, J. Whitehead, T. Wilkerson, H. C. Nelson.. A. 
 Woodfolk, B. T. Woodfolk, G. W. Cooper, C. P. 
 Jounger, F. Burks, T. Moody, M. Pettiford, W. R. 
 Mitchell.
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 51 
 
 COMPANY B, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain A. Thomas 
 
 First Lieutenant G. T. Baker 
 
 Second Lieutenant G. A. Nevels 
 
 First Sergeant D. B. Davis 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant . . C. L. Henderson 
 
 Sergeants. T. Hartsfield, T. F. Tyler, R. W. Gully, 
 S. Alexander. 
 
 Corporals. J. Bradley, R. P. Kurd, W. Settles, R. 
 Carter, J. D. Turner, A. Curry, J. Lowe, L. C. Talbert. 
 W. E. Jones, S. H. Griffith, W. M. Ellison, J. L. 
 Hunter. 
 
 Artificer. T. Lindsay. 
 
 Wagoner. W. D. Porter. 
 
 Privates. Thomas Anderson, A. F. Buttler, A. 
 Brown, L. Brown, W. Crawfort, W. Carter, J. Davis, 
 R. Downs, J. Dunson, J. Dillyhay, W. Durary, J. T. 
 Fry, H. Griffin, W. Howard, J. Hall, B. Humphrey, 
 H. Moore, W. Moore, J. L. McFerren, F. D. Mack- 
 ness, S. Nickens, A. Payne, W. Petterson, J. Parks, 
 T. W. Ross, A. R. Smith, A. R. Smith, W. Travis, W. 
 Thomas, C. Turner, O. Turner, G. Thomas, J. Terry, 
 J. Tubune, G. Upchurch, W. Van, L. Walker, S. 
 Walker, W. Webster, W. Shannon, W. H. Willams, 
 I. Washington, B. Petters, J. P. Phillips, C. Stallcup, 
 G. W. White, C. Edwards, W. White, H. Payne, F. 
 Horkins, J. Hill, C. Jones, R. Jackson, T. Lee, C. Love, 
 J. Maze, E. Norris, P. Smith, S. Johnson, W. Johnson, 
 R. Holt, G. Yound, G. Yound, William Johnson, W. 
 Garvin, George Ferriss, Frank Parks, Wilson T. 
 Kelley, J. Jomer, H. Holliday, G. Frazith, W. Green, 
 J. Smith, R. B. Tracy, W. W. Buchanan, R. C. Bow-
 
 52 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 man, W. Reese, G. L. Lawson, M. Williams, H. Jeffer- 
 son, W. Wyatt. 
 
 COMPANY C, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain C. L. Hunt 
 
 First Lieutenant . . . J. W. Shreeves 
 
 Second Lieutenant Fred Searles 
 
 First Sergeant Albert Johnson 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant. .Samuel P. Mottley 
 Sergeants. G. W. Sawyer, Capp Hadley, Jessie 
 Butler, James D. Shreeves. 
 
 Corporals. W. L. Crown, Clarence E. Howard, 
 Ad. Jackson, F. C. Johns, C. Kinner, J. H. Luckey, 
 W. L. Luckey, F. T. Nickols, A. Taylor, J. Thomas, 
 Chas. F. White, R. W. Westberry. 
 
 Musicians. Charles H. Hay, William H. Turner. 
 Artificer. Jose S. Shreves. 
 Wagoner. Nat. N.. Watson. 
 
 Privates. Frank Akers, W. M. Anderson, L. Ben- 
 jamin, W. E. Berry, G. Brooks, H. Brown, J. Carter. 
 J. T. Cave, J. Chappie, S. D. Chaxton, L. Collier, J. 
 Cirm, J. W. Davidson, F. Duef, C. Dyer, J. Edwards, 
 M. Flowers, H. Ford, E. D. Franklin, H. Freeman, 
 F. W. Freeman, W. H. Gardner, J. H. Coins, H. Hard- 
 away, A. Hartison, W. S. Hart, W. Harris, E. Henry, 
 
 F. Hightower, M. Hopon, Ed. Hogan, Bruce Horton, 
 L. Jackson, G. W. Johnson, J. Johnson, L. Johnson, 
 L. H. Johnson, D. P. Lewis, O. Mack, P. McNeary, 
 L. Mitchell, L. Michaux, W. B. Michell, G. L. O. Mor- 
 gan, M. Munphus, G. Notan, P. Norton, A. Patton, G. 
 Peake, A. Pierce, O. M. Polk, W. H. Polk, C. Pryer, 
 
 G. H. Reed, A. Reeves, W. A. Richardson, L. Robin-
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 53 
 
 son, H. B. Ross, G. A. Marshall, E. R. May, 
 S. S. McLowan, Fred Searls, W. Sharp, J. W. 
 Sleat, B. P. Smith, J. J. Strodrick, C. Taylor, 
 G. A. Taylor, R. Terrel, H. Thomas, B. Up- 
 church N. Watson, J. Williams, J. Wilson, R. 
 Wise, G. White, R. Thomason, W. Thomas. 
 
 COMPANY D, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain William T. Jefferson 
 
 First Lieutenant Howard Love 
 
 Second Lieutenant Thaddeus Stepp 
 
 First Sergeant Charles T. Fielden 
 
 Sergeants. George Smith, M. Hopkins, J. C. Gan- 
 ger, E. Washington, R. P. King. 
 
 Corporals. O. Lythecom, C. J. Johnson, J. Brewer, 
 Joe Fielden, Chas. Ross, Floyd Lewis, William 
 Sparks, T. Turpin, Thomas Pettis, B. Pinckney, R. 
 Troutman. 
 
 Privates. J. Robinson, J. Jordon, C. Williams, E. 
 Caldwell, R. Roland, G. Patterson, W. Johnson, 
 N. Williams, T. Tyler, W. Diamond, J. Baker, C 
 Page, J. Blackey, C. W. Johnson, A. Gibson, 
 J. H. Johnson, S. Selby, W. Richardson, A. 
 McGee, G. Constance, A. Boone, Wm. Robin- 
 son, A. Harris, R. W. Seals, W. Brooks, J. F. Conway, 
 
 E. Garland, F. Harris, T. Moore, W. Thatcher, W. 
 Mohr, W. Conway, A. Acres, W. B. Brown, J. H. 
 Frazier, Dave Millen, J. Hightomes, C. E. Steward, 
 
 F. H. Bland, Chas. Turner, P. Hunter, E. Dozier, W. 
 Dabney, J. Wilson, J. Ewing, W. Garnett, A. Payne, 
 T. Duncan, H." Young, J. Standford, J. Webster, J. 
 Riley, P. Farmer, W. Williams, A. Cheers, Gus Robins,
 
 54 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 W. Hall, L. Brown, W. Clay, W. McGee, W. Byrd, 
 I. Harper, W. Gratton, C. Hamilton, A. Reed, T. 
 Johnson, W. Pruden, W. Douglass, Ed. Williams, A. 
 Marshall, J. Wells, H. Pearmon, D. Miller, D. Town- 
 send, L. Henderson, J. Banks, H. Jackson, J. McQuin- 
 ney, W. Jones, E. Robinson. 
 
 COMPANY E, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain Richard R. Roots 
 
 First Lieutenant Arthur Williams 
 
 Second Lieutenant James M. Rauls 
 
 First Sergeant Oliver M. Davis 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant. .Arthur H. Brown 
 Sergeants. George McConnel, Irving Nickens, J. 
 G. Lee, Joseph Johnson. 
 
 Corporals. Frank Armstrong, Harry Brown, Isaiah 
 Cook, Matthew Edwards, Frank J. Evens, Charles H. 
 Harper, Joseph B. Johnson, David Lockett, George 
 W. Morris, William Radford, Egbert R. Williams. 
 Musicians. John Coleston, Watt Launders. 
 Artificer. Tom Gray. 
 Wagoner. Frank Smith. 
 
 Privates. G. E. Adams, T. B. Arnold, J. Bransone, 
 E. Bosley, G. P. Brown, L. Brown, T. Brown, H. 
 Black, E.' D. Barber, A. Brown, E. W. Berry, B. Col- 
 lins, G. Campbell, J. B. Carpenter, A. Carroll, B. 
 Chavis, B. Coleman, C. B. Chappie, W. Coster, J. M. 
 Drexler, H. Davenport, E. Dorsey, G. Edwards, J. 
 Embry, L. H. Ferrol, A. H. Fields, W. Gash, J. Gar- 
 nett, E. Green, G. W. Herring, T. Hannah, E. Hardy, 
 G. Hubbard, M. Hundley. A. Johnson, J. Jarvis, J. 
 Jones, J. Jackson, W. Johnson, A. Jordon, J. Gransome,
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 55 
 
 B. Smith, J. Scott, C. H. Stephen, T. Strother, J. 
 Tolls, D. B. Jackson, J. A. Lankins, H. Lumpkins, P. 
 Levens, C. Mosby, G. Markson, J. Mobley, C. Mat- 
 thews, C. McNiel, J. McHennis, R. McGill, J. Mc- 
 Henney, W. Petit, H. W. Pitner, E. J. Porter, W. 
 Quarrels, C Royal, M. Ransome, H. E. Taylor, M. 
 O. Smith, S. C. Smith, F. Vernon, L. Williams, G. 
 Williams, T. Wilks, B. White, B. T. Wonjer, F. 
 Wilber, J. R. Robson, C. Abbott, J. Watson, Frank 
 Young, G. Williams. 
 
 COMPANY F, CHICAGO. 
 
 Captain William B. Akers 
 
 First Lieutenant Clinton L. Hill 
 
 Second Lieutenant John McDonald 
 
 First Sergeant Augustus Rantus 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant. . .P. W. Randolph 
 Sergeants. Geo. L. Patterson, Theodore Hawkins, 
 Richard B. Bonzell, Varies A. Davis. 
 
 Corporals. Charlie Lindsay, William Turner, 
 Schuyler Phillips, Chas. A. Brown, William W. Wil- 
 liams, Herman H. Hector, George W. Gray, George 
 W. Woods, William T.. Goode, Emery Snowden, 
 George H. Griffin, Arthur Thompson. 
 Musicians. Jas. A. Fox, Wm. L. Scott. 
 Artificer. Alex. Alford. 
 Wagoner George Cobb. 
 
 Privates. C. Ambrose, A. F. Anderson, B. Ander- 
 son, G. W. Bean, J. H. Berry, J. T. Berry, C. Bishop, 
 S. Boyd, J. F. Bowden, B. Brent, J. J. Brown, J. R. 
 Brown, J. W. Brown, G. H. Bryant, E. J. Burnett, J. 
 R. Burt, F. Blakes, W. H. Corey, S. Crutchfield, W.
 
 56 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Douglass. M. Fields, J. Fox, W. Foster, J. H. Frazier, 
 S. Morris, H. Gardner, G. Hawkins, J. Hadley, G. Hall, 
 W. F. Hays, G. H. Haywood, F. Holloway, A. W. 
 Hubbard, J. G. Humphrey, J. Hyde, J. Jackson, No. 
 i; J. Jackson, No. 2; M. Jackson, F. Jenkins. T. W. 
 Johnson, A. Jones, J. Lane, S. Lane, E. Leek, C. 
 Lewis, G. Liverman, M. W. M. McCall, J. McGowan, 
 J. McLamore, W. M. McDonald, J. Mitchell, J. Moore, 
 J. A. Morgan, F. Mosbey, M. J. C. Nunn, A. Parks, 
 L. Pearmon, F. Prather, J. H. Rudd, S. Rudd, A. Scott, 
 C. W. Starks, J. P. Stewart, W. E. Steward, T. E. 
 Stone, G. S. Strother, G. W. Sykes, L. TaybounvR. 
 Turner, G. Walls, H. Warfield, W. Weaver,' W. Whit- 
 aker, C. Stoddard. T. M. White, C. H. Williams, S. 
 Williams, P. Wilkins, P. E. Woodall, W. H. Wool- 
 ridge. 
 
 COMPANY C, BLOOMINGTON. 
 
 Captain .Julius Weatherspoon 
 
 First Lieutenant H. W. Jameson 
 
 Second Lieutenant Charles Reece 
 
 Privates. W. Smith, H. Milom, N. D. Lamb, C. 
 S. Anderson, .S. Hardeman, B. Brown, J. Holley, H. 
 Robert, S. White, I. Guy, W. A. Patterson, O. Brown, 
 J. G. Wilson, G. Smith, J. W. Patton, P. Lewis. D. 
 Blake, H. Burnett, D. Farley, A. C. Williams, J. Pen- 
 nix, W. Boyd, W. Roberson, D. Moore, M. Turner, 
 M. Turner, C. Wright, J. Samuels, C. Myers, J. Court- 
 ney, C. Young, F. Roberts, N. Knight, G. Samuels, E. 
 Thomas, S. Roberts, W. P.- Crouse, J. H. Simmons, 
 H. D. Rodgers, V. McDonald, J. Lane, A. Jefferson, 
 H. Harrison, A. Fears, W. A. Shaw, M. Burnes, E. 
 Thomas, D. E. Lee, C. Kemp, J. Hardin, W. Riley, W.
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 57 
 
 M. Jones, D. G. Hobbs, S. Sublett, J. Dunn, S. Madi- 
 son, J. Browner, F. S. Davis, W. D. Johnson, D. 
 Gibbs, J. B. Gains, W. Williams, S. Williams, J. Pros- 
 sers, N. Lewis, L. Livingston, W. Bell, A. B. Butler, 
 J. H. H. Hawkins, C. G. Toliver, H. Riley, E. Henry, 
 J. Stikes, W. Smith, W. M. Yancy, W. Mechields, F. 
 Murphy, C. Earley, W. R. Finley, J. Javis, C. Jacobs, 
 W. Jordon, F. Grayer, W. A. Watson, W. Harden, 
 J. H. Lee, F. Yarbery, W. Rollins, C. Jones, S. D. 
 Bell, F. B. Richard, T. Tichnor, E. Brown, A. Smith, 
 W. Walker, C. Martins, G. E. Gusle, W. R. Clark; 
 C. Glasco, W. Bryant. 
 
 COMPANY H, SPRINGFIELD. 
 
 Captain William Darrell Hodge 
 
 First Lieutenant .Richard R. Ross 
 
 Second Lieutenant Walter T. Jackson 
 
 First Sergeant Robt. Blakeman 
 
 Second Sergeant Henry Williams 
 
 Sergeants. Oliver Curtis, Frank Lewis, Joseph 
 Richardson, Henry Brody. 
 
 Corporals. Joseph Morgan, Henry Ross, William 
 Farmer, Elias Kirby, James Hatcher, David Edwards, 
 Charley Rose, Luther King, George Beard, Frank 
 Burns, Edward Womley, George Burton. 
 
 Privates. R. Adams, D. Brown, D. Giles. M. 
 Maker, G. Harris, D. Maher, I. King, J. Hubbard, R. 
 Wright, S. Morgan, S. Donegan, F. Vernon, I. Wal- 
 ton, A. Washington, F. Washington, C. Watkins, J. 
 Webb, I. Williams, L. Williams, N. Williams. R. Wil- 
 liams, W. York, L. Marshall, A. D. Johnson, C. Hole- 
 man, J. Wells, E. Parks, L. Parks, W. Petit, W. Pey-
 
 58 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 ton, W. Pollard, C. Quayles, W. Ragland, G. Ray, N. 
 Redmond, B. Rickets, J. Robinson, C. Ross, E. Rucker, 
 I. Lounders, E. Lcttoiss, W. Smith, B. Brown, J. 
 Tayborn, A. Thompson, G. Alexandra, G. Bishop, W. 
 Blackford, A. Bland, K. Brayboy, A. Brown, W. Burk, 
 M. Burton, R. Calhoun, G. Cartes, H. Dickens, I. 
 Dixons, R. Hall, J. Edwards, C. Ensaw, J. Farmer, 
 C. Moore, E. Owendorf, F. Ford, L. Gloves, E. Green- 
 leaf, A. Harden, G. Lacy, W. Hicks, H. Hill, H. Hole- 
 man, A. Johnson, J. Jones, P. Kirby, G. Loomis, J. 
 Lucas, G. Marshall, A. Meredith, H. Miller, H. Min- 
 hard, W. Marshall, R. Washington. 
 
 COMPANY I, QUINCY. 
 
 Captain Frederick Ball 
 
 First Lieutenant Arthur H. Walker 
 
 Second Lieutenant W. J. Smith 
 
 First Sergeant Charles S. S. Morris 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant. Charles O. Robinson 
 Sergeants. Chas. H. Peterson, Samuel Duncan, 
 John A. Pride, John M. Walker. 
 
 Corporals. Joseph Jordon, Thomas W. Robinson, 
 William Perkins, James W. Cropp, J. W. Ball, Edward 
 Martin, Robert L. Penix, William Sandberry, John W. 
 Griffin, Bailey Butler, John Hampfom, John Long- 
 meyer. 
 
 Artificer. Taylor Wheeler. 
 Wagoner. William W. Ball. 
 
 Privates. W. W. Thompson, C. Maxwell, W. Blue, 
 R. Gibson, B. Tucker, L. Bruington, A. Hicks, E. 
 Miller, S. Bittler, R. Harris, R. Gilstrap, W. Wyatt, 
 C. Simington, H. Dear, L. Bernard, E. W. Johnson,
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 59 
 
 A. Ellis, S. P. Paris, S. Lester", B. Barnes, I. H. Dor- 
 sey, S. Artis, J. A. Combs, G. McWilliams, W. E. 
 Woods, A. Thompson, S. Kaskin, E. Foster, W. 
 Griffy, W. Washington, M. Davis, B. Lakeman, H. 
 Newbolt, H. Henry, R. Crockett, J. Roland, P. Rich- 
 ardson, H. Gillum, F. H. Smith, F. Ward, W. Morris 
 H. Mitchell, J. E. Marshall, D. Merritt, W. Coby, H. 
 M. Burrell, A. Bunch, T. Douglass, W. T. Bell, F. 
 Moore, H. Williams, W T . Phoenix, J. Blackberry, J. 
 Jefferson, A. Smith, C. A. James, E. Harrison, E. 
 Bush, W. Dorton, S. Green, Edgar Phipps, J. McCray, 
 J. J. Clark, W. Ward, J. H. Perkins, Jr., S. Jackson, 
 W. A. Releford, G. W. Johnson, C. Plummer, M. 
 Spencer, W. H. Dallas, W. A. Brown, B. Bruington, 
 J. H. Harris, W. Johnson, J. Glover, J. Deming, A. 
 J. Harvey. 
 
 COMPANY K, LITCHFIELD. 
 
 Captain L. W. Denison 
 
 First Lieutenant William Carter 
 
 Second Lieutenant J. W. Washington 
 
 Sergeants. George Carter, Joseph White, William 
 Smith, Henry O'Bryant, Joseph Yender. 
 
 Corporals. Daniel Lucas, Frank Moore, Leonard 
 Stanley, Horace Alexander, William Spearman, Earn- 
 est Lee, Frank Adams, J. North, Everette Redmore, 
 William Redmond, Sylvester McAlister. 
 Artificer. Harrison Porter. 
 Wagoner. John Johnson. 
 
 Privates. J. Grant, J. H. Harris, E. Hill, F. Holmes, 
 G. Hunter, R. Hays, R. Hyatt, J. Jones, J. L. James, 
 W. R. Johnson, A, W. Johnson, A. Jackson, T. Jones,
 
 60 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 W. Jones, J. Keeling, L. Knight, J. Knox, E. Lee, 
 No. i ; E. Lee, No. 2 ; E. Letsher, W. Lewis, F. H. 
 Logan, J. Mayers, N. Maskane, F. A. Mitchell, C. M. 
 Owens, P. Peair, J. Eden, B. F. Edwards, C. C. Allen, 
 H. Alexander, F Adams, T. Albritton, H. Anderson, 
 J. Bramum, C. Brown, H. Bovvens, W. Bell, J. W. 
 Baker, W. Birch, F. Branch, F. Brown, A. Bush, G. 
 Butler, G. Baker, L. Baily, J. Bell, C. Cooper, J. 
 Curtis, M. Casper, P. Collins, A. Claypool, E. L. Co- 
 field, P. Davis, G. Eaves, F. Ferguson, W. Garrett, C. 
 Gordon, E. Pendleton, H. Raymond, G. Rush, W. 
 Scott, T. Smith, E. Summers, H. Taggart, E. Terrell, 
 Wm. Thomas, Walter Thomas, I. Valentine, A. De- 
 vandemus, W. Walker, A. Waddle, J. Wallace, W. 
 Wilson, J. Wilson, S. Williams, W. M. Williams, P. 
 W. Woods, S. S. Hall, J. Jackson, D. Titsworth, J. 
 R. Thomas. 
 
 COMPANY L, MOUND CITY. 
 
 Captain G. V. Lane 
 
 First Lieutenant J. E. Hawkins 
 
 Second Lieutenant J. W. W. Layden 
 
 First Sergeant Horace G. Burke 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant . . Holland A. Hoard 
 Artificer. Thomas Harmon. 
 Wagoner. William Noble. 
 
 Sergeants. Joel F. Lloyd, Joe Mann, Robert T. 
 Simms, Clarence E. Thompson. 
 
 Corporals. Robert Glover, George V. Lane, Jr., 
 Elijah Whitener, Hillman Davis, George W. Hughes, 
 Jr., George McCurry, Emerson E. Hymes, Arthur
 
 ROSTER OF THE EIGHTH. 61 
 
 Carr, Flemin Fisher, Jeff Turner, John W. Paschall, 
 Phelix Daley. 
 
 Privates. J. H. Blithe, J. W. Parks, G. McCurney, 
 W. M. Craig, W. Allen, R. F. Reed, J. P Jones, 
 K. D. Brown, L. W. McCracken, H. E. Thompson, M. 
 Uzzell, W. Stewart, H. Long, J. F. Smart, J. Pollard, 
 I. Johnson, W. Miller, G. Burrows, J. G. Morgan, A. 
 Johnson, E. Adams, E. Adams, I. P. Hunter, G. Smith, 
 H. Webster, W. G. Graham, R. Glover, C. Payne, S. 
 McCurry, J. A. Crawford, R. T. Eims, E. L. Taylor, 
 P. Moore, C. E. Thompson, L. Wilson, S. McKay, J. 
 W. Smith, H. A. Hoard, R. A. Edwards, G. Lane, E. 
 King, J. Mewson, F. Miller, J. Turner, J. Whitener, 
 L. Waters, M. E. Cobb, G. Thompson, Jas. S. Mann, 
 W. Titter, A. Jackson, J. Rollins, F. Daley, E. Wil- 
 liams, S. Hoofman, T. Dunning, C. R. Dalton, T. 
 Harmon, G. Hays, B. Lichmore, E. A. Gordon, F. 
 Flakes, W. Moore, W. G. Lloyd, P. Wilson, T. John- 
 son, A. Bradly, H. Davis, H. Kirby, H. Evans, J. 
 Roberson, J. D. Allen, A. Carr, W. Lipscomb, J. W. 
 Paschall, P. H. Henry, E. Hynes, W. Miles, A. 
 Hughes, F. Fisher, F. A. Hagler, E. Whitner, G. W. 
 Hughes, W. Reed, J. Kimball, C. Orrington, J. Meals, 
 J. Lloyd, H. G. Burke E. Bidel, S. Gibson, 
 J. Adams, J. M. Robinson, G. G. Anderson, J. White, 
 O. Henderson, A. Robinson, W. Noble, W. T. 
 Stephens, W. E. Cousins, R. Crocket. 
 
 COMPANY M, CAIRO. 
 
 Captain J. W. McAdoo 
 
 First Lieutenant W. H. Donaldson 
 
 Second Lieutenant W. Davis
 
 G2 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 First Sergeant William M. Davis 
 
 Quartermaster Sergeant. . . .George H. Lane 
 
 .Sergeants. Charley Trulock, William M. Buckner, 
 James W. Moss, Henry D. Douglass. 
 
 Corporals. William M. Mitchell Richard Barnett, 
 Samuel Phillips, Albert Thomas, Ed. Lambert, James 
 A. Wilson, Simon Mathes, William M. Leech, Richard 
 Bracy, Plise Holly, Judge J. Phinnese, Frank Meal. 
 
 Artificer. Robert Hayes. 
 
 Teamster. Joe Davis. 
 
 Musicians. Abraham Elijah, Logan White. 
 
 Privates. J. H. Martin, C. Bragade, G. Mashy, W. 
 Knowiles, T. Joiner, Ed. Patterson, A. Pilliar, J. 
 Thomas, R. Williams, J. White, M. Morris, W. Carter. 
 D. Birdsong, J. D. Douglas, W. W. Sevenson, G. 
 Wade, W. Barker, W. Futts, M. Wllliford, Eel. 
 Thomas, C. Owens, C. Bradshaw, W. Johnson, G. 
 demons, J. Fields, N. Silvers, D. Farrow, H. Pier- 
 cen, T. McKisac, A. Moss, W. Everts, A. Johnson, 
 J. Hill, A. Newman, S. Elliott, J. Mopkins, Ed. 
 Mitchell, R. W. Cole, A. Jackson, D. Fagan, E. Allen, 
 J. M. Brown, W. F. Jones, J. Scroggs, B. W. Shank- 
 lin, R. Moss, C. Fonasil, A. Newton, W. Martin, L. 
 Baker, F. Dudley, J. Knowles, J. Risk, W. Brackman, 
 M. W. Duepree, J. Wart, I. O. Dillard, P. Freeman, 
 J. T. Smith, S. Grear, J. Ward, D. Sumner, S. Gas- 
 kins, S. Tucker, J. W. Washington, E. G. Smith, E. 
 Wright, N. Morrow, A. Herron, H. Cook, W. Bu- 
 chanan, F. Newson, J. R. Rials, J. Clark, E. Wadkins, 
 J. J. Wimbish.
 
 COLONEL JOHN R. MARSHALL
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Biographies of Field and Line Officers of the Eight Illinois 
 Volunteer Regiment. 
 
 COL. JOHN R. MARSHALL, 
 
 Commanding the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Col. John R. Marshall was born at Warrenton, Fau- 
 quier County, Va., March 15, 1859. When he was two 
 years old his parents removed to Alexandria, Va., 
 where he received the full benefits of the schools of 
 that city. When he was fifteen years old he was ap- 
 prenticed with his uncle to learn the stonemason's 
 trade. After serving at that trade for three years, he 
 joined his uncle in partnership, and they worked to- 
 gether successfully for four years. 
 
 In 1880 Colonel Marshall came to Chicago and 
 found employment with one of the largest contractors 
 of the city, in whose employment he continued for 
 more than ten years, and was justly termed their right- 
 hand man. 
 
 In 1886 Colonel Marsh?ll was married to Miss Lulie 
 Branter of Alexandria, of whom his fondest regards 
 can be traced back to his boyhood days. 
 
 It is needless to say anything as to his zealous work 
 in A Company as lieutenant, then captain, and finally, 
 5 05
 
 (56 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 when Maj. J. C. Buckner resigned the majorship in 
 May, 1898, he succeeded him as major of the Ninth 
 Battalion, and it was through his untiring efforts that 
 the Ninth Battalion became the Eighth Illinois. 
 
 In making the fight for the colonelship he has 
 proven his undying energy and pluck. These same 
 traits characterized him during the entire nine months 
 of his leadership of the Eighth to fame and honor. 
 
 On the 23d of July, 1898, Maj. John R. Marshall 
 was commissioned as colonel of the Eighth Illinois Vol- 
 unteer Infantry (colored). There were a few com- 
 plaints made of the colonel, but he was well aware of 
 the prejudicial source from which they emanated. He 
 knew, as did his staff as well, that his command was 
 on trial and restraint was required to secure the good 
 name and blessing the regiment received on returning 
 home. The colonel was strict, but not severe. He 
 was cordial, affable and kind to his men. He always 
 looked otit for the best interests of his men, and so 
 careful and successful was he in selecting his staff 
 that friction was eradicated. 
 
 Mrs. J. R. Marshall, the wife of the colonel, was 
 one of the very few colored ladies who saw Cuba, she 
 following her husband to the tropics, braving pestil- 
 ence, fever and even death, alike with the colonel. 
 Mrs. Marshall has more than the ordinary courage of 
 a woman ; she is kind, courteous and affable. 
 
 After the colonel was mustered out of service he 
 was the recipient of a set of eqaulets, belonging to a 
 Spanish officer, captured in the battle of Manila Bay, 
 May, 1898. This was a rare honor, but the colonel 
 was deserving. Upon returning to civil life. Colonel
 
 V v ' V 
 
 . * oN 9?> 

 
 LIEUT. -COLONEL JAMES H. JOHNSOX.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 09 
 
 Marshall was tendered and accepted the office of 
 deputy sheriff of Cook County, Illinois a much cov- 
 eted position. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. JAMES H. JOHNSON. 
 
 James H. Johnson was born in Washington, D. C, 
 and at the time of receiving his commission as lieuten- 
 ant-colonel was 36 years old. In 1880 he enlisted in 
 the Ninth United States Cavalry for "a term of five 
 years, during which time he made a fine record and 
 gained a medal for sharpshooting. 
 
 In 1880 he came to Chicago to reside. In 1891 he 
 joined the Ninth Battalion, and in 1892 he was ap- 
 pointed adjutant of the battalion, in which capacity he 
 served until made lieutenant-colonel, with credit to the 
 battalion, as well as himself. Colonel Johnson is a 
 master of army tactics, a soldier and a gentleman. I 
 can truthfully say there was never a harsh word 
 spoken of him during his service in the regiment. 
 
 MAJOR ROBERT R. JACKSON. 
 
 Robert R. Jackson was born September T, 1869. at 
 Malta, [11., coming to Chicago with his parents when 
 but one year old. Twelve years later he graduated 
 from a grammar school in this city. In December, 
 1888, he entered the postal service as a stamper. Suc- 
 cess and energy being with him, he arose from one 
 position to another until he was made foreman at Sta- 
 tion M during Col. John M. Sexton's administration. 
 
 In 1892 he became a Knight of Pythias, and being 
 ambitious and aspiring, was elected adjutant-general 
 on the major-general's staff. 
 
 In 1895 ^ r - Jackson was enrolled in Company D,
 
 70 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Ninth Battalion, as a private, but as was his general 
 characteristic, he continued to court advancement un- 
 til he was called Captain Jackson of Company D. Cap- 
 tain Jackson was not content to let matters stop here, 
 but when the Ninth Battalion was made the Eighth 
 Illinois Volunteer Regiment, Captain Jackson was 
 commissioned Major Jackson of the Second Battal- 
 ion. 
 
 Major Jackson entered his new station of high rank 
 unassumingly, and with all the zeal and courage that 
 has characterized him in every position of honor he 
 has held. 
 
 When the Eighth Illinois arrived in Cuba, Major 
 Jackson, with Companies E and F, was detached from 
 the regiment and sent some eighteen miles distant to 
 garrison the old Spanish town of Palma Soriano de 
 Cuba. The circumstances and responsibilities in con- 
 nection with this military post were of such nature 
 that almost every one said: "It required the services of 
 a man much the senior and more experienced than was 
 Major Jackson ;" but Colonel Marshall knew of what 
 material the young major was made, and the selection 
 proved a success. Though he had soldiers, Cubans and 
 Spaniards to deal with, he went about his task in that 
 same unassuming and self-reliant way, and quitted the 
 post with credit and honor, to the regret of Cuban, 
 Spaniard and his men alike. He and Lieutenant-Col- 
 onel Johnson ranked among the best drilled officers of 
 the regiment. In the army he made a very successful 
 record, there being no complaint coming from his su- 
 perior officers and no officer looked more gallant and 
 graceful than did he.
 
 MAJ. R. R. JACKSON. 
 Post Commander, I'alinn. Soriano de Cuba,
 
 -HO 
 
 -< > 
 
 2 
 
 CO
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 73 
 
 MAJOR FRANKLIN A. DENISON. 
 
 Franklin Augustus Denison was born at San An- 
 tonio, Texas, in 1862. He attended the public schools 
 in that city and prepared himself for entering Lin- 
 coln University, which he did in 1883, graduating 
 from that institution in 1888. The same year he en- 
 tered the Union College of Law in Chicago, graduat- 
 ing as valedictorian in 1890. 
 
 In 1891 he was appointed as an assistant prosecut- 
 ing attorney of the city of Chicago by Mayor Wash- 
 burne. So befitting and qualified was he for the posi- 
 tion that he has retained it during the terms of four 
 administrations, to \vit : Mayors Hempstead Wash- 
 burne, John P. Hopkins, George B. Swift and Carter 
 H. Harrison, Jr. So practical and successful has been 
 the career of Attorney Denison, that he was retained in 
 office without regard to political affiliations serving 
 under two Republican and two Democratic mayors. 
 
 When the Eighth Illinois arrived at Santiago, Gen- 
 eral Lawton appointed Major Denison president of a 
 general court-martial, he being the first and only 
 colored man appointed to such a position. The major 
 was also one of the judges of the Court of Claims, sit- 
 ting in Santiago. His courteous greeting and soldierly 
 bearing won for him the respect and esteem of all his 
 associates; his manly conduct and legal qualities won 
 for him the favorable opinion of all the officers of the 
 Eighth. 
 
 MAJ. ALLEN W. WESLEY, Chief Surgeon. 
 
 Allen Alexander Wesley was born September 25, 
 1856, at Dublin, Ind. He received his early schooling 
 at Cincinnati. Corning to Chicago he attended the
 
 74 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Bryant & Stratton Business College. From there he 
 went to the Fisk University at Nashville, Tenn. From 
 that institution he graduated with the degree of A. B. 
 in 1884. 
 
 In 1870 he turned his attention toward the profession 
 of medicine, and was associated with Dr. William 
 Mussey of Cincinnati. He also took a three years' 
 course of study at the Northwestern University Medi- 
 cal School, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 
 1887. 
 
 He was one of the founders of the Provident Hos- 
 pital, and in 1895 he was appointed surgeon-in-charge 
 of that institution. Major Wesley was a clinical as- 
 sistant to Walter Hay, M. D., LL.D., in the department 
 of mental and nervous diseases, Chicago Medical Col- 
 lege, 1885-89. From 1886-88 he was clinical assistant 
 to Prof. R. N. I sham in the surgical department of 
 the same institution. He has also filled the position of 
 district county physician for Cook County in Chicago, 
 111. 
 
 In May, 1898, when hostilities between Spain and 
 America were inevitable, he entered the Ninth Bat- 
 talion, I. N. G., and on going to Springfield with the 
 Eighth Regiment was commissioned major-surgeon. 
 July 2, 1898, while in Springfield, he was on the state 
 examiners board of physicians, which examined more 
 than three thousand applicants who applied for en- 
 listment in the two regiments the Eighth and Ninth 
 Illinois Volunteer Infantry. 
 
 Upon reaching Cuba with the Eighth Illinois he 
 was placed in charge of the post hospital at San Luis 
 by Gen. E. P. Ewers, as acting brigade surgeon, hav-
 
 MAJ. FRANKLIN A. DENISON, 
 Judge of Court of Claims, Santiago.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 77 
 
 ing under his care three regiments, viz., the Eighth 
 Illinois, the Ninth Louisiana and the Twenty-third 
 Kansas, besides the members of the army pack trains 
 and the signal corps. 
 
 Comparing the death rate of the Xinth Immuncs 
 with that of the Eighth Illinois, it speaks well for the 
 efficiency and painstaking care which the major em- 
 ployed in selecting men to brave the ravages of torrid 
 Cuba. 
 
 ADJUTANT HARVEY A. THOMPSON. 
 
 First Lieut. Harvey A. Thompson was born July 
 24, 1863, at Columbus, Ohio. His early education was 
 obtained in the public schools, after which he attended 
 the Fisk University and La Moyne College. 
 
 In 1883 he enlisted in the Ninth United States Cav- 
 alry, from which he received an honorable discharge 
 after five years' service. Upon his discharge he went 
 to Nashville, Tenn., and entered the Mehany Medical 
 College, where he studied for two years. 
 
 Corning to Chicago in 1890, he became prominent 
 in politics and business circles. He held a clerkship at 
 the central police station, in which he was making a 
 successful record, when he enlisted in the Eighth 
 Illinois as adjutant, with rank of first lieutenant. 
 
 In 1894 Lieutenant Thompson was married to Miss 
 Frances Gowins, to whom he owes a great deal of his 
 fortune and success in life. One child has been added 
 to their union, which is the crowning point of their 
 happiness. 
 
 Every private in the regiment looked with pride 
 upon their adjutant. Riding at a gallop along the
 
 78 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 regimental front he was graceful. Standing erect, re- 
 peating the "Detail for to-morrow," his attitude was 
 striking, and his sonorous voice was heard by every 
 soldier in the ranks. The adjutant was in high favor 
 among all in the regiment. 
 
 LIEUT. JAMES S. NELSON, Regimental Quartermaster. 
 
 James S. Nelson was born in Windsor, Canada, in 
 1861. Coming to Chicago shortly afterward, he made 
 it his home. In 1884 he was naturalized as an Ameri- 
 can citizen. 
 
 Mr. Nelson has served as sergeant-major and quar- 
 termaster of the Ninth Battalion. 
 
 In 1894 he was married to Dr. Ida Gray, who at 
 that time was the only colored woman dentist in the 
 United States. 
 
 He studied law at the Chicago Law College, being 
 registered in 1897. When the Eighth Regiment was 
 called, Mr. Nelson resigned his position as bookkeeper 
 in a city office to become the regimental quartermaster 
 of the Eighth. His record as quartermaster was ex- 
 cellent, and the ease and system with which he at- 
 tended to his duties speak favorably for him. 
 
 LIEUT. J. W. CURTIS, Assistant Surgeon. 
 
 Dr. J. W. Curtis was born in Marion, Ala., July 29, 
 1856. His father, A. H. Curtis, was state senator for 
 six years. Dr. Curtis was educated at the Lincoln 
 University and the State Normal School of Marion, 
 Ala., and for six years taught school in that state, and 
 in 1879 ne ld the professorship of his alma mater. 
 
 He received an appointment to a clerkship in 1882
 
 MAJOR ALLEN A. WESLEY, 
 Chief Army Surgeon.
 
 ^^
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 81 
 
 in the Pension Office at Washington, D. C. From 
 1889-91 he was a special agent of the Pension Office 
 for Northwestern Illinois and Nebraska. 
 
 Dr. Curtis graduated from the Howard Medical 
 University in 1888. 
 
 In 1891 he resigned his position as pension agent to 
 practice his profession, coming to Chicago to reside. 
 He was a member of the medical staff at the Provident 
 Hospital. 
 
