The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
Gen. CORB|N
AS A WITNESS
Testified Before the Investigation
Commission
The INSPECTOR GENERALS
Were Responsible for the Poor
Condition of Camps.
THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE REPORTS
If They Did So, the Commanding
Generals Were at Fault.
WAR WAS WHOLLY UNEXPECTED
Prior to the Declaration ofHostilities the
American Army Was in Better
Condition Than Any on
the Globe.
If They Did So, the Commanding
Generals Were at Fault.
WAR WAS WHOLLY UNEXPECTED

Washington. December 22.-Adjutant-
General Corbin was the first witness before
the war investigating committee today and
was rigidly questioned regarding the selee-
tion of Camp Alger, Virginia. He testified
that the removal of Camp Alger was die
tated by the secretary of war himself and
that its original establishment was recon-
mended by Captain Seaburne, of General
Miles staff. He, General Corbin, had said
at the time 1t could not be a good camp,
because there was not sufficient range for
rifle practice. He had understood from the
secretary of war that General Miles had
something to do with its selection. He was
not certain of Captain Seaburne's exact
status, but he had understood Captain Sea-
burne had been sent by General Miles to
make the inspection of the camp site.
Miles Didn't Protest
Ibid General Miles protest against or do
anything against the selection of the
camp?" he was asked.
mot to my knowledge" was the answer.
General Corbin added that he did not know
the reason for the dscontinuance of the
camp.
Questioned as to Camp Wikof General
Corbin said that the troops and horses
moved there about August were those left
behind in the south from the expeditions
to Santiago and Porto Rico and that the
transportation of these had not so far as he
knew led to railroad congestion or inter-
fered with the carriage of supplies for the
troops subsequently arriving. He denied
that the contract with the Long Island rail-
=
only restriction made in the ARRANGEMENT
was the desirable one of prohibiting excur-
sion steamers landing at the camp. He said
one reason for its selection was the excel
lent facilities for water transportation.
The Camp at Tampa
He said the camp at Tampa was never
designated for anything but point of en-
barkation, and said the first complaints he
had heard from Camp Thomas, Chcka-
mauga, were in the press
He was asked when he first seriously an
pretended there would be host lities. Cen
eral Corbin said he might say he did not
seriously contemplate war until it was
fact, for he had hoped to the last moment
that 1t would be averted On April 10 the
army, for one of its size was well equipped
and thoroughly supplied. There never was
an army, he said. better equipped better
clothed, better fed or with better morale
than our regular army at that time. He
said prior to the war there had been no
complaints of refrigerated and canned beef,
and that they were used by the armies of
the world and in commerce. 1t was no new
experiment"
War Not Contemplated
Seriously speaking" said General Cor
bin, II do not think the war department
contemplated war until it was declared by
congress and appropriations were available.
OF course, the possibilities were thought of,
but there were general preparations,
except so far as the department was able
to meet the possibilities that confronted it,"
Colonel Denby, who conducted the ex-
animation here, suggested to- General Cor
bin that he observed the latter was eau
tious and reticent and explained: at is not
our object to criticise strategy. The strate-
gy of the war may have been right and
may have been wrong. But our object is
to determine whether the war. department
acted efficiently"
He said when General Skaters expedi-
tion started it took all the transports it
was possible to obtain. The supply was not
equal to the demand. 1t had been planned
to carry about rs, 900 troops at that time, in
stead of the 1900 taken. He referred to the
letter of General Miles. dated June "a, lay
ing out the plan of campaign OF the war
and said 1t was not approved.
General Dodge asked If daily reports were
received as to equipment and supplies by
telegraph from the various commands.
Daily Reports Received
General Corbin: Eyes, sir. And as fast
as they were received by me a copy of
each was sent the same day to the heads
OF the departments concerned. Often the
secretary himself indorsed them with the
order to hurry along things needed. Very
frequently the secretary would call for
Is nd wit ba hacf