Jewels from Jane - February 2
FEBRUARY 2
Sister Liguori McNamara
Matanza, Cuba
2nd Div. Hospital
Feb. 2, 1899
My dearest Mother,
Your dear letter, linens, paper and Ave Maria's all received for which I thank you most sincerely. Also for all the prayers and good works you have offered to the throne of grace for the Army Sisters since we entered the United States Service. It is your prayers and good works that have done so much for us. Sr. Thecla [Reid - St. Paul Province] was a little indisposed for a few days. She reported ready for duty last Sunday. All the other Sisters are well. We have sixty patients in our hospital at present. No serious cases, although the soldiers came in with high temperatures and appear very sick but when they get a good bath, a good bed and a good homelike meal they feel better in a day or two. We have twelve measles cases. They are isolated and guarded day and night so as to prevent anybody entering except one of the hospital male nurses who has taken entire charge of the ward. The officials are taking every precaution to prevent the spread of the measles. The soldiers would be very healthy if they let whiskey alone. After payday usually they feel sick, discouraged and wind up in the hospital. There are from thirteen to fourteen thousand soldiers camped on the banks of this beautiful Bay. The rocks are of coral reef and very rough, still the camping ground looks very pretty. The New York boys have their streets arranged so neatly. They have new tents, new floors and new cots. They feel as we do, well-treated. We have everything very comfortable, a fine large room, airy and cool, a beautiful porch with tile flooring overlooking the grand Bay of Matanza. On this porch just as the sun is rising over the Bay, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily. Father Bader has been most faithful in fulfilling his duty in that respect, and I think we have a great deal to be thankful for, all the spiritual advantages we have had since we have entered the United States Service. I am sure any favor we would ask the General or Major they would grant. Father Bader told me not to ask many favors of the officials as the favors will come without asking, if we will only be patient. And I find it better to do so, than be too forward. God certainly has been doing this great work through very weak instruments. General Sanger may want to open a charitable home for the sick poor. Under what terms could the Sisters take such an institution? The government would provide all necessaries such as clothing, board, medicine and doctors, but the Sisters could give their services for Sweet Charity Sake. Still there is nothing definite about this matter. The general telephoned for me to go down to headquarters yesterday and offer some suggestions about the best way to adopt to establish a home for the thousands of homeless creatures that live on the streets. The general is trying to get the Mayor to start this institution and teach them how to help themselves, but they fear the natives will never be grateful for all the government is doing for them. The laboring class they had to clean up struck for higher wages yesterday. The government was paying them one dollar per day. They refused to work for that, wanted a dollar fifty per day. We went to ask the Sisters of the Poor if we could do our washing at their place but their accommodations were only what we could furnish, a stone and cold water. So we wash with our hands in a little tub. Got some irons, more tins. The sun is so hot the guimpes dry in a short time. We use cornstarch for laundry purposes. I forgot to tell you General Sanger wishes me to attend the meetings of the ladies for the purpose of establishing the home for the poor. I suppose it will be all right for me to go. He said I must be at every one of them and represent him there. So he will know what the ladies are doing. So you see we will have something to do. He has such confidence in the sisters that any suggestion they make is all right. Our Spanish speaking father from New York will be here tomorrow. Then we will have two priests at our disposal. The Archbishop from Havana will be here next week. I suppose he will pay us a visit when he comes. All the nurses are gone, only the Sisters of St. Joseph of all the nurses who came to Matanza. Sr. Lydia and all her Sisters and nurses went back on the same transport that brought them over. All the nurses felt very badly to return. But rumor says the 12th New York will be mustered out the last of this month and the regulars will take their place. So we will be among the number. The Sisters all send much love to you and all the dear Sisters. Wishing you, dear Mother, a very happy feast and many returns of St. Agatha's Day. I hope you will soon pay us that visit you have promised. I think it would do you good to enjoy some of this bright warm sunshine. The Sun is always hot but in the shade there is a delightful breeze always, and the nights are cool. Plenty of all kinds of insects, fleas in abundance and doing the work faithfully day and night. The soldiers are still white-washing the house we occupy. It was, dear Mother, well-fumigated and painted all the woodwork inside and outside; cleaned the cistern. Every precaution taken to prevent sickness in the camps. The soldiers white-wash under the floor of their tents once a week. Lime used frequently in every place. Our table fare is the very best Matanza can afford, plenty of everything we wish. Love to each of the dear Sisters and hoping to see or hear from you soon. May God bless you.
Yours devotedly in the S.H.
Sr. Liguori [McNamara]
Spanish-American War correspondence
