The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-05-25

On she causes Of the mortality Of The de-
tachmens at ~ Orleans:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
April %, 1910.
Tie committee, an obedience 10 resoia.ica Which
passed TIE House Of Kepresenfar.v-s Of the
Uaited States. on Me 1Sth Of March last, in
stucting tkent 10 inquire into the cause
ses 81 tie great mortality in the detachment
Of the d,my e. the United States, ordered for
The defence Of Ne,v Orleans, respectfully SUB
assif the -fol'osrisS
- REPORT:
THE committee perceived at the instant their
attention was directed TO The subject &c fcrred TO
them, IFS Importance, difficulty aad extent. The
solicitude which was expressed for the acquisi.
tion of accurate information, and the III in
which the inquiries oftLe committee were point
ed to specific object, stimulated them to full
fl, to the utmost of their power, the expectati-
on and desire of the House. In performing the
dates assigned to them, they necessarily had
many difficulties to encounter; these consisted
in collecting, collating and arranging multitude
OF facts and circumstances, which had their
origin in distant territory, and the dissimilar
aspects in W 'sich the same object wo,iid he re-
presented. according to the medium through
which it had been Not discouraged at
8ke prospect of such labors, they proceeded to
commence them with every disposition, & wi,h all
the patience so essential 10 ensure fair, candid
and impartial disclosure of the state of the de-
tachment of the army ordered to New Orleans.
To accomplish purpose every way so desira-
lble and interesting, and likewise to obviate ob.
lectfons, the committee, on mature deliberation
and reflection, determined to make plain and
Guccinct statement of facts, as the method rest
calculated to impart information and to guide
the understanding in the formation of correct
Judgment
In pursuing this plan, which the committee
early laid down for their observance, they are
led to present TO the House, in narrow COM
pass, the correspondence which passed between
the department of war and the commanding of
ficer. ~
Mex; in order, the number of troops sent to
New Orleans, and the present effective force.
The measures taken Tor paying the troops,
and the precautions observed for ensuring
prompt supply of sound and wholesome provisi-
Gns TOR their subsistence.
The instructlons given to the military agent
by the department of war, and the authority IN
vested in the commanding officer over the mill
tary agent, as gathered from the Instructions
Under tliis head Will be included whstcver
lates to clothing. and medical and hospital stores
The dispositions taken by the committee.
Lastly, the causes which, in the opinion of
the committee, produced the mortality in that
detachment CT the army.
(A) No I,
letter from the Secretary of War, dated
February "a, 1910, in one addressed
10 him III obedience 70 the direction of the com
1nIttee requesting information on the subject
submitted TO them.
The Secretary says, GO have the honor accor-
dinghy herewith to submit to their inspection
transcript OF the original order, bearing date De-
cember 9, 1888, designating the force destined
Sor the defence OF New-Orleans, and of the
subsequent orders from this department., toge-
.her with such extracts from the letters of the
Commanding General, as relate to the selection
and occupancy of, and the removal of the troops
&oni, the encampment CT Terre au B~uf."
(A) NO. 2.
On the Dc of December, 1903, the Secretary
Of War, General Henry DearbOrne,) IN let
Ter to General James Wilkinson, says, / am di
rected by the President of the Uaited States, to
have the necessary measures taken, without de
Law for assembling as large proportion Of our
regular troops at New Orleans and its vicinity.
as circumstances viii permit" Immediately fol
lowing this extract, the regiments and compa
Iiss destined for New Orleans designated,
and the previous preparatory arrangements con
Rected with the movements, are directed 10 be
made. The letter then concludes You viii
please 10 take measures for being at New
Orleans, in season to take command OF the ar
my In that department, as early as practicable,
and TO have such disposition OF the troops IN
xha ct department formed, Us will most effectualiy
en- s6le yau 10 defend New Orleans and its de
HCbstEiNtco a'iio' ".y if~o''S - 80
of emergency, you are authorized by the Pre-
xident OF the United States, 10 call on the Go
sernors of the Orleans and Mississippi Terrific
Ties, for such attachments of the militia as may
be deerned necessary.
On tie 90h OF April, 1909, the Secretary of
War, (Wi.liam Eustls, Esq addressed a let
ter to General James WILKINSON, expressing
great anxiety and s5Uitude for the health of the
troops Alive to spprehensions ON this lmpor
TAM peint, lac proceeds 10 say, on inspecting
Abe general instructions given by tins department,
I'd of December, 1903, it appears, that the troops
were to be asge mbled ut New-Oreans: an APP
pTehension that The letter Of this instruction may
be construed to limit any MEASURES whIch'your
own judgment might suggest respecting
shsrge of position, induces NE to remove any
such obstacle, lit sllil have had an influence
Pythe returns OF tie 9Th of March, It appears
that more than one f, urth part OF the troops
were sick Without knowledge Of this fact,
the removal of the army from lSew Orleans du
ring thc summer and sutuinnai months - sug
gested by every consideration Of prudence and
experience. If. therefore, such removal shall I
not Oh receipt Of his letter. hGye been already
connInenced, you viii be pleased to give the ne
eesssry orders TO have it effected Immediately -
After leaving the necessary garrison, consisting
81 old troops at New Orleans, IT will be deSiF-
able that ali The others Should be transported ci
ther 10 the high ground III tie rear al Fort A.
dsns, or part o, them in the rear OF the Match.
OF perhaps both these st-tons should be occu
pied, division OF the troops being more favora-