The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-22
ALGER SPEAKS AGAIN.
Says Commanding officers at Camps
Are Responsible for Suffering.

are Responsible for suffering.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 21.-The sec
retary of war, who to-day inspected Camp
Poland and reviewed the enlisted men en-
camped there, made a speech to the COM
manding officers at Ger eral McKee's head
quarters during the morning, in which he
fixed the blame for the sickness in the diff
ferent camps throughout the country on the
commanding officers.
Secretary Alger was given an enthusiastic
reception by the citizens of Knoxville and
by the commanding officers of the camp on
his arrival He went from the depot direct
to the camp and. shortly afterwards, ac-
companied by his staff and the officers of
the camp. all on horseback, the secretary
rode over the drill field and inspected the
troops. He then reviewed the grand parade
arranged in his honor and afterwards made
a speech to the commanding officers. He
next visited the hospitals and regmental
quarters and made thorough inspection of
the condition of the camp and men. Gen.
Alger congra tulated General Mckee on the
splendid condition of his camp and of the
troops. He expressed satisfaction with the
location of the camp and the showing made
by the men.
The parade at Camp Poland was wit
messed by an immense concourse of people
and General Alger commented on this fact
He said it indicated to his mind that the
people of Knoxville were glad to have the
soldiers here. The commands in review
were: The Second Ohio, Third North Caro-
lima. Sixth Virginia, Sixth Ohio, First West
Virginia, First Georgia, Fourth Tennessee
and Thirty-first Michigan.
After the review General Alger asked
that the commanding officers assemble at
General McKee's headquarters and at the
latter's tent on the high eminence over
looking Camp Poland on the one side and
Knoxville on the other, the secretary was
surrounded by the officers and the Knox
vile citizens committee. He removed his
hat and in a delicate and careful manner
of speech he said: II came here to visit
this camp for the purpose of acquainting
myself with the conditions and to see for
myself just how the troops are faring and
to hear from the officers any recommends
tions that they may think will benefit the
camp. want to hear what the commanders
have to say about division hospitals and
regimental hospitals, more especially. There
has been a great deal of talk about the
conditions of the camp hospitals. want to
say that had the War Department been ac-
quainted with the conditions said to have
existed at Chickamauga the troops there
would have been moved long before they
were. We received only good reports at
Washington from the commanding officers
and it was supposed that the outside reports
were exaggerated. The commanders of
camps are responsible for the condition of
their camps and If the men are not well
cared for and if the hospital and sanitary
conditions are bad the commanding officer
must answer for it. The War Department
has been and is ready to supply the de-
mands of the troops for medicine and sus-
tenance and there is no reason why condi-
tions other than the best possible should
exist
Secretary Alger and party left for Chatta-
nooga at 4 o'clock.