The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-07
concluded. the commission adjourned
until afternoon.
FTTZHITGH LEE TESTTFIES

until afternoon.
FITZHUGH LEE TESTIFIES.
General Fitzhugh Lee was before the
commission at its afternoon session.
General Lee had no complaint to make
in regard to supplies. In June, while
the expeditions were being gotten off,
there was some delay, but this was
natural, and since then supplies of all
kinds had come with regularity and
in abundance. There have, of course, ."
he said. been some complaints. Sol
diers are like schoolboys; they some
times complain, 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 refrigerator meat, as at present.
According to his ideas, the men should
have more fruit and less meat During
the course of the questioning it de-
Veloped that General Lee was notified
that he would be expected TO move his
corps to Cuba, in the vicinity of Ha-
Vana, about the LIST of November, and
that he considered his troops properly
equipped for the campaign. The
Spanish uniforms he thought better
adapted to tropical climate 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.
General Lee made the significant an
nouncement that he was counting upon
landing in a friendly country, as he
had received direct information that
The American troops would be well
coined, 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
preservation CT 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 a rule it was good. In
few instances the outer edges of the
large pieces Of meat were spoiled, as
was also the hard tack in one or two
cases. A shipment of potatoes had
been reported to be in bad condition
and board was appointed which con-
demned all the goods
General Lee said most of the civilian
officers learned their duties very
promptly, while others were very slow
TO learn. Others never learned. but a
majority did.
THE GENERAL ASTONISHED.
Governor Beaver read letter COM
planning of the situation in the Jack
son camp. This letter said the camp
was filthy, the bread mouldy, the
doctors generally drunk, etc.
'Is that from my commando" General
Lee asked in evident surprise.
When informed that it was, he said
he was astonished and asked for the
name of the author. He said in this
connection that occasional complaints
had come to him, which he examined
and in every case found them to be
unfounded.
Then" said Governor Beaver, after
some further questions, You consider
yourself in good condition in every way
TO start on the expedition to Cuba?"
81 do replied Genela al Lee. Touch
the button and we are prepared even
to go to Madrid"
He expressed the opinion that it was
impossible for any foreign troops to do
any great amount of campaigning in
Cuba in the summer months, on ac-
count of the heat. Not even the Span
ish and Cuban forces had ever been
very active in the summer season.
Some Of the regimenta1 surgeons, he
knew, were not as competent as they
should be. The surgeons of higher rank
were all competent men. He expressed
the opinion that the site Of the camp at
Jacksonville was well selected.
WAS NOT SIDETRACKED.
Captain Howell asked General Lee if
he considered that he had been side
tracked in the campaign
Il don't think so,' replied General
Lee. 81 have from time to time seen
something in the newspapers to the eff
feet that it was not the intention of
the authorities that 1 should have an
opportunity for active participation in
. - = l.
claim to go to Santiago or Puerto Rico,
as other officers in the army ranked
me. I always thought that my corps
was organized for the Havana cam
paign. I had some ambition to go
there. because I had not been allowed
to stay while I was there. I wanted
to go back with some men and show
our enemies that could stay
He continued by saying that the
president had told him within the past
few days that he had always intended
to send him to Havana, and in case
there had been an assault upon the
city that he should have led it.
General Lee dwelt upon the import
ance of taking proper care of the sinks
as a preventative of disease. He said
the healthiest regiment in his camp was
the One Hundred and Sixty-first In
diana. Most Of his troops were anxious
TO go to Cuba. but some desired to be
discharged. He said in conclusion tina,
he knew of no case of distress or death
from any neglect, or that was due to
any inefficiency on the part of the gov
eminent officials. He said he had no
complaint to make against the war de-
oartment and 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 10 Cllha