 Being appointed assistant surgeon of the Eighth Il- 
 linois by Governor Tanner, he went with the regiment 
 to Cuba. When Companies E and F were detached 
 from the regiment and sent to Palma Soriano, Dr. 
 Curtis was in charge of the post hospital there for 
 five months, and much to his credit, only one man was 
 lost by natural death during that period of time. 
 
 FIRST LIEUT. EDWARD S. MILLER, Assistant Surgeon. 
 
 Edward Smith Miller was born August 31, 1858, 
 on a farm in Garrard County, Ky. Beginning his edu- 
 cation in the public schools of Danville, Ky., in 1880, 
 he moved to Meadville, Pa., where he completed a 
 course in college, taking a two years' literary course, 
 in the meantime supporting himself. He matriculated 
 in Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in 1889, 
 graduating with high honors in 1893. In 1897 Dr. 
 Miller took a post-graduate course in the Harvey Medi- 
 cal College. 
 
 Going with the Eighth Illinois to Cuba, he was in 
 
 charge of the field hospital at Camp Marshall. Dr. 
 
 Miller was held in esteem by all the officers of his 
 
 regiment and every private spoke good words of him. 
 
 6
 
 82 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 He is a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias. 
 
 Dr. Miller was married at Springfield, 111., July, 
 1898, on the very eve of -his departure to Cuba, Miss 
 Mamie Evens of Winchester, Ky., being the happy 
 bride. 
 
 CAPT. JORDAN CHAVIS, Chaplain. 
 
 Chaplain Jordan Chavis was born February 16, 1856, 
 in Massac County, 111. He began his education in the 
 common schools of Metropolis, 111. In 1870 he re- 
 moved with his parents to Mississippi, entering the 
 Aleona University in 1872. He graduated in 1876, 
 taking the normal course. 
 
 He was ordained a Baptist minister the same year. 
 Along with his pastorate he taught school until 1880, 
 when he returned to Metropolis and was married to 
 Miss Hattie Marshall of that city. Since then he has 
 held the pastorate of the following churches : Pisgah 
 Baptist Church, Bloomington, 111., two years ; Bethesda 
 Church, Chicago, 111., three years ; Eighth Street 
 Church, Quincy, 111., ten years. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Chavis assisted in organizing Com- 
 pany I of Quincy, and was appointed and commis- 
 sioned chaplain of the Eighth Illinois with rank of 
 captain, August i, 1898, by Gov. J. R. Tanner. 
 
 Jordan Chavis did valuable spiritualistic services 
 
 while in Cuba, and the church interest, the army 
 
 Christian Endeavor, and the army Sunday-school 
 
 were at all times under his guardianship, meeting with 
 
 his hearty approval and earnest support. 
 
 Captain Chavis has often completed a set of fours 
 while at drill and dress parade. He was highly ap-
 
 LIEUT. HARVEY A. THOMPSON, REGIMENTAL ADJUTANT.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 85 
 
 predated in the regiment, practicing non-sectarianism, 
 but Christianity and obedience to God. 
 
 He built a little palm-covered church, and baptized 
 twelve converted soldiers in the Cuban waters, thus 
 recording the first Protestant baptisms in Santiago 
 Province. The following is what Brigadier-General 
 Ewers, commanding San Luis de Cuba, said of the 
 chaplain : 
 
 "Headquarters District of Majari, 
 
 "San Luis de Cuba. 
 
 "Chaplain Jordan Chavis, Eighth Illinois Volunteers. 
 "Dear Sir: I take pleasure in stating that while you 
 have been under my command, since August 26, 1898, 
 you have performed your duties in a faithful manner, 
 and with credit to your profession. I recommend you 
 as an energetic and zealous Christian, and one worthy 
 in every way of the position you hold in your regi- 
 ment. 
 
 "Very respectfully, 
 
 "E. P. EWERS, 
 "Brigadier-General Commanding." 
 
 CAPTAIN THEODORE VAN PELT, Company A. 
 
 Captain Van Pelt was born at Glens Falls, Warren 
 County, New York, September 29, 1857, and received 
 his early training in the Empire State. In 1873 he re- 
 moved to Illinois. Captain Van Pelt was a sergeant in 
 the Ninth Battalion at the beginning of that organiza- 
 tion, enlisting as a private in Company A, June I, 
 1890, and being appointed sergeant October I, 1891. 
 December 7, 1892, he was elected a second lieutenant. 
 July i, 1894 he was elected first lieutenant of Com-
 
 86 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 pany A, holding that rank until he succeeded John R. 
 Marshall as captain of Company A. Van Pelt acted 
 as major of the Second Battalion for nearly three 
 months of his service, while Major Jackson was de- 
 tached. He is a thorough tactician, genial, courteous 
 and well spoken of by officers and privates. 
 
 Captain Van Pelt is the proprietor of one of the 
 most popular barber shops on State street, in Chicago. 
 He is a Knight Templar, being an officer in St. George 
 Commandery. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN W. ALLISON, Company A. 
 
 Lieutenant Allison was born at Collierville, 
 Tenn., in 1865. He came to Chicago in 1892. He 
 joined the Ninth Battalion, and being energetic he be- 
 came a proficient drill instructor, and was made a 
 sergeant. 
 
 When the Eighth was called he was commissioned 
 as first lieutenant of Company A. While Captain 
 Van Pelt was acting major of the Second Battalion he 
 had charge of the company. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT STEWART A. BETTS. Com- 
 pany A. 
 
 Stewart A. Betts was born in the state of Ohio, in 
 1873, coming to Chicago at an early age. In 1896 he 
 joined the Ninth Battalion. When the Eighth was 
 called out he was a first sergeant ; but was commis- 
 sioned a second lieutenant. 
 
 CAPTAIN ADOLPHUS THOMAS, Company B. 
 
 Capt. Adolphus Thomas was born in 1861, in Han- 
 cock County, Ga. He attended the public schools
 
 LIEUT. JAMES A. NELSON, REGIMENTAL QUARTER- 
 MASTER.
 
 

 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 89 
 
 in Atlanta. In 1882 he joined the National Guard of 
 Georgia, and was sergeant of his company. In 1885 
 he attended the national competitive drill. He received 
 the honor of being the best drilled man on the field, 
 and that fall was elected first lieutenant of his com- 
 pany. 
 
 Coming to Chicago he joined Company B as a ser- 
 geant. In 1892 he was elected first lieutenant of Com- 
 pany B, Ninth Battalion, and in 1893 became its cap- 
 tain. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT GEORGE T. BAKER, Company B. 
 
 George T. Baker was born at New Orleans, La., 
 December 15, 1863. He is a cracker baker by trade. 
 
 He began his military life in Natchez by joining the 
 Lynch Guards of Natchez, Miss, holding the commis- 
 sion of first lieutenant at the age of eighteen. On be- 
 coming a Knight of Pythias he was elected first lieuten- 
 ant in B. F. Bowies' Division No. 18, K. of P. 
 
 He came to Chicago in 1888, and in 1891 he joined 
 the Ninth Battalion, and in 1892 he was appointed a 
 corporal, in 1893 a first sergeant, and November 5, 
 1895, he was elected first lieutenant of Company B. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT G. A. NEVELS, Company B. 
 Lieutenant Nevels was born in Washington, Mo., in 
 1867. In 1887 he came to Chicago. On November 
 4, 1895, he joined the Ninth Battalion as hospital 
 steward, which position he held until July i, 1898, 
 when Governor Tanner commissioned him a lieuten- 
 ant. He was detached for some time while in Cuba, 
 filling the position of adjutant on General Ewers' staff; 
 at another time he was acting brigade quartermaster.
 
 90 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 CAPTAIN C. L. HUNT, Company C. 
 
 Capt. Charles L. Hunt was born June 29, 1862, in 
 Chicago. He therefore is a typical Illinoisan. He 
 received his education at the Jones and Dearborn 
 schools. 
 
 His early ambition was to be a soldier. In his early 
 days he belonged to the Hannibal Zouaves, and was 
 with them when they became the old "Sixteenth" Bat- 
 talion, I. N. G. He joined Company B, Ninth Bat- 
 talion June 17, 1891. May 3, 1892, he was elected 
 second lieutenant, holding that rank till September 28, 
 1895, when he was elected first lieutenant. November 
 4, 1895, he was elected to the captaincy of Company 
 C. Captain Hunt's coyotes are a sturdy and plucky 
 set of men, and they think much of their captain, who 
 stands by his men at all times. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN W. SHREEVES, Com- 
 pany C. 
 
 Lieut. John W. Shreeves was born in New Bedford, 
 Mass., in 1866. He received a splendid education in 
 early life, having prepared himself for a governmental 
 position. For three and a half years he was employed 
 in the Bureau of Printing and Engraving at Wash- 
 ington, D. C. 
 
 In 1890 he came to Chicago. In 1894 he joined the 
 Ninth Battalion as a private, and by 1898 he had 
 reached the lieutenancy. He acted also as provost 
 marshal, while in San Luis. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT FREDERICK D. SEARLES. 
 Company C. 
 
 Lieutenant Searles, like Captain Hunt, is also a 
 native of Chicago. He received his education in the
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT J. W. CURTIS, 
 Chief Post Surgeon, Palina, Soriano de Cuba.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 93 
 
 public schools of that city. He is an electrical me- 
 chanic, and has held many positions of trust and skill, 
 among them storekeeper at the Dunning institution and 
 deputy in the County Agent's office. He was one of 
 the promoters of the Ninth Battalion, and was elected 
 to the lieutenancy in 1892. While in Cuba he was an 
 inspector of rifle practice with rank of captain. Lieu- 
 tenant Searles belongs to the Odd Fellows and the 
 Knights of Pythias. 
 
 CAPTAIN WILLIAM T. JEFFERSON, Company D. 
 
 Captain Jefferson was born in Washington, D. C., 
 August 4, 1864. His parents removed to Derby, Conn., 
 when he was a small boy. In this little city he ac- 
 quired his public schooling. At eighteen he began his 
 apprenticeship at dentistry, in which he remained for 
 eight years. In 1889 he entered the dental school of 
 Howard University at Washington, D. C. One year 
 later he came to Chicago, and in March, 1890, he en- 
 tered the American College of Dental Surgery and 
 graduated March 24, 1891. He joined Company D of 
 the Ninth Battalion April i, 1895; was elected second 
 lieutenant May i, 1895, and in November, 1895, was 
 elected first lieutenant of the company he now com- 
 mands. He is a thorough tactician. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT HOWARD LOVE, Company D. 
 Lieutenant Love was born in Urbana, Ohio, in 1865, 
 where he lived fifteen years. In 1885 he came to Chi- 
 cago. He joined the Ninth Battalion in 1891. He was 
 soon appointed a sergeant, and was elected a second 
 lieutenant in 1897. In 1898 he was commissioned as 
 first lieutenant. When the regiment reached Cuba
 
 94 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Lieutenant Love was detailed regimental ordinance 
 officer, in which capacity he remained until he was 
 mustered out of the government service. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT THADDEUS W. STEPP, 
 Company D. 
 
 Lieutenant Stepp came to Chicago in 1887. 1 l &9 
 he was a charter member of the Ninth Battalion, at 
 the age of 26 years. He has been janitor of the Ply- 
 mouth Congregational Church in Chicago. Lieuten- 
 ant Stepp did some splendid work in photography 
 while in Cuba, and brought many interesting scenes 
 home with him. 
 
 CAPTAIN RICHARD P. ROOTS. Company E. 
 Captain Roots was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 1860, 
 and attended school in Tennessee. He came to Chi- 
 cago in 1884, and soon after entered the civil service 
 in the postoffice. Captain Roots succeeded Maj. R. R. 
 Jackson as post commandant, Military Post No. i, at 
 Palma Soriano de Cuba, and while in that capacity 
 was well respected by Cubans and Spaniards. ( He was 
 one of the most unbiased officers in the regiment. 
 He was as impartial with the men of F Company as 
 those of his own company. Captain Roots has seen 
 five years' service in the United States Regular Army, 
 serving as bugler in G troop, Tenth Cavalry, and then 
 as a sergeant. Our experience with him showed well 
 his training. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT ARTHUR A. WILLIAMS. Com- 
 pany E. 
 
 Lieut. Arthur A. Williams was born in Athens, Ga., 
 in 1870. He attended the public schools in that city tin-
 
 WILLIAM J. BARXETT, CHIEF MUSICIAN.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 97 
 
 til he was fifteen, then he moved to Atlanta, Ga. He 
 enlisted in the Ninth Cavalry, United States Regu- 
 lars, who were then stationed at Jefferson Barracks, 
 Mo. He was made a sergeant, which is the highest 
 rank that the government bestows on enlisted men in 
 the regular army, i. e., that of first sergeant. For eight 
 years Sergeant Williams was a drill master at the bar- 
 racks. Having come to Chicago previous to calling 
 the Eighth into service, he assisted in recruiting Com- 
 pany E, and was commissioned a first lieutenant by 
 Governor Tanner. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES M. RAULS, Company 
 
 E. 
 
 Lieutenant Rauls was born at Picto, Picto County, 
 Nova Scotia. He served five years in Company E of 
 the Twenty-fifth Infantry, United States Regulars, be- 
 ing discharged as a first sergeant. After arriving in 
 Cuba, Lieutenant Rauls was detached from the regi- 
 ment with his company, he serving as post-adjutant 
 for five months at Palma Soriano de Cuba. While in 
 Cuba he learned to speak Spanish quite well. 
 
 CAPTAIN WILLIAM B. AKERS, Company F. 
 
 Capt. William B. Akers was born in Columbia, Mo., 
 in 1871. He came to Chicago in 1886, and attended 
 the public schools, graduating from the North Division 
 High School in 1891. He entered the Lake Forest 
 University of Law in 1892, graduating in 1894. For 
 nineteen months he was a discount clerk in the Chicago 
 Water Office. From February, 1893, until March, 
 1894, he was a United States inspector at the World's 
 7
 
 98 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Fair grounds. He was the recognized political leader 
 among the North Side colored voters. Since being 
 mustered out of the army he has returned to Santiago 
 de Cuba. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT CLINTON L. HILL, Company R 
 Lieutenant Hill was born at Joliet, 111., in 1867. At 
 the age of five years he moved to Galesburg, 111., then 
 to Bloomington, 111., where he attended the Normal 
 University of that city for a number of years. Com- 
 ing to Chicago in 1882, he became very popular. Lieu- 
 tenant Hill is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, 
 and at present he is an adjutant-general of the order. 
 He assisted in recruiting Company F, and was com- 
 missioned her first lieutenant. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN McDONALD, Company 
 
 F. 
 
 Lieutenant McDonald has seen ten years' service in 
 the Twenty-fourth Infantry, United States Regulars, 
 being discharged as a sergeant. "Old Soldier," as he 
 was commonly called, was a very thoroughly drilled 
 man. He spent almost his entire service in drilling his 
 company, which was second to none in its maneuvers. 
 When Company F was mustered into service, John 
 McDonald was commissioned its second lieutenant, 
 and he labored untiringly until mustering-out day. 
 
 CAPTAIN JULIUS WETHERSPOON, Company G. 
 
 Captain Wetherspoon was born at Arkadelphia, 
 Ark., in 1859. He received his early education in that 
 town. He moved to Bloomington, 111., in 1884. At 
 the time war was declared Captain Wetherspoon was 
 on the police forc.e in Bloomington.
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWARD S. MILLER. 
 Chief Field Surgeon.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 101 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT H. W. JAMESON, Company G. 
 
 Lieutenant Henry W. Jameson resigned from the 
 ministry to join the Eighth Illinois. He received his 
 education at Knox College. Lieutenant Jameson 
 was a journalist as well as a clergyman. While in 
 Cuba he filled the position of judge advocate, with the 
 commendation of his superior officers. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT CHARLES M. REECE, Com- 
 pany G. 
 
 Lieut. Charles M. Reece was born in Bowling Green, 
 Mo., in 1858. By trade he was a barber. He re- 
 ceived his education in his native town. He moved to 
 Jacksonville in 1888, soon winning reputation as a ton- 
 sorial artist. When called to arms he was a messenger 
 in the railway and warehouse commission at Spring- 
 field. 
 
 CAPTAIN W. D. DODGE, Company H. 
 
 Capt. William Daniel Hodge was born at Quincy, 
 111., in 1875, being the youngest captain in the regi- 
 ment. In 1879 ms parents moved 1o Springfield, 111., 
 where he has lived ever since. His father was a vet- 
 eran of the Civil War. He was one of the oragnizers 
 of the Sons of Veterans Corps at Springfield, in 1891, 
 he joining as a private, but by 1894 he was a captain. 
 By his earnest efforts he made Company H the crack 
 company of the Eighth Regiment. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT R. C. ROSS, Company H. 
 Lieutenant Richard C. Ross was born at Alton, Il- 
 linois, in 1870. At the age of seventeen he came to 
 Springfield. At the time of his enlistment he was a 
 second cook at the Leland Hotel of that city. He
 
 102 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 was the first lieutenant of the Sons of Veteran corps 
 of Springfield. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT WALTER J. JACKSON, Com- 
 pany H. 
 
 Lieutenant Walter J. Jackson was born at Balti- 
 more, Maryland, in 1870. Coming to Chicago he 
 joined the Ninth Battalion in 1895. Walter was 
 thoroughly disciplined, and at the time the regi- 
 ment was called out he was a sergeant. At the time 
 the Eighth was recruiting Sergeant Jackson worked 
 hard every night drilling new recruits, irrespective of 
 companies, and when the regiment was mustered in 
 he received his reward in a second lieutenant's com- 
 mission and was always a faithful, constant worker. 
 
 CAPTAIN FREDERICK BALL, JR., Company I. 
 
 Captain Frederick Ball, Jr., was born at Quincy, 
 Illinois, December 5, 1865. He graduated from the 
 city high school, and after taking a complete course 
 at the Chaddock Law College was admitted to the 
 bar in November, 1895. When Major Marshall wanted 
 a man to recruit a company in Quincy he wisely 
 selected Young Ball, who went to work in earnest, and 
 it was not long before there was a company of soldiers 
 in Quincy. 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT WM. H. DALLAS, Company I. 
 
 Lieutenant William Dallas was born at Quincy, Il- 
 linois, in 1877. He attended the public schools in 
 that city, afterward learning the butcher's trade. Enter- 
 ing as a sergeant, Lieutenant Dallas received more 
 promotions than any man in the regiment, he receiv- 
 ing two commissions in less than two months.
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 103 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT ROBERT F. RADCLIFFE, 
 Company I. 
 
 Lieutenant Robert F. Radcliffe was a sergeant in the 
 Old Ninth when the Eighth was called. He enlisted 
 as sergeant-major. He performed his duties with such 
 efficiency that he soon won for himself the promotion 
 to a second lieutenancy. Whenever the regimental 
 adjutant was absent Lieutenant Radcliffe performed 
 his duties with credit. Lieutenant Radcliffe left a 
 good position in the postoffice of Chicago to answer 
 the call of his country, and his position was held open 
 for him, being rilled by a "sub" during his absence. 
 
 CAPTAIN LEON W. DENISON, Company K. 
 Captain Leon W: Denison was -born in San Antonio, 
 Texas. He is a younger brother of Major Franklin 
 A. Denison. Captain Denison attended the public 
 schools of his home. Coming to Chicago, he took a 
 special course, in the University of Michigan, of logic, 
 history and rhetoric, preparatory to entering the Chi- 
 cago College of Law in 1896. At the time he enlisted 
 in the Eighth he was a senior in that institution. He 
 enlisted as a private, but was soon commissioned as 
 Captain of Company K by Governor Tanner of Illi- 
 nois. He is a shrewd, energetic young man and 
 worthy of commendation. He resumed his course of 
 law on being mustered out. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM CARTER, Company K. 
 
 Lieutenant Carter was born forty-eight years ago 
 in the Old Dominion, and came to Litchfield, 111., in 
 1863. He is the smallest and one of the best-natured 
 officers in the regiment. While the Eighth was re-
 
 104 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 cruiting there was no man more earnest or successful 
 than he in recruiting. He always appreciated the uni- 
 form he wore and filled his position with credit. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES W. WASHINGTON, 
 Company K. 
 
 Lieutenant James W. Washington was born at La 
 Grange, Missouri, in 1863. His school days were spent 
 in that city. His profession was that of a clergyman, 
 he being ordained a Baptist minister at Davenport, 
 Iowa, October 15, 1886. The lieutenant filled the posi- 
 tion of an oil inspector for two and a half years at 
 Mammoth, 111. Leaving this position, he became a 
 journalist, publishing the Douglas Optic, the first 
 colored paper in Knox County, Illinois. In 1896 he 
 moved to Rock Island, Illinois. He took an active part 
 in recruiting his company and became the second 
 lieutenant while located at San Luis. He was provost 
 marshal, which position he filled with distinction. His 
 sobriquets were "The Fighting Parson" and "The Old 
 Man." 
 
 CAPTAIN GEORGE V. LANE, Company L. 
 
 Captain George V. Lane by profession is a lawyer. 
 He was the most conspicuous captain in the regiment 
 by reason of being court martialed immediately upon 
 his arrival in Cuba for violation of military discipline. 
 It seems that when leaving Camp Tanner, Springfield, 
 Illinois, all the companies of the Eighth were paid one 
 month's salary except Companies L and M. The reg- 
 iment having been in Springfield a month and a 
 half, Captain Lane said that it was unjust to send his 
 men on that long and perilous trip of three thousand 
 miles without a penny in their pockets. Therefore
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 105 
 
 he, in behalf of his men, made a bold protest, and did 
 not want his company to go, but was finally persuaded. 
 On reaching Cuba he was court martialed, which was 
 pending some five or six months, keeping him out of 
 his company command. He was convicted by general 
 court martial, and, the evidence being sent for the 
 President's perusal and sanction, according to regula- 
 tions, President McKinley revoked the decision and 
 acquitted the captain, upon the grounds that a cap- 
 tain had a right to look out for the comfort, care and 
 safety of his men. He reassumed the command of his 
 company a short time previous to our coming home. 
 He had the distinction of being the handsomest cap- 
 tain in the regiment. He was liked by all, and the de- 
 sire of his heart was the welfare of his men. Previous 
 to entering the army Captain Lane was serving his 
 third term as a county commissioner. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN W. LADEN, Company L. 
 
 Lieutenant Laden was born at Mound City, Illinois, 
 in 1873. After attending the public schools of that 
 city he went to Metropolis to enter the high school of 
 that city. After leaving the Metropolis high school he 
 attended the Evanston high school to complete a 
 course preparatory to taking a course of law. At the 
 Northwestern LTniversity his law course was not com- 
 plete when he enlisted in the army. 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT HORACE G. BURKE, Com- 
 pany L. 
 
 Lieutenant Burke was born July 4, 1872, at Hous- 
 ton, Texas, but in January, 1883, he moved to Me- 
 tropolis. Enlisting in Company L at its organization,
 
 KG "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 he was made a sergeant, but was promoted to the rank 
 of second lieutenant on the field in Cuba. He was a 
 bright and efficient officer and was respected by all 
 who knew him. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOSEPH W. McADOO, Company M. 
 
 Captain Joseph W. McAdoo is a son of Kentucky, 
 having been born in Gibson County, that state, in 1869. 
 He has for the last fifteen years lived in Cairo, Illinois. 
 Captain McAdoo was an affable, courageous and effi- 
 cient officer. He was liked by all with whom he came 
 in contact. His company was noted as being void of 
 friction. 
 
 FIRST LIEUTENANT WM. DONALDSON, Company M. 
 
 Lieutenant William Donaldson was one of the quiet- 
 est, most unassuming officers in the regiment, having 
 served a term in the Twenty-fourth United States In- 
 fantry. One of his superior officers said of him : 
 "Whenever anyone else was worn out and ready to 
 rest, Lieutenant Donaldson was always ready to carry 
 out orders." 
 
 SECOND LIEUTENANT NATHAN DAVIS, 
 Company M. 
 
 Lieutenant Davis was born in 1865, in Pittsylvania 
 County, Virginia, coming to Cairo, Illinois, in 1887. 
 He is a self-made man. Standing among the leaders of 
 his race in the community to which he belongs, he has 
 always been true to himself and friends and is reliable. 
 He took an active part in recruiting Company M and 
 was well thought of by both officers and men. 
 
 For a regiment hastily brought together and re-
 
 BIOGRAPHIES. 
 
 107 
 
 crnited from all over the state, embracing men from 
 various trades and professions, the author feels com- 
 pelled to animadvert upon the above biographies and 
 to express his personal opinion, without fear of con- 
 tradiction or exception, that a more intelligent body of 
 officers and a finer and more upright number of men 
 could not be found in any volunteer regiment recruited 
 during the late war than was contained in the Eighth 
 Illinois.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 
 
 On Monday evening, August 8, 1898, at eight 
 o'clock, the Eighth Illinois Regiment left Camp Tan- 
 ner, Springfield, 111., for Santiago de Cuba, going 
 by the way of Cincinnati, Ohio, Parkersburg, W. Va., 
 Harpers Ferry, Va., Baltimore, Md., Washington, 
 City, Philadelphia, Pa., Jersey City, N. J., and New 
 York City ; then on the Atlantic Ocean, through the 
 historic Windward Passage, the Caribbean Sea; 
 thence up the Santiago Bay to the City of Santiago. 
 
 We left Springfield, 111., over the Baltimore & Ohio 
 Southwestern Railroad in four sections, consisting 
 of forty-six sleeping cars, and, proud to say, were 
 the first United States soldiers that ever rode in sleep- 
 ing cars in time of war. 
 
 Companies E, F, G and H composed the second 
 battalion, and of course was all that constituted the 
 second section. The writer belonging to Company F, 
 was in this section, which carried thirteen cars. 
 
 Having remained at Camp Tanner, Springfield, for 
 a period of thirty-seven days, many acquaintances 
 and even friendships were created between the soldiers 
 and the belles of the city, for "our boys" of the Eighth, 
 as the girls called us, were "just the ideal," and they 
 used to say "there was nothing like us," many a 
 
 108
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 109 
 
 soldier taking his chances of the guard house rather 
 than miss seeing his best girl at night. 
 
 This was the condition of things when the boys 
 left Camp Tanner. Far away down the railroad track 
 until the city limits were passed were crowds of 
 people, black and white, men, women and children, 
 standing waving their handkerchiefs and cheering at 
 the tops of their voices. Some were saying, "Good- 
 by, boys." Take good care of yourselves," "Don't 
 forget the Maine, boys," and many hundreds of other 
 but similar remarks were hurled after the "passing 
 Eighth." Some were proud with joy, while others 
 there were "with hearts bowed down with sadness." 
 
 It was somewhat pathetic to see some of the girls 
 taking a farewell glance at their soldier lovers, or to see 
 a fond sister or a dear mother shaking a tear-moistened 
 handkerchief after an affectionate soldier brother or 
 a loving soldier son. Everything was excitement. 
 Hilarity held full sway, each soldier's heart was ani- 
 mated with the expectant scenes of war. Every 
 man's bosom heaved and swelled over the anticipa- 
 tions of valor and victory. We were off. All went 
 well until we reached a point about five miles west 
 of Taylorville, 111. It was a little after ten o'clock 
 at night. All of a sudden a cry ran through the cars, 
 "Two men have fallen off the train !" Springing to 
 our feet, many of us who were not yet asleep, we 
 ran to the front platform of our coach (the "Canton") 
 and found it full of excited men. Someone pulled 
 the bell cord to stop the train, but it seemed for a 
 few minutes that the engineer was not going to 
 stop. Finally we heard the hissing of steam play-
 
 110 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 ing upon the air brakes and shortly afterward the 
 train was brought to a standstill. By this time the 
 officer of the day, Captain Jefferson of Company D, 
 had begun an investigation, assisted by Capt. W. B. 
 Akers of Company F, in whose car the accident oc- 
 curred, and Second Lieutenant John McDonald, also 
 of Company F, who was officer of the guard that day. 
 It was soon learned that two sentinels, who were 
 standing guard on the platform, Privates Charles Am- 
 brose and George Walls, both of Company F, by 
 some mishap or other had fallen off the train, which, 
 as we judged, was running at the rate of about twenty 
 miles per hour. The difficulty of stopping the train 
 allowed time enough to run a distance of some five 
 miles or more from the spot where the accident had 
 taken place. 
 
 The engineer was ordered to back the train up 
 slowly. A diligent search was instituted all along 
 the side of the tracks upon which the men were re- 
 ported to have fallen. The night being very dark 
 and the weeds high all along the track, rendered 
 the search very slow and tedious. Finally we arrived 
 at a place where there was an embankment of about 
 twenty or twenty-five feet, at the bottom of which 
 it was weedy, wet and marshy. Fortunately, and un- 
 fortunately, this was the spot where our comrades 
 met their fate. The night was still and dark, not 
 a sound broke the silence of suspense save the croak- 
 ing of a pond frog and the constant chirping of the 
 crickets. Men with lanterns were groping through 
 the dismal, wet weeds, silently yet earnestly, for the 
 supposed lifeless bodies of the two sentries. Sud-
 
 SYNOPSIS OF TITE TRIP TO CUBA. Ill 
 
 denly, and to our horror, there came a sound of hu- 
 man cries and groans, such as come from the bosom 
 of a brave, good man. It was the voice of sentinel 
 Charles Ambrose, half conscious, with the left knee- 
 cap dislocated and otherwise internally seriously hurt. 
 But as to poor George Walls, there came not a sound 
 nor a groan, for he was found unconscious and was 
 thought by us at first to be dead, for he was limp 
 and speechless. The extent of his injuries, as we 
 were informed by the surgeon, was "that one shoulder 
 and a thigh bone were dislocated and two of his ribs 
 broken." 
 
 We found the butt, or stock, of Ambrose's gun, 
 but the barrel we never got. This stock was carried 
 on to Cuba and brought back under the care of First 
 Sergeant Augustus Rantus of Company F. The ac- 
 cident, sad as it was, was fortunate in one respect. 
 Had -the men fallen off a minute sooner they both 
 would have met instant death. Where they fell was 
 just about thirty feet from a high trestle which the 
 train had just passed over. Perhaps their bodies 
 would not have been recovered that night. 
 
 The both were put in the hospital car ; the surgeon, 
 Lieutenant Miller, and other officers sacrificed sleep 
 and comfort for the alleviation of their misery and 
 pain. 
 
 After having lost an hour or more of scheduled 
 time we resumed our trip onward to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
 reaching there at 12 m. We were detained in Cin- 
 cinnati for about an hour. Some yardmen measured 
 our coaches, cutting out three that were too high to 
 pass through the many tunnels through which we
 
 112 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 had to pass. After leaving the state of Ohio we 
 passed into West Virginia, which was very moun- 
 tainous, and therefore many railroad tunnels. 
 
 After leaving Cincinnati our trip was uneventful, 
 except the enthusiastic demonstrations we received 
 from town to town. Patriotic men, women and chil- 
 dren waved flags, Dewey banners, etc., at the passing 
 of the "Eighth Illinois." 
 
 Chillicothe, Ohio, was reached about five o'clock 
 Tuesday, August 9. Here we were met at the depot 
 by a delegation of some of the most benevolent 
 ladies that one would ever expect to meet in a 
 lifetime's travel typical and purely American. They 
 carried large clothes baskets filled with good sand- 
 wiches and rich coffee by the gallon. Such coffee 
 we never had since we left our homes for Camp Tan- 
 ner. The train had scarcely come to a standstill be- 
 fore those good folks were aboard our train and in 
 ever coach, feeding our hungry boys. Cup after cup 
 of good, hot coffee was poured out, nor did they 
 cease feeding us until every soldier's hunger was 
 satiated. There were many friendships created while 
 we were at this little city. Many a soldier lost a 
 United States army button from his blouse. Every- 
 where it was, "Soldier, give me a button, please." 
 
 "Give me a button, soldier please." "Dang! 
 dang-gle-lang !" echoed the engine bell ; there was 
 a surge, an uproar of "Good-by boys," soldiers 
 and officers running and climbing and hanging 
 upon the steps of each coach. The Eighth Illinois 
 was off again, speedily noisily onward toward the 
 Atlantic seaboard. The ladies at Chillicothe told us
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. U3 
 
 that at Greenfield we would receive the same treat- 
 ment, which we found to be not exaggerated. 
 
 Onward we sped, the huge black locomotive puffing 
 and moving with more energy than she had ever had 
 before up steep grades, around sharp curves, through 
 deep cuts, with huge boulders projecting far out over 
 our heads, over ravines, trestles and bridges we 
 passed, when eleven o'clock finds us at the patriotic 
 little city of Athens, Ohio. This was Tuesday, Au- 
 gust 9th, ii p. m. Here we were subjected to the same 
 hospitality that was bestowed upon us earlier in the 
 day at Chillicothe and Greenfield. Notwithstanding 
 the lateness of the evening we got our sandwiches 
 and hot coffee just the same. Some of the boys were 
 very much worried, tired and fatigued on account of 
 a few hundred miles ride, consequently were in their 
 berths asleep. Nevertheless, they awoke, poked 
 their heads out between the curtains and would 
 say, "Don't forget me, lady, please," and there 
 were but a few who got left, for that's not a part of 
 a soldier's duty to get left. 
 
 It is now ii o'clock p. m. A day spent well. 
 Nearly all day long we were traveling mid scenes of 
 loyalty and patriotic applause, passing through ave- 
 nues of American stars and stripes waved and un- 
 furled by the hands of liberty-loving men and women, 
 little bits of boys and girls standing far up on the 
 hillsides, hanging upon fences, waving and halloo- 
 ing '"Rah ! for de Eight Illinois." Long after the night 
 shades had fallen and twilight and darkness had 
 hushed everything in silence and repose, occasionally 
 we could hear a faint juvenile voice echo "Hoorah 
 8
 
 114 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 for de Eight Illinois !" This was Tuesday night, Au- 
 gust Qth. We had traveled entirely across the three 
 most enterprising and liberty-loving states in the 
 Union Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. 
 
 On leaving Athens we had only a short run be- 
 fore we reached Parkersburg, W. Va., and just as the 
 train was passing over the high bridge that spanned 
 the Ohio River into West Virginia the hands of the 
 town clock were just pointing to the hour of twelve 
 midnight. At Parkersburg the time changes. It 
 is one hour earlier than the central time. Most of 
 us who were not asleep wished we had reached this 
 city in the daytime, that we might have obtained a 
 better view of it. The bridge that spans the river 
 here is sixty or seventy-five feet above the water 
 and extends far into the city in the nature of a via- 
 duct. We passed above a park along the river front 
 of the city and many streets below before the tracks 
 were on terra firma or the depot was reached. While 
 on the bridge and looking down upon the city the 
 electric lights presented a grand spectacle while 
 throwing out their effulgent rays upon the silence of 
 midnight's quiet repose. 
 
 This was the first time since we left Camp Tanner 
 that the second section had overtaken the first, and 
 of course there were a few "exchanges" between the 
 boys of both sections. We had to stay in Parkers- 
 burg an hour or more to await the repairs of the 
 engine of the first section, which had broken a piston 
 rod. It required some time to replace another. 
 
 We were just on the verge of the mountainous part 
 of our journey. It required two engines to each sec-
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 115 
 
 tion and it seemed that engines there were things of 
 scarcity, and we either had to have ours repaired or 
 we would have to wait much longer for another. 
 
 On leaving Parkersburg we merged into the scenic 
 section of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, darting 
 through dark tunnels, climbing spirally the lofty steeps 
 of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sliding down long 
 curved grades, while over our heads projected huge 
 boulders bedecked with ferns, shrubbery and huge 
 trees, which seemed to bow applause to the passing 
 Eighth. Looking far down the green mountain slope 
 the little rivulets and streams, like white silvery 
 threads, were busily yet noiselessly winding their way 
 onward toward the sea. 
 
 Anyone, on passing through the cars, would see one 
 of the most beautiful living pictures of Christianized 
 humanity. All within was sobriety, mutuality and sub- 
 limity. The men were paired and quartered in twos 
 and fours, some reading, some having social games 
 at cards and checkers, some humming almost inaudi- 
 ble songs of loved ones, home, friends and kindred, 
 while others were making selections as to who would 
 be their comrades through the war and who they 
 would tent with upon their arrival in Cuba. Such 
 vivid scenes will ever be held in reverence and cher- 
 ished the memory of the boys of the Eighth. 
 
 At 5 145 p. m. Wednesday, August loth, we were en- 
 tering the environments of the august capital city 
 of our great republic Washington City. We were 
 not taken through the city, but carried around it on 
 the belt line, but there were many persons at the belt
 
 116 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 station to greet and welcome the passing of the much 
 talked-of Eighth. 
 
 One of the many personages that met us there was 
 Dr. A. M. Curtis, formerly of the Provident Hospital, 
 Chicago, 111., but later of the Freedman's Hospital 
 of Washington, D. C., and I dare say there are but 
 few other men of our race that had the interest at 
 heart of the Eighth Illinois as did he. What little 
 time we remained there he was busy going from win- 
 dow to window of the cars, shaking hands, saying 
 "Good-by" and wishing "God speed" to the soldier 
 boys, to strangers and friends alike, so ardent and 
 unbiased was his respect and interest in our boys. 
 Dr. A. M. Curtis is a cousin of Dr. D. W. Cur- 
 tis, who held the commission of assistant surgeon 
 with rank of a first lieutenant in the Eighth Illinois 
 Regiment. Lieutenant T. W. Curtis, after our ar- 
 rival in Cuba, was placed in charge of the detached 
 military hospital, Military Post No. i, at Palma Sori- 
 ano de Cuba, by Colonel Marshall ; a wise selection, 
 too. Upon all occasions Dr. Curtis was found to ex- 
 ercise his entire energies in behalf of the wants and 
 needs of the sick soldiers of Companies E and F, 
 who were stationed at this post, some twenty odd 
 miles away from the main body of the regiment, far 
 away in the mountains. Many were the times that 
 Dr. Curtis mounted his steed and rode off to San 
 Luis through lonely lane-like roads, through palm 
 groves and cane, in pursuit of provisions and medi- 
 cines for his sick soldiers in Palma, who were in 
 dire need of nourishment, etc. He on more than 
 one occasion contributed money out of his own purse
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 117 
 
 for such things. He also visited the camp quarters 
 by permission of the post commander and solicited the 
 amount of twenty-five cents from each soldier in or- 
 der to establish a sick fund to purchase luxuries for 
 those who were sick and helpless in the hospital, 
 as well as for those who might fall ire to the much 
 dreaded diseases. 
 
 Leaving Washington City, seven o'clock finds us 
 at Baltimore, Md. This was 7 p. m. Wednesday, 
 August loth. The tracks that our cars were on had 
 stone walls on. either side, which shut off our view 
 of the streets, the tops of which were crowded with 
 little children. 
 
