Jewels from Jane - April 1
Pictured: The hospital in Matanzas, Cuba showing the sisters on the second floor porch.
April 1, 1899
Dearest Mother [Agatha Guthrie],
Your kind letter and sweet face reached Matanzas today. It was quite consoling as I was quarantined by myself in a tent on the top of the roof of the hospital. Had a serious case of yellow fever. He died last night at 9 o'clock. The young man was not a soldier but a civilian that came to the Island a few weeks ago. When the Majors saw he was going to die, they were much alarmed and sent for one of the Spanish Sisters to come and relieve me, fearing I would take the fever. Isolated me on top of the house. Every few moments the Major will come up to see if I am comfortable and need anything. I am having a nice quiet time in my cell all alone. The Sisters felt more lonely than I did. I am glad you will answer those gentlemen's letter. They called here yesterday to know if you replied. I hope you received my last letter stating Archbishop Chappell's objection in the matter. All the poor Sisters here are working hard, I am sure, for the good of all in their charge. The Cubans do not like the Spaniards in any shape or form. All the poor Sisters here are Spanish. There may be one or two Cubans among them. We have been quite busy. About one hundred patients! The hospital ship did not come last week as we expected. It will surely be here in the harbor Easter Monday and take on board the greatest part of the sick men. It is quite a relief to have the patients taken to the States. They are so homesick for their homes. It cheers them up, the poor soldiers, when they hear of home and going back to the States. When the transport arrives you will hear nothing but cheers, "Home, Sweet Home," and "The Girl I left Behind Me." The 8th Mass. [Massachusetts] will leave Monday or Tuesday. They expect the Mead to take them back. The New York officers got all their prisoners released. The Colonel said he would not leave the Island until he got them out. He went to Havana and made all the arrangements for them. Each company headed by the band went to the fort for their comrades and played the liveliest airs and cheered the poor fellows as they made their appearance in the crowd. As they entered their streets, the band played, "We Are All Going Home in Our Own Clothes." The poor prisoners have a hard time in a military jail; have to do all the fatigue work, have a guard with them every step they take night and day. Bread and water is their diet. I hope the colonels of the other regiments will follow Colonel Leonard's example and get their men out of trouble. Poor Sr. Michael did not last very long. May she rest in peace. How is dear Mother Julia [Littenecker]? I hope better. It was very kind of dear Mother St. John to think of sending us Easter Eggs. We will have ham and Cuban Eggs for breakfast. It is getting very warm. The heat is not oppressive. I suppose being so near the sea we get the cool air from the Bay. The Sisters send love to you, and all the Sisters. Hoping you will have a joyous Easter. The paper, Ave Maria, and Journals received. We thank you very much. With love to all, I remain,
Your ever grateful and devoted child,
Sr. Liguori [McNamara]
Spanish-American War correspondence
