The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-23
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Gen. Corbin Testifies Before
Investigating Commission.

Washington, Dec. 22.-Adjt. Gen.
Corbin was the first witness before the
war investigating committee today,
and was rigidly questioned regarding
the selection of Camp Alger, Va. He
testified that the removal of Camp AL
ger was dictated by the secretary of
war himself and that its original es-
Enlistment was recommended by Capt.
Seaburn of Gen. Miles staff. He, Gen.
Corbin, had said at the time it could
not be a good camp ground because
there was not sufficient range for rifle
practice. He, had understood from the
secretary Of war that Gen. Miles had
something to do with it's selection. He
was not certain of Capt. Seaburn'a ex-
act status, but he had understood Capt.
Seaburn had been sent by Gen. Miles
to make the inspection of the camp site
did Gen. Miles protest against or
do anything against the selection of
the camp?" he was asked.
mot to my knowledge" was the an
swer. He added that he did not know
the reasons for discontinuance Of the
camp.
&oNSllOAlCQ d. W Sdi1p w lhdll, GCit.
Corbin said that the troops and horses
that arrived there about August s 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 rail-
road congestion or Interfered in any
way with the carriage of supplies for
the troops subsequently arriving. He
said one reason for its selection was
the excellent facilities for water trans
p0rtation.
never designed for anything but a
point of embarkation, and said the
dTss complaint he had heard from
Camp Thomas, Chickamauga, was in
the press.
Asked when he first seriously appre-
hended there would be hostilities, Gen
Corbin said he might say he did not
seriously contemplate war until it was
a fact, for he 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, bet
ter equipped, better clothed, better fed,
or with a better morale, than our regu-
lar army at that time. He said prior to
the war there had been no complaints
Of refrigerated or canned beef, and that
they We're used by the armies of the
world, and in commerce. 1t was no
new experiment.
Seriously speaking" said Gen. Cor
bin, 81 do not think the war depart
ment contemplated war until it was de-
clared by congress, and appropriations
were available. OF course, the posi-
bilitieS were thought Of but there were
no general preparations except SO far
as the department was able to meet the
possibilities that confronted it.
Col. DENLY, who conducted the exam
nation, here suggested to Gen. Corbin
that he observed the latter was eau
tious and reticent, and explained: ut
is not our object to criticise strategy.
That is not our business. The strategy
of the war may have been right and
may have been wrong. But our object
is to Determine whether the war de-
part1nent acted efficiently"
Gen. Corbin said when Gen. Shaft
eI's expedition started It took all the
transports it was possible to obtain.
The supply was not equal to the de-
mand. Il had been planned to carry
about 81, 900 troops at that time, instead
of the 1000 taken.
do you know anything about Gen.
Miles dispatch of June "a? think
letter to the secretary Of war, in which
he proposed to have the army march
clean through Cuba and take $4,000
prisoners and work them and treat
them kindly? Gen. Corbin was asked.
eyes, sir was the answer; that let
ter was received and did not receive
the approval of the secretary of war"
You say the proposition made by
Gen. Miles to carry on the campaign
in the manner in which he indicated
IN the letter, was disapproved."
TT was not approved replied Gen.
Corbin.
81 would ask you whether the plan
of campaign against Santiago as adopt
ed was recommended by Gen. Miles"
mo. sir, do not think the recon-
mendations made In that letter of May
q were approved" was Gen. Corbin's
reply.
Cen. Corbin said there had been a
shortage OF uniforms, canvas and
tentage. The factories had not made
the advance preparations that had been
expected. There had never been any
trouble concerning provisions, he said.
He said the matter of medical supplies
and medical officers was left TO the sur
geon general, and that the president in
every case would not listen to appoint
ing a medical officer until recommended
by the surgeon general, on ground of
fitness. He had no suggestion to make
bof1CA Oll lAiO AECliCAtCC VI tlllG Wal, pul
said he would be afraid to see another
war. for fear it would not result so well
or with so little loss of life.
Adverting to Gen. Miles complaint
that paymasters were not sent to Porto
Rico as requested by him, Gen Corbin
said they were ordered Immediately.
but they went by way of Santiago,
where one fell i'll with yellow fever.
The health authorities quarantined the
vessel carrying them, and Gen Miles.
he said, had thought it best for the
paymasters not to come ashore at
Ponce to avoid possible infection
More troops, said the witness. were
sent to Porto Rico than We're desired
by Gen. Miles, but only a few more.
Gen. Corbin was asked how it hap
pened, If there was anything wrong at
Chickamauga or Camp Alger, that the
inspector general did not report it. He
replied that he did not see any Of the
inspectors reports from Chickamauga
He said he knew of no contracts dur
ing the war that were influenced bv
anything that was not entirely honest
and fair to the government, and that
there was no instance of favoritism in
making appointments.
How do you account" asked Gen.
Dodge, for all these complaints
against the various departments"
ITO want Of realization Of the Sc
verities of war"