The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-03
ENDURED BY SOLDIERS
NOT THE RESULT OF NEGLECT
OR INCOMPETENCE.
Illness AND PRIvATIoN UNAVOIDABLE
No Doubt Of Individual Cases of Suffering and
Possibly Neglect Among the Soldiers.
The Administration and War
Department BIameIesS.

Camp Wikoff Montauk. L. l., Septem-
Der 2.-Major General Joseph Wheeler
gave the following to the Associated
Press to-day:
Headquarters United States Forces
Camp Wikoff. T.. l.. September 1. 1898
The following is a sample of the let
tiers we are constantly receiving regard
ing the soldiers in the camp:
In regard to my step-son. we feel
very uneasy about him on account of the
newspaper reports of the privation and
suffering inflicted on the private soldiers.
Although he has never uttered Il com
plant since he has been in the army, we
hear from other sources OF the cruel and
horrible treatment infictec on our sol
dierS under the pretenSe of humanity
for our neighborS. and the whole country
is in n state of terrible excitement.
should not be surprised if the feeling
should lead to n revolution of some kind,
for | assure You | hear on all sides the
violent and bitter denunciations of the
War Department and the Administra-
ton. 1t is indeed n great pity that the
glory of our triumphs should be dimmed
by such a shameful thing as the ill-treat-
ment and starvation of our own brave
StIuItES NUllc int spanish IiiSpAANAo
have the best treatment that the coun-
try can afford
''It will be seen that this letter says
that not word of complaint has been
received from this soldier and so far
as my investigation goes, no complaint
has been made by any of the brave
soldiers that have added glory to our
arms in the Cuban campaign. A great
many anxious fathers. mothers, brothers
or sisters arrive here from all parts of
the United States to look after their
relatives whom. they say, the papers tell
them are suffering, and many of them
have heard that their relatives are in
condition of starvation. Most of these
people are little able to expend the mon
ey for such journey. and they arc sur
prised when they come here to find
their relatives surrounded with every
thing to eat which can be procured by
money: and if sick in the hospital, they
are gratiied and surprised to find that
they are given every possible care.
'In reply to a direct request that
will give the exact facts as | see them,
/ will state:
"'Every officer and soldier who went
to Cuba felt that he was given q great
and special privilege in being permitted
to engage in that campaign. They knew
they were to encounter yellow fever and
other diseases. as well as the torrid heat
of the country, and they were proud and
glad to do so. They knew that it was
impossible for them to have the advan
tage of wagon transportation which
usually accompanies armies. and yet Off
GERS and men were glad to go. to carry
their blankets and their rati0ns on their
- Il. 4,sl l.
shelter. to the sun and rains by day
and the heavy dews by night. They
certainly knew that the Spaniards had
spent years in erecting defences, and it
was their pleasure TO assault and their
duty to capture the Spanish works. They
were more than glad to incur the hard
ships and these dangers. They went there
and did their duty: each man seeming
to feel that American honor and prestige
was to be measured by his conduct The
brave men who won the victories did not
complain of the neglect of the govern
ment. but on tho contrary they seemed
grateful to the President and Secretary
of War for giving them the opportunity
to incur these dangers and hardships.
They realized that IN the hurried
organization of an expedition by
government which had no one
with any experience in such matters. 1T
was impossible to have everything ar
ranged to perfection; and they will tes-
tify that under the circumstances
the conditions were much more perfect
than anyone would have reason to expect
and that the President and Secretary Of
War and others who planned and dis
patched these expeditions, deserve high
commentator.
Il rYIw optrnxy Jxvu r.
ing in some respects in equippage was
that telegram was received from Adj
miral Sampson stating that if the army
reached there Immediately they could
take the city at once, but if there should
be delay, the Notifications of the Span
iards would be so perfected that there
might be great difficulty in taking it. On
receiving this dispatch from Admiral
Sampson, the War Department direct
ed the army to move at once, and as all
connected with the army will recall the
orders were received after dark and the
army was in motion, had travelled nine
miles and was on the ships at daylight
When the expedition sailed for Cuba il
went there escorted by large fleet Of
warships. At that time it was regarded
as impossible for a merchant ship to
sail on the ocean safely from any Ameri-
can port TO Santiago, but rs soon as the
Spanish fleet was destroyed 50 that it
was possible for unarmed ships to sail
safely to Santiago, the generous people OF
the United States subscribed money with
out limit and dispatched ship after ship
loaded with luxuries and delicacies for
the Santiago army and everything that
could. be accomplished for their comfort
was done by the President and Secre-
tary of War.
'After the surrender had been com
pleted and arrangements perfected for
Transporting the Spanish army TO Spain.
the President and Secretary of War sent
shipping to Santiago and transported our
army to one of the most healthful locd-
tions in the United States. The point
selected by the Secretary of War was
so situated that thorough protection was