 While in Baltimore we were treated with less en- 
 thusiasm than we had received in any other of the 
 cities we had previously passed through. With the 
 exception of a few boys and .girls who ran alongside 
 our cars, begging us for hardtack or buttons from 
 our blouses, there was nothing to mark the appear- 
 ance or the passing of the Eighth. While we were 
 in Baltimore some of our officers left the train and 
 went into a restaurant to get a lunch and they were de- 
 liberately refused. Think of it. An American re- 
 fusing to sell a hungry American soldier something 
 to eat ! All on account of his color. Such American 
 citizens stand greatly in need of much Christianizing 
 and are void of civilization. While passing through 
 Baltimore we were carried through a long tunnel. 
 We did not see much of the city. 
 
 At one o'clock in the morning, August nth, we 
 arrived at Philadelphia, Pa. There was nothing of 
 any importance transpired while there.
 
 118 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Between four and five o'clock Thursday morning, 
 August nth, we reached Jersey City, fl speak of 
 the second section in order to be more accurate, for 
 there was a varied difference of time between the 
 arrival of the several sections.] Here, for the first 
 time since leaving Athens, Ohio, we had a chance 
 to get anything to eat apart from our traveling ra- 
 tions. 
 
 After arriving at Jersey City there were no special 
 restraints put upon the soldiers by the colonel. They 
 were permitted to go free at will, purchasing what- 
 ever they wanted to buy for the comfort of their ocean 
 voyage. The men did not abuse these privileges by 
 buying intoxicating drink in excess. Many bought 
 bottles of beer and a very little liquor. They drank 
 it immediately to brace themselves up after their long 
 ride from Springfield to New York. This was the 
 extent of their indulgence. They also bought to- 
 bacco, cigars and lunch bags, and when the time 
 came to be transferred over into New York City 
 the officers experienced but little difficulty in handlirrg 
 so large a body of men. The entire regiment was 
 complimented by observers for their quietness, their 
 manly behavior and soldierly conduct. They marched 
 down West street with all the stolidity of men who had 
 received years of special training. Steadily yet noise- 
 lessly they quickly trod amid the cheers and applause 
 of the vast crowd that had gathered on either side 
 of the thoroughfare until the pier was reached. Here 
 lay the steamer, or cruiser "Yale." She was to figure 
 in the latter half of our journey to Santiago de Cuba. 
 The transfer from Jersey City over the East River
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 119 
 
 to New York City was accomplished by u o'clock 
 a. m. This was on Thursday, August nth. It re- 
 quired but a short time to have our baggage and 
 equipments brought over and loaded on board the 
 Yale. 
 
 In the meantime quite a number of the officers, 
 non-commissioned officers and a few privates suc- 
 ceeded in eluding the sentinels. They found their 
 way to the streets and slipped off up town. Of course 
 it became their prerogative to sample some of "Old 
 Knickerbocker's" wet goods. 
 
 All was ready. The Yale had cleared, turned about 
 and headed toward the open sea. She was not off 
 as yet. She had to wait for a tug to bring those who 
 were left at the docks out to her. When the tug 
 reached the Yale some of the men saw the Yale, while 
 others saw two or three Yales. Some of the boys 
 wished to spend a few hours in the eastern metropolis. 
 They wanted to tell the New Yorkers how they ex- 
 pected to vanquish the Spanish soldier after arriving 
 in Cuba. This was not permitted owing to our colo- 
 nel's hurried instructions. He was to report with 
 his command at the earliest practicable date at San- 
 tiago. 
 
 Some of our men were left in New York after all. 
 The following is the list of those who were left : 
 Corporal Arthur Thompson, Company F; Sergeant 
 Samuel Rudd, Company F ; Private Charles Anv 
 brose, Company F ; Private John Jones, Company E ; 
 Private George Walls, Company F ; Private George 
 Hening, Company E; Private Samuel Claxton, Com- 
 pany C ; Private Charles Hays, Company F.
 
 120 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Private Charles Ambrose and Private George Walls, 
 Company F, were left on account of having fallen 
 from the train, as previously mentioned. Band Ser- 
 geant Samuel Rudd was left on account of having 
 contracted rheumatism while at Camp Tanner, but 
 there has never been any accurate account given as 
 to the cause of the other men being left in New York. 
 We do not know whether it was that they did not 
 hear the Yale whistle preparatory to her leaving, or 
 whether it was that they heard the whistle of two or 
 three Yales and were unable to determine which one 
 they were to make. However, when they came to 
 the docks to go on board the true Yale we were 
 many miles away at sea, or possibly at Santiago. 
 
 They did not rejoin their respective companies un- 
 til in September. 
 
 Private George Walls, after his recovery, was 
 granted a furlough, but in the meantime his conduct 
 was prejudicial to good order and military discip- 
 line. He was tried and was dishonorably discharged 
 from the United States army service by a general 
 order issued by General Nelson A. Miles of the United 
 States army, December 6, 1898. 
 
 Charles Ambrose received an honorable discharge 
 on account of inability to do further military duty, 
 per general order from General Miles, December 10, 
 1898. Private Ambrose is a cripple for' life, having 
 had his left knee-cap taken off, thus leaving that limb 
 a little better than a wooden leg. He will ever re- 
 member Monday night, August 8, 1898. 
 
 We left New York City at one o'clock Thursday. 
 August u, 1898. We glided out of the harbor until the
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 121 
 
 open sea was reached, when the prow of our steamer 
 pointed toward the islands of the Caribbean Sea. No 
 incident of any importance marred our voyage. We 
 were out three days when we were hailed by a scout 
 steamer of the government service inquiring for news 
 from the States. 
 
 In the early part of the fourth night of our voyage 
 about nine o'clock the lookout on our cruiser espied 
 a strange ship in the darkness. The captain of our 
 vessel signaled to her but she made no response. 
 The ship was thought to be a Spanish vessel. Re- 
 ceiving no answer to his signaling, the captain of the. 
 Yale ordered the naval crew to duty. In less time 
 than it takes to tell it every man was at his post. 
 An eight-inch shell was brought on deck and every- 
 thing was ready for action, but there was no need 
 of it. The strange ship, changing her course, soon 
 passed out of view in the darkness of the night. 
 
 Passing onward, nothing more of incident trans- 
 pired until Sunday afternoon, August I4th, when we 
 sighted the Island of San Salvador. A round of three 
 cheers went up from many throats. It was the first 
 land that we had sighted for four days. There were 
 many who were excited with joy. They thought that 
 they had sighted Cuba at last. But alas ! there was 
 a disappointment. The land that was seen was not 
 Cuba, but one of the Bahama Islands, San Salvador. 
 This was the first land sighted on the morning of 
 October n, 1492, by that famous discoverer, Chris- 
 topher Columbus. The Italian voyager, sailing un- 
 der the flag of Spain, planted a cross and retained 
 the island for the same crown that the Eighth Illi-
 
 121 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS:' 
 
 nois was sailing thence to wrest the Island of Cuba 
 the King of the Antilles from. 
 
 About ten o'clock Monday morning, August i5th, 
 the long looked for foreign shore was in sight. Cuba 
 was in view. A long range of mountains, some rug- 
 ged and barren, others in coat of green, stretched 
 back from the shore far away in the distance. Here 
 and there a rocky promontory projected its rocky 
 crest far into the ocean. Now and then a cape was 
 rounded. In and out we touched the little bays, 
 all of which bespoke of a foreign shore. It was Cuba, 
 the destination which the Eighth Illinois was to reach. 
 Here they were to brave the dangers of a voracious 
 and much dreaded disease, the "yellow jack," or a 
 probability of having to encounter a Spanish bullet 
 or an enemy's machete, all because they were loyal 
 countrymen espousing the cause of a great republic. 
 All because they were sworn and pledged to protect 
 and uphold the dignity and honor of the stars and 
 stripes that waved over the once pride of the United 
 States navy "The Maine." 
 
 Onward, down the rock-bound coast our brave ship 
 gallantly plowed through the dashing surges. Peak 
 after peak came to view, then passed away in the dis- 
 tance. Monday afternoon, August i5th, we arrived 
 at the mouth of Guantanamo Bay. This was our 
 first stoppage since we left New York City. Here 
 again some of the soldiers thought that it was San- 
 tiago Bay, but soon ascertained different. We stopped 
 here some three-quarters of an hour or more. In 
 the bay lay many United States war vessels guarding 
 two or three captured vessels belonging to Spain.
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 115 
 
 After an exchange of a few naval signals the Yale 
 steamed about and was soon on her last run for San- 
 tiago de Cuba. Guantanamo City we did not touch, 
 owing to its being situated about six miles up the 
 bay on a little river by the same name which emptied 
 into the bay. Later in the afternoon we arrived at 
 the spot where once stood a little Spanish town. 
 This was Siboney (se-bo-na). Here it was where the 
 first Spanish-American battle was fought on the island. 
 The Americans captured this town and burned it, the 
 ruins of which were still smoldering when we were 
 passing. 
 
 It was about n o'clock Monday morning, August 
 1 5th. There were some soldiers up in the rigging 
 of the ship. All at once they yelled down to the 
 boys on deck, "Say, boys, there's old Moro!" 
 "Where? where?" many voices echoed. "Go around 
 on the other side of the ship and you can see her." 
 Sure enough, there before our gaze, in the dim dis- 
 tance, stood old Moro Castle, silent, sullen and de- 
 fiant, but dismantled. 
 
 A short time later the United States auxiliary cruiser 
 with the cargo of the Eighth Illinois Regiment lay 
 anchored in the mouth of the historic Santiago Bay, 
 right under the now defenseless castle. Upon this 
 scene we remained all of the afternoon, but during 
 the night our boat had drifted some ten miles out 
 and down the coast. Next morning she headed back 
 toward Santiago Bay, which we reached a short time 
 before noon again. We laid there in front of the 
 castle until about three o'clock in the afternoon. 
 Tuesday, August i6th, we were still on the Yale.
 
 126 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Midday finds her at the entrance of Santiago Bay 
 basking in the tropical sunshine of the Caribbean 
 Sea. About one o'clock a launch came alongside of 
 our vessel and an army official came aboard the Yale 
 and held a short conversation with our commandant. 
 He then climbed back into the launch and steamed 
 up the bay. Shortly afterward there was seen a 
 smaller vessel than ours steaming slowly out of the 
 bay. It proved to be the lighter Burnside. Then 
 a second one appeared. This was the Orizaba. 
 Lastly came two tugs, the Laura and Bessie. The 
 two lighters, Burnside and Orizaba, stopped and 
 dropped anchors about two hundred yards off. 
 
 Then there were active preparations going on aboard 
 the Yale to relieve her of her five days' burden. It 
 was five days almost to the hour from the time we left 
 New York harbor until we began to disembark at 
 Santiago Bay. Five days and nights we spent with 
 our clothes on. We were not allowed inside the Yale, 
 but had to sleep on deck in whatever weather that 
 happened. The Sixth Massachusetts, that preceded 
 us on the Yale, was so dirty and acted so bad and 
 left the ship in such a filthy condition that the com- 
 mander of the vessel feared a repetition of affairs. 
 But he was mistaken. He told many of us 
 that he was surprised at such gentlemanly con- 
 duct of such a large body of men, and with- 
 out any exaggeration the decks of the cruiser were 
 just as clean comparatively when the Eighth was 
 transferred at Santiago as when they went aboard at 
 New York. They expected the decks to be kept in 
 a filthy condition, owing to seasickness, etc., and were
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 127 
 
 not over-particular in keeping them clean. But after 
 the first day's voyage, finding things to the contrary, 
 the boys of the Eighth were up every morning at five 
 o'clock so that the ship's crew could wash down the 
 decks. Early dawn would find us all piled upon each 
 other along the sides of the steamer, rolled up 
 in blankets to keep ourselves warm and com- 
 fortable as possible from the chilled ocean breeze 
 and the heavy nightly mist of the wild billows. 
 Quite often, while the ironclad prow of our cruiser 
 was plowing its way sturdily through the wild 
 and angry billows, a monster wave would leap 
 high up in the air, throwing her silvery sprays over 
 everyone in reach upon the deck. Many a time I've 
 seen a comrade standing laughing at another unfor- 
 tunate who had just been water soaked, when an- 
 other receding wave would make its appearance upon 
 the deck and "splash !" he'd get it right in the face 
 or alongside the head. There would not be any more 
 laughing for a while, but when the mist cleared away 
 there would be a dripping, water-soaked mass of hu- 
 manity left standing, while the previous victim would 
 be singing, "And I guess that will hold you for 
 awhile." 
 
 Every morning, while the crew would be busy wash- 
 ing down the decks, we would pull our shoes off, 
 give our feet a good soaking in the salty ocean water 
 which was as salty as brine, while the hose was being 
 used. This added a great deal to our comfort, as it 
 had a tendency to keep our feet from swelling from 
 having our shoes on so many hours at a time. 
 
 We were transferred to the Burnside and the Orizaba
 
 128 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 by the tug Bessie and our arms and equipments were 
 put on the tug Laura, which was manned and worked 
 bv Cuban men. Here for first time we saw the Cuban 
 in his native country. They worked like little Turks, 
 so to speak. It seemed that the sight of their new 
 American benefactors made them feel grateful and 
 they wanted to show us what adepts they were at 
 handling dockage or freight. After we had been 
 transferred aboard the lighters they steamed slowly 
 out of the Caribbean Sea into the Bay of Santiago 
 and six miles up to Santiago City. 
 
 While the lighters were gliding slowly away toward 
 Santiago I stood on the deck of the Orizaba and 
 looked back at the Yale, which lay upon the bosom 
 of the calm Caribbean Sea like some huge leviathan 
 grayhound, and while I stood there silently and ear- 
 nestly gazing at her ponderous hulk, I thanked her 
 over and over again for having brought us more than 
 eighteen hundred miles across the boundless deep with- 
 out one accident to cause us a fear or a regret. 
 
 After we were about half way up the bay we ex- 
 perienced a violent electric and tropical storm which 
 almost swamped the Orizaba. The storm last some 
 three-quarters of an hour, when it abated ; then we 
 resumed our onward journey toward the city of Samp- 
 son-Schley fame. 
 
 We reached Santiago about seven o'clock on the 
 evening of T.uesday, August i6th. Immediately after 
 we were landed our companies were formed into col- 
 umns of fours and through mud and water from four 
 to five inches deep we marched direct to the famous 
 San Juan Hill. The night was wet and dark, the
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 129 
 
 narrow, lane-like road was full of mudholes and wash- 
 outs, strange and new. Some of the men carried 
 three and four guns, rolls, canteens, etc., while others 
 were loaded down with boxes of hardtack, canned 
 beef, coffee and beans ; every man was tasked. On- 
 ward we marched, stumbling, falling, slipping and 
 catching in a dark, strange country. Sometimes we 
 would be in a mudhole, then in a little ravine or 
 gully, upon the side of a mound, then down again in 
 the would-be road full of boulders and cobblestones. 
 To say there was some profanity used is putting it 
 mildly. Thus was our first march in Cuba. 
 
 Having camped near Santiago two nights (which 
 is mentioned in another chapter), we left for San 
 Luis. We started at ten o'clock Thursday night, 
 August i8th. We were carried over the F. C. S. Y. 
 M. Railroad (Ferro-carril Sibonila y Mororia), which 
 had Santiago for one terminal and San Luis the other, 
 a distance of thirty-five miles, arriving at San Luis 
 at 2:45 a - m - Friday morning, August I9th. We all 
 remained in the cars, which were baggage cars, flat 
 cars and cattle cars mixed (quite a change from the 
 sleeping cars in the States) until daylight. Then we 
 got out, stacked our arms, piled up our equipments 
 and had some hardtacks and coffee. The officers al- 
 lowed the men the liberty of the town for a few hours 
 and it was not long before the newcomers were scat- 
 tered everywhere trying to buy something good to 
 eat, Colonel Marshall taking the precaution to close 
 up the saloons for the time being. He was told that 
 the cane rum which the natives used there would pos- 
 sibly precipitate fever and would be detrimental, the 
 9
 
 130 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 * 
 
 boys not being accustomed to it. Some of the men 
 found means to get their little gin, but there were 
 no drunks. 
 
 By ten o'clock we were under arms again, march- 
 ing toward "Old Creasau's" sugar mill, about two miles 
 from town, where our first real camp "Camp Mar- 
 shall" was made. We had no more than arrived at 
 this place and begun pitching our tents among high 
 weeds, lizards, large spiders, small snakes, etc., be- 
 fore the rain began to pour down in torrents. This 
 lasted only a short time before the hot sun burst 
 through the clouds, causing the vapors to rise from 
 the ground. The sultry heat and the smell of dying 
 vegetation produced a very sickening effect upon us. 
 but we kept right on putting up our tents in order 
 that we might soon have some shade and rest. Hav- 
 ing got our tents up, our arms and equipments put 
 away, details of men from each company were sent 
 out to procure wood and water for the cooks so that 
 we could have some mess, while other details were 
 formed to put up army ranges, hospital tents and 
 officers' quarters. Soon there were many blue col- 
 umns of smoke seen issuing from the various cook 
 tents. Camp Marshall was all in a bustle, like unto 
 a May day in the States. The Eighth Illinois was 
 really camped in Cuba at last. At half-past five re- 
 treat was sounded and a few minutes after six we 
 were all scattered about, some sitting down and oth- 
 ers lying prone upon the ground, eating our canned 
 beef, which was warmed over to make it more pal- 
 atable, and half a cup of black coffee. This was our 
 supper.
 
 _e 
 -c 
 
 o 
 
 GO
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 133 
 
 A BRIEF SKIRMISH OVER AN OX CART. 
 
 About seven o'clock in the evening our first ser- 
 geants came through the company streets by order 
 of our captains and issued to us our first ammunition, 
 giving to each man twenty rounds of cartridges, and 
 we were told that we would be held responsible for 
 them and that we would be charged one dollar for 
 every cartridge that we lost or fired without orders. 
 
 Later on we were informed that there were about 
 two thousand Spanish guerillas scattered about in the 
 range of mountains that encircled our camp in the 
 distance and they might make a night attack upon 
 us at any time. Every soldier (I speak of the second 
 battalion) was ordered to sleep on his arms. Every- 
 one was anxiously awaiting the supposed Spaniards. 
 
 Two lines of pickets were put out with special in- 
 structions. At nine o'clock all lights in the camp 
 were extinguished. Suddenly there was a report of 
 a picket's gun, which was answered by another sen- 
 tinel. This was meant to arouse the guards at the 
 guard house and to call out the officer of the guard 
 and the officer of the day. Also to summon the 
 specified companies to arms. Instantly the men were 
 up and under arms, standing in squads in front of 
 their tents. Then came the hurried command of the 
 officers, "Fall in Company E," "Fall in Company F," 
 and so likewise of Companies G and H. 
 
 To make it more explicit I will speak of Company 
 F, to which I belonged. Our captain, W. B. Akers, 
 was soon at the head of his company, which the first 
 sergeant had already formed. "Lay down, Company 
 F," shouted Captain Akers. "Don't a man fire until
 
 131 "THE EIGHTH tLLINOlS." 
 
 I tell you." He stood right in front of the com- 
 .pany with his revolver in hand. Presently there were 
 sounds of "click, click, click." It was some of the 
 men opening their rifle chambers. "Close those 
 chambers; the first man that fires I'll shoot him," con- 
 tinued the captain. 
 
 In front of us and in the rear were other captains 
 and lieutenants controlling their men. Company H 
 was immediately in front of us, that is, the back of 
 their tents faced our street. All at once there was 
 volley after volley fired. A fusillade of bullets went 
 whizzing through the air, some passing close by our 
 heads. The night was very dark and the light from 
 the flashing powder made a vivid scene we will never 
 forget. 
 
 All at once two men came bursting from between 
 Company H's tents, crawling on their hands and 
 knees and crouched down behind the tents to hide. 
 They were so scared that they did not see the whole 
 of Company F lying right there. Captain Akers hap- 
 pened to see them ducking. He yelled at them : "Get 
 up from there ; where are you going. Get back into 
 your company." This scared them -worse than the 
 shooting. The poor fellows just kept crawling from 
 one tent to another, trying to hide. Captain Akers 
 went up to them and told them if they didn't get up 
 from there and stop running he would shoot them. 
 It was as much as we could do to keep from laugh- 
 ing, as critical as the moments were, to see those 
 fellows, who, after having come nearly three thousand 
 miles to fight the Spaniard and be brave, dodge and 
 run at the first prospect of a fight.
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. ir,7 
 
 Company F was ordered to rise and make a left 
 flank, which threw us out into a field, where we were 
 told to lie down again. Here we laid for as much 
 as a half hour in the mud and weeds. After every- 
 thing was all quieted down we were ordered back to 
 our quarters. 
 
 It is necessary to mention that when we first made 
 the flank and were turning to leave our company 
 streets, I saw a soldier lying prone upon his back 
 on the ground. A sergeant and two or three other 
 men were bending over him. Passing by I could 
 see his life's blood oozing profusely from a bullet 
 wound. I could not tell who it was then, but on 
 returning to our quarters it proved to be Private 
 Fred. Blakes of Company F. He was a sentinel on 
 guard, and while the firing was going on was shot 
 through the right thigh. 
 
 The cause of this ill-fated accident was that there 
 was a Cuban passing the camp and he did not know 
 that the soldiers were there. The sentinel heard 4;he 
 coming of the Cuban on an ox-cart and peering 
 through the darkness (it was so cloudy there was not 
 a star to be seen), thought that the Spaniards were 
 surely coming. So he yelled out,"Halt! who comes 
 there !" He being excited, fired without waiting to re- 
 ceive any reply to his challenge, killing poor ox. Of 
 course, another sentry, hearing the shot, fired his gun 
 also. Hence the incident occurred. 
 
 Private Bert Anderson of F Company was told that 
 he would have to go on guard that night, but he said 
 to the lieutenant, "Lieutenant, I don't want to go 
 on guard to-night ; I am scared." For this his com-
 
 138 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 rades teased him most sorely. Had it not sounded 
 so funny to the lieutenant, Mr. Anderson would have 
 found his resting place in the guard house that night. 
 
 The next morning (Saturday) Private Smith of 
 Company B, who was also on guard that night, was 
 found near his post with a bullet hole in his neck. 
 He had lain there all night upon the wet hillside with 
 no one near to aid. 
 
 On- Sunday afternoon, August 2ist, General Law- 
 ton visited the camp and investigated the shooting 
 affair. After ascertaining the nature of the case, he 
 said : "While I regret the mistake that was made, I 
 have been led to believe that the boys of the Eighth 
 Illinois all told are a brave and plucky set of fellows, 
 and woe would it have been to the Spaniard had he 
 been there instead of the ox." 
 
 Having been in San Luis two days, Colonel Mar- 1 
 shall was placed in command of the military post, the 
 territory of which consisted of about sixty square 
 miles, while Major Jackson of the second battalion 
 was ordered to Palma Soriano de Cuba to create and 
 command Military Post No. i at that place. 
 
 On Tuesday evening Companies E and F were or- 
 dered to be up at four o'clock the next morning and 
 be ready to make a march. So Wednesday morn- 
 ing, August 24th, we were up and had our tents made 
 up and were waiting for our coffee by four o'clock. 
 After drinking our coffee and eating some hardtack, 
 everything being in readiness we started on our march 
 for Palma. If was about seven o'clock. We all 
 started out in great glee. Major Jackson with Cuban 
 guides headed the companies. Following in his wake
 
 SVXOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 139 
 
 were Captain Akers of F Company and Captain Roots 
 of E. 
 
 We were told before starting that it was from eight 
 to twelve miles, and it being our first real test of 
 soldiering we entertained the hope of covering the 
 distance by noon with ease. Our officers either un- 
 derrated the distance by a misunderstanding, or they 
 merely told us it was eight or twelve miles in order to 
 avoid daunting our courage. However that may have 
 been, when our journey was completed it was sub- 
 stantiated that we had marched some twenty-three 
 miles instead of eight or twelve. It was five o'clock 
 when all the men reached Palma. In the afternoon 
 some of the men who were not so well fell out along 
 the wayside. Details were left behind to accompany 
 them on. The sun was extremely hot that day and 
 there was practically no shade along the entire route. 
 We had to ford three small rivers, which we waded 
 right through. In one instance, the water was over 
 our knees, but we plunged right through with shoes 
 and everything on, marching on through the sick- 
 ening heat until our clothes were dried on us. About 
 two o'clock the rain came down in torrents, but that 
 did not deter our gait any. Up rugged, rocky hill- 
 sides we climbed, through marshy fields we picked 
 our way, but we kept steadily on, hungry and fa- 
 tigued. The sons of Illinois were far, far away from 
 comfort and pleasure. It was not theirs to shirk from 
 duty. They had accepted the call and had to bend 
 to the inevitable. We had nothing to eat all day 
 except sugar cane which we found as we were pass- 
 ing onward. This the doctors protested against our
 
 140 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 eating, on account of the germs of disease that lie 
 hidden in its juicy stalk. 
 
 Just as soon as the men reached the camp they 
 threw off their burdens, spread down their ponchos 
 and blankets and fell down on them and were soon 
 asleep. So tired and fatigued were many of them 
 that they laid and slept on the damp ground, right 
 where they fell, and would not be disturbed until the 
 next morn at reveille, missing their mess or supper, 
 notwithstanding a hard day's march without a mouth- 
 ful of anything to eat. 
 
 Our officers were good to us and allowed us all of 
 the next day to rest and recuperate, for our legs were 
 so stiff and sore that we could hardly walk. In the 
 meantime many of us went down to the river, taking 
 a good plunge in the hot water of the "canto." The 
 sun was so very hot it made some of us sick ; but to 
 be clean was a necessity. While in swimming we 
 had to keep our hats on to shield us from the burn- 
 ing rays of "Old Sol/' Before going into the water 
 we would wash out our underclothing and lay them 
 on the rocks to dry, and by the time we'd take a 
 bath they would be dry. 
 
 Cuban women and girls would come to the river to 
 wash their clothes. They would sit down on a big 
 stone, sometimes within a few yards of us, with a 
 paddle in hand and some soap weed, and pound away 
 at their washing. After finishing their tasks they 
 would drop all of their garments off except one thin 
 gown and wash them out. Then they would plunge 
 right into the water before our eyes. Being raised 
 naked from infancy up to ten or twelve years old,
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIP TO CUBA. 141 
 
 they had no regard for nakedness as far as morality 
 or decency was concerned. But after we were among 
 them a few weeks they grew to be more circumspect 
 and refined.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 
 
 On the afternoon of the i6th of August, we entered 
 Santiago Bay ; on the right of the entrance stood old 
 Moro, grim, sullen, and dismantled, her natural stone 
 walls having been perforated by the solid shot from the 
 American battleships. On the left of the entrance, 
 high and solidified, were the ruins of the "Scopia" Bat- 
 tery, which was also demolished by the shot and shell 
 of Uncle Sam's squadron. About four hundred yards 
 from the entrance, in about eighty or ninety feet of 
 water, lay the flower of Cervera's squadron, the Vis- 
 caya, which had attempted to escape, but the accuracy 
 and determination of the American gunners, who had 
 sent solid shot after her, piercing her steelcrusted hull 
 more than once, quickly brought her to an untimely 
 end. The Cristobol Colon, being a little more for- 
 tunate, had succeeded in getting some forty miles 
 down the Windward Passage, before a shell from the 
 Oregon sealed her fate. The Almeranto Oquenda 
 met her fate also; as did the Viscaya. We could see 
 the smoke stacks of another Spanish cruiser, which 
 was also sunk near the entrance of the bay ; she did 
 not get the chance to get out of the bay, before she 
 likewise was doomed. This was the Marie Teresa. 
 She was afterward raised by the Americans, under the 
 
 142
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 143 
 
 supervision of Lieutenant Hobson, of Merrimac fame. 
 Farther in the entrance we saw the United States trans- 
 port and collier, Merrimac, which was run into the bay, 
 blown up, and abandoned, by R. P. Hobson and crew. 
 The half-sunken hull of the Reina Mercedes further 
 up the bay, on the right was situated the Estralia Bat- 
 tery ("the star"), on top of the stone walls of the fort- 
 ress stood some United States soldiers, waving their 
 handkerchiefs and flags, and yelling at the coming of 
 the Eighth Illinois, who were now entering the famous 
 Santiago Bay, and the commercial mouth of South- 
 western Cuba. 
 
 SANTIAGO BAY. 
 
 Santiago Bay is a beautiful sheet of water, with 
 (in a calm state) hardly a ripple on its smooth surface. 
 It is enclosed by many green and picturesque hills upon 
 either side. Half way up the bay is a beautiful isle of 
 verdure green, dotted here and there with little 
 palmetto shacks, from which little nifios were peeking 
 at the passing of the Eighth Illinois. A small typical 
 Cuban Rio (river) bends its winding way down through 
 tropical foliage, dale, and glen, emptying its silvery 
 waters into the bay. The picture seemed as if a deep 
 basin was hewn at the base of the many massive hills, 
 and flooded by Nature's own handiwork. The en- 
 trance, or mouth of the bay, is not more than one hun- 
 dred and fifty or two hundred feet wide. To the east, 
 by north of the Castle, streaming from a high pole, 
 waved the stars and the stripes of Uncle Sam, unfurled 
 to the ocean breeze. When the United States cruiser 
 "The Yale" hove in sight of that emblem of freedom 
 and libertv, a tumultuous veil rent the air. It was the
 
 141 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 boys of the Eighth Illinois greeting "Old Glory" as 
 she unfurled serenely and meaningly from the crag 
 of a foreign, rock-bound shore. It is estimated as be- 
 ing six miles from the mouth of the bay up to Santiago 
 de Cuba, and the bay proper, as I should judge, is not 
 more than a mile or a mile and a half in width at its 
 widest part. All along on either side, and far above 
 one's head, while on the steamer, could be seen on the 
 green hillsides, and far up among the mountain crags, 
 the little Cuban casas, dotted here and there amid 
 ferns, banana trees, and shrubbery. 
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 Santiago is one of the oldest and second largest city 
 on the island, and was for a long time the capital city 
 of Cuba. She has the proud distinction of possessing 
 the oldest cathedral on the American continent "Ste. 
 Marie" with its many chime bells, reverberating the 
 solemn tones of music on twilight's vernal breeze. 
 The streets were narrow, dirty, and hilly. Its popula- 
 tion (in 1895), at the breaking out of the rebellion, was 
 put down at 56,000 inhabitants. The city is situated 
 at the eastern extremity of Santiago Bay. 
 
 When we arrived there, there were found many dead 
 and decayed bodies, lying in the streets, and in the 
 Spanish hospitals there were found men, dead, who 
 had lain there from all appearances for three and four 
 days. The place smelled like carrion ; it was enough 
 to make a well man sick, to say nothing of taking sick 
 men there to recover. The gullies and ditches through 
 the streets were filled with parts of human bodies, and 
 dead vegetation, and animals, which after the rain,
 
 WHAT IV E SAW IN CUBA. 145 
 
 when the sun came out, brought forth a vapor, a 
 stench, a sickening smell or odor from the ground. In 
 these odors and vapors emanated the germs of malaria 
 and yellow jack. 
 
 We are proud to say that the first Protestant church 
 planted in Santiago, and possibly on the island, was es- 
 tablished by a colored man, in the personage of Rev. 
 H. C. C. Astwood, Superintendent of Missions of the 
 A. M. E. church, and editor of the "Defender" of Phil- 
 adelphia, Pa. The Rev. Astwood boarded the Yale 
 at New York City, when we did, he having with him 
 a special commission or a special letter to the author- 
 ities of Santiago, from the President and War Depart- 
 ment. Mr. Astwood is a very tall, stout, and intelli- 
 gent-looking gentleman, and has had long and careful 
 experience in the missionary field. He speaks Spanish 
 or the Cuban language fluently, and being genial, 
 courteous and pleasant, was well adapted for the com- 
 mission consigned to him. His early career began 
 in the state of Louisiana. He was a Republican at 
 heart, though at one time he upheld the Democratic 
 banner through one campaign, after which he returned 
 back to the Grand Old Party. He was also a consul 
 to the Dominican Republic, and whilst at Santo Do- 
 mingo established an A. M. E. church there. 
 
 There are high schools and academies of learning in 
 the city, military hospitals, military prisons, a large 
 provincial bull pen, whose arena is enclosed by an 
 amphitheater ; Spanish and Cuban clubs thrive alike ; 
 a large ice plant is also doing good business, and the 
 many electric lights in various calles give it an appear- 
 ance of a typical American city. Santiago is also the
 
 146 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 headquarters of all military operations in Southwestern 
 
 Cuba. 
 
 SAN JUAN HILL. 
 
 San Juan Hill (St. John in English) is situated 
 about two miles south by east of Santiago City. It 
 has a commanding view of Santiago, Boniato, and 
 the famous little town of El Caney. The last named 
 little village was one that was taken by our brave 
 colored boys of the Twenty-fourth Infantry, it was 
 also near here that those valiant American boys cor- 
 nered about two hundred Spaniards in the famous 
 old stone blockhouse. The Spaniards had the doors 
 locked and barricaded, but the Americans shot the 
 locks off the doors and took it by storm, killing the 
 Spaniards therein almost to a man. Around the base 
 of the hill, all the way up the sides, and near the 
 crest, was a network of barb-wire fences. These and 
 the many firing trenches, it was thought by the Span- 
 iards, would make the top of the hill inaccessible to the 
 Americans. 
 
 On the summit of this fortified crest was planted a 
 large field-piece in a big pit ; this in turn was also en- 
 circled by barb-wire fences and rifle pits. These prep- 
 arations were thought to be adequate to any American 
 attack. Scattered around everywhere were to be seen 
 Spanish bullets and shells. The fact that so many 
 cartridges were found unexploded gave indubitable 
 proof that the well fortified Spaniard must have left 
 the scene of action in hot haste, if he lived to get away 
 at all. Many of them got tangled up in their own 
 barb-wire fences, while there was positive proof of 
 many of them dying in their own trenches. About
 
 WHAT IV E SAW IN CUBA. 147 
 
 two hundred feet from the gun pit was an eight-inch 
 shell, unexploded, thrown there by some American bat- 
 tleship. It must have traveled at least six or seven 
 miles over the hilltops and across the bay from where 
 our fighting monsters were lying, out in the Windward 
 Passage. We did not see any evidence of whether 
 any Spanish soldiers tarried there very long to see 
 if it was going to explode. 
 
 WE SLEPT IN A SPANISH GRAVEYARD. 
 
 On the night of August 16, having arrived at San 
 Juan Hill, about nine o'clock, we stopped to camp for 
 the night. Pitching our tents in the darkness, upon 
 the wet hillside fatigued and hungry we laid down 
 upon the damp ground to sleep and to rest. After 
 passing the night, in fear and fatigue, for many of the 
 men were kept awake half the night, fighting mos- 
 quitos, lizards, large spiders, little snakes and fleas, 
 we were up before the sound of reveille. All through 
 the night you could hear a soldier yell, then he would 
 emerge from under his tent, ejaculating, half in fear 
 and half in rage, swearing vengeance against those 
 strange, curious little creatures, or pests, as they would 
 call them. 
 
 On getting up the next morning every soldier was 
 looking around to see where he had lain, and tried 
 to sleep, when to their wonderment and surprise, they 
 were astonished to see that they had spent the night in 
 a Spanish graveyard. Some of the boys' eyes really did 
 bulge out of their sockets, while they stood and looked 
 at each other, in silent amazement. Colonel Marshall 
 upon rising and seeing the excitement that prevailed
 
 143 
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 among his men, he usually being an officer equal to 
 the emergency, and generally doing the right thing at 
 the right time, could say nothing but only look and 
 smile. He immediately set about obtaining a better 
 and a more desirable location for his command, which 
 
 he accomplished by about nine o'clock. In the mean- 
 time, the men were teasing each other as to how they 
 slept. In many instances where a fellow had thought 
 he was lucky in having a little mound for a pillow to 
 rest his head on, and would whisper to his mate, "Fve 
 struck a bonanza," he was sorely plagued to find his 
 bonanza turned out to be a Spanish grave. 
 
 Our colonel having returned, he gave the different
 
 WllAl //7; SA\V IN CUBA. 149 
 
 captains orders to move their companies immediately. 
 By noon we were marching again, toward the limits 
 of Santiago. The tropical sun was intensely hot, the 
 men were tired and worried after having come a 
 distance of nearly three thousand miles, and then pass- 
 ing such a restless night, but nevertheless, onward 
 we marched, down through a narrow lane-like road, in 
 the burning heat, our first experience as soldiers, under 
 a glowing tropical sun. "Route step," came the com- 
 mand of our captains, "Route step," and onward we 
 trod, until the command "Halt" was given. Then 
 in less time than it takes to tell it, there was a little 
 village of soldier tents nestled along the road that 
 leads from Santiago City to San Juan Hill. 
 
 It was Wednesday morning, August 17, and our 
 first day in Cuba. Eager to see all we could, the 
 writer accompanied by a lieutenant, a sergeant, a sur- 
 geon, and another corporal, made a reconnoissance of 
 San Juan Hill, the battlefield, the trenches, and block 
 houses. When we reached the summit of this famous 
 hill, what a ghastly sight was there to confront us. 
 Scattered around and about, were to be seen parts of 
 the remains of dead Spaniards, partially buried, and 
 partially exposed to view. Ever and anon, here and 
 there, a hand, a foot, an arm or a leg, would be ex- 
 posed, or a skull would be discovered above the ground, 
 where the Spaniards, terror-stricken by the undaunted 
 courage and terrible onslaught of our brave American 
 boys ; being exhausted and half-starved, had retreated 
 or fled, leaving their comrades to their fate. Some of 
 them were buried, some half-buried, and some buried 
 semi-conscious, had exhumed themselves before the
 
 150 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 final breath had left their bodies, thus leaving them 
 half-buried. 
 
 In many cases there was simply a trench dug, pos- 
 sibly not more than two and a half or three feet deep, 
 and in these shallow graves there would be two bodies 
 buried, one on top of the other, and merely hid from 
 view by a thin layer of earth. The buzzards being very 
 numerous and bold, had pounced down upon these 
 would-be graves, removed the earth with their talons, 
 and gorged their gluttonous greed, and then it being 
 in the rainy season, the waters had descended in tor- 
 rents from the wind-chased clouds, and completed 
 the work of exhuming the victims of a Springfield rifle 
 ball by washing the dirt off and down the hillside, thus 
 leaving the bodies exposed. 
 
 The Province of Santiago de Cuba is literally in- 
 fested with buzzards. They are bold and rapacious to 
 a fault. They will be soaring over your head by the 
 scores, will descend to the ground, alight within four 
 or five feet of you and then strut off defiantly, with 
 their wings half plumed, in search of a repast, or gar- 
 bage, not giving attention to anyone. 
 
