Thence the “Alamo” proceeded, August 29, to Arecibo, which port was reached on the same day. There the wagons of the Sixth Massachusetts from Utuado were found in readiness to receive the consignment of goods brought for them, which were put in charge of Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Massachusetts, Dr. F.A. Washburn. At Arecibo was a strong force of Spanish troops, having a military and a Red Cross hospital. The Spanish military commander, the captain of the port, and the chief surgeon of the Red Cross hospital, personally gave the kindest attentions, conducting me to all the military quarters and hospitals, yet while expressing thanks for the offer of goods from the American Red Cross, they declared they were not in need, as was evidently the case.
On the same day, August 29, my visit and departure having been wired to the Spanish Governor General Macias at San Juan, I took train thither, reaching the capital in the evening. The next day with an interpreter I visited General Macias at his headquarters, and was most cordially received, given the freedom of the city, especially including all the forts, barracks and hospitals, and on inquiry allowed if I chose to make any photographs of the military works, concerning which he said it did not matter as they would be so soon in the hands of the Americans. Five days were spent in San Juan. The forts, barracks and hospitals of the Spaniards were visited, but all need of American Red Cross supplies was courteously disavowed, evidently with truthfulness, for signs of want were nowhere apparent. General Macias kindly gave me a pass through all the Spanish military guards and civil jurisdictions under his command throughout the island of Porto Rico.
With this pass I started from San Juan September 2 by coach for Ponce. At Caguas I was politely invited by the German Consul General of Porto Rico, Herr Adolph Rauschenplat, who had been traveling alone in his coach behind me from San Juan, to join him in his carriage, and send mine back to San Juan. The invitation was heartily accepted. We dined together at Cayey. On reaching Aibonito while our relay of horses was being harnessed, and we had been surrounded by the Spanish soldiers and townspeople, engaging in pleasant chat with them, suddenly the captain of the Spanish troops with a guard appeared and marched us unceremoniously to the guardhouse. There we were challenged, and a parley ensued, until I showed my pass from General Macias. The change of front was spectacular, apologies were profuse, but I ended the affair by insisting successfully that the officer sign his name to my pass which was already rather heavily overloaded with the names of military and civil magnates, both Spanish and American.
A SOLDIER FUNERAL.
This team shows the manner of yoking the cattle by the head and horns.
A TYPICAL CUBAN CAMP.