Jewels from Jane - February 23
FEBRUARY 23
Matanzas, Cuba
Feb. 23rd 1899
Dear Rev. Mother [Agatha Guthrie],
You will be pleased to know the Army portion of St. Joseph family are well in Cuba. And hope you and all the dear Sisters are enjoying the same blessing. I received all your letters and papers for which I thank you. We have a large number of sick soldiers on our hands high fever. Six cases of typhoid. The Gen. was raging the other day because one Company of the 160 Indiana Reg. that came from Columbus, Ga - about the time Sr. Lydia came he ordered that Company taken out and sent about five miles from Camp. The Soldiers that were tent mates of the fever men quarintined (sic) sent for the Hospital ship to come and take the typhoid cases on board. 25 of our patients went on board to sail around on the Ocean. They say they may go as far as New York and leave the sickest men there in their Hospital. The Steamer was well fitted up good supply of everything necessary thirty trained nurses Hospital Stewarts and Doctors all Male. Attendance which is very good indie (sic) had on board one hundred patients taken from different posts on the Island. We expected trouble in Matanzas last night. The General gave orders to the men Yesterday if the Cannon went off during the night for the men not to wait for the long call but push for their guns and march on double quick time to town. The Cubin (sic) General Gen Garsia is here and wants some privileges for himself and people which the officials do not wish to grant them. Nothing happened thank God. Gen Garsia was here visiting the Hospital with General Sanger & Wilson and all the Cubin (sic) staff was a long. Our people are very courties (sic) to the Cubin take part in all their processions and display which are many. They say the Cubins are happy if they have a Palmetto hat, horse and mounted saddle, machatta (sic) by their side. Major Ives think we have the prittest (sic) neatest and best kept Hospital on the Island. He feel very proud of it. Occasionally the General will give him a calling down after inspection. The Gen swore the other day and said their (sic) ...was not one of them and did anything right but the Sisters he gets over his displeasure in a few moments and as good natured as ever. The poor and needy are well provided for having posts all throught (sic) the town to give the poor and sick all the necessarys (sic) he is anxious to stop the begging on the street. And he has succeeded in doing so to some extent. The City is clean. The officials are around everywhere seeing the yards are kept in order. If Yellow fever break out it will not be their fault. It is very warm here at present - 97 to 100 in the shade. The Hospital is cool deep porches around and thick walls. The Sun do not penetrate (sic). Our boxes we did not receive. Hope Mother Gonzaga is better. Love to all the Sisters. May God bless you. Love from all the Sisters in Cuba.
Lovingly yours in the S.H.
Sr. Liguori [McNamara]
Spanish-American War correspondence