 On Thursday morning at eleven o'clock, August 18, 
 the second battalion was all in a bustle, making prep- 
 arations to be taken up to San Luis where the first 
 battalion was sent a day previous. We packed our 
 tents, loaded on our equipments and were soon on the 
 tramp again, back to the City of Santiago. On reach- 
 ing the central part of the town, we passed by the 
 main plaza, in which the boys of the Third United 
 States Regiment (infantry) were quartered. Upon 
 seeing: the Eighth Illinois Volunteers marching through
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 15] 
 
 the calle, the yellow, sun-tanned soldiers, in their 
 Kauka suits, raised their American voices in greeting, 
 but the boys of the Eighth, in accordance with military 
 training, only saw, and passed on. 
 
 Upon arriving at the wharf, where all of our ammu- 
 nition, rations, etc., had been taken off the tug Laura, 
 which conveyed them from the Yale, to Santiago we 
 were halted, stacked our arms, and piled up our effects 
 and rested a few minutes. After awhile we set about 
 removing our luggage, rations, the officers' effects, etc., 
 from the docks to the railroad freight station. The 
 sun was intensely hot, but nevertheless we boys worked 
 like Turks to get ready to leave that night at ten 
 o'clock, which we eventually accomplished. 
 
 While we were at the docks, we saw in the neighbor- 
 hood of nine hundred Spanish soldiers, who were 
 brought from the mountains preparatory to being 
 shipped back to Spain. There were about three thou- 
 sand to be shipped that day, I was told by a Spanish 
 captain. It is noteworthy to state, that this officer was 
 a black man and could speak quite a bit of English. 
 His name was Alveras ; he was born- at Valencia, 
 Spain, and as I should judge, was about fifty-five years 
 old. He said, "I have always regretted that I have 
 had to come over here to fight against these poor 
 Cubans," and he shrugged up his shoulders, and re- 
 marked, "What I do? It is law in Spain." 
 
 Those Spanish soldiers that we saw, were the most 
 miserable looking specimens of humanity that anyone 
 would care to see. Half-naked, half-starved, cowardly 
 creatures they were, little bits of black treacherous 
 eyes, sunken way back in their heads, peering out from
 
 152 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 under; sometimes a brimless,old, dirty, weather-beaten 
 straw hat, or sombero ; they looked more like having 
 been subdued by the Cubans, instead of poising as 
 Cuban subduers. They were lined up into two ranks 
 and as soon as the major called a name, the soldier 
 jumped, and answered, "Sita, Aqui," or present, here, 
 and any hesitation on the part of the soldier incurred 
 the anger of the major, who would strike the poor 
 cowardly fellow in the face, when he ran up the gang 
 plank. It has often been said, "how glad the boys of 
 the Eighth were to get home'/' our joy wasn't a cir- 
 cumstance; just to see their countenances change when 
 their tired, and shoeless feet would strike the deck of 
 that transport. I saw only one Spanish woman in the 
 whole lot, and she was a sight ; with a dirty, black 
 alpaca skirt on, a black handkerchief tied over her head, 
 jaws all sunken in, and eyes set and staring. She was 
 a picture of dejection and forlornness. These were the 
 typical Spanish soldiers and that woman was a 
 true type of a Spanish soldier's wife, who had 
 followed him for more than 2,500 miles, to attend to 
 his needs, to lull his pain upon a battlefield in a foreign 
 clime. 
 
 In another chapter the reader will rind details of 
 cur leaving San Juan Hill, or the "graveyard," as it 
 was called and the march down to the spot nearer the 
 limits of the city of Santiago. Well, we had scarcely 
 had our tents pitched in the high weeds, and shrubbery 
 ( for it was nothing but bushes and rank grasses every- 
 where, to the height of an ordinary man's head, which 
 bespoke of desolation and desertion of tumble-down 
 farms) before those strange, half-starved, Cubans, or
 
 o
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 155 
 
 reconcentradoes, were all through our camp. There 
 were women and children half clad and hungry, with 
 pots of strong, black coffee, paun (or little loaves of 
 bread) and cakes made of molasses and cocoanuts, vend- 
 ing to the strange, yet welcome American soldiers, 
 after marching through the burning hot sun and having 
 no beer to drink (which many of the boys were used 
 to in America) we took readily to the hot, black coffee, 
 in preference to the warm tropical water. Then we 
 were warned by our doctors and officers not to touch 
 any of the tropical, fever-laden fruits nor drink too 
 much water, until we became somewhat more accli- 
 mated to the tropics, so the boys drank freely of the 
 coffee, and the women and children did a flourishing 
 business, and grasped the opportunity of selling it at 
 the rate of cinto-centavos (or five cents) a cup, which 
 contained not more than two good swallows, the cups 
 being the size of our small tea cups. 
 
 That afternoon at six o'clock, we had our first re- 
 treat on the Isle of Cuba. The regimental band played 
 the familiar American airs, and it was a grand scene 
 to witness those little Cuban boys and girls trying to 
 dance to the music. Yes, some of those little macha- 
 chos really did the "Mobile buck," the "couchee- 
 couchee" dance, and the "pasamala," in true imitation 
 of the frolicsome Americans. It was delightful to them. 
 
 REGIMENTS COMPARED. 
 
 There were three regiments of colored men in the 
 Province of Santiago de Cuba, namely the Twenty- 
 third Kansas, the Ninth Immunes, of Louisiana, Miss- 
 issippi and Texas, they were also called the Ninth
 
 156 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Louisiana, because the major part were from Louis- 
 iana, and the Eighth Illinois. The Eighth Illinois, we 
 are proud to say, outranked them all by many points ; 
 first, because it was an entire colored regiment, officers 
 and privates ; second, because they were better dis- 
 ciplined than the other two ; third, their deportment 
 was better, as they were on trial, shaping the future 
 destiny of the colored race. Now the Twenty-third 
 Kansas was all right. All of the officers were colored. 
 
 A CUBAN-CASA. 
 
 They behaved themselves remarkably well, they drilled 
 fairly well and their sick list and death rate was very 
 much like the Eighth. But the point that the Eighth 
 Illinois gained over her was the one more battalion. 
 The highest officer in the Twenty-third was lieutenant 
 colonel, for there were only two battalions of about 
 825 men, while the Eighth boasted of a complete col- 
 ored regiment, her highest officer being a colonel, and 
 three battalions with a total of 1,271 men and officers, 
 or nearly 1,300 all told. As for the Ninth Louisiana 
 (Ninth Immunes) though a complete regiment, her
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. lf>7 
 
 highest officer being a colonel, the fact that the officers 
 from colonel to first sergeant, I believe, were white men, 
 gave the Eighth another decided point over her. In 
 giving justice to all I will say that the members of tHe 
 Ninth Immunes were the most reckless of the three 
 regiments, and many violations of good order and con- 
 duct of theirs were laid at the doors of the Eighth. 
 Especially so was this done by Major General Woods, 
 who never had much love for the Eighth from the very 
 outset. But notwithstanding all of these different 
 falsities and malicious accusations, the Eighth stands 
 out boldly and defiantly and challenges any person or 
 persons in Cuba or America (the United States') 
 to stand up with any regard for the truth, and say that 
 the conduct, discipline, and good behavior of the 
 Eighth Illinois, from the time they were mustered in 
 until they were mustered out, was anything but good, 
 and furthermore these statements are borne out by the 
 many discharge papers that the men received that 
 were "honorable" and marked, "his conduct excel- 
 lent." 
 
 We will never forget the twenty-eighth day of Feb- 
 ruary, when the Twenty-third Kansas broke camp and 
 left San Luis for Santiago in order to take the steamer 
 for home. That evening, just after retreat, Major 
 Robt. R. Jackson, before dismissing his battalion, said, 
 "Now men, I mean the members of my command, I 
 want to say something I deem very important and es- 
 sential, you all know that all depredations, misde- 
 meanors, etc., that have occurred since we arrived here 
 on this island, have been laid, or they have tried to lay 
 them at the doors of the Eighth Illinois Regiment.
 
 158 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS.' 9 
 
 We have succeeded in many cases in having them 
 traced to where they belong. Now the Twenty-third 
 Kansas is gone, which you know, and anything that's 
 done, it will surely be the Eighth. 
 
 "As we have managed to keep out of any serious 
 trouble, for my sake, as well as for your own, do not 
 go down in town at night ; commit no bad deeds, nor 
 get drunk and raise disturbances, for we are right on 
 the eve of leaving Cuba ourselves, and as far as I know 
 at present the Eighth Illinois will be on her way to 
 the States inside of a month's time at the longest. Now 
 men, from now on, as heretofore, act like men, and take 
 the name home that we brought away. 
 
 "Now if any of you men do anything hereafter, you 
 will most undoubtedly be left on this island when we 
 leave, and all offenses after this will be tried by white 
 officers. They won't care anything about you, and 
 you know what you'll get, so take my advice, stay in 
 camp at nights, don't run around and get drunk. That 
 'is all. Captains, dismiss your companies." 
 
 The following Sunday, Second Lieutenant J. W. 
 Washington of Company K, Litchfield, 111., gave each 
 company a short lecture. Lieutenant "Washington, or 
 the "old man," as the boys used to call him, was the 
 provost marshal, and a grand, good man was he. He 
 was disliked by none, and while he was attentive to 
 duty, assiduous in carrying out all of his military in- 
 structions, he had a great desire to allow the men not 
 only of the Eighth, but of the Twenty-third Kansas, 
 also, all the privileges that the regulations governing 
 his position would permit. For the sake of good con- 
 duct and gentlemanly behavior it was tne accustomed
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 159 
 
 rule to allow not more than one or two men from each 
 company to go to town at a time, on passes. This be- 
 ing the case, quite a few men would determine to slip 
 the guards and go to town, especially at night. In 
 many cases some men would "stand in" with their re- 
 spective first sergeants. It was very funny in detail, 
 the way they would go about it. When the man in 
 question, wanted to get off, he would use the "con 
 racket" on the sergeant. He would be as good as pie 
 to him, previous to asking him not to report him at 
 roll call, reveille or retreat. Finding the sergeant in 
 good humor, or a pleasant mood, he would strike him 
 thusly : 
 
 "Say, Sarg., got any more passes?" He knows at 
 the time, that the sergeant has none, but this is an 
 opening. 
 
 To this the sergeant will most invariably answer, 
 "No, George, captain didn't give me but two passes, 
 one of them was for John Jones and the other was for 
 Bill Taylor." 
 
 "Hem ! well, I'm always too late every time. I 
 wanted to go down town. Gee whiz ! I'd like to see my 
 senorita, to-day, I've a great mind to slip off anyhow, 
 sergeant." 
 
 "Now, say, young fellow, if you run into the old man 
 down there, don't say I told you to go." 
 
 With a promise that he will wet the sergeant's throat 
 upon his return the sergeant acquiesces. 
 
 The next that we would see of the soldier, he wou/d 
 be off down in the town, dodging the old man and his 
 provost guards, ducking and dodging in and out of 
 this place and that place, peeping around the corners,
 
 160 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 then, as the boys used to say, he would do the "rush 
 act'' and make for the hill. This hill lay between the 
 camp and San Luis. If the soldier could manage to 
 make the hill he was all right. The soldiers called this 
 the ''Bunker Hill." If the boys were not fortunate 
 enough to gain the summit of Bunker's Hill, and to the 
 contrary, fell into the clutches of the old man and his 
 guards, the "jig would be up" with them, and with 
 the sergeant's rum. Sometimes the men would be 
 too quick for the scrutinizing eye of the old man, and 
 over into the high weeds, along the roadside, the 
 bottles would disappear. 
 
 Very often quite an amusing scene occurred. If the 
 prisoner was found to be under the influence of liquor 
 of any kind, he would be apt to catch it heavily, and 
 perhaps he would have to put in a few days on the road 
 or cleaning the streets, etc., while on the other hand if 
 he had simply overstaid his pass, or was away from 
 camp without one and was found to be a pretty good 
 soldier, and if this was the first time he had been 
 caught from camp without a pass, and if he was sober 
 and orderly, he would have a better showing. The 
 old man, being lenient, in a case of this kind, he would 
 say, "Young man, have you got that pass?" "No 
 sir, so and so, is the case lieutenant." "Well, you will 
 have to beat me to that hill, if you don't you will sleep 
 with my boys to-night." Then it would be a case of 
 a grand "duck" on the part of the prisoner, and a case 
 of hide and peep on the part of the lieutenant. You'd 
 better not let him catch you after that, either. 
 
 It was Sunday afternoon, March 5, 1899. The sun 
 was creeping toward the western horizon. The last
 
 WHAT IV E SAW IN CUBA. 161 
 
 sound of the bugle for retreat was faintly dying away, 
 when a tall, earnest looking man was seen making long 
 and sturdy strides toward the front of a company of 
 men, who were standing at parade rest, it was the 
 "old man," Lieutenant J. W. Washington, Company K 
 and marshal of the provost guard in San Luis. "Hold 
 on there captains, please, I'd just like to speak a few 
 words to the boys before you dismiss them." "At- 
 tention, men." "Company, attention," came the com- 
 mand of several captains and lieutenants. The men 
 stood motionless, with bated breath. "I wonder what 
 the old man is going to say," queried many. "The 
 Twenty-third Kansas has just gone. I wonder if our 
 boat is at Santiago?" "I 'spec' it is," muttered others. 
 For every day the boys were expecting to be told to 
 break camp to come home, but to their surprise this 
 was not the case as yet, but the purpose of his words 
 were a necessity. 
 
 The lieutenant spoke to company after company, 
 separately, the following words: "Men, I have just 
 been let into a little secret, and I came all the way 
 from town to tell you, and perhaps, prevent you from 
 falling into a trap. You all know there are no soldiers 
 to go to town now, except the men of the Eighth. 
 They have put on rural police down there now, and 
 they are trying to put up a cat-hop, on some of you 
 fellows. Now take my advice and stay away from 
 those dens down there, and don't let them catch you 
 fooling around those saloons and places. Now if you 
 go there and get caught, they will try to give you the 
 worst of it, and, besides, you will be taking great 
 chances upon your health. Now I hope that you will
 
 162 
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 appreciate the warning I have given you and will be 
 governed accordingly. We, your officers, have tried 
 hard to hold on to your honor and credit, as well as to 
 that of our own, ever since we have been on the Island. 
 Now please don't let a little trick like that throw you 
 down, causing you to lose or forfeit the name and 
 dignity which you have struggled so hard to achieve, 
 and which you have undergone and endured so much 
 to retain." The most undoubted proof that the sol- 
 diers of the Eighth appreciated the timely counsel of 
 
 A SPANISH BLOCKHOUSE. 
 
 Major Jackson and Lieutenant Washington, was mani- 
 fested in the results that followed. Every soldier 
 wanted to keep out of trouble, physically and morally. 
 Everyone wanted to come home with his regiment. 
 Therefore they staid in the camp and were content, un- 
 til the orders came to break camp, and return home, 
 Lieutenant Washington of the provost guard had 
 quite a mishap one night while making his rounds. It 
 was very dark, and the little Cuban mule which he 
 rode became somewhat stubborn, and in the bucking, 
 jumping and spurring, that occurred, the lieutenant
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 1G3 
 
 and mule went headforemost into a big ditch along 
 the side of the road ; the officer, being thrown over the 
 mule's head, found the bottom first, and the animal 
 came tumbling after. Between the brute and the 
 ground, Lieutenant Washington was the recipient of 
 a genuine squeezing, which laid him up for a couple 
 of weeks. 
 
 He said that he would never ride another mule 
 while in Cuba, so he bought a horse and kept it until 
 we were making preparations for leaving San Luis. 
 He then sold the animal. 
 
 There seemed to be no lack of poetical genius 
 among the members of the regiment, and it never ap- 
 peared to be a task for the boys to make a verse or two 
 of song on anything that transpired. 
 
 The soldiers used to sing this song, when the lieu- 
 tenant was not around : 
 
 "Hello there, comrade." "Hello, son." 
 "Hold on Let me tell you what the provost done. 
 We were slipping into town one by one, 
 Just at the hour of the setting of the sun. 
 
 "Lieutenant Washington, I chanced to meet, 
 As I was making for main street. 
 'Hello there, comrade, you got that pass.' 
 'No, lieutenant, say, you've got me at last.' 
 
 "He pulled out his whistle and he did blow. 
 The big burly sergeant, he came you know, 
 And exclaimed, 'Lieutenant, are those men all right?' 
 'No, take them to the guard house and book them for 
 the night.
 
 1(54 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 'To-morrow morning, just about nine, 
 Hav them before me all in a line. 
 Now comrades as this is your first time around, 
 You are excused, now get out of town.' 
 
 " 'Thank you, lieutenant, your favors will never be 
 
 forgotten.' " 
 
 So off to the camp the men would soon be trotting. 
 They never came to town unless they were right, 
 For the provost guard were always in sight. 
 
 Lieutenant Washington on his mule, 
 
 Head in the air, but hard to fool. 
 
 So one dark night the mule got mad, 
 
 And wondered how he could make himself glad. 
 
 He stepped into a ditch with a Bailey slide. 
 "From that day to. this," Lieutenant Washington cried, 
 "No more mule in mine." 
 
 Now every soldier knew Lieutenant Washington well 
 
 For many a one into his clutches fell. 
 
 But there are no more soldiers to be prisoned, if you 
 
 please. 
 In that little town in Cuba, the name San Luis. 
 
 The lieutenant avowed to get him "a hoss," 
 To dispose of that mule he would at any cost. 
 Not receding from his promise he made the exchange, 
 And he'd more than apt to head us off, ere Bunker's 
 Hill was gained.
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 165 
 
 "Hello there, comrade." "Hello, son." 
 
 "Hold on ! Let me tell you what the provost done. 
 
 We were slipping into town one by one, 
 
 Just at the hour of the setting of the sun." 
 
 The Eighth Illinois Volunteer Soldiers. 
 
 IMMUNES. 
 
 In speaking of Immunes in Cuba, they existed in 
 name only. This fact was proven by the experience 
 of the Ninth Louisiana Regiment, or the Ninth Im- 
 munes, as they were termed. They were a properly 
 selected body of men, many of whom were born and 
 reared under the burning rays of a Southern sun. 
 These soldiers were supposed to be proof against the 
 yellow jack and malaria, and therefore especially 
 adapted to the rigors of that torrid land, Cuba. Yet 
 the soldiers of the Eighth, the men from the Northern 
 clime, some of whom were born as far north as Nova 
 Scotia, endured the raging fevers, the rigors of tropi- 
 cal Cuba, better than the Ninth Immunes. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois reached Cuba with 1,195 men 
 and seventy-six officers, with only eight men sick. 
 During the seven months on the island the Eighth, a 
 complete regiment, lost eighteen men, of which four 
 were killed, fourteen dying from disease, having 
 lost one in Springfield, 111., while camped there, and 
 having left one in New York City, who was too sick to 
 proceed further, and he also died. This increases the 
 total number of deaths in the Eighth, in nine months, 
 to twenty. 
 
 The Ninth Immunes, a regiment of 1,009 men an< ^ 
 officers, in seven months lost 107 men, and at one
 
 100 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 time there were so many men on the sick report that 
 they barely averaged fifteen to sixteen men to the 
 company, who were fit for duty. , 
 
 Then there was the Twenty-third Kansas, two bat- 
 talions, 824 men and officers, all of the State of Kan- 
 sas, who in nearly seven months on the island lost ten 
 men. 
 
 This comparison makes quite a favorable showing 
 for the boys of Illnois. To recapitulate : 
 
 Eighth Illinois from August 16 to March u lost 
 eighteen men. 
 
 Ninth Louisiana from August 23 to March IT lost 
 107 men. 
 
 Twenty-third Kansas from August 25 to February 
 28 lost ten men. 
 
 Out of 1,271 men the Eighth Illinois lost in seven 
 months on the island eighteen men. 
 
 Out of 824 men, the Twenty-third Kansas lost in 
 six months and three days on the island ten men. 
 
 Out of 1,009 men > the Ninth Immunes, Louisiana, 
 lost in seven months on the island 107 men. 
 
 The men of the Ninth Immunes, having white of- 
 ficers, were not on trial as were the men of the Eighth, 
 therefore their discipline was not good. Their wearing 
 apparel was not to be compared with that of the Eighth. 
 The responsibility was not a-s great. Quite frequently 
 they were boisterous when they went to town. They 
 were more reckless, often creating disturbances, and 
 many of their deeds were laid at the door of the 
 Eighth Illinois. Nevertheless there were some very 
 intelligent, refined and good natured men among them 
 
 The Twenty-third Kansas, we will admit, was a
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CL'BA. 107 
 
 grade or so better than the Immunes. Of course, they 
 came from that section of the country where conditions, 
 civil and social, were advanced far beyond those which 
 predominated in any of the four states from which the 
 Immunes were recruited, giving them a practical ad- 
 vantage. Yet quite a few of them wore ragged uni- 
 forms in preference to being neat and tidy. They 
 were a jovial lot of good natured men upon the whole, 
 not given too much to drunkenness nor carousal, but 
 being neighborly and socially inclined. They quite 
 frequently visited the boys of the Eighth at night, and 
 on Sundays, very often coming in squads. They 
 took a delight in having their sweethearts (Cuban 
 stnoritas) accompany them to our camp. Each sol- 
 dier thought his sweetheart (noavia) was the prettiest, 
 and most Americanized. The boys of the Eighth 
 often returned those visits, which were enlivened with 
 banjo and song. 
 
 Their drilling was not of the highest grade, if what 
 men of high rank in army circles say concerning their 
 tactics carries any weight. 
 
 Especially speaking of the Ninth, we feel justified 
 in saying that their officers did not hold themselves in 
 the self-esteem which their position and rank de- 
 manded. It was found that they were frequestly 
 fond of imbibing in common with the men in the ranks, 
 also they were given too freely to the use of sarcastic 
 and profane language toward their men. This one 
 particular feature was not tolerated by the com- 
 manders of the Eighth. Quite a few times has Colo- 
 nel Marshall, also Major Jackson, reprimanded the 
 lieutenants and even some captains, for losing their
 
 168 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 temper and speaking harshly to the men at drill, say- 
 ing nothing of swearing oaths at them. Caution, 
 patience and gentlemanly pleasantness were courted 
 and exercised at all times. The same traits were pre- 
 dominant among the men of the non-commission rank 
 and also among the privates. Colonel Marshall and 
 Major Jackson told their officers that they did not 
 curse and swear at the men at drill and would not allow 
 
 CUBAN WATER-BOY Y BURRO 
 
 the officers to do so, and though the men were thou- 
 sands of miles, some of them, from their native homes, 
 they were not dogs, nor would they be allowed to be 
 treated as such. These remarks can be testified to by 
 almost every private in the regiment. 
 
 Quite frequently information had reached the ears 
 of our colonel that Lieutenant Tobin (white), of the 
 Ninth Immunes, had cursed at the boys of the Eighth 
 Illinois, and that when he came in contact with them 
 would order them under arrest on the slightest provo- 
 cation. On the twenty-eighth day of February, the
 
 II' HAT \VE SAW IN CUBA. 169 
 
 morning the Twenty-third broke camp, for home, 
 Colonel Marshall, by request of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Beck, of the Twenty-third Kansas, sent over a detail 
 of men under a lieutenant, to do guard duty, and to 
 watch their effects, while moving, there being so 
 many Cubans around to pilfer. The colonel was 
 standing talking to another officer, his back being 
 turned to Lieutenant Tobin, who, as a departmental 
 quartermaster, was having all tents and other material 
 checked up and turned over. A soldier belonging to 
 the Eighth llinois, who had both hands occupied, came 
 along. Upon approaching Lieutenant Tobin he 
 bowed his head, for he could not salute. Whereupon 
 Tobin stopped him, saying, "G d you, why do you 
 not salute me, sir?" The soldier told him as he had 
 both of his hands full, he did not deem it necessary to 
 stop and put the things down in order to disengage a 
 hand to salute with. The lieutenant then asked him to 
 what regiment he belonged. The man answered, "the 
 Eighth Illinois." Whereupon the lieutenant remarked, 
 "I have a good notion of putting you under arrest. 
 You fellows of the Eighth are a little too d d im- 
 portant anyway." 
 
 All this time he'd never taken notice of Colonel Mar- 
 shall, who was taking it all in. Colonel Marshall 
 turned around and saluting the lieutenant, said, "Look 
 here, lieutenant, I've often heard of your actions to- 
 ward my men, but never have had any positive proof 
 of it. Now I want to tell you right here, I don't curse 
 my men myself, and I won't allow any other officer 
 to do so. If my men are impolite, or offer any insult 
 to you, as an officer of the army, you are at liberty to
 
 170 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 have them punished, but I won't allow you nor any 
 other white Southern scoundrel to mistreat my men 
 while I am their colonel. If this occurs again, I will 
 order you under arrest, prefer charges against you, 
 and have you court-martialed. 
 
 [This is as told by a bystander.] 
 
 In comparing the regiments, General Ewers (whose 
 comment, we hope, was not biased) said, "The quarters 
 of the Eighth Illinois are constantly kept cleaner than 
 any regiment in Cuba, barring none. Around their 
 kitchens, the guardhouse, headquarters, company head- 
 quarters and company streets is cleanliness, and they 
 are objects of beauty and comfort and home-like." 
 
 In front of many tents and on the sides were flowers, 
 plants, odd stones brought from the river, and shells 
 of many varieties. The trees that were planted were be- 
 decked with squawking parrots and gutios (huteos) 
 or mountain rats. Cigarette, cigar and tobacco tents 
 were to be seen in many of the camp streets. 
 
 In many tents, Cuban senoras and muchachas, were 
 sitting quietly talking, part Cubana and part Ameri- 
 cano, to their soldier neighbors and friends. No sol- 
 dier dared to molest or insult these friendly visitors. 
 
 Sandwiches, bananas, oranges, and cocoanuts were 
 for sale by some soldier or another. Some would be 
 out at work, on details, a few as prisoners ; some were 
 reading books or papers ; others playing a social game 
 at cards or checkers ; a number could be found \vriting 
 to their sweethearts or friends and relatives at home, 
 while others were sleeping over the previous night of 
 standing guard ; some were taking a swim in the Es- 
 cania river, some off on forty-eight hour passes, some
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 171 
 
 playing horseshoes, or tossing a ball, and some were 
 singing; while others were in the hospital, suffering 
 with intense pain and fevers. This is but a glimpse of 
 a day in Camp Marshall, which was two and a half 
 miles east by south of San Luis. 
 
 A quarrel or a fight among the men was seldom 
 heard of. Intelligence and manly behavior was para- 
 mount everywhere, and the boys of the Eighth have 
 never been able to figure it out how Gen. L. Wood 
 could have been quoted as saying, "The soldiers of the 
 Eighth were made up of the scums and slums of Chi- 
 cago, or the state of Illinois," except through preju- 
 dice. 
 
 Happily, our many friends in Springfield did not 
 treat us or respect us as slums and bums. Those kind 
 and hospitable ladies at Chillicothe, Greenfield and 
 Athens, Ohio, on the ninth of August, 1898, did not 
 receive the same appreciation and respect and grati- 
 tude from the men of the Eighth when they were on 
 our trains, in every coach, giving us sandwiches and 
 coffee, as they would have received from slums and 
 bums. The people of old Gotham, who commented 
 upon their quiet and manly appearance as they 
 marched silently down West street to embark on the 
 Yale for Santiago de Cuba, did not refer to them as 
 slums and bums. 
 
 Let us notice this fallacy. They were the scums of 
 Chicago because they had Negro officers, we infer. 
 Many thanks to General Wood. 
 
 Their officers have called them out to inspect them 
 unawares many times, only to find their clothes, arms 
 and other accouterments in a favorable condition.
 
 17^ "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 They had to walk a distance of two miles and a half to 
 bathe, but neither the hot sun nor the distance deterred 
 them. 
 
 Putting on his best starched Khaka suit, a clean 
 standing collar, the best possible shine on his shoes, 
 and with his gun as clean as possible, then mount 
 guard and be chosen for orderly, was the pride of a 
 private's heart the height of his ambition. It was 
 considered a great honor to be selected orderly out of 
 thirty-five or forty men, as the neatest and cleanest, 
 and, sometimes, the best drilled private on guard. 
 Whenever the Sergeant-Major would make such selec- 
 tions, some soldier of the company to which the orderly 
 so selected belonged would run and meet him, the 
 boys of his company would gather around him, shake 
 his hand and say, "Well, old boy, you got there, did 
 you? Beat 'em to it, didn't you?" They would take 
 his gun back to his company, or his tent, while he 
 would w r alk away, nonchalantly, to the colonel's head- 
 quarters, there to don the white gloves for the next 
 twenty-four hours. 
 
 On the other hand, the boys of the other regiments 
 were allowed to mount guard in their shirt sleeves 
 the tougher the better. Our boys were not allowed to 
 go down in the town with suspenders over their blue 
 shirts. If they had their blouses on they were to be 
 buttoned up to give to them that soldierly appearance. 
 
 In comparing the colored regiments, the Rev. 
 H. C. C. Astwood of Philadelphia said : "The Ninth 
 Louisiana, colored volunteers, one of the best set of 
 men in Cuba, have been rendered useless by inefficient 
 and prejudicial white officers. Two men dead, six
 
 IV HAT U'E SAW IN CUBA. 173 
 
 hundred sick and nine colored officers resigned. The 
 rest are longing for furloughs. Colored soldiers with 
 white southern officers are a failure, and the men. who 
 endure it are fools, slaves and cowards. Co'ored troops 
 should be officered by competent colored men or refuse 
 service." These remarks were published in the De- 
 fender (Philadelphia), under date of September 24, 1898. 
 
 Let us notice the comparison : In the Eighth Illi- 
 nois, in seven months on the island, one officer re- 
 signed (H. W. Hawkins, First Lieutenant of Company 
 Ej. Cause, a little difference between another officer 
 and himself. The Twenty-third Kansas, one officer off 
 on a furlough, Major Ford, Second Battalion. The 
 regiment being ordered home, there was no need of his 
 returning to the island. This regiment was on the 
 island five months and three days, officers colored. 
 The Ninth Louisiana (colonels, majors and captains 
 white), before they were on the island two months, had 
 nine commissioned officers resign. Cause, brutal 
 treatment prejudicial and domineering from their 
 superior and selfish southern white officers. 
 
 In closing this chapter I will add, not from a preju- 
 dicial standpoint, but from actual daily observations, 
 that, in the southern white officer's eye the man who 
 did the most grinning was the best newsmonger and 
 could dance the best or make the best monkeyshines, 
 was the best Negro soldier. I do not say that this char- 
 acterized the entire regiment, and have only made this 
 public that the reader may draw his own inference. In 
 closing this chapter we advocate giving the colored 
 soldier a colored leadership. Let him be competent 
 and that will suffice.
 
 174 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 PALMA SORIANO DE CUBA. 
 
 Palma Soriano was an old Spanish town, and in 
 1895 consisted of a population of six thousand persons, 
 thriving and living peacefully and happy, whose pros- 
 perity extended even far into the mountains that en- 
 circled the town, to the green and fertile coffee and to- 
 bacco plantations, the banana, the lemon and the 
 orange groves, which annually brought in a steady 
 rcvenue, and a flow of wealth. A period of three years 
 of war and devastation diverted the thrift and liveli- 
 hood of this Spanish town into the most abject stages 
 of desolation, destitution and ruin. The once verdant 
 fields and fertile plantations were but wastes of land, of 
 high grass, rank weeds and shrubbery. 
 
 On top of the mountains that encircled the town 
 were blockhouses the watchtowers of the cruel Don. 
 Concentration, butchery and the torch hatred and 
 death to the innocent non-combatant Cuban were the 
 chief methods of his warfare. War upon the innocent 
 and helpless was the bane of his heart and his cow- 
 ardly ambition. Heaps of ashes and charred remains 
 were visible to the observer's eye, all of which bespoke 
 Spanish treachery. 
 
 Palma Soriano is about fifty-eight miles from 
 Santiago by the old route, but the Eighth Illinois cut 
 a road which makes it about twenty-five miles, by not 
 touching San Luis. It is situated on the north bank 
 of the Canto River, near a high bluff that rises perpen- 
 dicular up from the river bed for at least two hundml 
 feet. Anyone standing on top of this bluff, his vision 
 carries him far away to the distant uncultivated fields 
 that are hemmed in by lofty mountains. The two
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 175 
 
 loftiest and most important peaks in these ranges are 
 the Mount Fiol, which is said by the Cubans to be 
 twenty miles northeast of Palma, and the Mount 
 Cerquela, on the south, and forty miles away, but looks 
 to be much closer. I am told by old residents in Palma 
 that Cerquela is the loftiest or one of the highest 
 mountain peaks on the island. But this is not authen- 
 tic, for the Cubans, as a general rule, are not well in- 
 formed concerning the natural conditions of the island, 
 as regards the mountains, rivers, lakes, boundaries, 
 etc. The Cuban does not care to interest himself about 
 anything except that which he comes daily in contact 
 with. 
 
 On arriving at Palma the first sight that met the 
 soldier's eye was the hungry and fearful glance of 
 the poor Cuban. Everywhere were naked and half- 
 starved Cuban children, or muchachos ; women who 
 at one time could be called beautiful, through be- 
 reavement, pangs of hunger and destitution, were 
 rendered desolate, hideous and objects of pity and 
 sympathy. Of men or boys of any size there was a 
 scarcity. They were either in the ranks of war, in 
 the mountains, in hiding, or possibly dead, the ma- 
 chete or hunger having performed its mission. In 
 many of the calles an hombre (man) could be found 
 in about every third or fourth casa (house), and with 
 a cigar or a cigarette between his thin, pinched lips 
 He would scrutinize you most thoroughly, having 
 but little to say. 
 
 The narrow and hilly streets were full of boulders 
 and cobblestones. In the houses of the town could 
 not be found one window pane. There was not a
 
 170 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 chimney from whence came blue curls of smoke like 
 unto our American villages. There was not a sound 
 of a bell or a whistle to break the quietness of that 
 mountain town, nor the rattling of a wagon or a 
 vehicle of any kind to be heard. There was not a 
 church or a school building in the town. There was 
 nothing to break the calm of nature except the occa- 
 sional barking of a dog or the braying of the burro. 
 Everything was desolate and lonely ; quiet reigned 
 supreme. This was a "desolate eve." Now and then 
 you could see a bareheaded, shoeless Cuban woman 
 gliding along with a water jar on her head or a 
 large wooden bowl of clothes and a paddle, wend- 
 ing her way to the river. There was not a washboard 
 or a tub to be seen in the town. The women would 
 go to the rio (river) and sit haunched by some large 
 flat rock, and with the soap weed and a paddle for 
 hours pound out their clothes (do their washing). 
 
 The Spanish soldier, on being forced to evacuate 
 the town, poisoned the minds of the inhabitants 
 against the American "soldow" (soldier). They told 
 them that we would be more cruel to them than the 
 Spaniard ; that we would rob and steal and take 
 everything they had away (which was very little, as 
 we could see, after the Spaniard had got through). 
 We could not find anything to eat and we didn't 
 see anything that we could take away or rob them 
 of unless it was a donkey or a flea-eaten dog, as a 
 mascot, and we were mascots enough ourselves. 
 Under these misguided representations, whenever a 
 soldier or a squad of soldiers put in an appearance 
 upon the streets, they would run into their little
 
 12
 
 o^ ^ 
 
 ? : "T 

 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 179 
 
 shacks and hide or peek out. These conditions lasted 
 only a few days, when we forced ourselves right into 
 their homes, sat down and convinced them by con- 
 duct and treatment they had never received before 
 that we were their benefactors, not cutthroats and 
 robbers, not butchers, like the cruel, treacherous 
 Spaniard. 
 
 Our rations were loaded on ox-carts and a pack train 
 carried the equipments, tents, etc. It took the oxen 
 nearly two days to climb the hills, to pull through 
 the marshes and the little rivers that we had left behind 
 us. The boys were hungry when they saw their five 
 days' rations the next day coming over the hill on 
 the screeching old ox cart. That was one time we 
 were grateful to see an old Cuban, with his long pole 
 having a spike in the end, prodding the ox into a faster 
 gait. Many of the boys were almost starved, but our 
 officers did what they could for our comfort. 
 
 OUR CAMP QUARTERS. 
 
 Our camp quarters were two long gable-end sheds 
 open at the sides and ends, and covered with the 
 leaves of the palm tree. They were previously used 
 as a shelter for pack mules. Chameleons, tree frogs 
 and night bugs infested them and the ground beneath 
 was literally covered with fleas of the most voracious 
 variety. The fleas had a feast that night. They never 
 failed to take a mouthful of fresh soldier meat when- 
 ever or wherever the opportunity presented itself. 
 Of course the first night the boys were so tired and 
 sleepy that they did not mind them in the least, but 
 with a night's sleep, a day's rest and an early morn-
 
 180 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 ing's mess they were brought back quite to their nor- 
 mal feelings. But the second night ; all the scratch- 
 ing and muttering that one would expect to hear was 
 experienced in the quarters of both companies, E and 
 F, but the poor fellows took it good-naturedly. Every 
 time one would scratch, someone near him would yell 
 out, "Say, pard, spot a ball ; you've scratched," while 
 the poor victim of the flea torture would simply reply, 
 "Boys, this is hard, but it's fair. I guess ; for this is 
 Cuba." For three or four nights we had to sleep 
 on the ground. Then the government supplied us 
 with hammocks. This made things a trifle more com- 
 fortable, but every morning when we got up to shake 
 our blankets and police our quarters, our hammocks 
 would be covered with great big pulgahs (fleas). 
 Some of them would be so full that they could not 
 hop, where they had been eating on us all night. Some 
 of the boys,, who had less endurance, would cuss some 
 few lines and take a paddle and crack down on a 
 score or two of fleas as if striking at an ox. Then 
 one, turning to his companions, would say, "Boys, 
 do you think we will have to stand this for two years?" 
 The reply he'd get would most invariably be, "You 
 said you'd do it. You told Major Ballou in Spring- 
 field that you would come and fight these fleas. Now 
 let them eat." 
 
 Then Uncle Sam would catch it. The soldier would 
 cuss Cuba, he'd cuss the army, and he'd cuss and 
 kill the flea. In the meantime many others of the 
 boys would be laughing at him and scratching away. 
 
 By the end of the week the soldiers were beginning 
 to settle down to regular garrison duty and to work.
 
