Letter From Harry Saunders

With Gen. Shafter's Army In Trom of Santiago de Cuba, Co. L, 33rd Mich. Vol. Inf., July 5, 1898. My Dear Mother and All - We are still ïere, but have not as yet taken Sauiago. We started on July lst in this nght, and have been at it pritty steady ver sinoe. We left camp Friday mornng, July 1, at 5 o'clock for Aguadores, arriving there at about 7:30 or 8 o'clock. he ore train on which we w ere transported took us to within about a mile L our objective point. After leaving he cars we went down to the coast, along the coast a ways and th,L.n up hrough the woods to the track again. While going through the woods we placed our blanket rolls, etc., in piles 'or safe keeping, and have not since een them. Some distance from where we leLt the train and was forming into ine, when all of a sudden a shell burst amongst us. I heard it coming and dropped to the ground. Il went over me and hitting the man's hat in back of me took part of it off but did not ïurt him at all. It then hit Seabright, going straight through nis breast, kiling him instantly. It then burst and pieces flew in every direction. One piece hit Franklin, which caused nis death in less than an hour thereafter; another piece struck Rawson, and he will lose his arm; a piece hit the bigge&t man in our company and he will lose his leg - his name is Curds - and his leg was amputated by the surgeons above the knee; and then, the worst to me of all that happened was a piece of a shell struck Lon Stark, taking his hand off. It took his hand off at the wrist, but the bone was so badly shattered that t was amputated half way between the elbow and wrist. It nearly knocked me out to know that one of our four (Ann Arbor) boys was hurt, and tntn when we came back to camp and saw his hand lying on the ground and a man digging a hjole wherein to bury il.. I lost my appetite and did not feel gry again that day. But Don is gettmg along nicely and has a good piaoe to stay. He joked and told the doctors and boys that he would not cut their hair any more. The end of the barrel of his gun was bent over like a hook, and undoubtedly was struck by a shell while he was aiming it. The place on the railroad where we were formlng was a sort of a ravine, and the batteries in the fort on the hill above had a good range and kep-l up an incessant flre on us, as well as did the Spaniards with their Mauser rifles. However, only two were kilied and three wounded of our company, and three others from other companies of the regiment, and the next day another member of the regiment (Co. K) who was out with a detail from the regiment, r.ear the same place, as sharpshooters, was shot in the shoultfer by a rifle ball. It did not seen very much like a birthday to me on the 3d, nor yesterday like the 4th of July. Although I waa very much pleased with my presents - a letter from Uncle Ed. one form Joe T. Jacobs, one from R. Edwards, and the best of all, the one from you. The flrst letters I have received since I arrived in Cuba. We were sorry we did not get the box, but, never mind, It may come out all right in the end. Teil Eberhart I am very much obliged to him for the tobáceo (although it failed to reach me) and would like to have it very mucn now, for what I had is still with my blanket, wherever that may be. You said in your letter that horrible Santiago de Cuba! Well, we haven't got it yet, but will have it before long, even if we have to wipe every Spaniard in there off the face of the earth. There are 250 Spanish prisoners up at our old camp ground, and a detail from our regiment are guarding thern. I suppose you have heard about the 34th Mich., and 9th Mass, killing about 500 Spaniards in 30 minutes. The Spaniards stole up on them thinking thty were asleep, but our boys jumped up and poured a terrible volley into them, and then charged on them down the hill. Our officers don't think the struggle here will last much longer, as Cevera's fleet has been destroyed. However, we dug a rifle pit yesterday and now we are all safe - that is companies L M. K. and F. It is getting very hot here in the day time but cool at night. We hear all sorts of rumors here, but I suppose you get the real news long before we do. I heard that Don Stark was going home, but don't know how true it is. I also heard that they were going to send the Spanish prisoner that had bee captured over to the Unit ed States and that the 33d was going with them as guards; but I didn't be live that for it was too good to be true Teil Mrs. Rooney Charlie is all rigüt, and so is Don Turner and myself. Starks is getting well fast. Don Turner sends his regards to Pa and also to all inquiring friends. Writing paper is getting very scarc here, now, and so I think I will have t close. Now, remernber, whatever you do don't worry about me. Teil all Inquiring friends thiat I eannot very well write to them all just now, but will have to wait until I get better flxed; for a haversack restmg on one's knee as a desk and a bank for a chair is the best we can get under present circumstances. With much love for you all. I remain your affectionate Son and Soldier boy,