The morning news., 1898-10-19
OFFICERS AND MEN TESTIFY
THREE SESSIONS or WAR COMNIs-
SION AT JACKSONVILLE.

q
oud south Carolina Regiment Re-
peats His Complaint About the
Freah Meat. Hts Swampy Camp
site. and Rad water.
Jacksonville. Fla. oct. 1S.-The war IN
vestieating commission held three sessions
to-day. dealing during The two-day ses-
sions with the general staff officers cf
the Seventh Army Corps and at night
hearing the testimony OF officers and men
OF the Second South Carolina Regiment.
The general officers examined included
the chief surgeon, the chief commissaTy,
the chief quartermas Ter and the inspec-
tor general Of the corps, and all gave de-
tailed information as to their respective
departments Of tho service.
The meetings to-day were held in Gen
Dodge's private car, but the moving
trains made so much noise that it was
found necessary TO secure other quarters
and hereafter the meetings VIII be held in
the City Council chamber
The suo-committee, consisting of Gen.
Wilson and Capt Howell, apparently TO
Investigate the selection Of Fernandina oe
a camp site. returned tonight and report
ed their complete approval of the selec-
ton. They made especial inquiry into
the report that the camp had been 10
Gated there for the purpose of enhancing
the value Of land owned by a son Of
Secretary Alger, going through the county
records as part OF their work. They
failed to find his name in any Of these
documents and their investigation con-
WINGED them that he had never owned any
real estate in that vicinity or had been
in any way interested in any.
Col. Louis NJ. Maus chief surgeon of the
Seventh Army Corps, was the first witness
sworn to-day He is a regular army sur
geon and has occupied this present posi-
ton practically throughout the history Of
the camp. lie said that when the order
came for the establishment Of division hos
ptals there was some delay in getting
supplies, such as tents. He made his requi-
sitons on Tampa, but, finding that all
efforts there were directed TO getting the
expeditions off, he made his acquisitions
upon Washington direct. After this they
We're promptly filed. There was no suf-
feFins among the sick Still they did not
have the luxures at the beginning of the
war that there were in the latter of it,
nor, added the doctor, do ] think that
the history OF the world has ever seen
parallel to our present care of the sick"
Taking up the present condition of the
hospitals, he said there were 300 trained
female nurses now at work here. He said
the employment of these nurses had
proven entirely satisfactory.
Replying to question, DR.. Maus said
that after the first few days there had
been exceptional promptitude. He had
never seen such utter disregard of ex-
pense in caring for sick soldiers. AS a
matter of fact the troops had a greater
allowance of rations than they could use
or dispose Of in any way
lie thought typhoid had been introduced
20 the camp by Mississippi and Virginia
troops Shallow wells and surface drain
age nad done much to increase the
sceufge. He also thought the flies had
done much TO disseminate fever.
Dr. Maus said he had found it difficult
10 prevail upon surgeons in the volunteer
service 20 learn the administrative duties
OF thelr positions Often early In the
war some of the volunteer regimentaI
surgeons mad been found negligent in the
matter Of inspection, but later on saui-
tation became the principal duty of everv-
pouy about the camp. Much trouble had
been experienced in keeping the public
IRON the hospitals.In many cases they had
sufrepuuously carried food to the sick
Ut. Maus also dWelt upon the neWsDaner
reports of suffering In the camp saving
ihey mad generally grown out of exagger-
ated statements from the men them
selves.
DR.. Maus thought the fever was now do
cfeaslng. He mentioned one instance in
winch serious sickness had followed the
use of tainted meat and said he had heard
OF a few other instances in which poor
meat had been issued
DR.. Maus was questioned 4, rooara o..
the camp at Miami He said he had IN
vestigated it and found il to be unsuita-
ore on account of the wafer which
analysis had shown 10 be impure. He
aiso thought Tampa unsuited to a large
army camp He said in response to a
criticism from Jacksonville ladv thai
zen. Lee had given the most careful at
tention TO the hospitals, that he made fire.
quent visits 20 the sick men and did much
to cheer them up.
letter was read from Mrs. Gordon
Wife of Gen w w. Gordon. in relation
TO the hospital at Miami in which she
made serious charges, among others one
10 the effect that a hospital nurse had he
come intoxicated and set fire to a Dotien+,s
bed, burning him somewhat and another
that flies were often found craving into
the mouths OF dying patients DR. Mans
had report from DR.. Villas in charge Of
the hospital, read, admitting the state
ment concerning the burning of a patients
bed, but denying all others. DR.. Maus
expressed the opinion that the charges
were exaggerated.
Col. Oliver f. Wood, chief commissarv
at Camp Cuba Libre under Gen. Lee
was before the commission at its after
noon session. He had occupied this Dosi
ton since May o. and he had been able
during all this time to fully and complete
ly meet all requisitions made upon him
for supplies and there had never been any
lack of them. AS a rule also the quality
was excellent. At first there had been
trouble with the bacon, and about l50O0O
pounds OF 1t had been spoiled. and, there
fore, condemned and ordered DESTROYED
There had also been weevn in some of
the hard bread, but 1t had never been
issued when found to be bad. All me
fresh beef was secured from Armour &,
Co, and was brought to the camp in
refrigerator cars. AS a rule this meat
was excellent and in cases where the
meat was not good the contractors had
replaced il without requiring official con-
demnatiou. Yet it was necessary. either
10 cook refrigerator meat or put il on ice
in order to prevent It's spelling in this eli