Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-29
C0RBIN 1ESTEIES.
The Adjutant General Appears Be-
fore Investigating Commits Ion.
TALKS ABOUT The DIFFERENT CAMPS
The WsP Department Did Not Contemplate
War Until 1t Was Declared BY Con-
gress-A shortage Of Uniforms
and Tsutaga


Corbin was the first witness before the
war investigating commission yes.
terdsy and was questioned regarding
the selection Of Camp Alger, Va He
testified that the removal Of Camp Al
ger was dictated by the secretary Of
war himself and that its original es-
adjustment was recommended by
Capt Sesburn, Of Gen. Miles staff.
He, Gen. Corbin, had said at the time
1t could not be good camp ground,
because there was not sufficient range
for rife practice. He had understood
from the secretary Of war that Gen.
Miles had something to do with its
selection.
did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything sgainst the selection Of
the camp" he was asked. mot to
my knowledge" was the answer
Gen. Corbin added that he did not
know the reason for discontinuance
Of the camp. Questioned as to Camp
Wikof, Gen. Corbin said that the
troops and horses that arrived there
about August s were those left behind
in the south from the expeditions to
Santiago and Porto Rico and that the
transportation Of these had not,
as he knew, led to railroad
congestion or interfered in any
way with the carriage Of sup.
plies for the troops subsequently
arriving. He denied that the contract
with the Long Island railroad gave it
exclusive control and said the only re-
striction made in that arrangement
was the desirable one Of prohibiting
excursion steamers landing at the
camp. He said one reason for its selec-
ton was the excellent facilities for
water transportation. He said the
camp at Tampa was never designed for
anything but point OF embarkation
and said the first complaints he had
heard from Camp Thomas, Chicka.
manga, was In the press.
Asked when he first seriously appre.
hended there would be hostilities,
Gen. Corbin said he might say he did
not seriously contemplate war until 1t
was fact, for he had hoped to the
last moment that it would be averted.
On April 10 the army, for one Of its
size, was we'll equipped and thoroughly
supplied. He said prior to the war
there had been no complaints Of refrig.
Grated or canned beef and that they
were used by armies Of the world and in
commerce. 1t was no new experiment.
seriously speaking said Gen. Cor.
bin, II do not think the war depart
nsant cousaMDIsSes war until 1t was
declared BY soseress and appropria'
lions wdre ~ liable OF course the
possibilities vsre shpught OF, but there
|wffe no ger srsl pseparati ons except
70 fst1 80 a%pertllent was able to
NEST ~ Joist0 ,ies that confronted
Bro E
torner ashn aaatwhen Gen. Skaters
Ia pe7i.ica starsad took all the trans.
borts it was possible to obtain. The
supply was not equal to the demand.
H. HID been planned to carry about
S5,OOO troops at that time, instead of
the 1900 taken. He referred to the
letter Of Gen. Miles, dated June "a,
laying out the plan of campaign Of
the war and said it was not approved.
Gen. Corbin said there had been a
shortage of uniforms, canvas and tent
age. The factories had not made the
advance preparations that had been
expected There had never been any
trouble concerning provisions. He
said the matter Of medical supplies
and medical officers was left to the sur
geon general and that the president in
every case would not listen to appoint
ing a medical officer until recommend
ed by the surgeon general on the
ground Of fitness. He had no sugges-
tions to make based on the experience
of this war, but should be afraid to
see another war for fear it would not
result SO well, or with so little loss of
life.
Adverting to Gen. Miles complaint
that paymasters were not sent to
Porto Rico as requested by him, Gen.
Corbin said they were ordered imme.
diately, but they went by way of San.
tiago, where one fell ill with yellow
fever. The health authorities quaran.
tined the vessel carrying them, and
Gen. Miles, he said. had thought it
best for the paymasters not to come
ashore at Ponce, to avoid possible in
lection. More troops, said the wit
ness, were sent to Porto Rico than
were desired BY Gen. Miles, but only
rev more.
Gen. Corbn was asked how it hap.
pened, II there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga or Camp Alger, that
the inspector generals did not report
it He replied that he did not see any
Of the inspectors reports from Chicka.
manga.
"How do you account asked Gen.
Dodge, "for all these complaints
against the various departments"
ITO want of realization of the severi.
ties Of war;" was the reply.
The commission then adjourned.
a Letter Received from Glllett.
Kansas City. NO., Dec 2S.-Grant
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