Wine and rum costs two cents a drink and an American dollar is worth $1.80 in Spanish money.  Our regiment and the Nineteenth are the only regiments of regular infantry on the island.  All others are volunteers excepting one or two regiments of cavalry and artillery, so we are likely to get the brunt of all the battles.  We had a little scrimmage yesterday, but it did not amount to much.  Now I will try to tell you a little about the island before I run out of paper.  Cocoanuts grow in abundance here, with all other kinds of tropical fruit.  As yet we have not been near the banana or pineapple district.  The roads are all shaded with trees, and if I could get at a desk for a short time I would write a better letter.  This one is only to let you know I am alive and well and as soon as the affair is over I think I’ll buy a farm here,—­etc.

Letters from Joe Bohon.

Ponce, Porto Rico, Aug. 4, 1898.

I suppose you know by this time where we are.  I have written several times to the folks and different ones, but have received no mail for twenty days.

We landed at Guanica July 25 and were the first troops on the island.  We had considerable music from our gunboat escorts there.  You could see them going over the hills in droves.  We stayed there three days, then Company H and one company from Massachusetts Regiment marched to Yauco.  We looked for trouble there but were disappointed.  We stayed there three days, then started to march for Ponce.  It took us two days to come a distance of thirty-five miles.  We were in heavy marching order with an extra 100 rounds of ammunition.  Its weight was between 80 and 100 pounds.

This is a town of 35,000; they have banks, electric lights, telephones and an ice plant.  There are some English-speaking people here.  I was down town yesterday.  The hotels and restaurants are all run by French people.  It’s a wonderful sight how the natives respect us.  They take off their hats and say Viva Americana (long live America).  If one of them can get hold of a blue shirt or pants or a small flag they are the envy of every one of their people.  Our company have four with us since we landed.  They wash our dishes, carry water and make themselves useful.

There are all kinds of reptiles and varmints.  Hamilton and I have killed three centipedes in our tent.  The natives say their bite will kill, but our doctors say not; several of our boys have been bitten; none died so far.  A soldier of the Third Wisconsin shot and killed one of the regulars.  The wealthy class of people here dress like us; have fine carriages, but their horses are all small and pace.  They raise hogs and their cattle are Jerseys.  They do all their work with oxen and large two-wheeled carts.  The oxen pull with their horns and you would wonder at the load they pull.  The poorer class of people are nothing better than slaves.  From ten to thirty will live in one small house.  I have not seen a window glass or chimney on a house since being on the island.  They build their fires in small stoves and cook their grub in kettles.  They raise bananas, oranges, limes, the same as lemons, cocoanuts, pomegranates, mangoes, etc.  They also raise melons, tomatoes, cucumbers and such vegetables.  Think of getting those things fresh the year round.