The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-09

Washington, August 8.-Surgeon Cen
eral Sternberg has received the following
report concerning the conditions existing
at Santiago, medical supplies, transporta-
tion and other features connected with
the expedition to Santiago under General
Shafter.
The report explains what has been done
by the medical department and gives the
disadvantages und er which the depart
ment operated in Cuba: 4,
"Tampa Heights, Fla, July &c. 1898.
$50. the Surgeon General, U. S. A. i.
Washington;
"Slr:-In view of the recent charges
made affecting the efficiency of the arEly
medical department at Santiago and
especially with reference to the conditions
prevailing on the hospital transport sent
North with wounded, I have the honor
to submit the following facts, believing
that my position as adjutant to the chief
surgeon, fifty corps, and as the officer in
charge of the outftting of the hospital
transports Iroquis, Cherokee and Break
water, may possibly give value to such
report. Drugs, medicines, dressings, in
struments, hospital tentage and supplies
were loaded on the transports at Tampa
in quantities sufficient to meet the needs
of the Santiago expedition. The supplies
were divided up on the various vessels
each organization having its own equip
ment. While the bulk of the supplies
with tine organized hospitals the reg1-
mental equipment WAS largely in excess
of it's needs and was intended to be called
in to supply If necessary, the equipment
of the hospitals.
1.-THE landing on Cuban soil was made
as rapidly as possible, each organization
accompanied by the medical attendants
assigned to it, and troops were pushed
forward with no other equipment and
supplies than could be carried by the
soldiers. Having no other means of
transportation for even their field chests
the regimental medical officers had abso-
lutely no resources at their command ex-
cept such as were provided by the orderly
and ship corps pouches, and the first aid
pickets carried by the soldiers. Having
only left their ships the latter we've
promptly ordered out of the small bays at
Siboney and aiquiri to permit the I'M
loading of other ships. The partially un-
loaded ships. in obedience to their orders,
then proceeded to sea from five to fifteen
miles, W here they remained. hove to in
definitely. Such orders were given the
transports carrying the reserve and the
first divisional hospitals.
''The one carrying the reserve hospital,
in obedience to its orders, proceeded to
join the naval blockading squadron off
Moro castle, where it remained five days
and nights, the other transports disap-
pearing, if was correctly informed, for
an entire week. During the time the
fight at Quasima occurred and large
numbers of sick and wounded were re-
curing treatment. In the meantime a
report of the condition prevailing on
shore was made to the chief surgeon,
/. who promptly laid the case before the
! commanding general, requesting that a
{ launch be placed under the control of the
! medical department for the collection of
medical supplies from the various trans
ports 1t was also requested that pack
train be organized, in the proportion of
one pack mule to each regiment, to trans