The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-11
OUR ARMY HOSPITALS


Chicago. November S-The war in
v~estigating commission today CONTINUE
ed the examination OF witnesses. Gem
eral Dodge. chairman OF he conmis
sion, now says that he can begin To
see an end OF the long investigation.
DR.. {. A. Smith, OF Clinton. Iowa.
was the first witness. He testified that
at times hospitals az Chickamaur
were crowded; also that there was
shortage OF medical supplies. He also
complained OF the water.
Asked about DR.. Milo Il. Ward. who
testified yesterday. the witness said
he regarded DR.. Ward as n very conn
petent and very conscientious man
and would not doubt any statements
DR.. Ward might make as TO condi-
tions at Camp Thomas.
DR.. Smith, continuing. said: Il once
wrote n report 10 the surgeon general.
but L think IL never got any further
than General Compton's office. wa.
asked by General Compton and Major
Jenny To withdraw 1t as IL might get
me into disfavor personally. but | told
them there was nothing in IL thai I
wished to withdraw"
A copy or this report had been pre-
served by DR.. Smith and was handed
10 the commission. In IL he COMPLAINS
10 the surgeon general about condi-
tons in his hospital, giving facts and
details in accordance witt his evil
dence today.
Charles S. Bullock. chaplain OF the
First Illinois cavalry. with rank as
captain, said that in the great maiori-
~ OF cases the complaints OF poor
food or inadequate supplies at Chicka-
manga were absolutely unfounded and
that the stories published in the VA
rlous wspap about the inhuman
treatment OF the soldiers was without
any foundation.
Mrs. Trumbull White. OF Chicago.
who went to Cuba with Miss Clara
Barton, on the Texas, and assisted the
latter for a considerable time at Sib-
oney, gave as her opinion that there
was a great lack of attendants at the
fever hospital at Siboney and also "A
scarcity OF supplies.
Colonel l.. II. Smth. purchasing
agent OF the United States army. sta
toned at Chicago. was then called TO
e~nlighten the commission upon the
question of provisions FOR the troops.
the quality, supply. etc.
Colonel Smith said: II have had no
official complaints about any OF the
supplies / purchased, except in the
case of eight barrels of pork which
were reported to have been in bad
to1ulllOn.
The commission next heard two wit
nesses from local packing houses.
touching the character OF the canned
beef purchased for the army. They
said the same quality Of goods had
been delivered to the French and
British governments and no complaints
have ever been received from them.
They thought 1T possible than the
weather at the southern camps and in
Cuba might have had some effect on
the canned roast beef.
Rev. Geo. K. Hoover. a Chicago
clergyman. whose son died in the sec
ond division hospital at Jacksonville.
Fla, said: "In the hospital there
seemed to be a lack OF medicine-somc
OF the simpler medicines. In talking
with ward masters, nurses and others
/ found what / thought was unneces-
sary fear OF stating facts. For instance
no one would talk to me without say
ing: You must not give my name, or
/ will be subject to punishment"
A number of other witnesses testi-
fed that supplies were adequate and
acquisitions promptly filled.