The morning times., 1896-02-03
TROOPS SAVED -FOUR LIVES
Government, However, Thinks
Too Much Money Was Spent.
SAYS A GENERAL MUST PAY
Quartermaster's Accounts Charged To
Him-why Brigadier General Car
lin Seeks Relief From Congress.
Officers Under Him Volunteered 10
Rescue Starving Hunters.

The age OF cbivalry in the Army Is about
past, IL money considerations must count.
The most enthusiastic follower OF the
Cheyalier Bayard viii soon lose heart
If all his exploits are to be measured by
dollars and cen Is. Gen. William +.
Carlin, in his old age, evidently must
think SO.
During a great snowstorn in tisr autumn
OF 1893, Gen. Carlin. then in command
of the Department OF the Columbia, au-
thorized n search party to go to the aid
of five men who were snowbound in the
Bitter Root Mountains. Before the men
were rescued searching parties were
ordered out from various posts. 1t was
three weeks before four of the mes we're
rescued, nearly starved to death. the other
had been lost.
MONEY FOR RESCUE.
In trying to save the lives OF these peo-
pie, certain expenses were Incurred. Snow
shoes, toboggans. and moccasins, articles
soldiers seldom have, had to be purchased.
In addition rubber boots were purchased
and money was spent for the services of
boatIncn, packers. guides, and couriers.
In ALL 81 ,f0S.So were spent in this man
ner. The assistant aiartermaster paid
the bills under orders from Gen. Ca-lin and
now the War Department Is holding him
responsible for this amount
Gen. Carlin has asked Congress 10 relieve
him from this payment. The chief charge
made against the expenditure is that his
son WAS one of the party, and titst the
money was spent unnecessarily. Gen.
| CarliH already has paid out over 81 400
| for expenses incurred in this search, for
| which ne asks po return. This amount in
! Cluded $500 which was divided among
| members of the Fourth United States Cav
| airy who yoiu nteered for thc search; $3.50
| for a guide: $3.50 for the expenses of the
| party of hunters, and number or small
| items.
| The story Is one which is common among
| the regulars. Especially on the frontier
| hnye United States soldiers been kept
| busy looking after yenturesonle countryfuen.
| Whenever fire, flood, or other disaster has
oyertakeu any part OF the people OF the
| United States, available troops have al
| ways rushed TO the rescue wit hout heSiti-
| ton as to personal risk or sacrifice in
| volycd, or without question as TO the use
| of United States property in the perform
! ance or s'lch acts Of humanity.
| In September, 1898, a party OF five men
| left Spokane, Wash, Tor a hunting expe-
| dttion in the spurs OF the Bitter Root
| Mountains, embraced by the branches OF
| Clear Water River, in Idaho. The region
| is Unin Inhabited and inaccessible save in sum
| mer time. Ii was passed ever by Lewis
| and Clarke, the great explorers, on fhetI
way TO Columbia River in the year 1906,
but was so rugged and inhospitable that
| they came near perishing, and would have
! perished but for the kindness OF the Indians
| west OF the mountains. In the year 1898
the rainy season set in unusually early, and
| in September the high mountains and ridges
! were covered with snow.
FOUND AT LAST.
| Nothing was heard or the party until
| November = when Gen. CaTiin, then al
Vancouver barracks, received telegram
from Spokane wing tliat il was rumgreC
| that the party was showed in and could not
| get cut without help. This report excited
| much sympathy among the officers, and
Lieut. Charles P Elliott OF the Fourth
| Cavalry begged to be ordered out with g
! party oil his men to search for the lost
| citizens.
Gen. Carlin granted Lieut.. Eiiott's re
quest and gave the necessary instruction:
for the movement and supply OF the de
tachment. Subsequently he ordered out
| two small parties under Lieut.. Oyerton
OF the Fourth Cavalry. and Lieut.. Foorhis
| Fourth Cavalry. He also requested, by
| telegram, Major Gen. Schoficld, com
| manding the Army, TO direct the genera
|
10 send out a party from Fort Missoula
Mon. Major Gen. schofieid did this
In order TO penetrate SO rough and un
known region. the officers in command o.
the parties ordered out to search for tn
nen supposed 10 be perishing, or poSsibl.
murdered by Indians. il was necessary 10
them to hire civilia rs as guides ane
| packers TO build boats and TO buy snow
shoes, toboggans, forage, food for men
and 70 pay the prices Of that region 1t
for these articles that the War Department
holds Gen. Carlin responsible
The party was not found until NoveRibe
% by Lieut. Elliott. They were exhausted
| by starvation and exposure ana were nearl.
gone when found. Gen. Sehofieid, undo
date of September "a, 1895, says Ger
| Carlen was only following the wel-knowl
customs OF the Army in trying to rescu
this party OF hunters. The use OF govern
ment pronerty, including returns for sue
urposes has never been questioned. 'Bu
where" ne adds, 1.-THE necessities or III
service involved the purchase or supphe
not provided by the Guartermaster's an
subsistence departments OF the Army, th
| matter assumes q new aspect. l am nc
| aware whether such purchases have eve
| been made for such purpose. III lt
| considered within the limits or admin
[ | istratiye discretion to approve the pu
| rhases made in this case recommend tni
| IL be done If not, ] respectfully suggeS
| that the matter be brought to the after
ton of Congress, in order that Dill Pre-
yidipg the necessary relief may he passed.
r---------