The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-09
tents the latter hospital finally obtaining
limited transportation to the front.

tents the latter hospital finally obtaining
limited transportation to the front.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES LANDED.
AFTER a couple OF days duty on board
the Olivette / was directed to put the Iro-
quois in condition to receive patients and to
take the full capacity of the ship on board.
While doing this ] was able to get ashore
considerable hospital tentage and supplies
found aboard of her. and, having control of
her boats, / was able to visit other trans
ports in the harbor and land medical sup
plies from them. While subsequently out
fitting the Cherokee and Breakwater the
work was continued as well as opportunity
and limited facilities permitted getting SUD-
plies from perhaps third of the transports
composing the fleet Outside of this it is
believed that no other regimental medical
property was ever unloaded up to the time
OF my departure with wounded on July TO-
Appealing on several occasions for the
use Of a lighter or small steamer to collect
and land medical supplies / was informed
by the quartermaster's department that
they could render no assistance in that way.
and the medical department was compelled
10 rely entirely on its own energies and i'm
provise its own transportation. l feel justi-
lied in saying that, at the time of my de-
parture. large quantities of medical sup
pies urgently needed on shore still re-
manned on transports, a number of which
were under orders TO return 10 the United
States. Had the medical department carried
difficult to see how, with Tire totally inade-
quate land and water transportation pro-
vided by the quartermaster's department,
the conditions on shore could have been in
any way improved
THE Quitting of transports for the re-
ception of sick and wounded is duty de-
handing thought and experience, and
should never be intrusted to any one except
a regular medical officer. 1t includes the
proper policing of the portions of the ship
TO be used by the wounded, the removal
of hunks and partitions to give space and
air. the utilization of the ships blankets
door mats, rugs and carpets to render the
hunks more comfortable, the securing of
extra supplies, such as canned soups and
fruits. lime juice and oat meal, the estab-
hshment of mess and laundry and the as
signment of convalescents to specific light
duties which materially relieve the over
worked hospital corps. Usually it is neceS-
sary to overcome passive resistance and OPP
position on the part of the crews and a
tendency on the part of the captains to
disregard or modify orders. In several in
of the crew amounted almost to mutiny
and was only to be dealt with by threats, a
show of force and in one instance in use
of irons.
REFUSED TO OBEY ORDERS.
while executive officer at the general
hospital, Fort Monroe, 1 learned officially
that the captain of the Seneca positively re-
fused to obey the orders emanating from
your office, given him by the contract
he remaining nearly an additional day at
Hampton Roads with sick and wounded
and asserting that he would obey no orders
given by the medical department. A similar
experience of my own at Daiquiri, which
had TO be settled by force, emphasized the
fact that no one should be placed in charge
or sueh a ship who is not accustomed to
command men and enforce obedience.
With regard to the Red Cross Society,"
: lnff rItfsIN of
this organization were on the Santiago ex-
petition subverted to individual interests
While at Tampa the Red Cross ship State
OF Texas was formally placed under the
control of the chief surgeon Fifth Corps by
Dr. Egan, the representative of the society,"
he acting under telegraph instructions to
that effect. Colonel Pope accepted this
offer and directed that the State of Texas
accompany the expedition of General Shaft
er to its destination. Although this order
was fully understood by Dr. Egan, the State
of Texas did not accompany the expedition
nor did it arrive at Siboney until the forces
had been landed, a battle fought and our
hospitals established and in working order
The first offers of aid made by this society
dealt largely in generalities and manifested
reluctance to subordinate the organization
to the medical department. Too much
praise cannot be given to the individual
nurses. Their work was untiring and I'M
selfish, and the assistance rendered by them
was Of great value.
In conclusions it is desired to emphasize
the fact that the lamentable conditions pre-
vailing in the army before Santiago were
cue TO the military necessity which threw
troops on shore and away from the posi-
biltty of supply without medicines instru-
ments, dressings or hospital stores of any
Kind Very respectfully your ODE
lent servant, EDWARD L. MUNSON,
captain and Assistant Surgeon u S. A.
Commanding Reserve Ambulance Corps"