The herald., 1898-10-20
WAR INQU|RfRs' WORK
FAILS TO FIND MUCH CAUSE FOR
COMPLAINT
The Managers Of Hospitals All Agree
That They Always Attended to
Duties in First Glass Style

war investigation commissioners held their
DECISIONS in the city hall today examining q
large number of regimental and other Off
GERS. One Of the most outspoken witnesses
ional hospital. He condemned some Of the
methods in vogue in the hospitals and said
that in many cases the contract physicians
and membership of the corps were incompe-
tent. The commission has decided that one
|of its members should be in the commission
office at Washington, and Colonel DENLY
has been selected for this service. He was
health has not beep 10 robust az when in
Washington.
First witness Called
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Oct. l9.-The
War Investigating Commissioq resumed resumed
quartermaster, on the stand. He said there
never had been any serious shortage OF sup
plies in the Seventh Corps and he was sure
there had been no suffering caused by de-
ficiency of supplies. In the beginning at the
camp there had been some complaint as to
the quality Of clothing but there had been
an Improvement in this respect in recent
securing proper assortment Of sizes.
Colonel Campbell
Major Creager was followed by Congress-
man j. r. Campbell, colonel Of the Ninth
Illinois Volunteers, who was questioned in
regard to. the general treatment of the
troops in the field and asked for suggestions
for the benefit Of the service. He spoke in
complimentary terms of the administration
of the army, saying that requisitions of all
kinds had been promptly filed, and that
the quality OF the articles supplied was gem
orally good. There had been some COM
plants as to the character Of the refrigera-
tor beef but investigation developed the
fact that while the meat had been received
in good order it had spoiled because Of en-
posure in hot weather. The difficulty was
overcome by exchanging beef for ham, no
fresh beef being now taken by the regiment
Colonel Campbell expressed the opinion that
the principal cause Of sickness in the camp
was the drilling in the early morning when
the dew was on the ground. This was the
mistake of his regiment as the command had
secured a revocation order for the drill and
had discontinued the practice. He said
few of his men were now homesick He
did not believe that to exceed per cent
of the soldiers would return home in prefer
ence to going to Cuba if given an opportun'
ity to do so. He had no suggestion to make
beyond request that his commend be sup.
piled with the Krag-J Jorgenson rifles as they
had taken first place for craftsmanship. He
also complained of the red tape method Of
the army, but made no applications. Colonel
Campbell said he had been liberal in grant
ing furloughs and he thought the system
had had a good influence in quieting the
apprehension of friends at home.
Lieutenant Moore
Lieutenant Moore, acting commissary OF
the Ninth Illinois, was questioned in re.
gard to the quantity of rations. He said
there had been no difficulty except as to the
fresh beef, and agreed with Colonel Camp
bell that there had been no trouble on ac-
count of meat since the arrangement had
been made to take cured hams instead ol
beef.
Major Frye
DR.. r. D. Frye, major and executive off
Ger of the third division hospital, testified
as to the management Of this institution,
and also as to, the management of the Sec
from which place be was transferred to thii
camp, and the military hospital at Fort Nc
Pherson, Georgia, where he was also sta
toned for time. He said the Montauk
point patients had lacked for nothing, and
that they were excellently taken care of by
both physicians and nurses. At McPher
son there were at one time 925 patients
There was no material shortsge in drugs at
thi: point, but occasionally there was q
slight deficiency, which was, however
quickly overcome.
: Speaking of the hospital in which he il
engaged here, he said the location was al
good as could be secured in this vicinity, but
that the general surroundings were not
suitable. The hospitals had been slightly
overcrowded, a. many a. seven or eight
men had stayed in one tent. This was due
to emergency. The patients, however
had been well cared for by both physicians
and nurses, and the hospital supplies were
abundant and good. Many of the nurses
are females. They are generally very com.
retent. There was always one nurse on