The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-12
Alger to the
Commission.
REASONS GIVEN
Gen. Graham Testified Be
fore the Board.


Washington, Oct 11.--Mojor Gen. Will
liam NJ Graham was tire only witness
before the war investigating commits
sion today. lie was the first in COM
mand at Camp Alger, Va, at the be-
ginning Of the war and detailed the
conditions which prevailed at that
camp.
There was only one railroad running
into the camp and the station was
about one and one half miles distant
No running stream was nearby, but
there were many fine springs and
small brooks formed by the springs.
lie thought the water supply was suffi-
Gent when the camp numbered no more
than five regiments OF troops. but as
the troops increased in number it be-
came necessary 10 dig wells There
was delay ia digging the wells. 10 Of
which were sunk, one for each regis
ment The supply was ample for all
purposes except bathing. The wells
were well cased and there was no sur
face pollution Of them.
Gen Graham did not believe that
springs and well water had been re1
sponsible for the sickness at Camp Al
ger, but was inclined to attribute much
OF the trouble to the fact that the SOL
diers insisted upon taking the water
from the little streams running through
the camp. There had been considera-
bic typhoid fever at the camp but it
did not originate there, and the first
cases were Isolated. There were go
deaths, five OF those being officers
Much OF the sickness was, in his opin-
ion, due to delicacies sent to the SOL
diers from home.
When typhoid fever began to be con-
sidered an epidemic he issued strict or
ders for the detailing Of guards for the
care Of the sick, making any neglect
an offense punishable BY arrest. Many
other precautions were taken to pro-
tect the men from contamination. in
Guiding the removal of the sick to the
proper distance from the kitchens. At
this point the commission adjourned
for the day. Gen. Graham not having
concluded.
The commission devoted its forenoon
session today to the examination Of
Secretary Ayers statements and the
papers furnished by him in reply to
the commissions inquiry. The accom-
panying papers include the reports
from the various bureaus from the war
department and also various letters and
kilograms bearing upon the conduct Of
the war.
The report shows that Gen. Miles .ad-
vised In the beginning that the first
move should be made against Porto
Rico and that after that island should
be subjugated the American forces
should be landed on the north coast
Of Cuba at some point where they could
move conveniently east or west.
The following is Secretary Ayers re-
ply to the questions Of the war investi-
eating committee.
War Department, Washington, oct. 6,
1898. Maj. Gen. Granville M. Dodge,
president commission appointed by the
president to Investigate the conduct Of
the war department IN the war with
Spain.
Sir-I have the honor herewith to
hand you the information desired from
the secretary Of war as referred to in
our letter Of September z7, 1898. Very
respectfully, r. A Alger. secretary OF
war.
l. Plan Of campaign proposed i'm
mediateiy after the declaration OF war
was It intended to move at once on
Havana or that the campaign should
be postponed until the outumn?
Answer. Immediate blockade by the
navy of ports OF Cuba as directed in
the presidents proclamation. The hold
ing Of troops at points nearest to Gu
ba to be available in any emergency,
which might arise, and especially to be
ready for prompt assistance in case
the operations Of the navy should make
the issue Of the land forces necessary
or desirable. Early In May a plan was
partially matured to land a force at
Mariel, a point about 2e miles west Of
Havana, representations having been
received that its vicinity were high
grounds, well watered ard suitable for
camping troops preparatory for a
movement upon Havana later If 1t was
deemed advisable, the thought being.
that possibly an assault might be
made upon the forces defending that
city before the rainy season set in,
Orders were issued TO that effect on
May 9, but subsequently plans were
changed on account Of the further in
formation that there would be great
danger to the health Of the troops in
that vicinity and also on account of
the uncertainty Of the movements of
the enemy's feet. 1t was then decided
10 keep the forces in the United States.
at points as near Cuba as possible, for
immediate eubarkation should an
emergency demand 1t.
The Santiago campaign proved to be
that emergency. II should be added
iAllAEfy Alltil II Wd6 DtilcREQ dILeT con-
sultation with military authorities that
troops camping in southern states dur
ing the summer would become some
what acclimated for their service IN
Cuba.
2. When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
Answer-The Santiago campaign was
made necessary by the presence Of Ad-
Iniral Cerveras fleet in Santiago har-
Dor; but had previously been contem-
plated as point Of the coast where a
reconnaissance in force was to ascertaz n
the strength Of the enemy in different
localities in eastern Cuba
The immediate destruction of Adj
miral Cervera's feet was necessary, and
to enable the navy to accomplish this
the military force under Major Gen.
Shafter, u. s. ", was<directed to move
at once on the city and province Of
Santiago. This movement was FASTENED
BY reason Of telegram received from
Admiral Sampson on June T. stating
that he had bombarded forts at Sam
tiago, June 6, and silenced the works
quickly. and If 10000 men were there.
the city and feet could be captured
within IS hours
War Department.
Washington, May 80, 1885,
(sent in cipher May 81, 1899
Maj. Gen. William r. Shafter. Tam
pa, Fla: With the approval Of the sec
rotary Of war, you are directed to take
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