3-086-223 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Spanish-American War: scenes in camp at Tampa, [Florida], where U.S troops have been assembling for the advance on Cuba, 1898. 'First Sketches from our Special Artist, Mr. H. C. Seppings Wright. Sketch in Tampa Camp - the colonel aide of the 6 "Reg"; Col May Cockrane, 6R; preparing for a wash. "Mr. Seppings Wright, Special War Correspondent and Artist of 'The Illustrated London News,' and Mr. Scovell [US journalist Harry Scovel] landed in Cuba a week ago to send forward a dispatch from Admiral Sampson to General Gomez to inquire what arrangements he is making for co-operation with American troops, and to arrange a place of meeting. They lost themselves for two days in the swamp close to the Spaniards, who were scouring the country for them. This they had read in a Spanish paper. On the third day, meeting with a small party returning from Gomez, they sent forward the dispatch, and themselves remained hidden near the shore for four days. The Spaniards made every effort to capture them, and took prisoners seventeen persons who had chanced to see them. They obtained food enough, but with difficulty, from neighbouring villages. Succeeding at last in capturing a fishing-boat, they escaped to the fleet." - Daily Chronicle, May 11.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.