 \ 
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 181 
 
 Details were gotten out, sentry posts had been created 
 and the boys began to mingle among the Cubans and 
 Spaniards, many of whom lived there. In fact, Palma 
 was an old Spanish town, anyway. All the stores 
 there were owned by Spaniards. They did not for- 
 get to charge us for everything we bought, what little 
 they had to sell. They did not have a great deal to 
 offer after the Suanish soldiers got their share, for 
 they really cleaned out the town as far as eating was 
 concerned. For instance, chickens you could not buy. 
 Hens were from seventy-five cents to one dollar 
 apiece. Lard was forty cents to fifty cents per pound. 
 When you got it, butter (montaquilla) was from sev- 
 enty cents to eighty-five cents per pound. Eggs were 
 twelve cents a piece. Just think. Eggs $1.44 per 
 dozen, and we had to beg for them then sometimes. 
 When we left there eggs were forty cents to sixty 
 cents per dozen. The most plentiful and cheapest 
 articles they had to sell were cigars and honey. Of 
 cigars you'd get twenty-four for thirty cents, and 
 good smokers at that. As for honey, we had our 
 quarters lined with it. Well, I never ate so much 
 honey in all my life. Then there were mangoes, 
 cocoanuts, sopotus, or bread fruit (boniatos), sugar 
 cane, oranges and bananas, and with these fruits the 
 boys made themselves contented until Cubanized. 
 
 INCIDENTS AND HAPPENINGS. 
 
 The first soldier the regiment lost was Private Wal- 
 lace Johnson of B company, at Springfield, 111. Then 
 we left one soldier, Private James Baker, in New York 
 on our way to Cuba. The first soldier on the island
 
 182 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 to die was Private L. Machaux of Company C. He 
 died September 15, 1898, of typhoid pneumonia. 
 
 On Tuesday, September 2Oth, General Calixto Gar- 
 cia with his son and staff came into Palma. I met 
 him at the headquarters in Calle Real. While talk- 
 ing with him he told me that he was very much im- 
 pressed with the Eighth Illinois and thought them to 
 be a very sturdy and refined set of men, and a good 
 representation of the American soldiery. 
 
 On September 23d the army paymaster was in 
 Palma and we received our first pay in Cuba. 
 
 The 25th of September General Ewers came to 
 Palma and made an inspection of the garrison. He 
 was very much surprised as well as pleased, and he 
 told us that "the men and quarters were in an excel- 
 lent condition." He was glad to see everything so neat 
 and clean. 
 
 On the 26th of September, in the afternoon, there 
 were some Cuban women seen running and yelling 
 through Calle Rio (River street). Everybody was run- 
 ning to the door to see what was the trouble. I heard 
 a pig squeal. I could not see where it was at first. 
 I was walking along behind Private George Herring 
 of Company E, who had just come off guard, with 
 his gun under his arm. All at once a tall, black 
 Cuban woman ran up to George and they had some 
 heated words, when I saw him drop a little pig from 
 under his poncho. George slept in the guard house 
 that night. 
 
 This day was eventful in Palma. That night, while 
 on duty as officer of the day, Captain W. B. Akers 
 of Company F raided a crap game. He only caught
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 183 
 
 twenty-two men. He ordered them under arrest. 
 Among the number were twelve corporals and ser- 
 geants. 
 
 October 6th Trumpeter Meekins of Company B died 
 at San Luis. 
 
 The first large four-wheel wagons that were ever in 
 Palma were the United States government wagons 
 for Companies E and F. .They arrived on October 
 8, 1898, and were driven by Quartermaster-Sergeant 
 Julius Johnson of E Company. The little muchachos 
 ran along behind these wagons as if they were a large 
 show coming to town. 
 
 William Coston of Company E struck his superior 
 officer in rage and was sent to Santiago to be court 
 martialed. He was convicted of that and some other 
 charges and was dishonorably discharged from the 
 United States Army, forfeiting all pay, and was given 
 a three years' sentence in the military prison at San- 
 tiago. Shortly afterward he was released from prison 
 through a mistake of orders. He had a good chance 
 to come to America, but instead staid in Santiago and 
 went to work driving a wagon. The mistake was dis- 
 covered and he was re-arrested and taken back to serve 
 out his sentence. 
 
 On October nth Quartermaster-Sergeant Peyton 
 W. Randolph was reduced to the ranks. 
 
 On the morning of October 9th the commissary at 
 Palma Soriano was opened. First Lieutenant Hill of 
 Company F was appointed post quartermaster. Ed- 
 ward Barnett, private, and Corporal Emery Snowden, 
 both of Company F, were his assistants. 
 
 Wednesday, October 2ist, Corporal W. T. Goode
 
 184 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 of Company F was placed second in charge of the 
 commissary with the rank of sergeant, Private Bar- 
 nett having been created a corporal and sent to the 
 commissary at San Luis, and Corporal Snowden pro- 
 moted to company quartermaster. 
 
 AT THE COMMISSARY AT PALMA. 
 
 The commissary was run by the lieutenant, a cor- 
 poral and six privates. Three privates were taken 
 from Company E and three from Company F. It was 
 chiefly supported by the government, assisted by the 
 Red Cross Society in the States. At two different 
 times the government issued ten thousand rations to 
 the starved Cubans. We used to feed from four hun- 
 dred to six hundred and seven hundred hungry and 
 half starved Cubans every day except Sunday. They 
 would come out of the mountains a distance of six 
 to eight miles to get their little rations. They would 
 be at the commissary long before we were up and we 
 were up at six prompt. They would sit around on 
 the ground until eight o'clock, when we would begin 
 to feed them. Anything they could get they would 
 bring it along to give to the boys of the commissary, 
 oranges, bananas, cocoanuts,boniatos or cigars and bou- 
 quets, as if they wished to show their gratitude. These 
 poor creatures, half starved and thinly clad, hardly 
 having enough on to hide their nakedness, would stand 
 bareheaded and barefooted in the burning hot sun for 
 hours, awaiting what little we might have to give 
 them. If we had given them what we thought they 
 needed our stock would have soon been gone and 
 they would not be much better off for the next few
 
 LIEUT. CLINTON L. HILL, 
 Post Commissary Quartermaster, Palma, Soriano do Cuba.
 
 -
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 187 
 
 days, so we would give them all alike, just so much, 
 while a poor mother would stand and beg us for more, 
 telling us that she had six children in the mountains 
 starving, her husband, her son or a brother being dead, 
 having met their fate by a Spanish machete, struggling 
 for Cuba Libre. These scenes were pathetic ; many 
 of us, having children in far-away America, would 
 feel for them ; but what were we to do ? We could 
 only give them what we had. The recognized head 
 of each family would go to the alcalde and get a boleta 
 or ticket which would read like this : 
 
 "Senora Francisca Alveries. Five days racion. 
 For familad 6 cinto (for family of five)." Date. 
 
 After obtaining their tickets they would be formed 
 in line and served. There were two barrels of old 
 hats and clothes sent to us by the Red Cross Society 
 which we gave to the little ones. 
 
 On the 2Oth of October, early in the morning (about 
 three o'clock), Private John Jones of Company E was 
 on guard on Post No. 4 in Calle Real. The quietness 
 of the night made it very lonesome for him, I sup- 
 pose, and he was sitting "meditating" like a Pullman 
 car porter does sometimes. A pack of mules was 
 coming down Calle Real. Their hoofs striking against 
 the boulders in the street made so much noise that 
 they awoke Mr. Jones. Springing to his feet he seized 
 his gun, and, thinking the mules were Spaniards, he 
 yelled out, "Halt! who comes there?'' Not getting 
 any answer from the mules, he blazed away. The 
 mules halted. It must have taken a very good marks- 
 man to hit anything such a dark night as that was. 
 However, about six o'clock the next morning I saw
 
 188 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS" 
 
 a crowd of Cubans standing in Calle Real gesturing 
 and all talking at once. Going up to see what was 
 the matter I edged my way through the crowd and 
 saw lying on the ground a dead animal. It was "Mr. 
 Jones' mule." 
 
 Lieutenant Rauls of Company E was officer of the 
 day on the night of October 2oth. He, remembering 
 Captain Akers' famous raid on the 26th of Septem- 
 ber, bethought himself to add another feather in his 
 cap. Every officer tried to show the best report. So on 
 this particular night he, with the sergeant of the guard, 
 made a raid upon a casa in Calle Real. Men and bones 
 went in every direction. Raul's raid was unsuccess- 
 ful. On this lucky night Sergeant Augustus R s 
 of Company F pulled out with one hundred dollars. 
 We all know what sergeant was so sick on the Yale. 
 Corporal G. W. W cl lost one hundred and forty 
 bucks and then was taken to the hospital sick. Many 
 of the boys know who this was. Corporal William 
 T r also was in luck that night, having sixty-five dol- 
 lars' to his credit. Then there was Private G. W. 
 B m the \vasher-man. The boys say that He got 
 away with three hundred dollars that night. The 
 next day he was seen going to the river with a bundle 
 of clothes on his head as if he didn't have a cent of 
 money. There was a hot time in Palma that night. 
 
 The night of the 26th of October will be remem- 
 bered by all the boys in Palma. This was the night 
 that Black and W'amie Gash made their debut in 
 Palma as inn keepers. At nine o'clock they arrived 
 with four Bonita senoras prar la Santiago. Adios 
 E and F.
 
 LIEUT. JAMES M. RAULS, 
 Post Adjutant, Palma, Soriano de Cuba.
 
 o 
 
 f. 
 
 3 
 
 
 c/- 
 
 cc.
 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 191 
 
 There was a very grave incident transpired on the 
 3d of September in the nature of acid poisoning. 
 There were twenty-eight men of Company F that were 
 poisoned, some seriously, by eating canned corned 
 beef. Those who were most ill were taken to the hos- 
 pital. All recovered in a few days.- 
 
 On the ist of September an old Spanish spy was 
 captured and taken before the post commander, but 
 was. released. 
 
 The signal corps began putting up line wire between 
 San Luis and Palma on September 8th. 
 
 On the 26th of October Private Ed. Porter of Com- 
 pany E, becoming demented, left his quarters and 
 strolled away. Corporal Johnson of Company E was 
 detached with seven men to scout in the mountains 
 for him, but after being out for two days they came 
 back to the post without him. After a few days of 
 roaming at will Porter returned to the camp hospital 
 sick. He told his captain that he had been out in 
 the mountains looking for Spaniards. If he had acci- 
 dentally run across any Spaniards out there and they 
 had got the bead on him it would have been the end 
 of him, I dare say. Whether there would have been 
 any Porter or ale (ill) left or not the reader can judge. 
 A daring fellow he. But then Mr. Porter was a min- 
 ister (that's what he called himself) and that accounts 
 for his safety against such things as would prove 
 calamitous to other men with less faith. He has quite 
 frequently thought out a sermon to deliver to his com- 
 pany on a Sunday, but somehow or another the first 
 sergeant or lieutenant would always manage to 
 have those golden opportunities cut out and the
 
 192 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 reverend never got an opportunity to deliver that ser- 
 mon. 
 
 CUBA. 
 
 In area Cuba is about equal in size to the state of 
 Alabama. It is long and narrow, being about 775 
 miles in length. Its width measures from 21 miles 
 to 160 miles. With regard Cuban insurrection mili- 
 tary the island was divided by the famous Mariel- 
 Moron trocha, a device of butcher Weyler. This 
 trocha consisted of a big ditch hemmed in on either 
 side by continuous lines of barbed wire fences. In 
 many cases in this gulch would be placed plats of 
 barbed wire and other obstructional debris. At in- 
 tervals along the ditch were Spanish block houses over- 
 looking the country in all directions for various dis- 
 tances. This trocha extended from coast to coast, hav- 
 ing Mariel, on the northeast coast, as one terminal, 
 and Moron, on the southern border, the other, a dis- 
 tance of twenty-one miles. 
 
 Antonio Maceo crossed this line at will and Weyler 
 was often aggravated by the fact that even this bar- 
 rier was no detriment to the invincible Cuban general, 
 who crossed and recrossed it while passing to and 
 fro in the provinces of Habana and Pinar del Rio, 
 sometimes destroying the blockhouses. 
 
 Although the island was settled as much as half a 
 century before the United States, it still contains about 
 fourteen million acres of forest lands. These forests 
 contain some very valuable timber, such as mahogany, 
 redwood, cedar, rosewood, lignum vitae, siaguan and 
 ebony. The many bays that indent its coast swarm 
 abundantly with many kinds of fish, including bass.
 
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 s O
 
 
 & 
 
 .5 

 
 WHAT WE SAW IN CUBA. 105 
 
 pickerel, pike, snapper, bullheads and others. In 
 many of the small streams or rivers can be found mem- 
 bers of the crocodile family and the alligator. 
 
 The island of Cuba consists of six provinces or 
 states. Their respective populations previous to the 
 war were estimated as .follows : 
 
 Habana Province 450,929 
 
 Santa Clara Province 354,122 
 
 Santiago de Cuba Province 272,319 
 
 Matanzas Province 2 59>57 
 
 Pinar del Rio Province 225,891 
 
 Puerto Principe Province 67,789 
 
 The city of Havana, the capital and oldest city on 
 the island, was founded about 1519. It is also about 
 the oldest city on the continent. It was founded by 
 Europeans and has a population of nearly 300,000. 
 
 Santiago de Cuba, the second city in size, has a pop- 
 ulation of about 60,000 (estimated). Being situated 
 at the head of the bay of the same name, it is termed 
 the commercial mouth of Southwestern Cuba. 
 
 Matanzas, the capital of Matanzas Province, and 
 situated on Matanzas Bay, on the north coast of Cuba, 
 is sixty miles east of Havana and has a population 
 of nearly 50,000. 
 
 Cienfuegos, which in 1895 had a population of 
 24,000, is situated on a peninsula in the Bay of 
 lagua, on the south coast of Cuba. 
 
 Cardinas, with its 23,000 inhabitants, and Sagua La 
 Granda, with her 20,000 souls, are important cities on 
 the coast of Cuba. 
 
 Manzanillo, Santa Clara, Guantanamo and Nuevitas 
 come in for their share of importance, Jucaro, Las
 
 196 "THK EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Pedras, Ciegode Villa, Marie! and Maron are of Wey- 
 ler and trocha fame. 
 
 The Cubans are an intelligent, treacherous and 
 non-enterprising set of people, yet in many instances 
 they are obliging to a fault. If one likes you he will 
 go to almost any extreme to accommodate you. 
 THE CLIMATE OF CUBA. 
 
 The climate of Cuba is very warm the year around. 
 The hottest weather is experienced from October to 
 February, which is the dry season, and is known as 
 their summer. Cuba has but two seasons, rainy and 
 dry, such as other tropical countries have. The tropic 
 of Capricorn being but a short distance from the ex- 
 treme northeast boundary, brings the island within 
 the torrid zone. 
 
 NATIVES OF CUBA. 
 
 The natives of the island are not homogeneous, but 
 are of mixed races, which vary greatly in the extremes, 
 as follows: Firstly, there is the mixture of the Span- 
 iard and the Indian ; secondly, the Spaniard and the 
 Buccaneers; thirdly, the Spaniard and the negro; 
 fourthly, the Negro and the Indian ; fifth and last, a 
 mixture of Spaniard with the entire amalgam, which 
 renders the amaranth from the darkest shade to the 
 whitest hue. 
 
 There are many eccentricities among these classes 
 of people, but they are obliging and good-natured 
 when not disturbed, while on the contrary, if opposed, 
 treachery and deceit are their proclivities. Like the 
 North American negro in general, there is more due 
 them than they have received or have been given credit 
 for.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Upon its arrival at San Luis de Cuba, on the i8th 
 of August, 1898, there were five thousand Spanish 
 prisoners turned over to the First Battalion of the 
 Eighth, which was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Johnson. The prisoners were disarmed and taken to 
 Santiago, where they were put on transports, to be 
 shipped to Cadiz, Spain. 
 
 Mausers, machetes, belts, sabers, cartridge cases and 
 boxes, saddles, bundles and all the equipments of an 
 army, including several thousand rounds of ammuni- 
 tion of different kinds, were turned over to Lieutenant 
 James A. Nelson, regimental quartermaster of the 
 Eighth. 
 
 There was an arsenal at San Luis, which contained 
 rifles, munitions, ammunition and all kinds of equip- 
 ments of war, all of which was taken in charge by 
 Quartermaster Nelson, by order of the brigadier-gen- 
 eral, and guards were placed around the arsenal. The 
 prisoners were sent to Santiago by trainlcads as fast 
 as possible. After all the prisoners were disposed of 
 trainloads of arms and accouterments were taken from 
 the arsenal and sent to Santiago for safe keeping. For 
 weeks after we arrived in Cuba we saw Cuban soldiers 
 passing through the town every day. We would meet 
 
 197
 
 198 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 them in the lanelike roads, with guns of some descrip- 
 tion -strapped across their shoulders and machetes 
 fastened at their sides, on their way to Santiago to be 
 disarmed. 
 
 The day that Companies E and F marched from San 
 Luis to Palma I sat down under a mango tree to rest. 
 The sun was intensely hot and walking all day with- 
 out anything to eat or drink was a hardship. I knew 
 that a sergeant was behind with several soldiers who 
 were too sick to keep up, so I thought I would wait 
 until they caught up again. Being fatigued and hun- 
 gry, I was soon asleep under the first shade tree that I 
 had seen all day. I was lying by a pathlike road that 
 meandered its way through a torrid tropical jungle. 
 Several squads of our boys passed by, but I was un- 
 noticed. On awaking I found myself alone in a 
 strange country, with not a human soul near. How 
 far I was from our soldiers I did not know. I started 
 on the way I thought they had gone, guessing my way 
 as I went. After walking about two miles, I came to 
 a little river. I saw human footprints and tracks of the 
 pack mules that had preceded me. I waded the stream 
 and on coming out on the opposite side I was at a 
 loss as to which way to go. After climbing the hill an 
 extensive plateau confronted me. It was covered with 
 tall grass and weeds, higher than a man's head. There 
 were three paths into this jungle and the grass was so 
 tall that it formed an arch over them. There I stood 
 and pondered as to which of the dark-arched roads I 
 should take. The ground was hard and there were no 
 footprints to guide me. It was not long before the 
 thought came to me that I was alone, and that I would
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 199 
 
 gain nothing by standing there, so, bending low, I 
 entered an arch that seemed to be the freshest of the 
 three. After feeling my way for several hundred feet 
 (for in some places the grass shut off the sunlight al- 
 most entirely) I came out into an opening a large 
 field with a road running through it. After reaching 
 the road I was perplexed which way to go. While 
 looking first one way and then another, I saw seven 
 men coming toward me. I did not know whether they 
 were Spaniards or Cubans. At once fear came over 
 me. I said to myself: "If those men are Spaniards, 
 treacherous and cruel, they may chop me to pieces 
 with their machetes and there will be no comrade near 
 to tell how I died, and I will forever be branded as a 
 deserter." But they were friendly Cubans, going to 
 Santiago to turn in their arms. I asked them, as best 
 I could, where was Palma, and they pointed out the 
 way and said, "Mucho Americano soldou over there." 
 How happy I was. I ran, I walked fast, and in the 
 meantime I thanked Heaven for my luck. I was a 
 mile or more from the road the soldiers had taken. 
 
 After going about a half a mile I overtook Sergeant 
 Brown of Company F, who was sick, and with two 
 others was sitting on the wayside resting. I was glad 
 to see them, and told them my adventure. They asked 
 me: "Didn't you come by the old bridge, where that 
 blockhouse w ( as burned down ?" I told them that I did 
 not see any bridge. Corporal Louis Pearman, who 
 was then a private, had a pack mule in charge. He 
 took my gun and strapped it to the mule. 
 
 After we had gone about three miles we came to a 
 little town called Concepcion. We were hungry and
 
 200 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 tried to buy something to eat, but E company, which 
 was ahead of us, had cleaned the town out as far as eat- 
 ing was concerned. We could not get a piece of bread 
 or a cup of coffee. All that we had to eat that day was 
 sugar cane. After leaving Concepcion we met our 
 colonel on horseback, and he said: "Boys, you 
 haven't got but a mile and a half to go/' And on 
 down the road he galloped. What we did on arriving 
 at Palma is mentioned in a preceding chapter. 
 
 The tallest man in the regiment was J. L. Crims of 
 Metropolis, who belonged to Company C. One day 
 he received a pass to Santiago. When his pass was 
 out he missed the train which left Santiago at 4 p. m., 
 but being left did not daunt him, although there were 
 no more trains to leave Santiago that night. Before 
 guardmount the following morning Crims was in 
 camp, thirty-five miles away, to the surprise of every- 
 body. For this deed of endurance his captain had him 
 excused from duty for ten days. It was a long, dark 
 and lonely walk. 
 
 On the night of the 2^th of October there were two 
 Americano-Cubano nuptial knots tied in Palma. It 
 was the town talk among the entire Cuban element. 
 Corporals Charles Lindsay and Arthur Thompson, 
 both of Company F, were married to two senoritas. 
 The affair was very strange in its features to the 
 Cubans. Nothing like it had ever occurred in that part 
 of the island. The whole affair was most unique. The 
 strange habits, customs and languages of the two dif- 
 ferent and distinct nationalities combined to make a 
 peculiar ceremony. Companies E and F were out en 
 masse. The alcalde of Palma and Captain Akers of
 
 I. \CIDENTS Ol' THE CAMPAIGN. 231 
 
 Company F were the two principal officiating figures. 
 They were assisted by Captain Cuevas, the Cuban in- 
 terpreter. The important parts carried out by the cap- 
 tain and the alcade were giving their sanction to the 
 marriage, and signing the papers in connection with 
 the ceremony. In unusual cases like this the soldier 
 had to have the consent from his captain and post 
 commander in order to draw marriage rations, and to 
 obtain the privilege of sleeping out of camp. The 
 city authorities especially demanded the command- 
 ant's consent to the marriage of said soldier before 
 they would issue the marriage certificate. 
 
 Captain Cuervas, the Cuban interpreter, read the 
 papers that were to be filled out to the Cuban bride in 
 Spanish, then in English to the soldier groom, in 
 which they would respond to the question in Spanis.h 
 and English respectively. The two grooms were 
 dressed in soldier blue, while the Cuban brides were 
 attired in pure white gowns with natural Cuban floral 
 wreaths, crowning the long black hair that hung 
 loosely around their shoulders. After the ceremony 
 was over, wine, cakes, sandwiches and cigars were 
 served. This was the best menu obtainable. The 
 lunch was served by the comrades of the soldier 
 grooms, after which the two strange elements mingled 
 together, each one endeavoring to make the other 
 "comprenda." 
 
 On the night of the 2Qth of October the four Cuban 
 women of Black-Wana Gash fame left Palma on foot 
 for San Luis, a distance of eighteen miles. Cuban 
 women think as little of getting out and walking eight 
 or ten miles as our city folks would of walking the
 
 202 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 same number of squares. They are natural-born walk- 
 ers, as well as swimmers. On the 3rd of November 
 seven more women arrived at Palma from Santiago, to 
 visit the boys. On the 2d of November Private Ed- 
 ward Portor, who left the camp demented on October 
 26, and was thought a deserter, returned, hungry and 
 sick. He was sent to the hospital, as his Spanish hunt- 
 ing had proved to be a somewhat rough experience. 
 
 November the 4th Major R. R. Jackson, who was 
 post commander at Palma, was ordered back to the 
 regiment, which was at San Luis. Captain R. R. Roots 
 of Company E succeeded him as post commandant. 
 
 On Saturday afternoon, November 12, there was a 
 rumor afloat that some Cubans in the mountains were 
 collecting and banding together for the purpose of 
 making an attack upon the soldiers in Palma. There 
 was considerable excitement engendered among the 
 soldiers, and each one was contemplating how many 
 Cubans he would put out of the way should any hostile 
 demonstration arise, after they had been treated so well 
 by the Americans. That night Captain Roots, post 
 commander, ordered every soldier out of town except 
 the guards, with orders to remain in their quarters, to 
 avoid a possible mix-up. Then he wisely had provost 
 guards out all night patroling the narrow, dark streets. 
 Consequently he avoided what might have possibly 
 been an outbreak or a disturbance. 
 
 On the Monday morning following there was a 
 group of our boys standing on Calle Real talking. 
 Captain Cuervas came up and engaged in the con- 
 versation. One of the group mentioned to him how 
 ungrateful the Cubans were after the hospitality shown
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 203 
 
 them by the soldiers, whereupon the Captain replied: 
 "There's many complaints coming from my people 
 of the way some of your men treat them and they 
 are tired of being so mistreated by some of the 
 soldiers. Now the Cuban general has given orders 
 to them to go armed with machetes, to use them 
 and to chop off the first soldier's head that insults 
 them." We told the Captain that the Cubans were 
 not being mistreated by the soldiers, but on the con- 
 trary they were protected ; they were fed and cared for 
 and that they were treated with all the respect that 
 they were capable of receiving. 'But that any time 
 a Cuban cut, or attempted to cut, a soldier with his 
 machete he would be shot down on the spot. We 
 soldiers had come three thousand miles to a strange, 
 hot country and suffered hunger, thirst, pain and de- 
 privation for these Cubans, and if they didn't know 
 what it meant to be grateful they would be taught it 
 quickly. 
 
 The next morning (Tuesday) Captain Roots sum- 
 moned the Cuban captain to headquarters for an ex- 
 planation of the statement he had made, much of which 
 the Captain retracted, adding that "the boys must 
 have misunderstood my remarks." 
 
 That evening at retreat Captain Roots told the boys 
 that he did not want any trouble with these people, 
 nor would he uphold them (the soldiers) in the wrong, 
 warning them to behave themselves and not to bother 
 the Cubans. He said : "Stay away from them except 
 on business. Then if they start anything I am with 
 you." 
 
 In the afternoon of Saturday, Novem'ber I2th, Com-
 
 204 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 panics E and F had an interesting game of ball in 
 the plaza. This was the first game of ball the Cubans 
 had ever seen and the little boys immediately started 
 in to learn the game. In this game it was hard to 
 tell when a man was put out. It depended a great 
 deal upon the size of the man said to be put out 
 whether he was out or not. The size generally shaped 
 the argument. The game was waxing strong when 
 drill call was sounded, and the boys answering the 
 call it was not long before they had formed a skirmish 
 line by squads on the ground previously occupied by 
 the ball players. The only time the umpire called 
 "ball" was when it was lost. The game lasted till re- 
 treat. There were no innings and both sides won. The 
 ball that they played with was made by Private Gus. 
 Hawkins of Company F. 
 
 On the 1 4th of November there was a disturbance 
 or small riot between some soldiers of the Ninth 
 Louisiana and Cubans at San Luis, in which five 
 Cubans were reported killed and one soldier belong- 
 ing to the Ninth. This is the disturbance that the 
 Eighth was reported to have had, but at that partic- 
 ular time the Eighth was two miles away on its drill 
 ground. After this occurrence, which was said to 
 have been caused by a Cuban saloon-keeper trying 
 to collect ten cents from a soldier for a drink which 
 the soldier refused to pay, thus precipitating the shoot- 
 ing and the free use of the machete, fifteen soldiers 
 were distributed as police in the town. About the same 
 time four soldiers were appointed as policemen in 
 Palma. Corporal J. Locket of E Company was ap- 
 pointed sergeant of police by the commander of the
 
 5 O 
 S.% 
 
 s 3 
 
 S a
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 207 
 
 post, while Privates William Pettit of Company E, 
 A. F. Anderson, Company F, and G. W. Bryant, Com- 
 pany F, composed the balance of the force. They 
 patrolecl the entire city from eleven o'clock in the 
 morning until eleven o'clock at night, relieving each 
 other at specified intervals. 
 
 On the 1 6th of November there were some boys 
 playing craps in Company F's quarters, which the 
 regulations forbade. They got into an altercation 
 during the game over a bet. Corporal Locket, the 
 sergeant of police, appeared upon the scene during 
 the excitement, and the clamor of the crowd somewhat 
 exciting him, he fired right into the crowd. It 
 was a miracle that no one was killed, but the ball struck 
 Private Charles Willams of F Company, glancing by 
 on the breast, making a slight flesh wound. Williams 
 was taken to the hospital but was out in a few days. 
 Corporal Locket was up before the summary judge 
 the next day and was relieved of his office of sergeant 
 of police. Corporal Johnson of E Company succeeded 
 Locket. Johnson was a cool-headed, brave and cour- 
 ageous soldier. I [e was well liked by all the boys 
 of both companies. 
 
 The 2 ist of November was the day that all of the 
 non-commissioned officers in F Company received 
 their warrants, while at dress parade, in el Plaza de la 
 Palma Soriano de Cuba. They were presented by 
 First Lieutenant C. L. Hill, in the absence of Captain 
 William B. Akers, who was sick in the hospital at 
 San Luis with typhoid malaria fever. The captain 
 having gone to San Luis on official business on the 
 19th of November, was taken sick. He was not able
 
 ?08 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 to return to his duties until December 2cl, when 1-e 
 returned to his post. 
 
 On the 2 ist of November Lieutenant John E. 
 Hawkins of Company E sent in his resignation as 
 first lieutenant. Later on it was accepted, when he 
 returned home to Chicago, 111. 
 
 A number of officers and others visited Companies 
 E and F while at Palma, among which may be men- 
 tioned the following: 
 
 Colonel Marshall made us a visit in November. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson made us a visit in De- 
 cember. 
 
 Lieutenant Tobin of the Ninth made us two visits. 
 
 Major Brown of the 23d Kansas called on us once, 
 as also did Lieutenant Miller, assistant surgeon of 
 the Eighth Illinois. 
 
 Lieutenant Jackson of Company H, Eighth Illinois, 
 made two visits, and Lieutenants Betts, Radcliffe, 
 Baker and Searles each paid a 'call at Palma. Captain 
 Theo. Van Pelt also gave us a visit. 
 
 The Reverend Jordan Chavis, chaplain of the Eighth 
 regiment, gave us two calls and that was when F 
 Company sent for him once upon the death of First 
 Duty Sergeant George L. Patterson, Company F, who 
 was killed December i, and again upon the death 
 of Private Alonzo Parks of Company F. 
 
 Brigadier General Ewers gave us one visit. 
 
 As far as sergeants, corporals and privates were con- 
 cerned, they would come and go at every opportunity 
 and they had to pay from two and a half to three dol- 
 lars every time they would rent a horse for forty- 
 eight hours. Some of the Cubans made considerable
 
 INCIDENTS OP THE CAMPAIGN-. -W 
 
 money by keeping good ponies to rent to the boys 
 who wanted to go to San Luis or Santiago, and the 
 boys would go every time they could get a pass for 
 forty-eight hours. 
 
 Spiritually speaking Companies E and F were ut- 
 terly neglected. There was no minister in either of 
 the companies to speak words of love or comfort ; for 
 five long months there were no church bells to be 
 heard tolling out praises to God. There was no 
 church house whereby it could be said, "Come, let 
 us go into the house of the Lord." A Sabbath in 
 the mountains to the boys of the two isolated com- 
 mands was like unto a heathen land. All day the 
 lonely soldier. consoled himself as best he could. Some 
 read old papers, some their little Bibles, and others 
 their gospel 'hymns. Many spent the day writing to 
 dear ones at home, while others would band together 
 in a remote corner singing praises, to God and send- 
 ing up supplications to Christ. While far away in the 
 camp at San Luis were the remainder of the Eighth 
 Illinois under the palm leaf covering of their soldier 
 church, with heads all bare and bowed in reverence 
 to God, as the Rev. Jordan Chavis compared the 
 army of man to that of the army of the living God. 
 Xotwithstanding this isolation the boys of Palma were 
 morally good and well behaved while there. 
 
 One visit was given us by Mr. William Taylor of 
 Chicago, 111., on December 24th. The boys were 
 glad to see anyone directly from their northern home 
 and Mr. Taylor answered more questions that night 
 than he ever remembered of hearing before. 
 
 On the morning of December ist, at about ten 
 
 M
 
 210 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 o'clock, a shock, a gloom passed over Camp Palma 
 that will ever be remembered by the members of both 
 companies as well as by the many startled Cubans 
 and friends of the soldiers. The day was calm and 
 bright. A balmy breeze was noiselessly swaying the 
 green leaves of the trees to and fro. Everywhere it 
 was serene, tranquil and sublime, when unexpected 
 to all the company buglers were running through the 
 streets blowing the assembly call. From every direc- 
 tion and every quarter you could see the soldiers 
 emerge from casa and store, going hurriedly to their 
 quarters to ascertain what the call was for. It was 
 not long before the news spread all over town : "Ser- 
 geant Patterson is shot T' That was all that could be 
 gotten out of anyone. 
 
 Sergeant Patterson was found dead on the side of 
 a bluff that overlooked the Canto River, about a half 
 mile from the camp, in a spot infrequently visited by 
 the soldiers. Buglers W. L. Scott of F Company 
 and Benj. Wanzer of E Company were under a tree 
 on top of this bluff practicing on their pieces. All 
 the buglers were in the habit of going down there 
 where it was shady and cool. While they were stand- 
 ing there in the shade a Cuban boy came up from 
 the river below. On seeing the buglers he approached 
 them and in half-broken English said : "Amigo 
 Americano soldow, dead, el rio," at the same time 
 pointing down the bluff. Scott and Wanzer imme- 
 diately went down to see what the muchacho meant. 
 When they had got only a part of the way down the 
 bluff they saw Sergeant George L. Patterson lying 
 flat on his back, head uphill, dead, a bullet having en-
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 21 1 
 
 tered his chin and come out at the back of the neck. 
 His gun was lying a few feet from and below him with 
 the 'barrel pointing upward. There were no powder 
 marks on his face. He was not of a sad disposition 
 and it was hardly thought probable that he had taken 
 his own life. 
 
 Sergeant Patterson was first duty sergeant of F 
 Company and had often acted as first sergeant when 
 First Sergeant Augustus Rantus was sick with fever 
 and on other occasions. He was a well drilled and 
 attentive officer. He was well liked by many Cubans, 
 who literally covered his coffin with natural flowers, 
 as well as by members of both companies. Patterson 
 was tall, slender and graceful, being about twenty- 
 three years old, and many of the boys will remember 
 his funny sayings. When forming the company one 
 of his sayings was : "Come on, men ; what are you 
 going to do now? What are you going to do?" He 
 was a Christian and the first of the second battalion's 
 men to sleep in a Spanish cemetery. 
 
 It was customary for women not to attend burials, 
 nor none of the relatives of the deceased, but at Pat- 
 terson's funeral there were hundreds of them there 
 and they have been attending funerals ever since. 
 The Cubans wanted to carry his coffin on their shoul- 
 ders, as was their custom, but the commander of the 
 post would not permit this. He was buried with mil- 
 itary honors, having three volleys fired over his rest- 
 ing place. The regimental chaplain, Rev. Jordan 
 Chavis, conducted the religious ceremony, after which 
 the two companies stood uncovered while Corporal 
 G. W. Woods, Privates Jariot, McLamore, Moses
 
 !>!> "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS" 
 
 J. C. Nunn, J. P. Stewart and Charles Bishop of Com- 
 pany F sang over the remains of their dear comrade, 
 "Shall we meet beyond the river, when the surges 
 cease to roll?" 
 
 Decem'ber I3th a Cuban lieutenant was killed by 
 unknown parties. They (the Cubans) tried to imitate 
 the Americans and buried him by what they called 
 military honor. 
 
 On the night of November 25th, at 7 p. m., Private 
 James Frazier, of Company F, was married to a Cuban 
 senorita. The affair, though a surprise to many, was 
 grand. The ceremonies taking place at the casa of a 
 very prominent Spaniard, the elite, or the best element 
 of Palma, were there. There were wreaths of flowers 
 and pure white gowns everywhere. Frazier was 
 known by all the men in his company to be what we 
 called, "a fake ;" every time there was work to do Jim- 
 mie was either sick or in the guard house. I met him 
 on the street in the early part of November. He said, 
 "Corporal Goode, I'm going to get married, what's you 
 go'n to give me?" My reply was: "What is the 
 matter with you, Frazier ? Are you losing your mind ? 
 What would you do with a wife?" He answered, 
 "never mind, I'm going to be a man now, I'm going to 
 be a soldier, get married and brace up, and fool the 
 boys." Then he laughed, and added, "I guess I've 
 faked long enough, ain't I?" Well, Frazier told the 
 truth. He married into a better connection than any 
 of the boys who had previously been married. His 
 wife has a splendid education "en espanole." There 
 were some very prominent Cubans and Spaniards at the 
 wedding, and so many young ladies there that but a
 
 INCIDENTS OP THE CAMPAIGN. 21H 
 
 few of us soldiers could get in. I got in by pretending 
 to keep others out and keeping order around the door, 
 which swarmed with men, women and children and 
 soldiers. I think it was Sergeant Hector of F Com- 
 pany who attended to keeping them quiet after I had 
 gone in. One of the boys yelled to me from without 
 saying, "say, corporal, how did you get in there?" I 
 put one of my hands to the side of my mouth and said, 
 "you don't know, do you?" 
 
 First Lieutenant C. L. Hill, of F Company, who was 
 the company commander at the time, and the alcalde 
 were the principal figures in the affair, assisted by Cap- 
 tain Jose Cuervas, as interpreter. Frazier's best men 
 were Privates Lewis, Peannan and Thaddeus M. 
 White, of F. Company. Their nicknames were "skimp" 
 and "Weary Willie," or "Kid" White. The boys gave 
 them a reception after the ceremonies were over at 
 the casa, where they were to live, at the corner of Calle 
 Rosa y Calledios. 
 
 It Seemed as if the matrimonial fever was going to 
 decimate the ranks of F Company, as far as single- 
 blessedness was concerned.' Following in the wake of 
 Private Frazier was Bugler William L. Scott of F 
 Company. He, desiring to make himself noteworthy, 
 hied to a senorita, in consequence of which, he was 
 united to her in the holy bonds of matrimony. The novia 
 (sweetheart) being only 16 years old, it required the 
 consent or willingness of both the girl's parents and 
 his captain, W. B. Akers. These being obtained, Scotty 
 and his little Cuban muhiar, or wife, were married. 
 This event being on the 3ist of December of 1898, and 
 presenting as it did the last role in the matrimonial
 
 214 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 playhouse for the old year, the members of both 
 companies gave him a serenade and a reception which 
 was very grand. 
 
 The close of eventide on January 6, 1899, found 
 Company F again, and for the fifth time in Palma, at- 
 tacked by the same fever, when little Cupid led Quar- 
 termaster-sergeant Hawkins and his intended bride to 
 the altar of love and happiness, where a few moments 
 later they were pronounced man and wife. This occa- 
 sion, unlike all other previous ones, was not performed 
 jointly by the alcalde, a company commander and an 
 interpreter, as Senora Perez spoke English, as did 
 Sergeant Hawkins, thus necessitating only one official 
 to tie the knot. 
 
