The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-07
GEN. LEES TESTIMONY.
No Basis for the Charges of Distress
or Neglect at His Camp.

Gen. F'itzhugh Lee was before the COM
mission at its afternoon session. General
Lee had no. complaint to make in regard to
supplies. In June, while the expeditions
were being got off, there was some delay,
but this was natural and since then sup.
plies of all kinds had come with regularity
and in abundance. There have, of course"
he said, been some complaints. Soldiers
are like schoolboys; they sometimes COM
plain even when there is no occasion for
complaint. He thought the army ration
was abundant, and in the main well suited
to a campaign in a tropical climate. Yet
he thought some changes might be made.
For instance, it would be better to send
live animals to Cuba than to send refrig-
orator meat, as at present According to
his ideas, the men should have more fruit
and less meat
During the course of the questioning it
developed that General Lee had been noti-
lied tnat he would be expected to move his
corps to Cuba in the vicinity of Havana
about the list of November, and that he
considered his troops properly equipped for
the campaign. The Spanish uniforms he
thought better adapted to a tropical cli-
mate than ours, as they were cool and could
be washed. He was fearful that the shirts
and blouses of our men would be found too
heavy for comfort
Gen. Lee made the significant Announce
ment that he was counting upon land
ing in a friendly country. as he had re-
cetved direct information that the American
troops would be welcomed, not only by the
CubanS, but by the Spaniards as we'll He
said the conservative and property owning
Spaniards were especially DESTROYS TO have
the American troops come for the preserva-
ton Of order.
The health of his troops had been good
only about per cent: being. sick. He said
the meat was received in refrigerator cars
and that as rule it was good. In a few
instances the outer edges of the large pieces
OF meat was spoiled, as was also the hard
tack in one or two cases. A shipment of
potatoes had been reported to be in bad con-
ditlon and a board was appointed which
condemned all the goods
General Lee said some of the civilian Of
hcers learned duties very promptly. others
We're slow to learn, others never learned but
majority did.
Governor Beaver read a letter complaining
Of the situation in the Jacksonville camp.
This letter said the camp was filthy, the
bread nodded, the doctors generally drunk,
is that from my commando" General Lee
asked, in evident surprise. When informed
that II was, he said that he was aStOnShed,
and asked for the name of the author He
said in this connection that occasional COM
plants had come to him which he examined,
and in every case found them to be I'M
founded.
Then" said Governor Beaver. after some
further questioning, you consider yourself
in good condition in every way to start on
the expedition to CUBAN
Il do" replied General Lee. "Touch a
button and we are prepared even to 30 to
Madrid"
He expressed the opinion that 1t was inn
possible for any foreign troops to do any
great amount of campaigning in Cuba in the
summer months account of the heat
Not even the Spanish and Cuban forces had
ever been very active inNthe summer season.
some of the regimental surgeons he knew
were not as competent as they should be.
The surgeons of higher rank were all COM
petent men. He expressed the opinion that
the site of the camp at Jacksonville was
well selected.
Captain Howell asked General Lee If he
considered that he had been sdetracked in
Il don't think So" he replied. 81 have
from time to time seen something In the
the intention of the authorities that l should
have an opportunity for active participation
in the campaign. l, of course had no claim
to go to Santiago or to Porto Rico, as other
officers in the army ranked me. 1t was al
ways the understanding that my corps was
organized for the Havana campaign. I had
some ambition to go there. because l had
not been allowed to stay while | was there
/ wanted to go back with some men and
show our enemies that l could stay" lie
continued by saying that the President had
told him within the past few days that he
had always intended to send him to Ha-
vana, and in case there had been an assault
upon the city that he should lead it.
General Lee dWelt on the Importance Of
taking proper care of the sinks as a pre-
ventive of disease. He said the healthest
regiment in his camp was the One-hundred-
and-sixty-first Indiana Regiment which
burned all its effete matter. Most of his
troops were anxious to go to Cuba. but some
desired to be discharged. He said, in con-
clusion. that he knew of no case of distress,
starvation or death from any neglect or
that was due to any inefficiency the part
: of the government officials. He said he had
no complaint TO make against the War De-
partment, ard knew of none of his COM
mand who had.
General Greene. who participated in the
Manila campaign. will be heard tomorrow
and he will be followed by a number of staff
officers who have been ordered to Cuba.