Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-10-13
COMPLAINTS pROBED
Gen. Boynton's Testimony Before
the War Inquiry Commission.
Cen. FI1zHUGH LEE TEs1InES.
de Thought the Army Ration Abundant,
Yet Some Changes Might Be Made
Many COMPLAINTS Cnfounded-
Taking Care Of sinks.

, Washington, Oct. 7.-Gen. H. v
, Boynton concluded his testimony be-
fore the war inquiry commission yes
terday. In reply TO charges formu
lated by Surgeon Milo b. Ward, Of
Kansas City, who said in letter To
|. the commission that the camp was
without drainage, that the water was
unfit to drink, that there was nc
proper food and that all Of the a, OOC
men in the camp were suffering from
internal diseases, Gen. Boynton said
"Of course, in SO large a camp, some
painful things must necessarily hap.
pen. For instance, when the measles
broke out, the hospitals we're quite
crowded. But to say that there was
any purposely inflicted neglect u.s." he
declared, 'as false as it is possible ia
be-"
These complaints led Gen. Boynton
10 enter upon general statement In
regard TO the condition Of the camp
and to give his opinion as to the cause
Of it. lie attributed the prevalence of
disease to the exposure Of the regi-
mental kitchen and hospital sinks.
These had, he said, in the latter part
Of the camps history. been left uncov.
cred by earth, contrary to directions
by the surgeon general, and this fact
more than all others he considered re-
sponsible for the spread Of disease.
Gen. Boynton elaborated upon the
strict discipline maintained by Gen.
Brooke in police and sanitary matters,
but said there was q suspension Of this
care after the Porto Rico campaign
was decided upon. After Gen. Brooke
left there was material increase OF
disease and at one time almost a panic.
In discussing with Capt Howell the
question Of rations supplied to Camp
Thomas, Gen. Boynton volunteered
the suggestion that there had been no
complaints from southern soldiers in
the camp. and" he continued, II
do not believe we would have heard
half the cutlery that has been raised
II all the soldiers had been from the
south" Gen. Dodge said that only
two or three charges had been re-
ceived from the south, and they were
not from soldiers. The testimony Of
Gen. Boynton concluded, the commits
sion adjourned till afternoon.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was before the
commission at its afternoon session.
Gen. Lee had no complaint to make In
regard to supplies In June, while
the expeditions were being gotten off,
there was some delay, but this was
natural, and since then supplies Of all
kinds had come with regularity and in
abundance There have, of course"
he said, "been some complaints. Sol.
diers are like school boys; they some.
times complain even when there is no
occasion for complaint"
He thought the army ration was
abundant, and in the main we'll suited
to a campaign in a tropical climate.
Yet he thought some changes might
be made. For instance, it would be
better to send live animals to Cuba
than to send refrigerator meat, as at
present According to his ideas the
men should have more fruit and less
meat. The health Of his troops had
been good-only about two per cent.
being sick. He said the meat was re.
ceived in refrigerator cars, and that as
a rule it was good. In few instances
the outer edges of the large pieces Of
meat were spoiled, as was also the
bareback in one or two cases. A ship
ment Of potatoes had been reported to
be in bad condition and board was
appointed which condemned all the
goods.
Gov. Beaver read letter complain.
ing of the situation in the jackson.
vile camp. This letter said the camp
was filthy, the bread nodded, the doc.
tors generally drunk, etc. rs that
from my commando" Gen. Lee asked
In evident surprise. When informed
that 1t was, he said that he was aston
ished, and asked for the name Of the
author. lie said in this connection
that occasional complaints had come
to him which he examined and In
every case found them to be unfounded.
"Then," said Gov. Beaver, after some
further questioning, you consider
yourself in good condition In every
way to start in the expedition to Gu.
bas" II do" replied Gen. Lee Touch
q button and we are prepared even to
go to Madrid"
Some Of the regimental surgeons he
knew were not as competent as
they should be. The surgeons Of
higher rank were all competent men.
He expressed the opinion that the site
Of the camp at Jacksonville was well
selected.
Gen. Lee dwelt upon the Importance
of taking proper care Of the sinks as q
preventive OF disease. He said the
healthiest regiment in his camp was
the One Hundred and Sixty-frst In.
diana regiment Most Of his troops
were anxious to 60 to Cuba, but some
desired to be discharged. He said in
conclusion that he knew of no case of
distress, starvation or death from any
neglect or that was due to any inetfi.
cheney on the part of government off,
cials. He said he had no complaint to
make against the war department and
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