Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-18
AT CAMP CUBA LlBRE
WAR INVESTIGATING COMMIssIO,
MAKE THOROUGH INSPECTION.
ONLY ONE COMPLAINT MADE.
That Is by Colonel Jones, of south
Carolina, and is Against the Gil
mste-sub-Committ for Tampa
and Fcrnandina.
and Fcrnandina.


The War Investigating Commission spent
the afternoon inspecting the camps in the
immediate vicinity of Jacksonville A
heavy rain was falling during part OF
the tour, but the commissioners performed
their self-appointed task of going through
the camp from one end to the other in a
very painstaking manner They took car
riages from the depot Immediately after
the arrival OF the train, at 1870, and did
not return until after nightfall. The COM
mission separated into divisions Of three
members each, but the carriages kept
pretty closely together in the main. They
were escorted from point to point by Cen
eral a. X. Arnold who, in the absence OF
General Lee, is in command Of the corps
while Colonel Curtis Guild. Jr., inspector
general, led a cavalry detachment, which
accompanied them on their rounds.
The party drove first 10 the headquarters
OF the First Division commander. Gene
raj Lloyd Wheaton, and after leaving this
point made quite a thorough inspection
of the camp OF the First Brigade or this
division, including the First Texas and
the Second Louisiana and the Third Ne
braska regiments. While here the mem
bers of the commission made a call upon
Colonel Bryan. who is personally ac-
quainted with most OF them.
BRYAN ALMOST WELL.
They found him almost completely re-
covered from his recent illness, but very
much occupied IN arranging for the mus
tering out Of the men in his regiment re-
leved by the order Of the War Depart
ment, reducing the size Of the companies
OF his regiment TO the minimum of eighty
men, He said he was making an especial
effort to relieve the men who had families
dependent upon them.
A portion Of the commission also made
a special inspection of the Forty-ninth
Iowa Regiment as a compliment TO Gene
raj Dodge, who found in its colonel an old
friend.
A regiment which received particular
attention was the Second South Carolina
because it was the newest regiment in the
camp. The commissioners interviewed
officers and privates alike, and made per-
sonal visits 70 the quarters both OF the
men and their commanders. They lifted
the covers from commissary stores, went
through the kitchens, visited the drug
stores, inspected the apparatus, talked
with physicians and nurses. and made
special inquiry into the method OF con-
Quoting the hospitals. All three Of the
division hospitals were visited and IN
spected. the commissioners going through
the tents and in some instances, where
conversations were allowable, talking
with the patients.
SICK MEN WELL CARED FOR.
They found the patients to be apparent
~ well cared for, and so far as could be
discovered. they were as contented as sick
men generally are. Many Of them were
reading books and magazines, but in the
greater number OF cases the men either
held before their eyes or clasDed closely
IN their arms letters which had evidently
been received from home. The patients
were all found occupying clean-lookng
beds or cots, and In no instance was
hospital tent or pavilion found to be wl,h-
out a floor Indeed, almost all the tents
in the camp were foored. In many cases
the hospital tents were effectually screen
ed against flies and mosquitoes.
But enc complaint was heard in the en-
tire round, and this was evidently not
made I'm a spirit Of faut-hnding. Colonel
Jones. Of South Carolina. found fault
with the climate, saying that fully % per
cent. Of his men were i'll. largely on this
account He also said some rations Of
refrigerator beef had been received in bad
condition, which was due 10 the weather
ONLY COMPLAINT AGAINST THE
CLIMATE.
Summing up the result of the inspection,
General Dodge, chairman Of the commits
sion, said:
1--WE have compared notes after the
days work, and find that complaint was
made from but one regiment during the
day. This was the objection made TO the
climate by Colonel Jones. We saw both
officers and men, sick and well. and we
gave all an opportunity TO be heard, ask
ing the men in the absence Of their Off
GERS II they had any criticism to make.
We shall tomorrow begin the inquiry by
examining men under oath, and We hope,
il there are any shortcomings, to thus
uncover them. We found the sick doing
exceptionally well, and were pleased to
their physicians on the eX-
cellent arrangements made for their
care"
This statement was made in the pres
ence Of the members OF the commission,
and was endorsed by them.
sUB-COMMITTEES.
subcommittee Of two each appointed
to collect information. and IL necessary
TO take testimony at Tampa, were
Messrs McCook and Sexton. and that for
Fernandina. Messrs. Wilson and Howell.
The subcommittee for outside points
leave Jacksonville tonight or tomorrow.
rRIEI RORBERY OF THE MAN