 Senora Perez was a daughter of Gen. Perez, a Cuban 
 general who was killed in the late war by the Spaniards. 
 Mrs. Hawkins speaks both English and Spanish 
 fluently. 
 
 Corporal Arthur Thompson and wife did not get 
 along well together and she went to the mountains to 
 live. As to Corporal Chas. Lindsay, he lived with his 
 wife until we left Palma, 'when he left her under a 
 pretense of sending for her. The other three soldiers 
 of F Company who got married were really sincere. 
 They brought their wives with them over two thou- 
 sand miles, and at last reports are living happy together 
 in Chicago, 111., though the newspapers printed much 
 to the detriment of those concerned. 
 
 Company E was lucky in not catching the matri- 
 monial fever. But at one time we thuught sure that 
 First Sergeant Oliver M. Davis of E Company had it,
 
 INCIDENTS Or THE CAMPAIGN. 215 
 
 also an attendant of the hospital. The boys know who 
 he was. Adios, hospital steward. 
 
 In all armies there is strife, contention and animosity. 
 Envy and jealousy are always aroused by success. 
 Even so was this in F Company. This company was 
 made up of young and intelligent men, as a whole, and 
 at one time promised to be the star company of the 
 regiment. It could hold its own beside any company 
 in the regiment. It was F Company that received a 
 very large bouquet for making the best movements 
 while passing in review on dress parade that memor- 
 able Sunday afternoon at Springfield, 111. 
 
 But all of the ambition, interest and pride that char- 
 acterized her sergeants, corporals and privates van- 
 ished when dissension arose among her commissioned 
 officers. It had at one time gained such an influence 
 among the commissioned officers that it was only neces- 
 sary for one officer to like an non-com., or private in 
 the company for that soldier to incur the hatred of 
 other officers. Corporals and sergeants who were in- 
 stalled by one officer almost had to have the qualifica- 
 tions for drill of a lieutenant or else they were liable to 
 have charges preferred against them for inefficiency, 
 insubordination, conduct unbecoming an officer or 
 something else, and reduction to the ranks would be 
 the inevitable result. Here is an example: On the 
 2ist of November, First Sergeant Augustus Rantus 
 was charged and tried for insubordination to Second 
 Lieutenant John McDonald, of Company F. The 
 summary court finding him guilty, reduced him to the 
 ranks and imposed a fine of $10. A sergeant has the 
 right to demand a trial by court martial, which Ser-
 
 21C "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 geant Rantus demanded. Being liberally supported by 
 other ranking officers, for, to use a political saying, 
 Rantus had a "bigger pull" than was at first thought, 
 his fine was suspended and he was restored back to 
 his former rank. All went well apparently until the 
 latter part of January, 1899, when he was reduced for 
 inefficiency by order of First Lieutenant C. L. Hill, 
 who was at that time acting as commander of Company 
 F in the absence of Captain W. B. Akers. While 
 under arrest Rantus was reduced from first sergeant 
 to first duty sergeant, and First Duty Sergeant Varies 
 A. Davis was promoted to succeed him as first sergeant 
 of Company F. There were also many changes in 
 corporals at this time. 
 
 A few days after this Colonel Marshall ordered Com- 
 panies E and F to report back to the regimental head- 
 quarters for duty ; accordingly Company G of the 
 Ninth Immunes was sent to relieve us, and on the I4th 
 of February we left Palma Sorvano for San Luis, much 
 to the joy of many, while it was to the sorrow of 
 others. 
 
 Soon after arriving at San Luis again Captain Akers 
 was restored back to his command. The first day he 
 resumed his duties as captain he reduced Sergeant 
 Davis back to line sergeant again and had Sergeant 
 Rantus re-restored to first sergeant of the company 
 by orders of the colonel. In this capacity Sergeant 
 Rantus remained until we were mustered out. There 
 were two other changes Captain Akers made the same 
 day, one was to reduce Sergeant Turner (made ser- 
 geant by First Lieutenant Hill) to a corporalship again, 
 and the other was to take the corporal stripes from G.
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 217 
 
 W. Haywood. Many of the soldiers were made glad 
 by this act of the captain's, while some censured him. 
 There was another incident which came under the 
 observation of some of the soldiers while out building 
 a road that is worthy of mention. On the 26th of 
 November a poor old Cuban named Alveries Phillipi 
 was found dead by the roadside between Conception 
 and San Luis. Senor Phillipi used to come by the 
 commissary every day while in Palma, and I always 
 filled his sack with rations. He disappeared from 
 Palma and while trying to reach San Luis had got 
 thus far and succumbed. He had to walk with one 
 crutch and a cane. The niguas were in one foot and 
 it swelled until it burst. When found one side of his 
 body was literally eaten up by niguas, or, as the soldiers 
 called them, jiggers. Every soldier knows what they 
 are. Alveries was buried by the soldiers under a 
 mango tree by the roadside near Five Mile Creek. 
 
 VOCATION. 
 
 But little stress has been put upon the daily voca- 
 tions of the Eighth Illinois Regiment and but little 
 comment indulged in, and therefore very little is 
 known of it. That the regiment had a daily routine 
 of labors to perform is putting it mildly. The men 
 and officers did naught in the line of garrison duty 
 as an army of occupation, but to drill twice a day, to 
 do guard duty, to keep constantly on the alert in or- 
 der to report every breach of order or regulation that 
 they were instructed to enforce, in guarding all gov- 
 ernment property in view, in enforcing order, both 
 military and civil, and keeping in check the treach-
 
 218 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 erous and thieving proclivities of the idle, lazy and 
 indolent Cuban kept them busy at all times. It is 
 doing a gross injustice to every officer and private 
 of the organization to say they did not have much 
 to do. Even much more did they necessarily have 
 to do. They had to build miles of high roads and 
 bridges, clean and repair streets and public thorough- 
 fares and would-be plazas or public squares. 
 
 They destroyed the useless yet formidable Spanish 
 blockhouses that poised most defiantly upon the bold 
 summits of a chain of mounds and hills that encircled 
 the town. It is needless to say that these silent Span- 
 ish devices of vigilance were not only silent words 
 of pass horrors and Spanish oppression, but were 
 equally obnoxious to the Cuban's vision, and the 
 demolishing of them was not only an act gratefully 
 appreciated by the poor native, but the material was 
 used by the soldiers for fuel, which was very difficult 
 to obtain in the near vicinity of our camps. 
 
 It was a common occurrence to see daily wood de- 
 tails of half a score or more of soldier boys lugging 
 those long slab palmetto boards on their shoulders in 
 the hot, burning sun, a distance of from one to three 
 miles from the camp. This was not only a now and 
 then occurrence, but a daily performance. 
 
 Especially was this true of Companies E and F, 
 who were detached from their regiment. These two 
 isolated companies had to carry all the wood and water 
 used by both companies in the quarters, at the head- 
 quarters and at the hospital, for cooking and all other 
 purposes, and as I have stated this happened daily 
 until the departmental quartermaster at San Luis de
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 219 
 
 Cuba sent E and F Company each a United States 
 army wagon. 
 
 The first of the two wagons that arrived at Palma 
 was E Company's wagon, driven by quartermaster ser- 
 geant of Company E, Julius W. Johnson. The arrival 
 of this wagon was a source of much relief to the 
 boys and they fairly yelled at its coming. "Here 
 comes our wagons," one was heard to say. "No more 
 toting wood and water," another remarked. "Now 
 we'll get our rations on time, won't we, pal ?" a third 
 one said, while the old army wagon drew nearer and 
 nearer, followed by a long string of Cuban boys and 
 girls, this being the first wagon many of them had 
 ever seen. They hung around it "half amazed arxd 
 half in wonderment, scrutinizing all the taps and bolts 
 and workings of a wagon having four wheels and 
 drawn by six large American mules and a man riding 
 on top of one of the mules. They would stand, look 
 and pause, then finally would mutter, "Hem ! Ameri- 
 cano correton y mulo mucho buenos," i. e., Ameri- 
 can wagon and mules very good. 
 
 There were daily details made up to go to town 
 and clean the streets, whitewash the buildings or 
 houses that were used for the government and by 
 the army. Where the camp at San Luis was was 
 nothing but high weeds and shrubbery. This the 
 boys cut and gru'bbed away until a beautiful slope 
 of some twenty acres of camp and parade ground was 
 the result. In the 'burning sun the boys of the Eighth 
 tugged away, piling up shrubbery and burning it. 
 There were also human skeletons found in this field 
 which were raked up and burned. There was many
 
 220 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS" 
 
 a germ of the yellow jack and malaria destroyed in' 
 
 those heaps of dying vegetation. Thus their labor 
 
 was for a sanitary benefit as much as for a camp site. 
 
 CHRONOLOGY OF THE EIGHTH. 
 
 The ninth battalion was mustered into the State 
 National Guards November 4, 1895. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois Volunteer Regiment was mus- 
 tered into the United States service July 13, 1898. 
 
 It was mustered out of service April 3, 1899. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois was attached to the Third 
 Brigade, Fourth Division, of the Fifth Army Corps 
 of the United States in the war between America and 
 Spain. 
 
 John R. Marshall was commissioned as colonel of 
 the United States volunteer army July 23, 1898, 
 ii a. m. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois left Chicago for Camp Tanner 
 June 30, 1898, 10:30 p. m. 
 
 Arrived at Camp Tanner July I, 1898, 6:45 a. m. 
 
 Left Camp Tanner for Santiago via New York City 
 Aug. 8, 1898, 8 p. m. 
 
 Arrived at New York City Aug. u, 1898, 11 a. m. 
 
 Left New York on the cruiser "Yale" Aug. n, 
 1898, i p. m. 
 
 Sighted the Bahamas (San Salvador) Aug .14, 1898, 
 p. m. 
 
 Sighted the Island of Cuba Aug. 14, 1898, a. m. 
 
 Arrived at Guantanamo Bay Aug. 15, 1898, p. m. 
 
 Arrived at Moro Castle Aug. 15, 1898. 
 
 Arrived at Santiago de Cuba Aug. 16, 1898, 7 p. m. 
 
 Arrived at San Luis de Cuba Aug. 18 and 19, 1898, 
 2 145 a. m.
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN. 2^1 
 
 Companies E and F were detached from regiment 
 Aug. 2$, 1898. 
 
 Arrived at Palma, 2$ mile march, Aug. 24, 1898. 
 
 Left Palma Soriano Feb. 14, 1899, 4:15 p. m. 
 
 Arrived in San Luis Feb. 14, 1899, 8:30 p. m. 
 
 The entire regiment left San Luis for Santiago 
 March 10, 1899, a. m. 
 
 Arrived at Santiago March 10, 1899, P- m - 
 
 Left Santiago de Cuba for the States March n, 
 1899, 7 a. m. 
 
 Arrived at Newport News, Va., March 16, 1899, 
 10 a. m. 
 
 Arrived at Chicago March 18, 1899, i p. m. 
 
 OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS. 
 The Beginning, at Camp Tanner. 
 "Even from the very doors of the White House 
 have I received letters asking and advising me not to 
 officer this regiment (Eighth) with colored men, but 
 I promised to do so and I have done it. I shall never 
 rest till I see this regiment (my regiment) on the soil 
 of Cuba battling for the right and for its kinsmen. 
 'GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER, 
 
 "Of the State of Illinois." 
 THE CLOSING, IN CUBA. 
 
 "The Eight is as fine a volunteer regiment as was 
 ever mustered into the service."
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 
 
 The will to do brave deeds to neither clime 
 Nor color owes its birth ; courageous souls 
 Are ever white as God's effulgent ray 
 Which touched them into life. 
 
 . The Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which went 
 to the front, enlisted with the ardor of patriots, born 
 of the desire to fight for the country that had given 
 them freedom and protection ; to show that they, too, 
 could fight for the cause of liberty, and finally, in 
 aid of the suffering victims of the tyranny of Spain. 
 The colored soldiers of Illinois went forth, not to war 
 against the Spanish soldiers, but against an enemy 
 more dreaded and more decimating to the ranks of 
 the American soldiers who fought in Cuba. Their 
 ready response in the very face of death was in itself 
 an evidence of heroism which should win the grati- 
 tude of every citizen of the state and country. They 
 showed that the same spirit, quickened sense of pa- 
 triotism and loyalty to the flag inspires men of all 
 colors and conditions. When the brave soldiers of 
 the Eighth . went to war against "Yellow Jack" in 
 Cuba, there was uppermost in their minds the one 
 thing or thought, to show their white liberators that
 
 A SOLDIER'S DREAM.

 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 225 
 
 they could offer their life blood as willingly as did the 
 soldiers in the Civil War. 
 
 The regiment went to Cuba with as much peril ahead 
 as was encountered by the Ninth and Tenth colored 
 cavalrymen and the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth 
 infantries, colored, which dashed up the heights of 
 San Juan and nobly helped carry the day. These 
 colored troops, who did more to elevate the race in the 
 estimation of the world than any other event in its 
 history, encountered a storm of bullets, but the Eighth 
 Illinois had the fatal germs of fever to combat and 
 great hardships to endure. Illinois will receive a 
 great share of credit given by historians of the future 
 to the colored troops in the war with Spain. The 
 Eighth Illinois only lacked the opportunity to make 
 for Illinois as glorious a record as the cavalry and in- 
 fantry troops achieved at Santiago. Its 'name will 
 be enshrined nevertheless with the deeds of those 
 daring men, and will sustain the record for unflinch- 
 ing duty and hardihood for which the pace was set 
 by the famous Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment 
 of the Civil War. 
 
 Illinois had companies of colored soldiers in the 
 Twenty-ninth United States colored troops, which 
 fought in the Civil War, but the departure of the 
 Eighth Illinois for the front marked the representa- 
 tion of the Prairie State for the first time in any war 
 by a full colored regiment in the government service 
 (or any other state). The Eighth was recruited 
 mostly from Chicago, and it also represented all sec- 
 tions of the state, especially in the populous section of 
 the southern part. The Ninth Battalion, Chicago, 
 15
 
 226 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 which performed faithful service for the state for years, 
 was the nucleus of the Eighth Illinois Regiment. 
 
 The first apportionment of regiments from the state 
 militia to be called out under the call for 125,000 volun- 
 teers did not include the colored boys, but when the 
 first call came to the state the colored regiment was 
 already in formation, and prepared to answer the call 
 to the front. With amazing rapidity the companies 
 were created and filled to the necessary complement. 
 But the impatient men were compelled to wait for the 
 second call for volunteers and were the first to be 
 brought into the field under that call. They were 
 prompt to respond. 
 
 . There were in the regiment when it left Chicago 
 1,500 men, from whom the full strength was selected. 
 Companies A, B, C, D, E and F were recruited 
 in Chicago and made up from the old Ninth Battalion. 
 The remaining companies were enlisted from Bioom- 
 ington, Springfield, Quincy, Litchfield, Mound City 
 and Cairo. 
 
 The departure of the regiment from Chicago saw an 
 outpouring of the entire colored population of the 
 city to see their friends and relatives off 'to the front. 
 The six companies from Chicago took cars to Spring- 
 field, where they went into the field under tents and 
 were encamped beside the Ninth Illinois, which was 
 the other regiment called out under the second procla- 
 mation. The regiment was in the state fair grounds 
 nearly two weeks before it was mustered into the 
 Federal service. On July i3th the oath was taken to 
 defend the flag and obey their superior officers. The 
 muster roll showed 1,195 men and 76 officers.
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 227 
 
 "CALLED TO CUBA." 
 
 The Illinois colored soldiers went to Cuba, in re- 
 sponse to an emergency call. News came through a 
 cable to Governor Tanner from the colonel command- 
 ing the First Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He im- 
 plored Governor Tanner to do all he could to call the 
 First Regiment from Cuba, and thus avert a calamity. 
 Governor Tanner immediately called Colonel Marshall 
 of the Eighth and his officers to a conference, and asked 
 if they were willing to go to the front. They made a 
 quick response that they were both willing and ready. 
 Thereupon, the governor sent the following telegram : 
 
 "Springfield, 111., August 4. 
 ''H. C. Corbin, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C. : 
 
 "I called the officers of the Eighth Illinois (colored) 
 in conference and they are unanimously and enthu- 
 siastically in favor of being sent to relieve the First 
 Illinois at Santiago." 
 
 "Washington, August 5. 
 "Governor Tanner, Springfield, 111. : 
 
 "The Secretary appreciates very much the offer of 
 the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for duty in 
 Santiago, and has directed that the regiment be sent 
 there on steamer Yale, leaving New York next Tues- 
 day. The main trouble with our troops now in Cuba 
 is that they are suffering from exhaustion and expo- 
 sure, incident to one of the most trying campaigns to 
 which soldiers have -ever been subjected. 
 
 "H. C. CORBIN, 
 "Adjutant-General." 
 
 That settled the question. Following close upon 
 that came the message from the War Department, or-
 
 228 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 clering the Eighth Illinois Regiment to be in New 
 York City in time to take the steamer Yale, which left 
 Tuesday for Santiago. This did not leave much time 
 for preparation, and as soon as the cars arrived the 
 men were loaded and the start was made. The boys 
 felt repaid for all the dangers they were daring by the 
 demonstrations along the route from Springfield to 
 New York. 
 
 The regimental clerk wrote back : "I suppose you 
 know of our trip from Springfield to New York. The 
 people, white and black, were very kind to us all along 
 the route. When passing through Greenfield, Chilli- 
 cothe and Athens, Ohio, our train was halted by citi- 
 zens and splendid lunches were given to us, without 
 money and without price. Along with the lunches 
 came kind words of encouragement and beautiful 
 flowers. These manifestations of regard made us feel 
 that we were having a part of our reward in advance. 
 Those good people can never know how their actions 
 inspired us and strengthened us for the hardships that 
 we have seen since that trip." 
 
 They arrived in New York two men short Private 
 George Wall and Private Charles Ambrose of Com- 
 pany F, Captain W. B. Akers. They accidentally fell 
 of? the train and were too badly injured to proceed. 
 
 August 1 1 they left New York City for Santiago de 
 Cuba, taking passage on the steamer Yale. They did 
 not have a picnic on the way over by any means. The 
 quartermaster of each company, not having a good 
 place to cook for his men, could not give them the food 
 they needed. They suffered greatly for water ; all that 
 was furnished was very warm, a poor makeshift for a
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 229 
 
 thirsty man.- They used to kick about Chicago water, 
 but they would have given a good deal for a drink of 
 lake water on the Yale. Some of the boys paid some 
 waiters twenty-five cents for a drink of ice water. The 
 cooler was in the dining-room, but under heavy guard. 
 One man paid $1.00 for three cups of coffee. They 
 had a very smooth voyage, steaming about fifteen or 
 twenty knots an hour. For the next two days there 
 was nothing of special interest, being out on the open 
 sea, with nothing in sight but the sky above and the 
 blue sea below. Saturday afternoon they sighted San 
 Salvador. Sunday noon the beautiful, verdant hills of 
 Cuba burst upon the view, and for the rest of the day 
 the Cuban coast was in full view. 
 
 IN SANTIAGO HARBOR. 
 
 All enjoyed the sight of land and the prospects of a 
 quick landing. The reception, which was royal, is 
 thus described by one of the company officers : 
 
 "We dropped anchor in Santiago Bay just as the 
 sun was setting. We are now in waters historic for- 
 evermore. Above us, sullen and rugged, frowns the 
 Moro, now dismantled. All around us is the now 
 placid water, upon whose bosom took place the naval 
 battle which sealed the fate of the Spanish government 
 in the western world. From the highest point of the 
 Moro an American sentinel, with the Stars and 
 Stripes waving, cheered our boys, and our band re- 
 sponded by playing the 'Star Spangled Banner.' 
 
 "It was an inspiring sight, which can never be ef- 
 faced from my memory. The flagstaff and upper deck 
 cf the Spanish cruiser, Reina Mercedes, was in full
 
 280 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 view just inside of the bay, where she was sunk. A 
 little further in and in full view could be seen the flag- 
 staff of the Merrimac. Among such surroundings we 
 rested for the night. 
 
 "The next forenoon the lighters came out of the 
 bay to take us up to Santiago. It took quite a half 
 day to transfer the regiment and supplies. About 
 3 o'clock we entered the channel. Again the Ameri- 
 can sentinel from the heights above waved the Stars 
 and Stripes and cheered as we passed in. The band re- 
 sponded by playing 'America.' 
 
 "We disembarked at Santiago about 5 o'clock, Tues- 
 day, August 1 6. The first night's experience in Cuba 
 was at Santiago. The men camped in a graveyard. 
 As soon as they surveyed the ground their admiration 
 for Uncle Sam's boys rose beyond expression. It was 
 a mystery to all how the United States soldiers ever 
 landed. The place was full of blockhouses, trenches, 
 breastworks, etc., built by the Spaniards, and they 
 really looked impregnable. We found the Cubans to 
 be hard bargain drivers. They were worse than the 
 Spaniards, for they charged double price for every- 
 thing. Colonel Marshall had a Cuban woman make 
 him a pitcher of coffee. He furnished the coffee and 
 she furnished the water and fire. She charged him 
 fifty cents. 
 
 "August the 8th came one of the first honors of the 
 Eighth. Colonel Marshall was appointed governor of 
 San Luis. At first great anxiety was manifested on 
 all sides for the health of the colored soldiers. The 
 fever which had so decimated the ranks of the First 
 Regiment was certain to attack the newcomers. For-
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 2ol 
 
 tunately, the rainy season was nearly over, and the 
 Eighth suffered but little." 
 
 COLONEL MARSHALL'S LETTER. 
 
 "Our regiment is getting along nicely, and as for 
 discipline and proficiency I will stake it against any 
 other volunteer regiment that was ever 'mustered, al- 
 though reports have gone out to the contrary. There 
 was no truth in the report that we were lawless and 
 undisciplined. No regiment ever acted better than the 
 Eighth Illinois, and when the inspector-general ar- 
 rived from Santiago to investigate the regiment we 
 were surprised, for we knew nothing of the report un- 
 til then, and the investigation proved it to be a libel 
 I assure you that the officers and men are on their 
 guard, because we recognize the fact that the colored 
 officers are on trial. The men have proved for years 
 that they are made of all wool and a yard wide. Our 
 success is theirs and that of the whole race. If we fail 
 the whole race will have to shoulder the burden. 
 
 "We have a good many sick. The morning report 
 showed 161, 90 per cent malarial fever. We have lost 
 fi've men since we left New York by death. Two died 
 last week. The climate is very hard on the men. We 
 have fared no better than other regiments that pre- 
 ceded us, but the deaths have been fewer. One regi- 
 ment now, the Ninth Immunes (colored), from New 
 Orleans, 1,000 strong, that arrived since we came, has 
 over 80 per cent of its men sick. Talk about im- 
 munes. There is no such thing. They are in a bad 
 plight. They will not average fifteen men to the 
 company for duty. I am glad to know that we are not
 
 2:52 '"THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS/' 
 
 forgotten. We should not be for we are facing a 
 monster more fatal than Spanish bullets in a climate 
 that is filled with fever, with no nourishments for the 
 sick but rice and canned soups. Chickens are one 
 dollar apiece, eggs are seventy-five cents per dozen, 
 fresh meats we never see. Bacon and hardtack every 
 meal, poor water and no ice. How I'd like to see the 
 Armour avenue iceman to-night. 
 
 "The money raised should be used in buying nour- 
 ishments for the sick. Then, if there is any left, for- 
 ward here to buy some things that would not keep or 
 stand the trip without spoiling. Our surgeons are 
 worked very hard but they are doing all they can for 
 the sick. I visit the hospital every- day and speak en- 
 couragingly to each man. I have had excellent health 
 myself, but I may be taken down any day, because it 
 looks like every man must get his share of it. We 
 were very lucky that we were sent away from Santiago. 
 It was death to stay there. You had to eat your din- 
 ner under a mosquito bar to keep the flies out of your 
 food. The stench was worse than the Chicago River 
 at the Stockyards." 
 
 One of the most perplexing problems which threat- 
 ened the colored soldiers was the question of officers. 
 In the regular service the officers on the commissioned 
 staff are all white. It had always been contended 
 that while the colored soldiers were brave, they would 
 fight best under white officers, but this the colored 
 soldiers would not admit, and several volunteer com- 
 panies in different states resigned rather than accept 
 white officers. When the Eighth was mustered into 
 the service the experiment was given a trial, for every
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 233 
 
 officer from corporal to colonel was colored. What 
 the ultimate result will be remains to be seen, but 
 thus far reports have been favorable. The men ot 
 the Eighth realize that they are on trial, and they 
 act accordingly. Dr. Curtis, first lieutenant and com- 
 pany surgeon, wrote home : "We appreciate the in- 
 terest which all Chicago people manifest in our boys, 
 who are now patriot exiles from our great state. 
 None of our friends needs have any fear about the 
 Eighth. She is all right. The reputation of the regi- 
 ment is safe from the general commanding the divi- 
 sion down. All regard the Eighth as an exceptional 
 regiment. Our boys perform every duty assigned to 
 them with promptness and in a manner that has uni- 
 formity and has elicited favorable comment from the 
 general. Colonel Marshall is held in high esteem 
 by all the officers and men. He is a good commander 
 and has his regiment well in hand. We have had no 
 trouble in maintaining discipline. The statement here- 
 tofore made that colored officers could not command 
 colored soldiers will never be made again. If it is, 
 our only reply will be to point to the Eighth, and 
 to examine her records as kept in the imperishable ar- 
 chives of the War Department. This will show that 
 there was as little trouble in maintaining discipline 
 in the Eighth Regiment as in any regiment in the 
 government service, regular or volunteer. At times 
 we all feel like being at home, but we enlisted for 
 two years, and each soldier in our ranks resolutely 
 says, 'My services the government wants for that 
 length of time. I will answer call every morning for 
 two years ; nay, more, after that, if Uncle Sam should
 
 *34 "77/ EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 need a well-disciplined regiment to protect his inter- 
 ests in our new territories, whether Cuba, Porto Rico 
 or Manila. All that he needs to do is to call the 
 Eighth and we'll answer.' We realize the fact that 
 we are making history for our race, and we are willing 
 to make the sacrifice. God knows, I would give a 
 month's salary to see my wife and children to-day. 
 But sacrifice is sweetened by the consolation which 
 comes when duty is faithfully done. We propose to 
 make such good soldiers of our men that no Ameri- 
 can can ever say again that the American Negro is 
 unworthy the_ uniform of the United States Army, 
 whether it be the ordinary blue of a private grandly 
 and silently walking his post at night, or the colonel 
 with plumed helmet and drawn saber proudly riding 
 at the head of a magnificent regiment. The health 
 of the regiment is fairly good. Malarial fever is the 
 principal sickness." 
 
 MARRYING CUBAN GIRLS. 
 
 The usual good nature of the colored boys is shown 
 in Cuba, as well as at home. They are adapting them- 
 selves to circumstances. Unable to bask in the sun- 
 shine of their home girls, they are playing Romeo to 
 Cuban Juliets. Several of the Eighth have taken 
 Cuban wives, and "still there are more to follow." 
 
 A LETTER FROM HARRY McCARD, HOSPITAL 
 STEWARD. 
 
 "Afro-American-Cuban wedding, which occurred 
 Thanksgiving Day. The crowning happiness came 
 to two boys in Company F, about two weeks ago, when 
 they were married to two beautiful senoritas of the
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 235 
 
 pale-face and long-haired variety. The wedding, which 
 was a double one, took place in a small grass-roofed 
 house, and was quite as pretty as it was odd. Neither 
 of the grooms could speak or understand a com- 
 plete sentence in the language of the brides, who in 
 turn could hardly speak a word in English. The serv- 
 ices of an interpreter, of course, were required, and 
 after the boys were married they were well married, 
 for the city mayor, the city judge and the chief of 
 police all took a hand in the ceremony. Two new 
 firesides have been set up and the young people seem 
 to be living very happily indeed. I know several more 
 who are preparing for the same important step, strange 
 as it may seem. . 
 
 "HARRY McCARD." 
 
 ONE OF THE BOYS PLEADS. 
 
 One of the boys pleads his company guilty of for- 
 aging for chicken and shoat. He says that while he 
 did not wanf to complain, he thought it was only fair 
 to say they had seen trouble sometimes in the com- 
 missary department. They were especially anxious 
 for the sick boys, who suffered considerably for food. 
 While they were waiting for improvements in sup- 
 plies, it was generally conceded that the pig or chicken 
 that had more curiosity than good judgment never 
 lived to repeat the experiment. 
 
 ASSIGNED TO DUTY. 
 
 The soldiers began active provost duty as soon as 
 they reached Cuba. The regiment landed at San- 
 tiago wharf, marched about a mile from town through 
 deep mud and water and camped over night. The
 
 230 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 next day the first battalion, under command of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, boarded the train for San 
 Luis, arriving at 4:30, and camped around the depot. 
 
 August i pth second and third battalions arrived 
 in San Luis, with Colonel Marshall in command, 
 camping about one mile from town with three com- 
 panies of the first battalion, A, B and C. 
 
 August 24th two companies of the second battalion, 
 C and F, with Major Jackson in command, marched 
 about thirty miles from San Luis to Palma, and were 
 stationed to do duty at that place. Captain R. P. 
 Root had command of Company E, while Captain 
 W. B. Akers had Company F. Colonel Marshall, with 
 the major part of the regiment, remained at San Luis. 
 All were expected to remain there until called home. 
 It is a much more desirable place than the camp 
 grounds at Santiago. In the first report of the latter 
 place Colonel Marshall said : 
 
 "I arrived here with 1,195 enlisted men and 76 
 officers. We have eight men sick. We camped on 
 the battlefield about two miles out. Dead Spanish 
 soldiers are being buried and burned on the hill about 
 a quarter of a mile from us. Others are buried all 
 over the place. It has rained ever since we ar- 
 rived. 
 
 "At San Luis conditions are completely changed. 
 The town is well governed and a thorough renovation 
 of the city has resulted from the reforms instituted by 
 the soldiers. At first the mud and filth was intoler- 
 able, but that soon gave place to the order and clean- 
 liness under the direction of the authorities. Chlo- 
 ride of lime was used extensively and all garbage was
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 23? 
 
 burned. The health of the men improved rapidly and 
 the death rate has been remarkably low." 
 
 A good report of the garrison work of the regi- 
 ment is given by a New York correspondent of a New 
 York paper. He said : 
 
 "On arriving here I found the Eighth Illinois, a col- 
 ored regiment officered by colored men entirely. So 
 much has been said concerning colored men under 
 colored officers that they would not obey them I 
 was curious to know how the experiment would work. 
 I secured a pass from Colonel Wood to pass the lines 
 Arriving at the camp I asked to be taken to the colo- 
 nel's tent. I found him an affable, pleasing military 
 gentleman, unaffected by the grave responsibilities 
 resting upon him and void of that arrogance assumed 
 by the average white officer. He detailed a sergeant 
 of Company A, a graduate of the Chicago High School 
 and a member of the senior class of the Northwestern 
 Law School, to accompany me through the camp. 
 The cleanliness of the hospital tents especially attracted 
 my attention. The surgeons in their snow-white jack- 
 ets were flitting here and there, caring for the inva- 
 lids, administering with their own hands medicines 
 which it was the duty of the nurses to do something 
 I did not see done by white surgeons on board the 
 transports. The kitchen arrangements were the best 
 I have seen since the war began. Each company has 
 a large porcelain vessel in which boiled water is kept 
 for drinking purposes. Every possible sanitary pre- 
 caution has been taken by the thoughtful officers to 
 avoid disease, and it is safe to say that there are fewer 
 men sick in this than any other regiment in the vol-
 
 238 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 unteer army. The guardhouse contained seven men 
 who had visited the canteen too often or frequently. 
 In the tents of more than half the men could be found 
 a Bible, and regardless of what may have been said 
 to the contrary, the men of the Eighth Illinois as a 
 rule are as orderly and gentlemanly as any 'regiment 
 in the service. A dress parade that evening, which 
 was ordered in honor of an English army officer vis- 
 iting the camp, the men presented a splendid appear- 
 ance. They have mastered the intricacies of the drill. 
 Their even military movement is a thing of beauty. 
 Each soldier prides himself on keeping his uniform 
 and equipment bright. The Englishman was sur- 
 prised when the captain showed him that not a speck 
 of dirt adhered to his white gloves, which he passed 
 over and in the muzzle of a soldier's gun. The Young 
 Men's Christian Association of Chicago has spread 
 a tent here, in which the boys congregate to write 
 home, read the daily papers, and play games (no 
 cards). They are healthy and happy. The man who 
 thinks the negro will not obey officers of his race has 
 but to visit the camps of the Eighth Illinois. There 
 being no prejudice here on account of a man's color, 
 the negro soldier is treated the same as other soldiers 
 are; in fact, there seems to be a preference on the 
 part of the white women for the boys. Some of them 
 are magnificent specimens of manhood, and if the 
 provost guard isn't very strict a few of the Eighth 
 Illinois boys will be left in Cuba as the husbands of 
 planters' daughters."
 
 COURAGE KNOWS NO COLOR. 239 
 
 GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE. 
 
 It is generally conceded that some of the Eighth 
 Illinois boys are in Cuba to stay. The country suits 
 them so far as climate is concerned, and the civil and 
 political advantages are certain to attract aspiring and 
 capable colored men. Word has already come that 
 colored soldiers are making investments. Captain 
 Waller and Captain Akers have closed a deal for a 
 coffee farm. One of the enthusiastic soldiers, home 
 on a furlough, says: 
 
 "The right kind of a man can make a fortune on 
 this island, by George ! The natives use the real ma- 
 hogany wood for kindling fires. The Cuban don't 
 know the value of the stuff. A man could make a 
 fortune off that alone. Now, about the school ques- 
 tion. There are no schools at present. The govern- 
 ment is making preparations to start the schools in 
 the near future. The religion is strictly Catholic. I 
 like the country fine and in my estimation it is just 
 the place for the colored man. There is no discrim- 
 ination in Cuba. Everybody looks alike. Many 
 express themselves as wanting to stay here if they 
 get mustered out here. \Vhen Uncle Sam establishes 
 a government in Cuba it will be the place for young 
 lawyers, doctors and professors. They will have a 
 great field before them. Our politicians will have a 
 chance to display some of their ability and our min- 
 isters need not complain. Colored carpenters, black- 
 smiths, bricklayers, in fact all mechanics, can find em- 
 ployment." 
 
 When the men of the Eighth Illinois "come march- 
 ing home" they will be greeted like soldiers who went
 
 240 
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 forth to battle and returned victoriously. They bore 
 hardships like soldiers, and although now and then 
 there were murmurs, the great body of them readily 
 resigned themselves to the unavoidable hardships in 
 the field. The evident decision of the government to 
 keep the Eighth Illinois in Cuba on garrison duty this 
 winter is proof of its good behavior and soldierly 
 qualities. The Chicago Evening Post.
 
 ft 
 
 Uj
 
 gl 
 
 16
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 THE MANNANA CLUB, AT PALMA. 
 
 It has been mentioned how the Cubans ran and 
 hid from us, i. e., E and F companies when we first 
 marched into Palma. It was many days before we 
 could get close enough to them to say "buenos dias," 
 and that was about all that we had learned to say, with 
 the exception of "adios," "mucho bueneo," y como, 
 esta v. Our commissioned officers did not like this 
 coolness on the part of the Cubans and tried to com- 
 mingle with them through the business element and 
 eventually bring in the social element. It was very 
 amusing sometimes to see a lieutenant or a captain 
 bend almost double to tip his headgear and say, "Como 
 esta v" to a bonita senorita standing in the door of 
 her casa. Perhaps the object of his politeness would 
 look at him disdainfully without ever opening her lips. 
 The officer then would glance about to see if there 
 were any non-coms, or privates in catching-on dis- 
 tance. The cunning private or non-com, pursued a 
 different course. He made friends with the macha- 
 cha and niiios ; he shared part of his scant rations with 
 them and taught them how to hablar Americano. Of 
 course, when this machacha or machocho returned to 
 his casa he boasted of being in the Americano's camp 
 and told about the Americano soldier's kindness.
 
 244 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS:' 
 
 Then the larger sisters and the mother would like 
 to see that "mucho bueno soldier," and it would not 
 be long before the little machacha would have the 
 soldier by the hand piloting him to his mother's shack 
 or hut. This occurred so frequently that it was not 
 long before a soldier could be seen in nearly any 
 casa in Palma. This familiarity was not long in lead- 
 ing the non-com. "s of both companes into organizing 
 a club known as the Mannana Club." Captain R. R. 
 Root of Company E was post commander at Palma 
 at this time, which was about two weeks from Christ- 
 mas. He called both companies together one after- 
 noon and told us that we had behaved very good in 
 the past, had given him very little trouble if any at 
 all, and as we were absent from our respective family 
 circles at home he would do all he could toward let- 
 ting us have a nice time and grant us the privilege 
 of the town during the holidays ; but every soldier that 
 got drunk and disorderly would be severely dealt with. 
 He stated that he wanted us to have a good time, but 
 did not want us to act in any way disrespectful. 
 When Christmas came we were excused from all duty 
 except standing guard. 
 
 On Christmas night the Mannana Club gave a big 
 ball. It was free for everybody, the Cubans and Span- 
 iards alike. It was a grand affair. and the best ele- 
 ment of the town was there. It was nearly twelve 
 o'clock before we could induce the Cuban and Spanish 
 girls to dance with us. They were timid. They 
 thought us so grand and progressive that we would 
 laugh at their old style of waltzing. Finally we in- 
 duced two Spanish girls to waltz, which drew the
 
 THE M.I XX AX A CLUB AT PALM A. 245 
 
 others out until there was not space enough in two 
 large rooms to dance good. We had plenty to eat 
 and drink, such as it was. They danced until ten 
 o'clock the next day. Every member wore a rosette 
 made by the girls and each man was attired in soldier 
 blue, while nearly all of the senoritas were dressed in 
 pure white with their long black tresses falling loosely 
 about their shoulders. The Mafinana ball was the 
 talk of the town. Everywhere it was Marmana. 
 
 There was a feeling created by this club that it will 
 require some time to dissipate. On one occasion after 
 this it was reported that the soldiers were to be re- 
 moved from the town to the outlying hills. To this 
 the Cubans protested and the leading business men 
 and citizens of Palma signed a petition to send to the 
 general asking to have us remain in town. This 
 effort on the part of the citizens had the desired effect, 
 but a few days later news came that our regiment was 
 ordered to be in the States by the 2Oth of March. 
 From time to time thereafter there were black dis- 
 patches arriving from Santiago or San Luis every 
 week. By this time we were beginning to think that 
 there was no more true news to be had from the 
 States. Yet what meager information we did receive 
 had a tendency to buoy us up, for every day the sol- 
 diers were asked when they expected to "vamoose" 
 to America. The answer would invariably be in a 
 few days, for we thought we were sure to start for 
 home. Under this suspense we went about doing gar- 
 rison duty until the final order came. 
 
