Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-19
CAMP CUBA LIBRE.
TESTIMONY BEFORE WAR INyEsTI-
eating COMMISSION THERE.
SOUTH CAROLINIANS COMPLAIN.
They Say Location is swnmpy ana
Water Dad-NOthing in Charge OF
AIger,. SONS Being Interested i'm
Fernandina Camp-Site.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, October 1S.--
The War Investigating Commission held
three sessions to-day. dealing during the
two-day sessions with the general stan
officers Of 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
commissary, the chief quartermaster,
and the inspector-general Of the corps
and all gave detailed information as to
their respective departments of the SER
vice.
The meetings to-day were held in Gene
raj Dodge's private car, but the moving
trains made so much noise that 1t was
found necessary to secure other quarters,
and hereafter the meetings will be held
in the City Council chamber.
The subcommittee. consisting of Gene
raj Wilson and Captain Howell. appoint
ed to investigate the selection Of Fer
nandina as a camp site, returned to-
night, and reported their complete APP
prevail of the selection. They made spe-
cial inquiry into the report that the camp
had been located there for the purpose
of enhancing the value Of land Owned by
a son of Secretary Ayers, going through
the county records as part of their work.
They failed TO find mis- name in any Of
these documents, and their investigation
convinced them that he had never owned
any real estate in that vicinity or been
in any way interested in any
CHIEF SURGEONS REPORT
Colonel Louis NJ. Maus, chief surgeon
of the Seventh Army Corps. was the first
witness sworn to-day. He is a regular
army surgeon, and has occupied his pres
ent position practically throughout the
history of the camp. He said that when
the order came for the establishment Of
division hospitals there was some delay
i'm getting supplies, such as tents. He
made his acquisitions on Tampa. but find
ing that all efforts there were directed to
getting the expeditions off. he made his
requisitions upon Washington directly.
After this they were promptly filled.
There was no suffering among the sick.
Still. they did not have the luxuries at
the beginning of the war that there were
in the later days Of it. Nor" added the
Doctor. "do think the history OF the
world has ever seen parallel to our
present care Of the sick"
Taking up the present condition Of the
hospitals ne said there were 300 trained
female nurses now at work here. He
said the employment of these nurses had
proved entirely satisfactory.
Replying to a 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 i'm caring for sick soldiers. As a
matter Of fact, the troops had greater
allowance Of rations than they could use
or dispose OF in any way.
TYPHOID FROM VIRGINIA.
He thought the typhoid-fever had been
introduced TO the camp by Mississippi ana
virginia troops Shallow wells and sur
face drainage had done much 10 increase
the scourge. He also thought the flies
had done much to disseminate fever DR..
Maus said he had found it difficult
TO prevail upon surgeons in the
volunteer service 10 learn the
administrative duties of their positions.
often. in the early history Of the war,
some volunteer regimental surgeons had
been found negligent in their official In
spectlons. but later on sanitation became
the principal duty OF everybody about
the camp. Much trouble had been eXpe-
rienced i'm keeping the public from the
hospitals. In many cases they lad sur
reptitiously carried food 10 the lex.
Or. Maus thought the fever was now
decreasing. He mentioned one instance IN
which serious sickness had followed the
use Of tainted meat, and said that he had
heard of a few other instances I'm which
poor meat had been issued.
DR.. Maus was questioned in regard IN
the camp at Miami. He said he had IN
vestigated II and found il to be unsuita-
ble on account Of the water, which analy-
sis had shown 10 be impure. He also
thought Tampa unsuited to large army
camp.
CRITICISM OF LEE.
He said, in response to criticism from
a Jacksonville lady, that General Lee mad
given the most careful attention 10 the
hospitals; that he made frequent visits 10
the sick men. and did much to cheer
them up.
A letter was read from Mrs. Gordon,
wife OF General w. w Gordon, in rela-
ton to the hospital at Miami. in which
she made serious charges, among others
one to the effect that a hospital nurse
had become intoxicated and set flre 10
patients bed burning him somewhat, and
another that flies were often found crawl
ing into the mouths Of dying patients
Mr.. Maus had a report from Or. Villas, in
charge Of the hospital. read, admitting
the statement concerning the burning OF
a patients bed, but denying all others
DR.. Maus expressed the opinion that the
charges were exaggerated.
THE COMMISSARIAT
Colonel Oliver e. Wood, chief commits
sarv at Camp Cuba Libre, under Gene
raj Lee. was before the commission at its
afternoon session. He had occupied this
position since the 2lst day Of May, had
been able during all this time 10 fully
and completely meet all acquisitions 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 10000 pounds OF II had been
spoiled. and therefore condemned and
ordered destroyed There had also been
weevils In some Of the bareback bread.
but the bread had never been issued
when found to be bad All the fresh beef
was secured from Armour q Co, and
was brought 10 the camp in refrigerator
cars. AS a rule. this meat was excellent.
and I'm cases where the meat was not
good the contractors had replaced ~
without requiring official condemnation.
Yet. II was necessary either 10 cook re-
frigerator meat or put IL on ice in order