Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-23
AOiUTANr GENERAL coRBlN
mas Macn Criticism Of the War, Both Depart.
ments and individualy.


the war investigating commission "a
DAY. and was rigidly questioned 70.
gardlng the selection of (,ann Alpar
va. He testified that tho ranovaI ~
LAMP Anger was dictated by the sec
le.a.y OF war himself and that it's
otlsii'ai establishment was recon-
n,ehoed by Capt. Seaburn of General
Miies staff. He. Gen. Corbin. had
saia at the time it could not be a good
amp ground because there was not
suiliclent range for rifle practice. He
naa understood from the secretary Of
war mat Gen. Miles had something to
40 with its selection. He was not GER
tam OF Captain Seaburn's exact sra
Jus, put he had understood Canaan
sSeaburn had been sent by Gen. Miles
site. 80 - 'ne caihp
Dld Gen. Miles protest against or
40 anything against the selection Of
the Campo" he was asked,
Not to my knowledge was the an
swer. He added that he did not know
the reasons for discontinuance Of the
camp.
questioned as to Camp Wikoff Gen.
corpln denied that the contract with
the Long Island Railroad gave it ex-
elusive control, and said the only re-
strictlon made in the arrangement was
the desirable one of prohibiting ex-
cufsion steamers landing at the camp.
ne SAID the camp at Tampa was never
uesisned for anything but point of
emparkatlon, and said the first com
pants he had heard from Camp Thorn
as, Chickamauga, were in the press
1 do not think the war department
contemplated war; said Gen. Corhin
until it was declared by Congress and
appropriations were available. or
course the possibilities We're thought of
but there We're no general preparations
except SO far as the department was
able to meet with the possibilities that
confronted it."
Col. DENLY, who conducted the exam
nation here, suggested to Gen. Corbln
tnat he observed the latter was eau
tons and reticent and explained: 1T
II not our object to criticise strategy.
Thatis not our business The strategy
OF the war may have been right and
may have been wrong. But our object
is to determine whether the war de-
partment acted efficiently"
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. Shat
ter's expedition started it took all the
transports it was possible to obtain. |
The supply was not equal to the de-
mand. 1t had been planned to carry
about $4,000 troops at the time, instead
Of the 1900 taken. He referred to the
letter of Gen. Miles, dated June "a.
laying out the plan of the campaign of
the war and said it was not approved.
Il would ask you whether the plan of
campaign against Santiago as adopted
was recommended by Gen. Miles"
NO, sir, / do not think the recon-
mendations made in that letter of MAY
u were approved was Gen. Corbin's |
reply.
Gen. Corbin said there had been a |
shortage on uniforms, canvas and tent |
age. The factories had not made the |
advance preparation as was expected. |
There had never been any trouble con-
corning provisions. he said. He said |
the matter of medical supplies and |
medical officers was left to the surgeon |
general and that the President in every |
case would not listen to appointing a /
medical officer until recommended by i
the surgeon general on the ground of |
llHSSS. I1c udu llO SuSScSilDli u MAKE
based on the experience of this war,
but & ID he would be afraid to see an
other war for fear it would not result
so well, or with so little loss of life.
Adverting to Gen. Miles complaint
that paymasters We're not sent to Porto
Rico as requested by him, Gen. Corbin
saidthey were Immediately ordered, but
they went by way of Santiago where
one fell i'll with yellow fever. The
health authorities quarantined the YES
sci carrying them and Gen. Miles, he
said, mad thought it best for the pay
masters not to come ashore at Ponce
to avoid possible infection. More
troops, said the witness, were sent to
Porto Rico than We're desired by Gen.
Miles, but only a few more.
Cen Corbin was asked how lit hap
pened, fif there was anything wrong at
or Camp Alger. that the
inspector general did not report it. He
replied that he did not see amy of the
inspectors reports from Chickamauga,
He said he knew of no contracts dur
ing the war that were influenced by
Gen. Dodge asked if daily reports
we're received as to equipment and sup
plies by telegraph from the various
Gen. Corbin: Yes, Sir,
and as fast as they were received by
ne a copy of each was sent the same
day to the heads of the departments
concerned. Often the secretary himself
endorsed them with the~order to hurry
along the things needed. Very fire.
uuently the secretary would call for
the official and discuss with him the
best way of attending to the matter.
want to say that all deficiencies re-
ported were due to the lack of the ex-
jstence of these articles. From these
daily reports we not only knew what
had been received out also the number
Of uniforms, wagons, etc, issued and to
whom, every day.
Gen. Corbin then volunteered to sup
Div the commission with any records IN
his office. AT any time he would pc
pleased to furnish everything desired
Col. DENLY: What are the duties
IF the inspector general?
Gen. Corbin hesitated and then SLOW
" responded: 1T should be. In time
If war. as well as in peace, to Inspect
the camps of soldiers and report theii
~
Col. DENLY: Are the dYtaes OF his
the same ?',
Gen. Corbin: Yes, siy,s' their reports