THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 181 



we were called to quarters and the small guns were starting to pour a shower of shot 

 and shell into the fast moving object, which at last disappeared and was supposed to 

 have been sunk, .and to further confirm our thoughts the Porter, our own torpedo-boat, 

 found two 16-inch torpedoes floating close to shore and which must have been fired at 

 us but failed to take effect. 



The admiral asked us what we were firing at, but the next day when the torpedoes 

 were found he sent the officers and crew his compliments and said he would recom- 

 mend us to Congress. 



On June 6th was the day we did them up good, and what we did was plenty. 

 At 7:00 A. M. orders were given to fire upon the batteries and to keep it up until every 

 battery was silenced. 



The harbor here was protected by about 5 or 6 batteries and at the entrance is a 

 large castle known as Morro Castle, same as the rest of the Spanish castles, and now 

 all that remains is the ground upon which they formerly stood. 



Well we started at 7:00 A. M. and a steady stream of shot and shell was poured upon 

 the forts from about 12 or 14 American ships until 11:00 A. M. 



The loss of life must have been terrible as there was a perfect hell on shore and no 

 living being could stand within miles of the forts. 



There were two terrible explosions during the action and the officers say we must 

 have blown up their magazine. 



At 11:00 A. M. all batteries were silenced excepting two guns at the left of Morro 

 Castle and we were sent in to silence them ; we went in, fired one broadside and all 

 was off; they immediately quit and we drew off. 



We lay around the rest of the day discussing the affairs of the morning and what we 

 expected to do next. 



This 9 A. M. a troop ship arrived with Soo troops and by to-morrow 26,000 are ex- 

 pected. If the troops arrive to-morrow I suppose they will immediately be landed 

 and then there will be a large time on shore. 



Not a shell hit us during the action of the 6th but a few came our way that could be 

 heard to buzz over our heads pretty close. 



I like the service very much only since we have been down here where we cannot 

 get fresh stores we have to eat corned beef and hard tack and drink coffee ; but this 

 morning a provision steamer came into the fleet and I suppose we will now have a few 

 fresh provisions. 



The fleet here consists of the Brooklyn, New York, Marblehead, Iowa, Texas, Ore- 

 gon, Massachusetts, Dolphin, Yankee, Prairie, Yosemite and New Orleans and many 

 smaller scouts like the Scorpion, Mayflower and Eagle, etc. 



Well, old man, I think I had better break this off as I suppose you have heard it 

 all days and may be weeks ago. 



Our duties are about as follows : The first thing we do is to have the Bayman (or 

 the nurses) clean up the dispensary and sick-bay and at 8:30 A. M. the doctor comes 

 down to see those who wish to see him. He prescribes for them, and after sick-call 

 the patients return to get their medicine, and so goes on our work day in and out. 



I suppose you are getting ready for the next season's work and are kept pretty busy. 



I am out of postage stamps and to get them down here is an impossibility, so I think 

 you will overlook it this time. We can send our mail without stamps, but I suppose 

 they make you pay it at the other end. 



Well, old man, I must close with regards to all the boys and yourself. 



Your friend, 



Robt. J. SiGEL, U. S. N., 

 U. S. S. New Orleans. 

 " Apothecary." 



P. S. — Excuse this paper as it was necessary for me to use it. I am out of all other. 

 I would like to get a hold of an American Druggist of the month or the one in which 

 Mr. Keenan gave the boys a roast. 



