The record-union., 1898-09-02
THE SO-CALLED CAMP HOR-
RORS."

have been filled with the most sensa-
f1onal stories is regard to alleged "hor-
rors" in the large army camps. 1t has
been asserted that the soldiers were
starving, that they have been COM
PEELED to sleep on bare floors, have not
had proper medical attendance and all
that. 1t has been evident for the past
two weeks that these stories were in
most cases absolutely false and in
others greatly exaggerated. More than
this, in the face of Investigations made.
showing these reports to be false, the
Democratic press Of the country has
continued to print the most sensational
reports from various camps accom-
panying them with editorial denuncia-
tion of the Administration. It is per-
fectly evident that all this is done for
political purposes and to offset the
credit Republican Administration has
earned by it's magnificent conduct of
the war.
Yesterday the official report of Gen
-eral H. V. Boynton upon the state of
affairs at Camp Thomas was published
and 1t proves the falsity of the sensa-
tlonal reports that have been printed
and. explains how many of them have
been made plausible General Boyn-
toms investigation was most searching
and the facts presented in his report
are beyond dispute.
Tn ha Ar-
total number of deaths in all the hos
pitals of the camp from the middle of
April to 22d Of August, when the break
ing UP Of the camp began, was only 1913.
Between these dates, including regu-
lars and volunteers, fully 10000 troops
have been in camp in the Chicamaugua
camp. This is not a heavy death rate
among SO many men. Many Of them
would probably have died if they had
been at home, but it is expected that
there. will be an increase in the mum
ber of deaths when men are taken from
the ordinary pursuits of life and sub
1ected to the exertions and hardships
which are inseparabIe from the life of
the SOlQ1er IN camp or neld.
The report takes up in detail each of
the hospitals and tells the conditions
existing in each. 1t Is shown that at
the Letter and Sternberg hospitals each
patient had abundant room, woven
wire and hair mattresses and abundant
bed clothes. The ventilation was per-
feet, the plumbing entirely new and the
bathing facilities ample The Sternberg
hospital is pronounced one Of the most
complete field hospitals ever seen, ac-
cording to veterans of the last war. In
the First Division Hospital none of the
80 cents allowed per man for delicacies
has been used because it was not need
ed. At this hospital there was full re-
frigerator capacity, porcelain lined
baths, stereliZed and ice water and
every convenience At the Third Di-
vision Hospital the attendants were
found sufficient, though in the earlier
days there were not enough surgeons
or attendants, and so the report goes
on with all the hospitals.
The report then proceeds to show how
many of the stories undoubtedly origi-
mated to the effect that patients in the
hospitals lacked sufficient food and in
many cases had been on the verge OF
starvation. In the wards where the con-
valescent typhoid patients were found
many of the men were constantly ask
ing for food and, as matter of conse-
quence were as constantly denied
everything except the lighter forms OF
food, which can alone be safely ad-
Mustered to recovering typhoid pa
tients. General Boynton then says:
There has been no lack of perfect
food in the hospitals, and competent
cooks for preparing it have been pres.
ent and the only reason for depriving
the patients of what so many Of them
have clamored for has been the neces-
sity of such dieting as the disease de-
mands. 1t will be easily observed that
the conditions set forth in this report
are mainly present conditions.
Undoubtedly there has been serious
inconveniences, and at times OF the
greatest crowding there was lack o1
conveniences and full attendance which
go to make up that painful condition
of affairs, which, as every veteran
knows, are inseparable from the field
hospitals of great armies, even wheT
all concerned exert themselves TO secure
the comfort Of the patients.
SO far from believing, as a result o1
my observations, that medical officers
have been heartless or negligent, I be-
lieye that these officers and the hos
pital attendants, as a whole, have ex-
erted themselves to discharge their du
ties faithfully.
In closing, I beg leave to express my
opinfon that most Of the interview:
with Chaplains, regimental surgeon:
and others, both officers and men, nov
anuearing at the North in many Of tbs
newspapers in regard to this camp, are
reckless and false except as to tbs
fIthy conditions which their own Grim
inal negligence has caused. In my
Judgment, the recent increase in th'
outcries against water and the persist
ont assertion that the park is un
healthy have been largely and de
1iberately used to stir up sentiment ant
Influences which would be exerted t.
secure release from duty.
Tn this connection we also call at
+antion 10 the sensational reports tina
have been put forth in regard TO tn
.,rr,ble death rate in the Seventh Cal
,eornia Regiment, located in San Fran