The hospitals, both American and Cuban, located on the shore just to the right of us, were visited by our men that same evening. Some of their surgeons called on us. All seemed interested in the Red Cross, but none thought that a woman nurse would be in place in a soldiers' hospital--indeed, very much out of place. I suggested that that decision was hard for me, for I had spent a great deal of time in soldiers' hospitals myself. They appeared to understand that perfectly, but there seemed to be a _later_ line which could not be crossed. The Cubans who had just come into camp expressed a desire for any assistance we could give them. They would be glad to have the Red Cross Sisters in their little hospital, but begged us to wait just a day until it could be put in better order. The Sisters were not the persons to grant that day of preparation. On the contrary they at once went to work, thoroughly cleaned the little three-room building--Garcia's abandoned headquarters, to be used as a hospital--and when the day closed the transformation showed clean rooms, clean cots, and the grateful occupants wondering whether Heaven itself could be more comfortable, or anything more desirable than the palatable food prepared for them by the Sisters. Three days later the following letter was received: "To MISS CLARA 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."