 While E and F companies, through the Mannana 
 Club, was Americanizing Palma, the other members.
 
 246 
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 in San Luis were making the best of their opportuni- 
 ties by having small concerts and minstrel shows, 
 which would carry the Cubans away in wonderment 
 and rapture. 
 
 The superior officers indulged the men in these 
 fetes as long as good behavior was assured. Thus 
 many a beautiful moonlit night was whiled away 
 pleasantly in far-away Cuba, which otherwise might 
 have been dull and lonely.
 
 CO 
 
 O 
 
 tsf-
 
 CAPT. JORDON CHAVIS, 
 Chaplain Eighth Illinois Volunteer Regiment.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 RELIGION IN THE EIGHTH. 
 
 It is an undeniable fact, which reflects great credit 
 on the members of the Eighth Regiment, that there 
 were many Christians in its ranks. It was a grand 
 spectacle to see men of all creeds and denominations 
 sitting together under an improvised palm-covered 
 "place of worship." It could hardly be called a 
 church, for there were no sides nor ends to the 
 structure ; yet those God-fearing men and liberty-- 
 loving citizens congregated on those balmy Sabbath 
 mornings and repeated to one another the sayings 
 of the ancients : "Come, let us go into the house of 
 the Lord." There in that little army tabernacle the 
 sons of Illinois would listen to the cheering words and 
 admonitions expounded by the chaplain, Jordan Cha- 
 vis. The sweet notes and sounds of martial music 
 died away across the native canefields. The sound 
 of the regimental orchestra could be heard far away 
 into the mountains, echoing and reverberating, while 
 from palm top to palm top flitted the little tropical 
 songster, warbling its sweet note of joy and freedom 
 to its mate. 
 
 The soldiers' countenances were more lively and 
 brighter on these mornings, their clothes were neatly 
 cleaned, their shoes shined and hair combed, and 
 
 249
 
 250 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 some even discarded the army blue flannel shirt, don- 
 ning one of fancy colors, or a "starched front," as 
 they termed it. Thus they did homage to God. This 
 was their religious pride and thus was the Sabbath 
 observed by the Eighth Illinois. 
 
 DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 If anyone should ask a soldier to what church he 
 belonged, his answer would be, "Christ's Church," 
 and yet there were five denominations represented in 
 the regiment, viz. : African Methodist Episcopal, Pres- 
 byterian, Baptist and Catholic. Those who professed 
 Christianity in the regiment were divided among the 
 different companies numerically as follows : Company 
 A, 8 ; Company B, 3 ; Company C, 13 ; Company D, 
 8 ; Company E, 19 ; Company F, 1 1 ; Company G, 
 15; Company H, 25; Company I, 5; Company K, 9; 
 Company L. 12; Company M, 16. 
 
 Herewith by companies are given the names of 
 those who were members of the various denomina- 
 tions : 
 
 Company A Wade Harper, Robert Jarvis, Thomas 
 Moody, Isaac Hayden, Richard Sandford, William 
 Murry, Moses Reynolds, Warren Dorsey. 
 
 Company B Robert Howard, Jefferson Davis, 
 Frank Tolbert. 
 
 Company C Chas. F. White, Clarence Hubbard, 
 William Luckey, John Thomas, Cap. Hadley, Walter 
 Thomas, Bolden Smith, Alex. Reeves, Wm. A. An- 
 derson, Louis Bergamine, W. R. Harris, Walter 
 Mitchell, R. W. Westberg. 
 
 Company D Chas. J. Ross, W. G. Grayton, Chas.
 
 RELIGION IN THE EIGHTH. 251 
 
 M. Turner, Clarence Stewart, Eugene Caldwell, Rob- 
 ert L. Froutman, Hartie Jackson, Chas. J. Johnson. 
 
 Company E Burton White, Egbert R. Williams, 
 Bird Collins, Watt Sanders, Edward Kandy, John 
 Toles, John C. Lee, Edward D. Barber, Freddie 
 Yound, Jesse M. Dexter, Erven Meekans, Burt Cha- 
 -vies, Chas. Supthen, George McConnell, Lee Williams. 
 Thomas Gray, C. H. Harper, O. Dell Smith. 
 
 Company F Jarriot McLamore, I. P. Stewart, Mo- 
 ses J. C. Nunn, Joel Brown Lafayette Tayborne, Fred- 
 erick Blakes, J. McGowen, Geo. W. Bryant, Geo. L. 
 Patterson, Wm. H. Corey, Wesley Foster. 
 
 Company G Noble Wight, Robt. Hays, Regil Mc- 
 Donald, Bland Brown, Chas. Anderson, A. M. Fraes, 
 James A. Patton, John Dunn, Wm. E. Shields, David 
 H. Moor, Chas. E. Morton, Wm. P. Crouse, Samuel 
 Sublet, Mike Turner, Walter Williams. 
 
 Company H Noah Williams, Geo. Harris, Chas. 
 E. Hatcher, Joseph Edwards, Geo. G. Beard, Chas. 
 Rose, Frank Burns, Berry Rickets, Henry Miller, 
 David Giles, Wm. Tanner, Walter Burks, W. L. King, 
 W. J. Smith, James Webb, Amos Meridith, James San- 
 ders, Alex. Washington, A. D. Johnson, Wm. York, 
 Wm. Pollard, Wm. Pettit, Robt. Hall. 
 
 Company I Chas. Plummer, H. M. Burrel, John 
 Gloves, Samuel Critchfield, William Washington. 
 
 Company K Newton McKane, C. M. Owens, 
 Henry Bowers, Joel Curtis, John North, William 
 Johnson, Edward Cofield, T. T. Smith, Chester 
 Cooper. 
 
 Company L George Brown, William Noble, Henry 
 Avens, Alfred Hays, George McCreery, Harmon
 
 252 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Thomas, Felix Daley, Louis Walters, William Moore, 
 Robt. Edwards, Thos. Dunning, Berry Holland, Sam 
 Houghman. 
 
 Company M J. W. Moss, C. H. Lane, Chas. Trus- 
 lark, W. M. Btickner, William Mitchell, Frank Neal, 
 J. A. Wilson, Delacy Combs, J. J. Phinisee, Major 
 Wilford, Samuel Phillip, Hezekiah Cook, Isaac C. 
 Dillard, John Moppins, George Wade, Wiley Fultz. 
 
 The following is a list of those who were converted 
 to Christianity while the regiment was in Cuba : 
 
 Corporal Frank Burns, Company H ; Corporal Chas. 
 Rose, Company H ; Corporal Luther King, Company 
 H ; Private Robert Washington, Company H ; Pri- 
 vate A. D. Johnson, Company H ; Private William 
 York, Company H ; Private William Pollard, Com- 
 pany H ; Private William Pettit. Company H ; Private 
 Robt. Hall, Company H ; Private Elmer Pellington, 
 Company H ; Private Samuel Subitts, Company G ; 
 Private John Moppins, Company M ; Private George 
 Wade, Company M ; Private Johnnie Harrison, Com- 
 pany I ; Private William Coston, Private Edward Lee, 
 Company H ; Private Evert Thomas, Company G ; 
 Private William Diamond, Company I ; Private Will- 
 iam Prunden, Company D ; Private Edward Adams, 
 Company L ; Private George Curtis, Company A ; 
 Private Eugene Caldwell, Company D. 
 
 The members baptized while in Cuba were the fol- 
 lowing: 
 
 October 30, 1898 : Elmer Pellington, Company K ; 
 Corporal Frank Burns, Company H ; A. D. Johnson, 
 Company H ; Johnnie Harrison, Company I ; C. E. 
 Hatcher, Company H ; George Wade, Company M ;
 
 RELIGION IN THE EIGHTH. 253 
 
 John Moppins, Company M ; William Diamond, Com- 
 pany I ; Edward Lee, Company K ; William Pruden, 
 Company D ; Evert Thomas, Company G ; Samuel 
 Sublet, Company G. 
 
 OUR FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL IN CUBA. 
 At San Luis de Cuba, on October 23, 1898, the 
 Christian young men of the Eighth met in the chapel 
 tent and organized a Sunday School. Noah Williams 
 acted as chairman pro tem. After calling the meet- 
 ing to order teachers were elected and the Sunday 
 School had its first lesson. When the men had fin- 
 ished their lessons they formed a permanent organi- 
 zation. Officers and teachers were elected as follows : 
 Noah W. Thomas, superintendent ; Corporal Wm. 
 Luckey, assistant superintendent ; Denis Farro, sec- 
 retary ; Corporal Wm. Farmer, Sergeant J. W. Moos 
 and Private Amos Merideth were elected as teachers. 
 Hence we had a Sabbath School and Scriptural read- 
 ing while in the army. 
 
 CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR IN THE EIGHTH. 
 
 At San Luis de Cuba, on October 25, 1898, a num- 
 ber of the young Christian members of the Eighth 
 Illinois Regiment met at the non-commissioned offi- 
 cers' tent for the purpose of organizing a branch of 
 the Society of Christian Endeavor in the regiment. 
 Corporal John Thomas of Company C acted as chair- 
 man. He, after calling the meeting to order, made 
 a brief speech, the substance of which was the neces- 
 sity of Christian endeavor. His words were full of 
 spirit and encouragement. Following his speech a 
 permanent organization was effected.
 
 254 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS.'' 
 
 The officers elected were as follows: Sergeant J. W. 
 Moos, president ; Corporal Wm. Luckey, vice-presi- 
 dent ; Corporal Clarence Howard, secretary ; Corporal 
 Chas. F. White, corresponding secretary ; Private 
 Noah W. Williams, treasurer, and Corporal R. W. 
 Westberry, librarian. 
 
 Chaplain Jordon Chavis was present and made a 
 few interesting remarks indorsing the organization 
 and proffered his services and support. The first 
 Christian Endeavor meeting in the Eighth then ad- 
 journed. 
 THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS. 
 
 The first religious services the regiment held were 
 at Camp Tanner, Sunday morning, July 3, 1898, at 
 ten o'clock. The chaplain's pulpit was fixed at the 
 root of a large tree, he standing in the shade of its 
 boughs. The few ladies present who had come out 
 from town were provided with as many small boxes 
 as we could find. They, too, sat under the shade of 
 this church tree until Old Sol sneakingly removed 
 the canopy. The seats for the soldiers was Mother 
 Earth's green carpet, the canopy over their heads was 
 the cloudless summer sky of bright azure blue. No 
 one need say that it was balmy or pleasantly cool 
 upon that July morning for us to sit or lay on the 
 grass, as we chose, but our captains had ordered their 
 first sergeants to form the companies in order to at- 
 tend services. The bugle had sounded the "church 
 call." Its echo we could hear reverberating back 
 from the old dome building. It was God's duty "call." 
 It was ours to obey. Neither sunshine nor rain should 
 prevent a soldier performing his duty.
 
 RELIGIOX 7.V THE EIGHTH. 255 
 
 Our first sermon was preached by Rev. J. W. 
 Thomas, pastor of the Olivet Baptist Church, Chi- 
 cago, 111. Elder Thomas was the chaplain of the 
 Ninth Battalion, and so interested was he in our call- 
 ing that he followed us, "Ruth like/' and would not 
 be separated from us until Uncle Sam's mustering 
 officer pronounced us soldiers of a volunteer army. 
 After explaining his text and expounding the teach- 
 ings thereof, the Rev. Thomas referred to the im- 
 portance of our mission. He told us that we were 
 on the eve of leaving home, love and kindred, going 
 thousands of miles from home and comfort, to do 
 battle against a foreign foe and to fight against the 
 dreaded fevers, pestilences and deprivations. He told 
 us that there would be many a time when there would 
 not be a loving mother or an affectionate sister or 
 wife near by to caress, to moisten the fever parched 
 brow of a dying son of Illinois. But fervent prayers 
 from fond hearts, true hearts, would go out after us. 
 
 "Not all of you are going to come back," he said, 
 "but the cause for which you go is honorable and 
 noble. Let us sing 'God be with you till we meet 
 again.' " 
 
 After we were at Camp Tanner about three weeks 
 a violent electrical storm (occurred. It was on a 
 Wednesday night. The bugles had just blown "taps." 
 The men were closed in their tents for the night, many 
 of them speaking in undertones of the doings of the 
 past day. "Lights out !" came the command of the 
 sergeant of the guard. "Lights out!" and on he went 
 through the companys' streets, and ere the echo of 
 his voice died away the wind and rain were upon us.
 
 256 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 Without a moment's warning tents and contents were 
 flying through the midnight air. But the most ir- 
 reparable damage done that night was the dismantling 
 of our church tree by the wind. The entire bushy 
 top was twisted off. 
 
 The next Sunday church services were held in the 
 grand stand of the fair grounds. The Eighth had 
 their services in morning and the Ninth held theirs 
 in the same place in the afternoon. The boys of the 
 Ninth came to our meetings and we attended theirs in 
 good numbers. There was no color line. We were all 
 Christians ; we were all soldiers and of the same army. 
 OUR CHURCH IN CUBA. 
 
 "Come, let us build a house for the Lord," saith the 
 prophet. "Come, let us build a house of worship," 
 saith Chaplain Chavis of the Eighth, and it was not 
 long before there was a Cuban house builder erecting 
 a little palm-covered church. It was a queer looking 
 church, but it was a place of worship. Many a soul 
 was converted and brought to Christ under its with- 
 ered, palm-leaved roof. The Cuban house builder 
 wanted money to build this house, and he got it. The 
 chaplain simply told the different companies he wanted 
 money to pay "for our church," and what follows was 
 
 the result: 
 
 DONATIONS. 
 
 Company A McTerson, 2$c : ; A. Farmer, $i ; T. 
 Dabney, 2$c. ; A. S. Boldon, 5oc. ; J. R. Jackson, 2$c. : 
 E. J. Smith, 25c. ; Corporal Josephs, 2$c. ; G. S. Mc- 
 Fadden, 2$c. ; total, $3. 
 
 Company B Corporal J. Kurd, 2$c. ; J. S. McTer- 
 rin, 25c. ; Sergeant S. E. Leander, 2$c. ; J. Dolahay,
 
 RELIC I OX IX THE EIGHTH. 257 
 
 250. ; M. Williams, 250. ; Corporal W. E. Jones, 250. ; 
 Corporal W. S. Settles, 250. ; W. B. Button, 250. , 
 Captain Adolph Thomas, 500. ; First Sergeant D. B 
 Davis, 250. ; William More, 250. ; Corporal Thomas, 
 250. ; Sergeant T. F. Tyler, 250. ; Corporal J. Lowe, 
 250. ; Corporal W. M. Webster, 250. ; Sergeant A. W. 
 Guly, 500. ; J. Dorr, 250. ; R. H. Dorn, 250. ; J. Terry, 
 250. ; G. Young, 250. ; W. Wilson, 500. ; R. B. Tracy, 
 500. ; C. Edwards, 250. ; Sergeant Anderson, 500. ; 
 total, $7.75. 
 
 Company C Captain C. S. Hunt, $i ; Artf. J. S. 
 Shreeves, 250. ; Grant White, 250. ; A. H. Johnston, 
 $i ; William Anderson, 500. ; A. Brown, 250. ; Wm. E. 
 Berry, 500. ; Corporal W. S. Luckey, 500. ; Corporal 
 C. F. White, 500. ; Corporal R. W. Wesberry, $i ; 
 Corporal J. T. Thomas, 500. ; Corporal J. H. Luckey, 
 75c. ; Sergeant J. Butler, $i ; Corporal C. E. How- 
 ard, 5oc. ; Corporal W. L. Brown, 25c. ; Corporal C. 
 Kenner, 5oc. ; Corporal A. D. Jackson, 25c. ; S. John- 
 son, 25c. ; A. Hoderson, 25c. ; Earl Henry, 5oc. ; Chas. 
 May, 25c. ; S. Reed, 25c. ; Mus. W. M. Turner, 25c. ; 
 First Lieutenant John Shreeves, 5oc. ; total, $13.80. 
 
 Company D Sergeant Hopkins, 25c. ; Sergeant B. 
 Punpney, 25c. ; C. S. Williams, 25c. ; Pitman Farmer, 
 25c. ; Jas. Banks, 25c. ; Chas. Page, 25c. ; H. Burnes, 
 25c.; total, $1.75. 
 
 Company G Virgil McDonald, 25c. ; H. C. Wil- 
 son, 25c. ; Sam White, 25c. ; W. S. Smith, 25c. ; W. 
 P. Grouse, 25c. ; C. H. Clasco, 25c. ; H. S. Roberts, 
 25c. ; C. C. Early, 5oc. ; Sergeant I. O. Gury, 85c. ; 
 W r m. Bryant, 5oc. ; Sherley Belle, 5oc. ; total, $3.85. 
 
 Company H Captain W. D. Hodge, $i ; Corporal 
 17
 
 258 -THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS'' 
 
 Evert Watts, 250. ; Corporal King, 250. ; A. D. John- 
 son, 250. ; B. F. Richerts, 250. ; Frank Burns, 250. ; 
 Corporal Wm. H. Farmer, 250. ; total, $2.50. 
 
 Company I First Lieutenant W. A. Dallas, 250. ; 
 First Sergeant Chas. S. S. Morris, 250. ; Sergeant 
 Chas. O. Robinson, 250. ; Sergeant C. A. Petterson, 
 250. ; Sergeant Wm. W. Perkins, 250. ; Corporal Her- 
 bert Williams, 250. ; A. S. Hecks, 250. ; Robt. Penix, 
 250.; total, $2. 
 
 Company L Captain J. V. Lane, $5.50; Lieutenant 
 
 A. Williams, 250. ; Lieutenant J. W. Laten, 250. ; J. 
 T. Loyd, 250. ; F. Duning, 250. ; W. Beaver, 250. ; W. 
 E. Constant, 250. ; J. Kimball, 250. ; Corporal T. 
 Dalby, 250. ; Jesse Jones, 250. ; John White, 250. ; Ser- 
 geant T. Syms, 250. ; Corporal W. Moore, 250. ; Geo. 
 G. Anderson, 250. ; Mus. J. D. Allen, 250. ; Corporal 
 
 B. Hollins, 250.; James M. Roberson, 250.; total, 
 $10.25. 
 
 Company M Sergeant E. Truelock, 250. ; Sergeant 
 J. W. Moss, 250. ; Corporal Ben Shankley, 250. ; M. 
 Wilerford, 250. ; J. H. Morton, 250. ; J. S. Scraggs, 
 250. ; J. D. Fields, 250. ; W. M. Buckner, 250. ; Wm. 
 Dupree, 250. ; Frank Neusom, 250. ; total, $3. 
 
 The Band Boys Addison Robinson, Walter Pal- 
 lerson, John Hunter, Clarence Boarmen, Chas. Will- 
 iams, Curtis Raimon, William Reece, John Crawford, 
 Roscar Holt, Morris Cobb, Earl Franklin; total, $3. 
 
 Summary by Companies Company A, $3 ; Com- 
 pany B, $7.75; Company C, $13.80; Company D, 
 $1.75; Company'G, $3.85; Company H, $2.50; Com- 
 pany I, $2; Company K, - ; Company L, $10.25; 
 Companv M, $3 ; Band, $3 ; total, $50.90.
 
 RELIGION IN THE EIGHTH. 259 
 
 The reader will notice that there are three compa- 
 nies omitted in the tabular list, viz. : Companies E, F 
 and K. Company K at that time was at Creausau's 
 sugar mill doing special guard duty. When the Span- 
 iards were in possession in and around San Luis old 
 Creausau was a Spanish sympathizer, but when Gen- 
 eral Torel surrendered Santiago, seeing the Spanish 
 cause hopelessly abandoned and the Americans tak- 
 ing full control, Creausau called himself a Frenchman 
 and hoisted a French flag over his house and sugar 
 mill in order to obtain American protection a ruse 
 to forestall Cuban vengeance. 
 
 It being the duty of the American soldiers to pro- 
 tect the life and property of all citizens of other coun- 
 tries while Uncle Sam was in control, Company K was 
 selected to camp at the sugar mill and do guard duty. 
 The Cubans were anxious to burn this plant. Upon 
 information I learn they succeeded in their desires 
 after the Eighth left Cuba. For these reasons Com- 
 pany K was detailed from the regiment by the colonel 
 on detached guard duty and therefore is not men- 
 tioned in the donations. Companies E and F were 
 not mentioned therein because they were on detached 
 service twenty-three miles away, at Palma Soriano 
 de Cuba, Military Post No. I. 
 
 MARRIAGES IN CUBA. 
 
 At Palma : Corporals Chas. Lindsay and Arthur 
 Thompson of Company F, October 29, 1898, by the 
 alcalde and Captain Akers ; Private James Frazier of 
 Company F, November 25, 1898, by the alcalde and 
 First Lieutenant Clinton L. Hill of Company F ; 
 Bugler William L. Scott, Company F, December 31,
 
 260 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 1898, by the alcalde and Captain Akers ; Theo. W. 
 Hawkins, sergeant of Company F, January 6, 1899, 
 to Manuella Perez of Jamaica ; married by the alcalde. 
 The number of weddings of the soldiers in Palma in 
 five months were five, and all of Company F. 
 
 At San Luis : Archie Farmer to Louisa Lieva, by 
 chaplain, January 16, 1899; Henry Wilson to Mar- 
 garette Caztillo, by chaplain, January 17, 1899; Will- 
 iam Tutt to Petronila Romio, by chaplain, January 
 18, 1899. The total number of soldiers married in 
 Cuba were eight. 
 
 SICKNESS AND DEATH. 
 
 There were only three companies that were not vis- 
 ited by the monster, "Death." Company B losing five 
 members, heads the list on death's claim. There was 
 one sick soldier* left in Santiago. He was too sick 
 to be brought home. He, too, died. This brings 
 the total number of deaths in the regiment up to 
 twenty (20). Is that not a grand showing for the 
 Eighth Illinois? Traveling nearly six thousand miles, 
 through rain and sunshine, from the chilly breezes of 
 the north temperate zone to the scorching rays of 
 tropical sun ; braving the hardships and deprivations 
 of war, the dangers of pestilence and fevers and the 
 trying changes of the rainy and dry season. For 
 seven long months did they endure those vicissitudes 
 in Cuba, and after the absence of nine weary months, 
 months of trials and experiments, of history making 
 for the colored race, the Eighth Illinois returned back 
 to her mother state almost intact, leaving only twenty 
 souls sleeping in a soldier's grave "Dead but not 
 forgotten."
 
 RELIGION IN THE EIGHTH. 
 
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 CHAPTER XL 
 IN A FOREIGN PRISON. 
 
 It would hardly be probable that every member of 
 the Eighth Illinois was fortunate enough to escape 
 imprisonment ; neither was it true. The military regu- 
 lations are very strict and the soldier that passes nine 
 months without violating any law is indeed lucky. 
 When the Eighth Illinois was ordered home there 
 were a few of her boys confined in Moro Castle and 
 in the military prison in Santiago. An effort was 
 made to bring the regiment home intact, but it could 
 not be done. An occurrence of our departure was 
 a sad scene, one pathetic in the extreme. The Sedg- 
 wick was steaming slowly out of Santiago Bay headed 
 toward the Windward Passage and the Caribbean Sea. 
 It was about seven o'clock. The torrid sun was al- 
 ready throwing its tropical heat upon our heads. 
 The decks of the transport swarmed with the soldiers 
 of the Eighth Illinois. We were standing in groups 
 gazing perhaps for the last time at San Juan Hill, bid- 
 ding farewell to the verdant hills of Cuba. We were 
 coming home. 
 
 On nearing the entrance of the bay old Moro 
 Castle appeared in view, still sullen and defiant. In 
 her dark and dismal cells were many prisoners who 
 had been proud, brave soldiers of America. Some 
 
 264
 
 l.\ A FOREIGN PRISON. 205 
 
 of these prisoners were once members of the Eighth 
 Illinois, and when our steamer glided abreast of the 
 castle there came the faint "Good-by, boys/' from 
 the top of Moro Castle. Then a resounding cry rent 
 the air from the boys on the Sedgwick, yelling at 
 the tops of their voices, so that the sound would reach 
 the top of the Castle, "Good-by, Hill ; good-by, Mar- 
 shall ; good-by, Gilliam and Brigget." Poor fellows. 
 I bet they wished they were on the vessel with us 
 going home. I saw stout-hearted men who could 
 brave most anything, when those poor prisoners yelled 
 good-by and farewell till their voices died away on 
 the breeze of the Caribbean Sea, turn their faces from 
 their comrades, while tears stole down their cheeks 
 and fell upon the deck. 
 
 Looking up to the top of the castle we saw Will 
 Hill, who at one time was the right guide of the regi- 
 ment and a proud sergeant of Company A, standing 
 higher up on the castle than all the rest of the prison- 
 ers and sentries. "Good-by, boys ; good-by, com- 
 rades," he cried. Then his bosom heaved. His proud 
 heart was touched with the thought of being a prisoner 
 in a foreign land. His voice ceased to cry after the 
 Eighth. He stood there for a few moments, then he 
 placed the handkerchief he -had been waving to his 
 face to wipe away the burning tears that had bedimmed 
 his eyes. We had now reached the Windward Passage 
 and our brave old ship was making for the open sea. 
 Looking back we yet could see the almost invisible 
 forms of those poor, dejected fellows in a foreign 
 prison old Moro. 
 
 About nine o'clock we were being tossed by the
 
 266 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS:' 
 
 dashing waves of the Caribbean Sea. Presently Cape 
 Mais was rounded, when Moro Castle, its prison walls 
 and the ill-fated comrades of the Eighth were lost to 
 our gaze. 
 
 The following is the list of those who were left in 
 Cuba prisoners : Peyton W. Randolph, Company F ; 
 William J. Hill, Company A ; John Hyde, Company 
 F ; Taylor Tucker, Company A ; Henry Gilliam, Com- 
 pany I ; John Smith, Company A ; Clifton Brigget, 
 Those who were discharged and remained in Santiago 
 were Sergeant Julius Johnson, Company E; James 
 Moore, Company F, who was an orderly to General 
 Wood, and Frank Piegman, Company A, who was 
 General Ewer's orderly. 
 
 The accompanying interesting letter was received 
 by the author from one of the members of the Eighth 
 Regiment who was a prisoner in Moro Castle when 
 the regiment left Cuba: 
 Corporal Goode. 
 
 Dear Comrade: On my return home I heard of 
 your book about the Eighth Illinois that you were 
 going to publish. I thought I would give you a few 
 facts regarding a part of my experience while a mili- 
 tary prisoner. I was arrested October 23, 1898, for 
 disobedience of orders. I was incarcerated forty- 
 three days before I had my trial. Then it was sixteen 
 days longer before the verdict came, which made a 
 total of fifty-nine days before my sentence began. 
 During that time I experienced much trouble. I 
 was spread-eagled for one hour and fifteen minutes. 
 That is the severest punishment which is meted out 
 to a prisoner in the army: To be spread-eayled is this:
 
 7.V A FOREIGN PRISON. 26? 
 
 They put a pole seven feet long across my shoulders, 
 then my arms were stretched out as far as possible 
 and my hands tied hard and fast. My hands and 
 feet were bound so tight that the circulation of the 
 blood was stopped. Then I was laid flat on my face 
 until I became almost unconscious. Doctor Sunday 
 of the Twenty-third Kansas was called in and he at- 
 tended me until I was all right. Some good soldier 
 reported my case to Major Denison of the Eighth, 
 and he came immediately and ordered my re- 
 lease from that condition. I was treated that 
 way by Southern white volunteer officers, such as 
 Lieutenant Tobin of the Ninth Louisiana Regiment, 
 and others. They punished me that way because 
 I would not tell a lie to one of those white officers 
 on one of my comrades ; so I almost suffered 
 death for telling the truth. On the 22d of December, 
 1898, I was carried to the Santiago Barracks to serve 
 a term of two years at hard labor. I was treated very 
 nice' while I was with the Fifth United States regu- 
 lars (infantry), but on the 2ist of February fifteen of 
 us were transferred from the barracks to Morro Castle 
 to work for two companies, E and I, which left the 
 barracks to guard that God-forsaken place. My cell 
 was down the steps from Hobson's and when visitors 
 would come around I could see relics of the Hobson 
 cell. Moro Castle is a dungeon from top to bottom 
 almost. While there our work was not so hard, but we 
 were so confined in that dark place. We had to work 
 from seven to ten in the morning and from three to 
 five in the afternoon. Those two companies were or- 
 dered back to the barracks and F company took their
 
 268 "THE EIGHTH 1LLIXOIS." 
 
 place at the castle. When F company arrived I caught 
 it lucky. I had only a little work to do each day. 
 I had the care of the commissioned officers' horses 
 and it only required an hour and a half to two hours 
 each day to do that. Between working hours I would 
 wash for the soldiers to get money to buy my paper, 
 envelopes, stamps, tobacco and cigars with. I had 
 a good sentry over me. He would let me buy what I 
 wanted by sending a Cuban who was watchman at 
 the lighthouse. There were white and colored pris- 
 oners all mixed together in the castle. Some times 
 they would get intoxicated and a small race war would 
 ensue and it would be so dark in there that the 
 guards would be afraid to come in to separate us. 
 There are many kinds of reptiles in that castle. We 
 have killed lizards that measured three feet eight 
 and a half inches in length. Such as these would 
 creep around our bunks at night hunting for food, 
 and those big mountain bats would come in through 
 the bars in the windows, and there they would play 
 and fight. If we put out our lights they would get 
 up on our bunks. I was always afraid of those things 
 and you may know how I felt. Some nights Ihave 
 sat up in my bunk for hours at a time watching those 
 curious strange creatures, and yet we had to sleep 
 in that place. 
 
 Saturday morning, March n, 1899, I will forever 
 remember. That was the day that my regiment, the 
 Eighth Illinois, sailed for home. I stood on the top 
 of the castle with my hat in one hand and a hand- 
 kerchief in the other: I was waving to my com- 
 rades a long farewell. I could not restrain a tear.
 
 /A" ./ 1 : ORIL1G\' PRISON. 269 
 
 O, how I wished that I was on that good ship as she 
 glided slowly by the castle. I could hear faint and 
 yet familiar voices far below me crying, "Good-by, 
 Will ; good-by, Hill." The scene was pathetic. It 
 was very heartrending, but with my voice choked by 
 sobs and my eyes bedimmed with tears I stood there 
 and watched the Sedgwick pass beyond my gaze 
 over the trackless waters of the deep blue Caribbean 
 Sea. 
 
 Returning to my fate and my condition I resolved 
 to myself that I would behave myself, for Captain 
 Theodore Van Pelt of Company A and Major Deni- 
 son of the Eighth were gone and I had no one to make 
 intercessions for me. So by my good conduct and 
 behavior I only served five months and twenty-seven 
 days of those two years. But I can say that the de- 
 mons and dungeons of h 1 are in Morro Castle. 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 WILLIAM J. HILL, 
 
 Ex-Sergeant of the late Eighth Illinois U. S. V. 
 Regiment Infantry. 
 
 Chicago, 111. 
 
 The following poem was written by one of the 
 Eighth Illinois Regiment while a prisoner in the guard- 
 house and is well worthy of reproduction here : 
 
 LOVE NEVER DIES. 
 
 A Prisoner's Poem. 
 Love never dies though fond years fade 
 
 Like roses petal wise ; 
 Sweet spirits and immortal maid ; 
 
 Love never dies.
 
 ro "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 For thoughts like daisies ope their eyes, 
 
 In memory's verdant glades, 
 And dreams grow bright as butterflies ; 
 
 Love never dies. 
 
 And when light shines beyond time's shade 
 Love as from sleep doth rise; 
 
 One bosom death can ne'er invade ; 
 Love never dies. 
 
 PEYTON W. RANDOLPH, 
 Ex-Sergeant Co. F, Eighth 111. Vol. Reg. 
 Palma Soriano de Cuba. 
 
 A Prisoner's Poem to his Comrades.
 
 CPIAPTER XII. 
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND THE PASSING OF THE 
 EIGHTH. 
 
 It was Christmas Day in the Antilles. The soldiers 
 of the Eighth Illinois had sperit five long and lonely 
 months of laborious garrison duty, of want, hunger 
 and deprivation upon the far away isle of Cuba. 
 Fighting the cruel Don was a thing of no expectation. 
 The island had been rid of the report of the Mauser 
 rifle, which had so often sent a thrill of horror to the 
 heart of poor, struggling Cubans ; freedom to the 
 island and its inhabitants was now an assured fact. 
 Each morning and evening had brought the same 
 bugle calls for reveille and retreat. Day after day 
 the soldiers had willingly and obediently performed 
 their regular detail duty from 9 to 1 1 a. m. and from 
 i to 3:30 p. m. And now there had come a day 
 when their loved ones kindred and relatives were 
 merry-making in the homes of their nativity, while 
 the soldier of the Eighth enjoyed Christmas in the 
 usual routine of army life. Many of us boys at Palma 
 went swimming in the hot waters of the Canto River. 
 The thermometer registered 91 degrees at i p. m. 
 that day. We kept our hats on while in the water 
 to protect our heads from the sun's burning rays. 
 December days are the hottest of the year in Cuba, 
 
 271
 
 272 -THE EIGHTH ILL1XOIS" 
 
 though the nights are cool to chilliness. While the 
 days were hot and parching we would read in the 
 papers that were a fortnight old, though fresh to us, 
 that it was 21 degrees below zero in the States. 
 
 Time and again our post couriers, Wana Gash, John 
 Hyde or Tom Wilson, would bring consolation to 
 the soldier boys' hearts when they would ride into 
 the camp and say, "Boys, we're going home next 
 month. It's in the paper." Then he'd be surrounded 
 by scores of men eager to get one word of news or 
 tidings from Washington or Chicago or the state of 
 Illinois. But just as often were these expectant hearts 
 disappointed. One day, the grandest of days in Cuba, 
 news came that the Eighth Illinois was ordered to be in 
 the States by March 2oth. This was too good to be 
 true, but while their hearts were elated a message came 
 from Washington which read: "The Chester (later 
 the transport Sedgwick) will arrive at Santiago not 
 later than the I5th of March to take the Eighth home." 
 Then the news reached camp that the Eighth was going 
 to be sent to the Phlippines. That took very well, for 
 the boys thought they might yet have an opportunity 
 to brave death and obtain fame in facing the deadly 
 Mauser bullet and share honors with the brave heroes 
 of the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Infantry and 
 the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, the colored sons of 
 America, who, in spite of bullets and death, fought 
 their way to honor and victory and to the summit of 
 San Juan Hill, thereby preserving the life of Colonel 
 Roosevelt and his surviving Rough Riders. Long 
 may the deeds of the dark-skinned soldier be remem- 
 bered in the annals of our historv.
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 273 
 
 February I3th still found Companies E and F at 
 Palma. For two weeks military restrictions were les- 
 sened. For a fortnight the soldiers were collecting- 
 relics to bring home to kin and friends. They were 
 marking boxes and packing them tight. "We are 
 going to America in two weeks amigo," was heard 
 each day. Cuban men, women and niiios were seen 
 going hither and thither with washings, bundles and 
 presents for the soldier boys who were going to "Va- 
 moose to America," and cigars by bunches and hand- 
 worked handkerchiefs were presented to the soldiers. 
 Captain Roots, post commander, Captain Akers of F 
 Company, First Lieutenant Williams and Second Lieu- 
 tenant Rauls of E Company were all down at San 
 Luis. First Lieutenant Hill and Second Lieutenant 
 McDonald of Company F were the only two commis- 
 sioned officers left in Palma. These circumstances 
 left Lieutenant Hill of F Company in charge of the 
 post, while Lieutenant McDonald of F Company was 
 in charge of Company E. "We are going home this 
 time for sure," many said. About ten o'clock that 
 night the boys were in the garrison, some asleep. 
 Call to quarters had sounded and the officer of quar- 
 ters was going his round checking off those who were 
 in. Presently the door was opened. Lieutenant Hill 
 stepped in and commanded "Attention ! men." In an 
 instant all was quiet. He read an order from head- 
 quarters which said : Companies E and F will report 
 back to their regimental quarters for duty at San Luis 
 as soon as relieved." Then the lieutenant told the men 
 that that night was probably their last night in Palma, 
 and if they promised to behave themselves they could 
 18
 
 274 -TUIL I-IC.IITH lUAXOIS." 
 
 have the freedom of the town, but to report at reveille 
 in the morning. In Palma, as well as in other small 
 towns in Santiago Province, the people go to bed 
 early. Nevertheless, out into the dark and lonely 
 streets the excited soldiers dispersed, yelling catcalls, 
 blowing bugles, singing songs of home and loved 
 ones. The people in Palma in every quarter were 
 aroused, bedlam reigned and all was joy and excite- 
 ment. About a month previous to this the soldiers 
 had gone as much as three miles from quarters and 
 cut down tall bamboo canes and lugged them to camp 
 so that the artificers could make them into bunks. In 
 the garrison a row of these bamboo bunks was con- 
 structed on either side of the long, low buildings, 
 thus leaving an aisle in the center. When news came 
 that we were to be in heavy marching order by noon 
 the next day the boys began to knock down these 
 bunks v regardless of who were sleeping in them. They 
 were piled up and set fire to, the boys sitting around, 
 having a good time and anxiously waiting for day- 
 break. Companies E and F's men were passing and 
 repassing from one's quarters to the other, only to 
 be chased out, or, if caught, to be paddled, but it was 
 taken good-naturedly, no one getting angry. Cubans 
 being attracted to the scene would peep at the doors 
 and say, "Soldow vamus tu el Americano pueblo y 
 nosotrous a mucho sciento/' or, ''The soldiers are go- 
 ing to their American homes, and we are very sorry." 
 On the morning of the I4th of February (St. Valen- 
 tine's Day in America) the sound of our last reveille 
 in Palma was sounded, its echo resounding back from 
 the hills that surrounded the town. The tropical sun
 
 HOMEWARD HOUXD. 275 
 
 refused to send forth her refulgent beams upon the 
 
 parting scenes of the sons of Illinois. 
 
 "All day, the low hung clouds had dropped their 
 
 garnered fullness down 
 
 All day, that gray mist hath wrapped hill, valley, grove 
 and town." 
 
 It was dreary, sad and quiet, yet joyous for the 
 boys, for they were filled with the expectation of see- 
 ing home again. Mess was served at six. There 
 were no special details, only guard duty being per- 
 formed that day. All the morning the men were 
 scattered out in the town, buying things and saying 
 good-by to friends, and wherever you went it was, 
 "Adios, senorita; adios novia ; adios, mi amigo." 
 The men were constantly watching down the road 
 that leads to Concepcion and San Luis for the sol- 
 diers who were to come and relieve them. 
 
