LARA BARTON, President,

"American National Red Cross:

"I have the honor to request your assistance in caring for the patients
in a so-called hospital near the landing at this point.

"The orders are to the effect that all patients now under treatment on
the shore shall be transferred to the Iroquois and Olivette, but the
facilities for carrying out this order are apparently inadequate. In
order that the division hospital may remain unhampered for the care of
the wounded in the engagement about to take place, it is necessary for
me to request this favor of you, and I trust that you may find it
possible to comply with said request.

"Your obedient servant,

"LOUIS A. LE GARDE,

"Major and Surgeon, U. S. A., Commanding
Hospital."

To this the following reply was immediately returned:

"Steamship State of Texas,

"SIBONEY, SANTIAGO DE CUBA, _June 30, 1898_.

"DR. LOUIS A. LE GARDE,

"Major and Surgeon, U. S. A., Commanding Hospital.

"Major: Permit me to express the pleasure given me by your letter
inviting the assistance of the persons here under my direction in the
care of the sick and wounded of the engagement about to take place.
Although not here as a hospital ship by any means--not legitimately
fitted for the work--still we have some hospital supplies, a few
intelligent workers, skill, experience, the willingness to serve, the
readiness to obey, and I believe the true spirit of the Red Cross, that
seeks to help humanity wherever its needs exist. I send them to you in
the hope that they may be of service.

"Cordially yours,

"CLARA BARTON,

"President, American National Red Cross."

Our surgeons and assistants went on shore, where Dr. Le Garde and Dr.
Lesser secured a small house, and in a few hours this had undergone the
same transformation and by the same hands as the Cuban hospital. The Red
Cross flag was hoisted, Dr. Lesser placed in charge, and scores of our
soldiers who had been lying on the filthy floors of an adjacent
building, with no food but army rations, were carried over, placed in
clean cots, and given proper food. From that on, no distinction was
made, the Red Cross flag floating over both the American and Cuban
hospitals.

A few feet away, all the available army tents were put up as additional
accommodation for the "wounded in the engagement about to take place."
It did take place the following day, and, as will be well remembered, in
those two days, Friday and Saturday,