On January 10th the Obdam bearing the First Battalion of the Eighth, came to anchor at Matanzas, in a wide, shallow bay, where ships lie a mile or more off shore to discharge. Hills topped with palms, rose on either side of the city, which spread out on a strip of land between two little rivers, and straggled up the slopes, until the stone houses of the town proper gave place to palm thatched huts on the outskirts. The city upon a close inspection, was dirty and battered, but from the sea its pink and blue walls presented a picturesque appearance.
General Wilson, the Military Governor, and his staff, immediately landed, and were received by the Twelfth New York. The men of the Eighth witnessed this function from a distance. They were kept on the transport during the day, while their baggage was landed.
The military camps were located on the western shore of the bay, where the northeast trades blow continually across the bay from the open ocean, always insuring pure air. It was a scant mile from the city, and pipes from the municipal water service were laid, insuring a bountiful supply of water.
The camp of the Eighth lay behind the old Spanish Fort San Severino, and between the camp of the engineer battalion, and the Twelfth New York. A broad boulevard in a bad state of repair extended from the old fort to the town. All the troops were encamped along this boulevard, on ground that for rockiness and general hardness of appearance, outclassed any perpendicular farm in New England.
The rocks were of coral and volcanic origin, thrown up ages ago, and appeared above the surface in many fantastic shapes. Every square yard had its share of rock jutting above the red soil in sharp pinnacles. The ground had been covered with brush and cactus, but the engineers had been at work during the week prior to the arrival of the Obdam, clearing this away, so that when the First Battalion landed, it found the ground cleared of all vegetation.
The landing was made at a small wharf near the fort, and a few steps across the dilapidated boulevard, brought the men to their future home. The regiment had an excellent site, the bay lay before it, and the ground rose in terraces from the water until it terminated in a range of hills a mile back of the camp.
Major Eldredge who had preceded the regiment as a member of General Sanger's staff, received the public property turned over to the United States by Spain, in accordance with the evacuation agreement, in Matanzas, and later in the City of Cardenas and other towns in the province. When the regiment arrived, he was busily engaged at Matanzas in establishing charities, and in reorganizing the police department. The country about the city, as in other parts of Cuba, was a waste, and the people were in a destitute condition. It was the first duty of the United States to care for the people, and supply them with food.
While the First Battalion was locating itself at Matanzas, the Second and Third Battalions were enjoying a delightful voyage. During the whole trip the sea was calm, and the Michigan glided along as smoothly as any pleasure yacht upon a summer cruise. Very few men complained of sea sickness, and soon got over any unpleasant feeling, and enjoyed the trip.