 About one o'clock a soldier on horseback appeared 
 over the hill, then another on foot, and still others 
 until the road was black with colored American sol- 
 diers. This body of men proved to be Company G 
 of the Xinth immunes (Louisiana) coming to relieve 
 Companies E and F. One vigilant soldier espied 
 them. "Yonder they come !" he cried. Other men's 
 eyes peering down the road verified the fact that the 
 coming of the relief was a certainty. 
 
 Sounds of song and yells rent the air, the buglers 
 were blowing assembly call and the soldiers were hur- 
 rying to their quarters, followed by the Cubans, many 
 of whom were crying. 
 
 "Fall in, Company E," came the sonorous com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Hill. "Fall in, Company F,"
 
 276 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 commanded Lieutenant McDonald. In front of our 
 alignment was a crowd of sorrowful Cubans, as far as 
 one could see, lined along the street, to see us march 
 away. 
 
 Onward and nearer came the relief in blue, until the 
 command, ''Company halt! Rest!" was given by their 
 captain, and Company G of the Ninth Louisiana was 
 in Palma. 
 
 "Company, attention ! Right dress ; front ; count 
 fours ; right shoulder arms ; fours right ; column right ; 
 march !" Similar commands were repeated to Com- 
 pany F by Lieutenant McDonald, and the boys of 
 E and F companies were on their twenty-mile march 
 to San Luis. 
 
 Leaving Palma at 4:15 o'clock p. m., half past eight 
 o'clock finds us in San Luis, eighteen miles distant ; 
 then two and a half miles farther and we were back 
 in camp once more with our regiment. 
 
 Lieutenant Hill had a quantity of bread cooked and 
 each man was given a loaf of bread before we started. 
 This was our supper on the way, which we ate while 
 marching. 
 
 On arriving at the camp many of the soldiers were 
 very sick and were vomiting from marching so hard 
 on an empty stomach ; but the boys of the other com- 
 panies made it as pleasant as possible for us. Many 
 of the men who could not get under the shelter of the 
 church were provided for in other companies. 
 
 The next day we were stiff and sore, but our colonel 
 exempted us from duty for two days. 
 
 All the next day members of other companies 
 visited our company street to see the country boys
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND, 277 
 
 who had spent five long months up in the mountains 
 and had just returned. Many of us were greeted 
 with, "Gee whiz! fellow; have you been sick? You 
 look so bad. How you have fallen off." The answer 
 invariably would be, "Ah, my comrade, if you had 
 had to work like we did you would be poor and 
 scrawny, too." 
 
 The regiment being reunited, and meeting comrades 
 and keeping step to the martial music while the band 
 played "The Star Spangled Banner," made us forget 
 our garrison home at Palma. 
 
 The first Sunday in San Luis, we went to morn- 
 ing services, the first opportunity of the kind for five 
 months. That afternoon quite a few girls from Palma 
 came out to the camp to see us once more before we 
 left the island. They had left Palma, late Saturday 
 night in order to reach San Luis, Sunday, in the fore- 
 noon. They walked the entire distance and left Sun- 
 day night to walk the eighteen miles over again. 
 
 The Twenty-third Kansas broke camp on the 28th 
 of February. The two regiments had been camping 
 within five hundred yards of each other for several 
 months and a growing tendency of soldier friendship 
 had been engendered, and when the Eighth saw the 
 Twenty-third marching away from the scenes of war 
 a shadow of gloom overcast the entire camp. 
 
 The 1st of March came and went and the Eighth 
 was still at Camp Marshall. On the morning of the 
 6th of March the camp of the Eighth was a spectacle 
 of industry. Everywhere one could see the soldiers 
 doing policing in company street, at headquarters, 
 around their tents and in cook tents and hospital. It
 
 278 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 was a day of general inspection. About five o'clock 
 General Breckenridge, the United States Inspector 
 General, accompanied by Brigadier General E. P. Ewers 
 and Captain R. S. Woodson, the army medical director, 
 rode into camp. Immediately drill and dress parade 
 were ordered, each soldier carrying a clean gun and 
 their uniforms in excellent condition. The colonel, 
 with his staff, assisted by field and line officers, drilled 
 the Eighth. They drilled with more precision than 
 they ever did before. Their proud hearts were ani- 
 mated with pomp and glory, while the band played 
 "America" and the "The Star Spangled Banner." 
 The men were marching with heads erect, eyes straight 
 to the front, a colored colonel and two white generals 
 of the -United States volunteer army were the review- 
 ing officers. The men were to port arms, the gener- 
 als and colonel tipped their headgear in salute while 
 the Eighth Illinois was passing in review. After the 
 several captains had dismissed the men -in their re- 
 spective streets, the generals, with Colonel Marshall 
 and Major Jackson, inspected each tent in the com- 
 pany streets, while the soldiers stood each in front 
 of his tent uncovered and at attention. When the in- 
 spection was completed the Inspector General said 
 to our colonel, "It is a shame to muster out of service 
 such a regiment. * * * It is as fine a volunteer 
 regiment as was ever musered into the service." 
 
 About the 8th of March our colonel received a tele- 
 gram from headquarters at Santiago : "The Chester is 
 in ;" and later, "Have your command ready to move 
 on forty-eight hours' notice." This information and 
 glad tidings settled the problem. Drills were no more.
 
 HOMEWARD BOl'Xl). 279 
 
 Camp Marshall was 'a bedlam. Joy and hilarity 
 reigned supreme. Each company cook was prepar- 
 ing biscuits, coffee, canned goods, etc., for five days' 
 rations to take on our second long ocean voyage. 
 We were to land at Newport News, Ya., a distance 
 of 1,400 miles by sea. Then we would be on Ameri- 
 can soil once more. The regimental quartermaster was 
 as busy as he could be making preparation for trans- 
 portation. The next day at four o'clock we broke 
 camp by order of Colonel Marshall. Every man 
 was allowed from i o'clock to 6 p. m. to go to town 
 and buy whatever he wanted. The boys had all of 
 their boxes numbered, packed and locked or nailed 
 tightly. Most of them slept all night in their clothes, 
 while some of them did not sleep at all, but lay awake 
 all night talking in an undertone of the prospects of 
 being at home once more. At intervals through the 
 night the officer of the day or the sergeant of the 
 guard would patrol the company streets, peeping into 
 the various tents, and would say : "Stop that noise in 
 there. Don't you know it is after taps?" 
 
 At half-past three Friday morning, March loth, the 
 bugle call at headquarters broke the stillness of the 
 night with the sounds of an early reveille. This fa- 
 miliar call was adapted into the following words by 
 the soldier: "We can't get 'em up, we can't get 'em 
 up, we can't get 'em up this morning ; we can't get 
 'em up, we can't get 'em up, we can't get 'em up to- 
 day ; we'll give 'em hardtacks and coffee, we'll give 
 'em hard tacks and coffee, we'll give 'em hardtacks 
 and coffee, for we can't get 'em up to-day." 
 
 Ere the sound of the bugle died away upon the
 
 280 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 early morning air a tumultuous yell arose from the 
 throats of a thousand soldiers ; bonfires made from the 
 soldiers' beds were ablaze in every company street ; 
 captains, lieutenants, sergeants and corporals were hur- 
 rying, scurrying in every direction, calling out : "Tear 
 down those tents, men." "Fold up those tents, boys." 
 Across a ravine an islolated casa in which Corporal 
 Thomas and his wife had made so many pies to sa- 
 tiate the soldier's appetite for pastry, was now a vic- 
 tim to an early morning blaze and the boys were 'stand- 
 ing around cheering and yelling. The path that led 
 to the spring a half a mile away was animated with 
 men going to fill up their canteens for the last time 
 in Cuba. They carried all the spring water they could. 
 They had experienced what it was to drink that con- 
 densed salty ocean water, which was so hot at times 
 they could hardly swallow it. But the water on the 
 Sedgewick was somewhat colder than that we had to 
 drink on the Yale. 
 
 At six o'clock mess call was sounded. By nine 
 o'clock what was yesterday the white-tented village of 
 Camp Marshall, to-day was a wasted plain, a desolate 
 scene. The devastated plain was thronged with Cu- 
 bans with their arms and laps full of the soldiers' cast- 
 offs. Two large government wagons were loaded to 
 their utmost and were on the road to the depot at 
 San Luis. 
 
 At 10:30 the First Battalion was marching away, 
 with tin cups, army plates and canteens clattering, bay- 
 onets glistening in the sun, and headed by the Eighth 
 Illinois regimental band, which was playing "Marching 
 Through Georgia." Who can imagine the pangs of
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 281 
 
 joy that thrilled the hearts of those brave men when 
 they had at least realized that they were homeward 
 bound. 
 
 Marching into San Luis, playing "Honey, let me 
 bring my clothes back home," they found an engine, 
 one passenger coach, one box car and three sugar 
 cane cars ready to carry them to Santiago. The train 
 landed her burden in Santiago, and returning majde 
 a second haul, then the third and Camp Marshall was 
 a thing of the past. 
 
 As fast as we arrived in Santiago we were marched 
 direct to the wharf, where the government tug Adonis 
 transferred us to the United States transport Sedge- 
 wick, which laid anchored out in the bay. It took 
 all day to move and embark the Eighth, while it was 
 in the early hours of the next day before all of the 
 arms, equipments and baggage were loaded. There 
 were twelve hundred boxes, trunks and packages to 
 get aboard. There was a heavy fog that hung low 
 over the bay and a misty rain. 
 "We saw the lights of the city gleam through the mist 
 
 and rain 
 And a feeling seemed to come o'er us which our hearts 
 
 could not restrain." 
 
 At seven o'clock Saturday morning, March nth, 
 the captain of the Sedgewick blew a long blast from 
 her coarse whistle, then we heard the tooting of the 
 little signal whistle, there were vibrations in the black 
 hull of the Sedgewick, and the ripples on the water 
 told us we were gliding down the bay, and the boys 
 of the Eighth were homeward bound. 
 The next day about i p. m. Major Jackson and wife
 
 282 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 were bereaved upon the loss of their little baby daugh- 
 ter. The' climate was too trying upon this infant girl 
 and the second ocean voyage proved fatal to her. The 
 major had her put in ice and brought to Newport 
 News, where the major and party went ashore and 
 buried her. 
 
 Not including this demise, our trip homeward was 
 uneventful until we were rounding Gape Hatteras. 
 It was our third night out when the large mountain- 
 ous billows began to surge against the prow of our 
 boat, but the faithful Sedgewick, which was much 
 smaller than the Yale, braved the dashing waves and 
 all night long she was raised and tossed upon the 
 angry bosom of the mad Atlantic. The dawn of the 
 fourth day found matters no better, but on the con- 
 trary our ship was dashed and tossed until s'he was 
 completely out of her course by several miles. A 
 violent storm at sea was ahead. To turn an-d run 
 before the gale meant nothing but ill-spent time, so 
 forward and onward our gallant boat bounded until 
 we were in the midst of a fierce windstorm. There 
 were two hundred or more of the soldiers seasick, 
 heaving and groaning, hanging onto the side railing 
 of the vessel, while mountainous billows were com- 
 ing in every direction. The Sedgewick would be raised 
 some forty feet or more in the air, then the receding 
 wave would leave her in a trough, large sprays of 
 water would come upon deck three and four feet deep 
 and soak everyone in reach. 
 
 After reaching Old Point Comfort many of us had 
 to go upon the upper deck of the ship and bring 
 down our overcoats to be distributed. It was rain-
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 283 
 
 ing very hard, but we paid no attention to that, 
 we were already chilled, as we had come all the way 
 from Cuba on the chilly waters without overcoats. 
 
 The writer deems it worthy of note to mention the Cu- 
 ban wives which the soldiers brought over with them. 
 They were given quarters in the after cabin of the 
 boat. They had never been this far from their native 
 shores before and thought this a very large world, 
 "mucho grande," as they termed it. "Mucho agua," 
 they would say. But when the storm was at its fierc- 
 est they became dreadfully seasick and laid hopelessly 
 groaning upon the cabin floor, unable to sit up, stand 
 or walk, and thought the big ship unmercifully kind 
 to them, while yet she kept constantly plunging, roll- 
 ing and rocking throughout the long dreary day. But 
 as to the three little Cuban boys and the one Cuban 
 girl, they braved the situation astonishingly well. We 
 arrived at Newport News on the morning of the i6th 
 of March and lay in quarantine only two hours, when 
 the yellow quarantine flag was lowered and the quar- 
 antine raised, the medical officers from the black med- 
 ical ship having declared a clean bill of health to the 
 Eighth Illinois. 
 
 We anchored in the bay all day and -night while 
 the lighters and tugs transferred our baggage and 
 equipments from the ship to the depot on shore. De- 
 tails of men were sent over to guard them and to load 
 them in the cars. 
 
 At nine o'clock the Eighth began to disembark 
 onto a large lighter. When all was complete the 
 captain of the Sedgewick blew three long blasts of 
 her big whistle. The sailors standing on deck with
 
 284 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 heads uncovered waved their handkerchiefs and hands 
 and bade the boys of the Eighth good-by. The men 
 gave three cheers to the sailors, and their captain, and 
 officers, as the Eighth was gliding toward land, while 
 the band played "There'll Be a Mot Time in the Old 
 Town To-night." 
 
 Upon the shore on housetops and in windows men, 
 women and children were waving, cheering and yell- 
 ing, all welcoming the colored regiment back home. 
 We were landed, and no time being lost were in our 
 coaches, and through avenues of patriotic, liberty-lov- 
 ing men, women and children cheering at the tops 
 of their voices, the Eighth Illinois was rapidly speed- 
 ing onward toward Chicago and home ; passing 
 through old Virginia's tunnels, curving around the 
 mountain slopes of the Blue Ridge the Eighth Illinois 
 was homeward bound. 
 
 We left Newport Xews about ten o'clock, March 
 1 7th (St. Patrick's Day) over the Chesapeake & Ohio 
 Railroad and arrived at Richmond, Ya., at five o'clock. 
 We staid in Richmond about half an hour. It was 
 the native home of some of the boys and quite a few 
 interesting scenes occurred. I was leaning out of a 
 window of the coach when an old gray-haired white 
 man, whose face was tanned and wrinkled, came along- 
 side the track, and looking at me said, "Say, boss, 
 what boys are these?" I told him we were the Eighth 
 Illinois Volunteer Regiment ; that we were just from 
 Cuba and were on our way back to Illinois to be 
 mustered out. He added, "You fellows must'er had 
 a pretty tough time of it down thar, didn't yer?" I 
 told him that we had had quite an experience while
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 285 
 
 in Cuba. "Say, boss, have yer got any of them bul- 
 lets and hardtacks that you had down thar?" I gave 
 him a cartridge and two hardtacks, and after thank- 
 ing me for them he said, "Gee whiz ! Them thar bul- 
 lets would kill a man a mile off. I haven't seen a 
 hardtack before since the War of the Rebellion." 
 
 Just then our car was pulling out. Looking back 
 the venerable old farmer stood there waving his hand 
 and saying, "Good-bye, boys; good-bye, boys. May 
 God bless you." 
 
 Darkness soon overshadowed us, but onward we 
 sped, plunging into black tunnels, out again 
 through lonely dales, and rounding the mountain 
 side, and by the tranquil stream of the James, our en- 
 gine carrying us rapidly on while her headlight pierced 
 the darkness, night shades falling fast. 
 
 At ten o'clock we arrived at Clifton Ford, Va. Here 
 Dr. A. M. Curtis, who had come all the way from 
 Washington, D. C., to meet his friends of the Eighth 
 Illinois ; also his cousin, Dr. J. W. Curtis, assistant 
 surgeon of the Eighth, joined the regiment. 
 
 At twelve o'clock the next day we were running 
 by the yellow waters of the Appomattox River, by 
 the side of which nestled the city of Charleston, with 
 her magnificent environments. Virginia, West Vir- 
 ginia and Kentucky were traversed with much speed 
 amid cheering and enthusiasm all the way, arriving 
 at Cincinnati, Ohio, at 9 p. m. Onward we came 
 until Kankakee, 111., was reached. Here our breasts 
 leaped with joy, so many old familiar faces came to 
 view. Here we were met by representatives of the 
 reception committee, composed of one hundred per-
 
 2Sti "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS'' 
 
 sons, of which County Commissioner Edward H. 
 Wright was chairman. When the first section steamed 
 into Kankakee the committee of welcome boarded the 
 officers' car, and after a merry handshaking and 
 shoulder slapping, Colonel Francis A. Riddle, in be- 
 half of Governor Tanner, welcomed us home in the 
 following words : 
 
 COLONEL FRANCIS A. RIDDLE'S WELCOME AD- 
 DRESS. 
 
 Colonel Marshall, officers and men of the Eighth Illi- 
 nois Infantry : 
 
 By direction of its Governor and in behalf of its peo- 
 ple, I extend to you a most hearty welcome on your 
 return to the imperial state of Illinois. Ever since 
 she became one of the brightest constellations of states 
 which constitute the greatest republic of all time, the 
 soldiers of Illinois have been foremost in the achieve- 
 ments of heroic deeds upon every battlefield of the 
 continent. Her sons have been gallant in the days of 
 conflict, and her people have a full appreciation of 
 the value of their splendid services. I welcome you 
 to the dwelling place of heroes, to the patriotic soil 
 which was the home of Lincoln, of Grant, of Logan, 
 and of a countless host of patriots whose names are 
 now, and will in all the years to come, be as household 
 words. Illinois cherishes with tender solicitude and 
 with just pride all those whose noble sacrifices and un- 
 flinching fidelity to public trusts have honored her 
 name and added luster to the character and dignity of 
 her people. The return of the Eighth Illinois In- 
 fantry is an event which will impress itself upon all
 
 IIOCXH. 287 
 
 men, and will become a milestone in the progress of 
 civilization. 
 
 It fell to your good fortune, Colonel Marshall, to be 
 the first man of your race to bear the commission of 
 colonel and to become the efficient commander of a 
 regiment of soldiers in the Army of the United States. 
 It was a proud distinction, was most worthily be- 
 stowed, and the fullest measure of praise is due to you 
 and your command for having discharged every duty 
 assigned you while in the service of your country with 
 signal success and honor. 
 
 Illinois is justly proud of your patriotic services and 
 of the enviable record and soldierly conduct of your 
 splendid regiment. The unselfish fidelity with which 
 you and your command have exemplified the conspicu- 
 ous virtues of the true soldier, and discharged every 
 duty incident to the high purpose for which you en- 
 listed under the banner of the Republic, will form a 
 bright page in the history of our country, and the faith- 
 ful services you have rendered as volunteer soldiers of 
 the Union will live in immortal story. 
 
 The muster of your command into the volunteer 
 army of the United States was an event which will be 
 a monument to the far sighted wisdom, high sense of 
 justice and manly courage of John R. Tanner. It is 
 to him as the Governor of Illinois that you owe the 
 high privilege you have enjoyed of demonstrating to 
 the world the capacity and fitness of the Xegro race to 
 command, and to carry the glorious banner of our coun- 
 try with loyalty and with honor. The genius of 
 American institutions gleams through the untarnished 
 record which you and your command "have made. The
 
 288 ''THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 lessons of this hour are impressive. A flood of mem- 
 ories come to us all as we behold you wearing, in 
 honor, the proud uniform of an American soldier. 
 
 It is but little more than a generation since the race 
 to which you belong were slaves to cruel masters, and 
 the shameful outrage under which your fathers groaned 
 was a blot upon the fair name of Liberty. The mon- 
 ster of Civil War hid in its shadow, and it required 
 the best blood of earth to wash away the curse and 
 purchase the freedom which you now enjoy. We 
 must not forget then the sacrifice made from the day 
 when John Brown met a felon's fate at Harper's 
 Ferry because of his love of liberty, and that hour 
 when the priceless blood of Abraham Lincoln was 
 poured out as the price of his devotion to the self- 
 evident truth that all men should be free. Every step 
 of your advancement, whether it be in its progress to- 
 wards a higher standard of civilization, or in its fidel- 
 ity to civic virtue and moral worth, must be measured 
 by that costly libation. But you have returned to us 
 with well earned honors, and who shall say then that 
 the freedom of the slave was not worth its cost? 
 
 It has been a glorious privilege to live in the Nine- 
 teenth century and to look back from its crowning year 
 to the magnificent progress of civilization during that 
 period. Events crowd upon the vision. The most 
 alert and clearest sighted mind can scarcely comprehend 
 the unequaled triumphs of less than one year. On 
 that day of July in 1898, when the last ship of the 
 Spanish fleet sunk under the well directed missiles of 
 the American navy beneath the blue waves of the 
 Carribean sea, a new power rose in resplendent glory
 
 HOMEWARD BOUND. 2S1) 
 
 to the very zenith in the galaxy of nations. The world 
 looked on amazed. An unknown hero, fully equipped 
 and irresistible, stood fearless in the plain of Mars. 
 Born in a new world, educated in her common schools, 
 and fearing nothing but himself and a woman's frown, 
 this stranger to the nations spoke to the world around 
 new lessons in valor, and demonstrated that liberty was 
 no longer the dream of philanthropists, but must be- 
 come the unfettered handmaid of every human soul. 
 
 You are therefore again welcomed, because the peo- 
 ple of your proud state will never forget the conditions 
 under which you went cheerfully into the ranks of 
 war. Your white comrades were falling in the pres- 
 ence of an enemy more dreaded than the battle front. 
 Disease stalked with fatal impetus amidst their thin- 
 ning ranks. It was a time of dread. Fear was in the 
 way, and the mourners went about the streets. 
 
 To the relief of their white comrades the men of the 
 gallant Eighth went with a song and a shout. The 
 starry banner of the nation now no longer the em- 
 blem of slavery, but the bow of promise to the free- 
 man's hope was given into their keeping. They took 
 it up with a chivalry born of the most exalted patriot- 
 ism and bore it in honor wherever duty called. No flag 
 was ever borne aloft as the standard of a holier mis- 
 sion. You bring it home to us without a stain, and 
 you deserve the plaudit, "Well done, good and faithful 
 servants" from all our people. Welcome, then, to you 
 from the people who put their trust reverently into 
 your hands, and who have watched your career, not 
 without anxiety, but who have marked your progress 
 and devotion as soldiers with ever increasing pride. 
 19
 
 290 
 
 "THE EIGHTH ILLIXOIS." 
 
 Welcome in the name of fraternity, charity and loyalty, 
 and welcome to the hearts of your countrymen, be- 
 cause of their faith that you will ever march loyally be- 
 neath the flag and keep step to the music of the 
 Union.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 WELCOME HOME. 
 
 There are but few enterprises and adventures in a 
 man's life that if not crowned by a woman's counsel 
 and zeal and propelled or accelerated by her undying 
 efforts and energies are a perfect success. Woman, 
 through the ordination of God, is a part of man, conse- 
 quently there is not much success in man without her 
 affiliation. Being cognizant of the fact the women 
 friends of the Eighth in Chicago never ceased to work 
 and labor for the comforts and necessities of "their" 
 regiment, irrespective of race or color. Mrs. Ida 
 Green, a white lady, member of the Illinois Board of 
 Education, inaugurated a series of private entertain- 
 ments which were given every week at different 
 friends' residences, the proceeds of which were used in 
 buying luxuries for the colored sons of Illinois in far 
 away Cuba. In the meantime the wives, mothers, sis- 
 ters and daughters of the soldiers of the Eighth had 
 formed themselves into a club known as the Woman's 
 Auxiliary of the Eighth Illinois. After giving enter- 
 tainments and' working earnestly for that purpose they 
 succeeded in raising money (over $600) to send their 
 representative, Dr. William Taylor, the colored drug- 
 gist, to Cuba, with nourishments and luxuries for their 
 sick and dying soldiers. The kindness and thought- 
 
 291
 
 292 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 fulness of the ladies will never be forgotten by the 
 soldiers of the Eighth Illinois. 
 
 We left the Eighth Illinois at Kankakee. At i p. m., 
 Saturday, March the i8th, 1899. They stepped from 
 the train at the Illinois Central depot in Chicago amid 
 cheers of enthusiasm, tears of joy, and handshaking. 
 They were lined up in Michigan avenue and headed 
 for the Second Illinois Cavalry armory in West Wash- 
 ington boulevard, which was tendered to the committee 
 for a reception for the Eighth. Here the Woman's 
 Auxiliary came in with their share of the welcome. 
 There were several long and grandly decorated tables 
 prepared for the fatigued and hungry soldiers, and 
 such viands and good coffee they had not tasted for 
 eight long months. The several churches had tables 
 furnished, viz. : The Quinn Chapel, . African Meth- 
 odist Episcopal ; The Bethel, African Methodist Episco- 
 pal ; the Olivet, Baptist ; the Bethseda and the Shiloh, 
 Baptist. After satisfying our hungry appetites and lis- 
 tening to addresses of welcome by Mayor Carter H. 
 Harrison and Lieutenant-Governor Xorthcott of Illi- 
 nois, and Mrs. Green of the Board of Education, 
 there was an hour of greetings, handshaking, and the 
 Eighth Illlinois was welcomed home. Then we were 
 marched back to the South Side, then to Tattersall's 
 where the Governor had prepared quarters previous to 
 our being mustered out. On arriving at Tattersall's 
 the colonel gave all of those who had homes in the 
 city the privilege to sleep at home once more, and the 
 opportunity was grasped and utilized by more than 
 six hundred soldiers. For the benefit of the soldiers 
 of the Eighth the author has had the following poem
 
 WELCOME HOME. 293 
 
 dedicated to the regiment, prepared especially for them 
 in title, "Welcome Home," by Miss Lunette Bassett 
 Brady, of Chicago : 
 
 Prepared especially for the "Eighth Illinois," by Miss 
 Lunette Bassett Brady, of Chicago, 111. 
 
 Welcome home, ye gallant and brave boys of the 
 
 Eighth ; 
 
 Thou hast been faithful though orders to the battle- 
 field came late ; 
 
 But never too late to gain honor and praise, 
 Never too late the American banner to raise, 
 Showing forth its colors all radiant and pure, 
 Giving three cheers for the red, white and blue, 
 Marching forth with quickstep to the bugle call, 
 On and on to Cuba to see the wicked Spaniard fall ; 
 Falling beneath our stars and stripes 
 Surrendering their weapons with arrogant strife. 
 Brave boys of the Eighth were awaiting their time 
 To be ordered forth to the front in well trained lines ; 
 Sad hearts of many bade them farewell ; 
 No more to see them they could tell. 
 Down to yon damp and molten clime, 
 Crossing the dark, deep and dreary brine, 
 Perhaps never to return from their weird task 
 Of freeing their brother from the enemy's grasp. 
 I stood and watched their steady pace 
 And said within me, Ah ! noble race ; 
 Down to Cuba with fearless pride and woe, 
 Shrinking not back from the cannon's great roar. 
 There were many who watched them with tear-dimmed 
 eves ;
 
 294 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 There were sobs of sadness 'neath the azure sky, 
 
 And yet they were happy amid all these sighs ; 
 
 On to victory was their one desire. 
 
 Eight months they lay in yon scorching lands, 
 
 Ready and waiting to obey the general's command. 
 
 When orders came for them to return home 
 
 They felt that God had them mercy shown; 
 
 Spared them to relieve the careworn first, 
 
 Spared them to return to their native earth ; 
 
 Their hearts were overwhelming with joy and praise 
 
 When hearing their friends declaring them courageous 
 
 braves. 
 
 Welcome home, ye dear boys in blue, 
 To God and your country you have been true. 
 There were few left beneath yon Cuban soil ; 
 They lie there as a memento of their earnest toil. 
 We welcome you home, proud Eighth, again ; 
 Though great in number, few suffered pain ; 
 God guided them safely by the night, 
 And saved them from the thickest of fight ; 
 Although should they have had to fight 
 They would have marched forth with drum and fife, 
 Shouldered arms and forward marched to the foe, 
 Defying the enemy and laying them low. 
 They had a good leader whose faith was above, 
 Trusting the Savior to guide them by love, 
 Love for their country and humanity's right, 
 Conquering old satan and putting the enemy to flight. 
 Then why not welcome such boys as those of the 
 
 Eighth home, 
 
 Bidding them come from the lands of the doomed, 
 Discharging their duty as brave warriors of old,
 
 IIT'LCOME HOME. 295 
 
 Fearing not the enemy but striving for the goal. 
 Welcome them with strong arm of liberty ; 
 Welcome them to the great fields of prosperity ; 
 Onward and upward may the victory be won 
 By the proud Eighth Illinois who so worthy a deed 
 
 has done. 
 
 Our prayers were with you though far, far away 
 And our brightest hopes were to welcome you home 
 
 some day. 
 
 And now may the welcome we give unto you 
 Be ever remembered by the loyal and true ; 
 We greet you with praises and blessings on thee, 
 Ever be ready to fight for the rightful liberty, 
 Help the down-trodden from the oppressor's grasp, 
 For the sting lies hidden 'neath the cunning wasp, 
 And God will guide vou safely o'er stormy seas, 
 And ever your faith fur friend he will always be, 
 Giving you strength to conquer the foe, 
 Bidding them reap the bitter woe; 
 Then the victory and honor shall be thine forever, 
 And all the wicked foes can you not sever ; 
 Let love for your country and humanity your hearts 
 
 inspire 
 And victory and honor will crown your desire. 
 
 At Tattersall's every provision was made for the 
 comfort and convenience of the soldiers ; the govern- 
 ment obtained the best eatables for the men and Cap- 
 tain Wainwright, the mustering officer, spared no 
 pains to make everything pleasant ; the men were al- 
 lowed to go and come at will, and I am proud to say 
 there was not a complaint came in against the be-
 
 2m "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 havior of the men while out in town. Xo drunken- 
 ness or disorderly conduct was indulged in. The 
 same conduct characterized them everywhere they 
 went. One thing which deserves particular mention 
 during our stay in Tattersall's was the kindness of 
 I\irs. Susie Roy. This good and hospitable colored 
 woman was seen every morning entering the building 
 quietly and hurriedly. She went from one bunk to 
 another feeding those of the sick soldiers that felt 
 too bad to get up and walk around or to participate 
 in the general reception that was continually going 
 on. Many a soldier will ever remember that good 
 woman who could not do enough for the sick sol- 
 diers of her race. For two weeks the scenes of war 
 and army life was changed into reception and hom- 
 age until the 3d day of April, when the mustering 
 officer relieved them of the oath they had taken to 
 serve their country faithfully and honorably for two 
 years, unless sooner discharged. To say that a grand 
 reception was given in honor of the regiment at the 
 First Regiment Armory is treating the matter mildly. 
 Many of the soldiers whose homes were in other 
 cities did not know when Chicago does a thing she 
 does it well, and they sat spellbound gazing in won- 
 derment when the little boys and girls of their race 
 came forward, facing thousands of strange, eager eyes, 
 and chanted the familiar bugle calls that had so often 
 regulated their steps in Cuba. 
 
 There was another and still a grander feature oc- 
 curred just eight months ago. A white colonel was 
 in Cuba. Disease and the yellow jack stalked among 
 the members of his regiment, decimating the ranks so
 
 il'I-LCO.Ml- HO MI : . 297 
 
 rapidly 'that for the sake of his command he was com- 
 pelled to ask the governor of his state to have his men 
 brought home to save them. Then there was a colored 
 colonel who, being apprised of the situation was asked 
 would his command be willing to go to Cuba and re- 
 lieve those suffering there and brave those same dan- 
 gers. His reply was, ''Yes, we are willing and ready to 
 go." On the i6th day of August, 1898, this colonel 
 and his regiment were on the island of Cuba and 
 on the night of the 2ist of March, 1899, these same 
 two colonels, the one white, the other colored, sat 
 face to face upon the same platform, rejoicing alike 
 with the soldiers that their army careers were ended. 
 What could have been their feelings? Never before 
 in the history of nations was there such a spec- 
 tacle. 
 
 The same week the Eighth was invited to visit the 
 "Libby Prison"" war museum in a body, and the in- 
 vitation accepted, as many as could attend going. 
 
 On the 3d of April the Eighth Illinois Volunteer 
 Regiment was mustered out of service. The men re- 
 ceived their month's pay and two months' extra pay 
 provided for them by an act of Congress. They bade 
 each other good-by, saluted their officers for the last 
 time and then quietly and peacefully returned to their 
 various walks in life, and the Eighth Illinois was no 
 more. 
 
 It required $90,288.85 to pay off the Eighth Illi- 
 nois Regiment. 
 
 On the loth of April Captain Picket of the pay- 
 master's office visited the hospitals and paid the sick 
 soldiers who were absent from their command when
 
 298 "THE EIGHTH ILLIXOIS." 
 
 it was mustered out, seven days previous, thus clos- 
 ing the military record of the Eighth Illinois. 
 
 COMMENDATION. 
 
 Since the mustering out of the Eighth Governor 
 J. R. Tanner has recommended two of her captains 
 to the President for commissions in the new volun- 
 teer army to see service in the Philippines, to-wit: 
 Captain Theodore Van Pelt, captain of Company A, 
 Eighth Illinois, and Captain William T. Jefferson, 
 captain of Company D, Eighth Illinois. 
 
 Through the recommendation of ex-Representative 
 Major J. C. Buckner the following commissions and 
 appointments have been made by the President : Rob- 
 ert Blakeman, first sergeant Company H, Eighth, to 
 be commissioned a first lieutenant in the new col- 
 ored regiment to be known as the Forty-ninth United 
 States Volunteer Regiment Infantry, to go to the 
 Philippines : Guildford E. Campbell, a corporal in Com- 
 pany E, Eighth Illinois, was commissioned on the 
 pth of September and ordered to duty on the i3th of 
 September, 1899. He left with twelve recruits for 
 Jefferson Barracks, Mo., October 3d. Lieutenant 
 Campbell was military postmaster at San Luis de 
 Cuba while the Eighth was there. 
 
 Captain Leon Denison of Company K, Eighth Illi- 
 nois, was commissioned as captain in the new Forty- 
 eighth Volunteer Regiment Infantry (colored). He 
 was orclerd to report at Fort Thomas, Ky. 
 
 Also F. Clayton was appointed as regimental 
 hospital steward in the Forty-ninth regiment. 
 
 Between April 3d and September 28th Captain Bo- 
 mus, the recruiting officer at 82 \V. Madison street,
 
 U'ELCOME HOME. 
 
 299 
 
 Chicago, 111., says: "There has been forty-two mem- 
 bers of the Eighth Illinois re-enlisted and sent to the 
 Philippines with the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth 
 infantry United States regulars (colored.) 
 
 The captain commended the soldiers of the Eighth 
 very highly and prefers them as applicants, saying they 
 make good soldiers.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 "THE LAST RETREAT." 
 
 It was Easter Sunday afternoon, at half past five 
 o'clock, April 2, 1899. The sun was lowering in the 
 far western horizon. The cold, gray clouds hung 
 heavy and motionless, ever and anon a streak of crim- 
 son red appeared to bespeak the descent of that silent 
 orb, who most reluctantly gave up the dying of the day. 
 Apparently he seemed to take cognizance of the fact 
 that the brave boys in blue, of the famous Eighth Illi- 
 nois were standing, silently and motionless, with heads 
 all bare, as if doing homage to Uncle Sam and Old 
 Glory, standing with the attitude and position of a sol- 
 der listening pathetically and reverently to the notes 
 of the bugles as they reverberated and died away with 
 the sounds of "the last retreat." 
 
 Old Tattersall's appeared as she never did before. 
 All animation from without seemed to have deserted 
 her. The sturdy tread of the soldier, hither and thither 
 was not to be heard. All without was still and quiet. 
 Crowds in the galleries, with bated breath, looked 
 quietly and eagerly down upon the statuesque forms of 
 the pride of their hearts, while the comrades of Colonel 
 Marshall's command gazed earnestly and longingly at 
 each other. Glances of farewell were exchanged while 
 the final notes of the last retreat died away into "the 
 forever." 
 
 300
 
 THE LAST RETREAT. 301 
 
 Presently there was heard the voices ot captains and 
 lieutenants calling, "fall in men," "company, atten- 
 tion," and the hugle was blowing theh last assembly 
 call to the boys of the Eighth. 
 
 Standing in the gallery, surrounded by officers 
 and friends of the regiment, looking perhaps for 
 the last time into the countenances of the men he had 
 so often commanded at drill and dress parade, feeling 
 a sense of sadness in parting with them, in this, their 
 "Last Retreat," was Lieutenant Colonel James H. 
 Johnson, of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers, speaking 
 his last farewell words, pathetically, though firmly, to 
 the members of his regiment. He said: "Men, we 
 have been together for nearly nine long months, brav- 
 ing diseases, suffering deprivations. We have shared 
 our common lot alike. The time has come when we 
 all must part ; some of us will never meet again, but ere 
 the sun goes down on to-morrow's day the mustering 
 officer will have disbanded us forever. You men have 
 been earnest soldiers ; have been dutiful to all com- 
 mands as far as practicability permitted. Now, as this 
 is the last time that I will ever face you all, en masse, I 
 part with you in the deepest regret. The mustering 
 officers will begin paying you off to-morrow morning at 
 8 .-30, and with admonition to the entire regiment, I 
 simply say that I have lived in this city quite a number 
 of years and as about one-half of you live in other 
 towns in the state, I warn you in particular against 
 all "gamblers" and "rounders," and while passing along 
 any of our streets, if anyone invites you in, do not go 
 in there unless you know where you are going. If you 
 do you are liable to leave Chicago without your
 
 302 "THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS." 
 
 money. With these remarks I bid the boys that* I 
 once commanded, a farewell. Comrades, adieu." 
 
 Old Glory had unfurled her stars and stripes above 
 the heads of the members of the Eighth perhaps for the 
 last time. She was lowered, folded carefully, and 
 returned unsubdued, untarnished, back to the guardian 
 of Uncle Sam, the mustering officer. 
 
 Guns and bayonets, haversacks, canteens, belts and 
 cartridges were all accounted for and turned in ; cloth- 
 ing allowance and transportation were checked up. All 
 guardhouse sentences were at an end. No more icv- 
 eille to be sounded on to-morrow morning; no more 
 hardtacks and army beans to swell our stomach ; no 
 more tainted beef to spoil our bill o' fare ; no more 
 turning out the guards to the officers of the day ; no 
 more sleeping in dog tents, nor in hammocks ; no more 
 passes to be signed by our commanding officer. For 
 this was the end of the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Regi- 
 ment and this was our 
 
 "LAST RETREAT." 
 
 FINIS.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 973.894IL6I8 C001 
 
 THE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CHGO 
 
 30112025372589