Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-03
ANOTHER VERSION
Of Condition at Camp Wikoff
by Gen. Wheeler.
More Complaints BY Relatives Than
from Boys Themselves.
Heads Of Departments Have All Done Their
Level Best.

Headquarters U. S. Forces, Camp
Wikoff, J.. l., Sept. l, 1898.
THE following is a sample of the
letters we are constantly receiving re-
garding the soldiers in the camp: In
uneasy about him on account of the
newspaper reports of the privation and
suffering Indicted on the private SOL
der. Although he has never uttered
a complaint since he has been in the
army, we hear from other sources IF
the cruel and horrible treatment in
flicted on our soldiers under the pre-
tense of humanity for out neighbors,
and the whole country is in a state Of
terrible excitement. / should not be
surprised If the feeling should lead
to revolution of some kind for
assure you hear on all sides the most
violent and bitter denunciations of the
war department of the administration.
1t is indeed great pity that the
glory Of our triumph should be dimmed
by such a shameful thing as the ill
treatment and starvation of our own
oners have the best treatment the
country can afford
1T will be seen that this letter says
that not a word of complaint has
been received from the soldier and so
far as my investigation goes, no COM
plant has been made by many brave
soldier that have added glory to our
arms in the Cuban campaign. A great
many anxious fathers, mothers, BROTH
ers and sisters arrive here from all
parts of the United States to look after
their relatives whom they say the pa
pers tell them are suffering, and many
of them have heard that their rela-
tives are in condition of starvation
Most of these people are little able to
expend the money for such journey and
they are surprised when they come here
to find their relatives surrounded with
everything to eat which can be procured
by money: and if sick in the hospital.
they are gratified and surprised to find
that they are given every possible care
In reply to direct request that I will
give the exact facts as / see them I will
state: Every officer and soldier who
went to Cuba regarded that he was given
a grea't and special privilege in being per-
mitted to engage in that campaign.
They knew that they were to encoun-
ter yellow fever. and other diseases as
well as the torrid heat of the country.
and they We're prepared and glad to do So
They knew that ii was impossible for
them to have the advantage of wagon
transportation which usually accom-
panies armies, and yet officers and men
were glad to go, TO carry their blankets
ra ions hat ,Iy
be subjected without any shelter to the
sun and rains by day ard the heavy dews
by night.
'Hrhey certainly knew that the Span
iards had spent years in erecting defences
and it was their pleasure to assault and
their duty to capture the Spanish works.
They were more than glad TO incur the
hardships and the dangers. They went
there and did their duty, each man SEEM
ing to feel that American honor and pres
tige was to be measured by his conduct
The brave men who won the victories
did not complain of the neglect of the
government, but on the contrary they
seemed grateful to the President and sec
retary of war for giving them the oppor-
tunity to incur these dangers and hard
ships. They realized that. in the hurried
organization of an expedition by a gov
which had no one with experi-
ence in such matters, it was impossible to
have everything arranged to perfection;
and they will testify that, under the cir
cumstances, the conditions were much
more perfect that anyone had reason to
expect, ard that the President ana the
secretary of war and others who planned
and dispatched this expedition deserve
high commentator.
"One reason why our army was lacking
IN some respects in equipage was that a
telegram was received from Admiral
sampson stating that If the army reached
there Immediately they could take the
city at. once, but If there was delay the
of the Spaniards would be
20 perfected that there might be great
difficulty in taking it, On receiving this
iispatclp from Admiral Sampson. the war
department. directed the army to move at
'nce, and as all connected with the army
Will recall, the orders were received, after
lark. and the army was in motion. had
travelled nine miles and was on the ships
It daylight. When the expedition sailed
or Cuba it went there escorted by a large
1eet of warships.
AT that time 1t was regarded as i'm
possible for merchant ship. to sail on
he ocean safely from any American port
o Santiago, but as soon as the Spanish
ieet was destroyed so that it was possible
or unarmed ships to san safely to Sam
iago. the generous people of the United |
states subscribed money without limit |
md dispatched ship after ship. loaded |
With luxuries and delicacies for the San
iago army, and everything that could be
accomplished for their comfort was done |
" the President and secretary of war.
"After the surrender had been COM
,leted and arrangements perfected for +
the Spanish army to Spain. !
he President and secretary of war sent |
llipping to Santiago and transported our
rmy to one of the most fealthful locali- I
les in the United States. The point Sc
ected by the secretary of war was so Sit T
ated that thorough protection was given
ne people of the United States from the
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