The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-10-01
CONDUCT OF THE WAR.
Investigators Ask Secretary Aiger g
Furnish Information ON
Many Points.


Lemon building. and at the close Of
the morning session gave out num-
Der OF documents bearing upon the
work to be undertaken. These COM
prise the letter OF Secretary Alger
TO the president requesting that the
investigation be made, brief address
20 the public in the shape of resolu-
tion, a letter from Chairman Dodge
10 the secretary Of war inclosing a
list OF inquiries TO the secretary and
10 the heads of the various divisions
of the war department calling for spe-
cific information bearing upon the con-
duet Of the war.
With the letter TO the secretary OF
war were inclosed questions indicat-
ing the character OF information de-
sired at the hands of the surgeon gen
eral, the quartermaster general, the
subsistence department, the ordnance
department and the adiutant general.
The letter OF Secretary Alger TO
the president asking for an investi-
cation of the war department is as
follows:
war Department. Washington. Sept s.
1SaS-To the President; have the honor TO
ask that n board consisting OF from five
20 seven members OF the most distinguished
soldiers and civilians that can be selected
be appointed by you with full power TO in
vestigate thoroughly every bureau or the
war department, I'm connection with the
mastering, clothing. supplying and arming
or troops, transportation, the letting or
contracts and chartering vessels, and all
exp endtures OF evry kind. as well as OF
orders issued by this department-indeed
| that everything connected with the army
be thoroughly investigated for your in
formation.
"R. A. ALGER. Secretary OF War
At the conclusion OF the mornings
session of the war investigating com
mission, the following letter 10 Secre-
tary Alger, outlining the scope Of their
work, was given out:
"Onlce OF Commission Appointed by the
/ President 20 Investigate the Conduct OF the
\ War Department IN the War with Spain.
4 Lemon Building, Washington. D. c., Sept.
n. 1885; To the Secretary OF War-Sir:
/ Pursuant 20 authority conferred upon us
/ by the president. we have the honor TO re-
quest that you direct the adjutant general,
4 the quartermaster general, the commits
\ sary general. the surgeon general,
4 the chief OF ordnance and the chief OF en-
4 gineers to furnish us as soon as practicable
Il information as 10 the condition OF their
VI
Il declaration OF war with Spain. and the OPP
+ erations OF those departments from that
I time until the present
I'VE desire the information TO include the
following. viz:
"First-The times and places OF the mob
! ilization OF the regular and volunteer
troops
Second = The organization OF those
troops into the various subdivisions OF the
army, the personnel OF the brigade, divi-
sion. corps and army commanders and OF
7 their STATS, whether appointed from the
permanent establishment from the ma
/ tional guard or from civil ilfe
"Third-The amount and kind OF camp
and garrison equipage and supplies that
were on hand At the beginning OF the war
the amount subsequently purchased when
and where purchased, when and where de-
livered 10 your department, and when and
| where actually issued 10 the troops.
"Fourth-Slmilar Information I'm regard tC
furnishing the troops with arms and ac-
| coutremcnts.
'sF'ifth-which OF the volunteers were
armed and equipped In the various state
camps and which In the general camps
"Sixth-Upon whose recommendation OF
Judgment the various general rendezvous
were selected, and the reasons for such Sc
lection.
"Seventh-Full particulars relative 10 the
transportation OF troops by sea, giving an
account OF the provisions made for tn,
care OF the sick and wounded.
"Eighth-An account of the quantity, quail
ity and kind OF food furnished the troops
and In case that any of them failed OF beinp
plentifully and seasonably supplied, stat,
the reasons therefor.
"Ninth-As to the proper tentage, beds
linen. medicines. food and all other
necessary equipment and supplies for thu
use OF the hospital corps OF the army. II
there was any lack OF these things at any
time. state the reasons therefor.
"Tenth-Whether the medical staff wal
efficient and sufficient at all times for tn,
proper care OF the sick and wounded, anC
II not. state the reasons therefor.
'Eleventh-Such Information relative {,
the conditions and operations OF tho ord
nance and engineering department as viii
be Of value TO us In our Investigations.
I'VE have outlined briefly only portion
OF the Information that we trust you vii
be able 60 give us. IL will be satisfactory
TO have IL communicated to us In writing
or by the chiefs OF the several bureaus II
person. with the submission of such rec
ords confirming their statements as they
may De pleased TO hand 10 us.
ITO aid you In complying with this re
quest there Is submitted herewith n list o
special questions to which as far as is pos
sible answers are desired.
VERY respectfully.
GRANVILLE NJ. DODGE. President"
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his reply
Information Desired from Secretary o
WAR; Plan OF campaign proposed I'm
mediatoly after the declaration OF war
was Il intended TO move az once on Havana
or that the campaign should be postpone,
until the autumn?
20. When was the Santiago campaign de
termlned upon2
%. Why was Tampa selected as the bas
OF operations2
"a. Why were summer camps organized
at Fernandina, Jacksonville and Tampa7
20. When was the Puerto Rico campaign
determined upon2
&c Why were the troops held on trans
ports after embarkation at Tampa and no
permitted to sail for several days?"
Col. Bryan's Illness.
Washington. Sept. 2s.--Col william
81. rtg.I