The herald., 1898-11-27
CONDITION OF CAMPS
DESCRIBED BY DOCTORS WHO
VISITED THEM
ROBERT ROOSEVELT WRITES
Boldly Charging Maltreatment Of Sol
diers Which in Some Cases Was
Practically Murder
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, Nov. 26-When the war
investigating commission met today, Or.
M. r. Terry surgeon general of the Ma
tional guard of the state of New York, was
asked to tell what he knew about the var-
Gus camps he visited DR.. Terry began with
Camp Alger This site was a good one, he
said, and everything appeared to be in good
condition The water was clear in appear
ance, but had a bad odor. 1t was analyzed,
but with what result he did not know.
He found the camp of the Eighth New
York regiment at Chickamaugs in a very
unsanitary condition. The camps of the
Ninth and Twelfth New York were in good
condition. In the course Of his remarks he
stated that the water there appeared to be
clear, but he was not certain as to It's sa-
lubrity, because he did not taste it.
"Why did you not taste the water, doc
tori" asked Dr. Connor.
II don't know why | should take any
risks" retorted the witness.
DIR. Terry said that the Sternberg hospi-
tai at Camp Thomas, under the charge of
Surgeon Major Hoff, was in excellent con-
dition and the best of order prevailed. The
sick were given every attention and every
thing that could be done was done for
them.
In speaking of the camp at Huntsville,
Ala, DIR. Terry said that he met Col. Duffy,
and both he and the officers and men of his
regiment appeared to be in excellent con-
dition. Col. Duffy, he said did all he could
for his men and there was little sickness.
Capt. Howell read letter addressed to
the commission by Robert j. Roosevelt,
secretary of the committee of the Society
for the Protection of Soldiers.
Gen. Dodge suggested that the letter be
read and filed, and by general consent Gen.
Dodges suggestion was adopted. The let
ter written to the commission by Mr.. Roose-
welt read in part as follows:
"To the President of the Commission of
Inquiry have noticed in the morning
press that one of your members critcises
the witnesses who have testified at the re-
quest of the commission formed in this city
to protect soldiers. They do not fix the
responsibility nor show who is to blame.
There seems to be misunderstanding be-
tween us. We supposed that all the wit
nesses had to do was to prove the facts and
that the commission would fix the response
bility.
The heroic boys may forget their suffer-
ings, may even refuse to testify to them,
but their mothers will not and their fathers
will not. Nor will it do to take refuge be-
hind the errors of the civil war
There was no intentional cruelty, such
as seems to have SO often prevailed in this
war The sick men were not starved
The uncomplaining endurance of our
men has simply been heroic They bore
wounds sickness, privations, to death even,
without word. 1t was only neglect starva-
tioni in fact, and abuse in the hospitals
which called forth letters, and these only
home to their families; letters which were
sent to me by ken-hearted mothers with
pititu appeals to us to help their sons.
Il wish your commission could have read
them, but as many of them were transmit
ted to me confidentially cannot even quote
from them.
The witnesses have established mon
strous incapacity. That they have not full
confidence in the power of your commission.
no matter how good its will, to meet all the
requirements the public demands of it, is
only echoing our own doubts, but in spite
OF that they seem to have done their share.
and it would seem that it only remains for
you to do your best, even if that best is not
quite satisfactory to yourselves. If done in
good faith, it will teach the soldiers that
at least there is power which was honestly
endeavoring to do them justice.
You can direct your inquiries in the first
place to the food supply. Find out who gets
the difference between the double rations
allowed by the government and the meager
hard tack, bacon and green coffee served to
the soldiers. The witnesses are the books
and the rolls in the public departments. tn
which you have full access.
I'VE have furnished you the facts. shown
you the brutality, cruelty, neglect. ndif
ference; how men whom the government
was under every obligation to protect. and
especially because they had right to RELY
upon such protection, were starved even in
the land of plenty; were uncared for when
slck' left without attention; when wounded
were abused and maltreated, in some cases
practically murdered.
we have shown you an Indifference and
bellttling Of human sufferings, which con.
tinue even now. If this nation is to became
warlike one, if we are to have an army
which shall be efficient and to be relied
upon, those crimes and blunders must he
corrected, and your commission must cor.
rect them. 1t is not for you to make the
feeble excuse that your commission, mere
voluntary association with no legal exist
ence even, shall shoulder this responsible.
ity."
The afternoon session completed the work
OF the commission in this city. The men,
bers went to Boston tonight.
-4<
Philbrook's Case