The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-04
INSTRUCTIONS FROM ALGER
no MORE UNCLEAN OR INsuFFI-
GENTLY PROVIDED TRANSPORTS.
Statement as to the Condition of the
COnchO and Seneca and why They
Lacked Proper Supplies.
EI5y

WASHINGTON, Aug 3-All the troops
of cavalry with Skaters army and the
eight companies of Roosevelts Rough Rid
ers have been ordered to proceed to Mon
tauk Point Long island, for encampment.
General Shafter has been directed to use
all the transport facilities he can command
and to send the troops north as rapidly
possible. The regular cavalry with Shafter
comprises eight companies each of the First
Third, Sixth, Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, all
dismounted, and four mounted troops of the
Second Cavalry. Skaters daily health re-
port failed to show any improvement in the
health conditions of the Fifth Army Corps.
so that it was a matter for congratulation
that the War Department was able to an
nounce that it ad'ordered the cavalry regi-
ments Of that corps to be embarked at once
for the new camp at Montauk Point.
Brigadier General G. NJ. Randall, recently
promoted from lieutenant colonel of the
Eighth Infantry, to-day was ordered to as
sumo command of the new camp. General
Randall is one of the most efficient officers
IN the army and has Just returned from
important mission in Alaska connected with
the relief of the miners in the Klondike
region. He will assume command of the
new camp at Montauk Point at once.
Col. Charles H. Heyl, of the inspector
GENERAL OtuCS, has ICtuIucu W w dVGhAAlG-
ton from New York, wheres he went at the
direction of Secretary Alger to make an
examination to fix the responsibility of the
officials who sent nthe transport Concho to
New York from Santiago in an unfit condi-
ton for carrying the sick and wounded.
Colonel Heyl reported verbally to Secretary
Alger the result of his inquiry. but refused
to talk for publication. Later in the day,
however, the secretary made the following
statement concerning the COncho, as well
as the Seneca. which reached New York
about two weeks ago, after suffering many
privations, owing, it is alleged, to the un-
tit condition of the vessel:
Concerning the unfortunate occurrences
on the ships Concho and Seneca that
brought some sick and wounded from San
tiago, the secretary of war gives out the
following statement, after a careful inves-
tigation: At the time they left Santiago
the general desire of convalescents to come
home doubtlesSaeovercrowded both ships
From the commencing of the Santiago cam
paign until within few days the terrible
conditions on that coast, where our ships
had no shelter and always with high surf.
made the landing of troops and supplies,
ammunition, artillery and medical stores
very difficult, and there is no doubt much
caused that was unavoidable. The lighters
that went with General Skaters fleet were
lost on the way Two lows of lighters were
subsequently sent, which were also lost and
IS was impossible to get supplies ashore ex-
cept with the boats from the ships and
those supplied by the navy. Later on a
lighter was furnished by the navy, which
was the only one there for many days.
''On accennt of the great number of
sick and wounded, which was in excess of
what had been anticipated, there was no
doubt much privation and suffering, espe-
cially among the sick at Santiago. The
captains of the Seneca and Concho did not
report to General Shafter nor to Quarter
master Humphrey that they needed water
Had they done so, of course, it would have
been provided. Then, also, large number
of civilians rushed aboard to get away, and
they occupied many staterooms that should
have been given over to the soldiers. No
recurrence of such conditions will be posi-
Bile hereafter, and no one regrets more than
the secretary of war that anything of the
kind should have happened. The general
commanding the army, the surgeon general
and the quartermaster's and comInissary
departments have done the best they could.
hut unforeseen circumstances. named
above prevented the conveniences being
provided that otherwise would have been
furnished"
Secretary Alger. who is determined that
no further trouble of the kind shall occur
if in his power to prevent it, sent the fol-
lowing telegram to General Shafter at
Santiago: whenever it becomes necessary
to use transports for sick or wounded pur-
poses, it should be made the duty of some
experienced and competent medical officer
to see that only such transports as are in
good sanitary condition and are best suited
for the purposes are selected; that the
water supply board is ample in guam
tity and wholesome in quality; that suf-
hcient supplies of food. medicines. dressing,
hospital stores, including delicacies where
possible to obtain them. ice. ETC., are placed
on board: that a sufficient number of ex-
perienced medical officers and nurses ac-
company the sick and wounded on the voy-
age; that there is no overcrowding of the
vessel, but that there are suitable accom-
modatiens for all; that the departure of
these ships be telegraphed to the adjutant
general and surgeon general" A similar
dispatch was sent to the commanding gen.
erals OF the army at Porto Rico and Ma
Mia
exT A ErTyrRsS FEWER REp0RT