The times., 1898-11-18
WAR METHODS DEFENDED
Good Witnesses Before the Al
ger Relief Commission.
FOOD In GREAT ABUNDANCE
gen. Young's Testimony on Condi-
tions mt Observation-Disclosures Played
Upon the sympnthy of Ladies' and
Reiatives-oMcers Thought sup
plies sh3uid He Brought to Them.

Mai. Gen. S. B. N Young, who COM
nanded a brigade of Gen. Joe Wheeler's
division at Santiago. we.e the principal
witnesses examined by the Alger RELIEF
Commission yesterday. Both appeared 10
be anxious 10 give the War Department
management a clear bill of health.
Col. Forwood defended his administra-
ton of affairs at Camp Wikoff and denied
most of the complaints that had been
made regarding the condition of things
there.
In answer to an inquiry from Dr. Can
non WHY patients were sent to the city
hospitals from Camp Wikoff, Col For
wood said:
1.-The sick of all kinds were so numerous
and the facilities for providing lumber
and transportation and labor so limited
that an outlet was needed for the nos
pitfalls. The people of the different cities
clamored to be allowed TO assist in the
care of the sick. and those who could
travel were allowed to go to the different
CITY hosnitaIs. Within the first thirty
days 5000 patients passed through the
hospitals. II was impossible to get
enough lumber To the place, impossible to
get enough carpenters, and impossible to
provide transportation for the materials
for the construction OF a hospital large
enough to accommodate the entire 1900
all at one time This situation created
the necessity for an outlet.
Col. Forwood described the camp at
Mon;auk and Illustrated his statements
with maps and blue prints. He said the
ground was unlimited for the extension
of the general hospital or the detention
hospital.
Hospital NJ II Door to Home.
Men were constantly using the hospit-
al as door to home, Col. Forwood adj
ded. They could get furloughs from the
hospital. and in that way get transporta-
tion at the Governments expense, There
was a wasteful abundance of medical
supplies Fifty-four carloads of medical
stores proper arrived at one time. Not
withstanding this. unusual demands were
made for proprietary and quack medl-
cines. and various medicines with hard
names These demands We're always hon
ored. and | teiegraphed for such medi-
to be manufactured"
Col. Forwood testified that complaints
about the water emanated principally
from persons who had bottled mineral
waters and filters to sell. He remarked
that he was sorry TO say that some OF
the manufacturers succeeded in inducing
the Government to purchase number OF
filters at an expense of several thousand
dollars. He said that the ambulances
and wagons did not arrive as fast as
were needed. but he could not hold the
ouartermaSter' department responsible
for the delay Col Forwood replied in de-
tail to the criticisms of some newspapers,
saying the he knew of instances where
surgeons were sent there 10 criticise.
The kitchens We're presided over by the
best cooks Miss Helen Gould came to
Montnuk and told me that she would
send me what men were needed re-
member finding one cook in charge of a
kitchen who for three years and six
months was private cook to William II.
Vanderbilt. Our storehouse was hlled
with wines and brandies, and turkeys
pheasants. squads. and lambs
The witness admitted that some of the
sick had to stand at the railroad station
and wait for transportation to theii
homes. They received their furlough and
went Immediately TO the station TO get
transportation.
"INhy did not the Quartermaster' De
partmeut send their men to the hospital
TO furnish the transportation to the fur
loughed patients?'' asked DR.. Connor.
.'I recommended that. but 1t was moi
found practicable.
Gen. YounI's Testimony.
Mai. Gen. Young was examined at the
afternoon session Of the Commission. He
said he left Tampa for Cuba in command
OF a brigade of Gen. wheeler's division
The debarkation was very slow. and he
tagged from his vessel. asking Gen
Wheeler for permission TO use the bJats
with the transport
The request was granted, but the sea
was so high that two men were drowned
He later secured use of the only iighter
the Laura. and succeeded In getting his
men on shore.
He sent word to Gen. Wheeler asking
for orders, as the ground was unfit for
camping. Gen. Wheeler directed him to
move five miles out for a camp. He did
so, but finding no suitable place, pushed
on to Siboney, where he met Gen. Wheel
err who told him about a battle of the day
before
Gen. Young learned that the Spaniards
occupied the only suitable ground, anG
had a conversation with Gen. Castillo. o.
the Cuban army, about the occupation
of it He reported to Gen Wheeler abou
moving toward the Spanish camping
place, and Gen. Wheeler acquiesced in .
plan to move forward
Gen. Young explained the battle of La
x-l,i fnrl l,a
The regular troops were assigned the
main road, and the Rough Ride were di
rected to a less exposed position. The
command was divided the idea ing tc
flank the Spaniards, but their line proved
longer than that of the Americans
Gen. Wheeler arrived and called atten.
tion to the division of the command, hui
Gen. Young explained how the center wa
provided for. After considerable recon.
nOitering it was decided to attack the
enemy. There was no ambush, as haC
been reported.
Were Not Lured to Death
Rough Riders had not been lurei Il
death. The fight lasted about two hours
and the enemy was routed The Ameri.
cans suffered eight killed on the right
flank and eight on the left flank and fit,
wounded.
The Cubans were of no service in III,
fight at all. Their heads disappeared a
the first fire. Only a small body Of Gu
bans came TO assist him. and after tn,
fight a Frenchy-loolIing young man ap
peared with some Cubdns and dramaticaI
ly announced:
Sir. ! am directed by Gen. Castillo Il
follow the enemy and fight him wharav,,