The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-29
ALGER IN WASHINGTON.
He Says He is Well Pleased With Con-
dition of the Camps.
Ol8e Tries TO Keep UP with His Dada

Washington. Sept. 2S.-Secretary All
ger has returned to Washington. He
came to the War Department immedi
ately after breakfast. He said that he
had gained good deal of information
as to conditions in the camps and hospi-
tails by his inspection which might take
shape in official action soon. He went
to the White House and made verbal
report to the President on the inspection
of the army camps which he has just
concluded.
On leaving the White House Secretary
Alger said he was much gratihed with
the condition of the camps generally.
He had visited, he said, every one of the
camps, the hospitals and the sick. Most
of the men in the hospitals, he said, were
in good shape, cheerful and happy and
brightly looking forward to the time
when they would be well again. In a
general way the camps were kept salts
factorily, but there were, he conceded,
numerous points which might be inn
proved upon, citing especially the unsat-
sfactory condition of the sinks at some
points. AT Jacksonville, he said, the
reports seemed to show fairly large
proportion of sick, but he said the per-
centage Of sickness was accounted for
by the fact that the men sick, of all
regiments departing and mustered out
were kept i'll the camp.
THE main trouble" said Secretary
Alger, (which / found was perhaps the
matter of the troops not taking care
of themselves. At some points the eat
ing tents outside the camps conducted
by private enterprises, proved too tempt
ing for soldiers and the results of inn
proper and injudicious taking of food
soon manifested themselves in the con-
dition of the men. These are sometimes
things which cannot be helped; there
was no rigid discipline along these lines
and the improved state of affairs was
very evident"
The Secretary said the report of a
scene in General Breckenridges head
quarters i'll Lexington when he was in
specting that camp is absolutely with
out foundation.
Secretary Alger and Generals Lud
dington and Sternberg each have letters
from General Wiley who was reported
as having made accusations against
them, expressing his regret that any
such report was circulated. That to
Secretary Alger was as follows:
Headquarters First Brigade, Third Di-
vision, First Army Corps, Camp Ham
ilton, Ky, September %.
MY Dear General Alger: | hear
that some Of the Northern papers are
making Il great display of head lines
showing how | pitched into Generals
Alger, Luddington and Sternberg at
General Breckenridge's headquarters on
the 10th inst. how ] called you down,
etc. A lot of untruthful trash. Every
word | said was directed to you per-
sonally and we were within four or tie
feet of each other and you no doubt
heard every word of il. Not word
or a sentence was uttered at that or any
other time with reference to- youself.
General Luddington, or General Stern
berg, except in expression of the highest
regard and respect for your successful
and faithful performance of great
task.
Il am very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
(Signed) JOHN A. WILEY,
Brigader Gen. Volunteers"