Robert "Robin" Hemingray

FRESH FROM THE FRONT

Charles Harter, Muncie Volunteer Reported Killed at Santiago, is Alive

Robert Hemingray of this City, Now in Cuba Fighting for His Country --

Other Magic City Boys at the Front

Many reports have been received here to the effect that Charles Harter a Muncie boy had been killed in the battle at Santiago. The ill news was learned with regret by Charlie's many friends and the report could not be substantiated. Owing to the inability to secure a confirmation or denial of the news, Harter's relatives here were greatly worried for some time, but it is known almost absolutely that it would not be possible for him to have been in the battle near Santiago, and the report reach here. Besides, all the killed, wounded and even missing men have been reported and his name has not appeared on the list. There are other reasons also which almost convince the Harter relatives that the report is an absolute untruth. There have been but few companies participating in the fight thus far, or by last week, and besides it would be impossible for the news to have come by letter to this city, which was the reported source. The last heard from Harter was two weeks ago when he left Tampa, Fla, for Cuba.

Early last spring Robert Hemingray and Joe Skinner left Muncie on a tour of the south and west. The former stopped off at San Antonio, Texas, and the latter continued to San Francisco. When the war broke out, Hemingray, who is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hemingray of this city, notified them that he would join the army. For some time nothing was heard of him. Recently his parents received a letter from him written at Tampa, Fla. He stated he was a member of the Fifth United States Cavalry, Troop C, and that he would accompany the first expedition to be sent to Cuba, which was then on the point of sailing. Among his friends it was understood that Bob, as he was familiarly known, had become a member of "Teddy's' Rough Riders." How the story originated is not known, unless it was known that he enlisted at San Antonio. This was where the Rough Riders were organized, and it was supposed that Hemingray was one of the famous regiment.

Charles Burnette, Muncie's only colored volunteer, is now in Cuba. Burnette ran away from his home in this city and worked his way south, where he enlisted in the regular army and was placed with the colored troops at Tampa. Burnette was among the first to leave for Cuba.

Charles Stuart is another Muncie boy at the front. Very few of Stuart's friends are aware of this fact, but nevertheless the nervy young man who left this city and enlisted in Indianapolis, is now stationed at Fort Pickens, Fla, and will leave for Cuba upon the next transport.