Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1898-09-15
Soldiers Die Of Neglect.
-Southey.

The following press dispatch from
Montauk Point, N. Y, will give an idea
of the conditions prevailing in Camp
Wikoff. and Of the things suffered by
the troops while on the transports:
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point. N. Y,
Aug. 20.-Three transports heavily Ia
den with suffering. ill-cared-for SOL
diers have arrived and disclosed
condition that Is terrible common
tary on the management of the war
department. Gaunt, discase-worn and
wounded men tottercd or were carried
down the gangplank only to find that
little provision had been made for the
care OF the suffering heroes. The num-
Der OF the sufferers here Is close to
1000, and moro are expected to arrive
at any hour, and there are accommo-
dations for only 500.
When the conditions on the Mobile
became known the surgeons were al
most frantic. On board were nearly
1000 ailng men, some torn by Mauser
bullets and others racked by fever.
Few could walk uraided, and they
needed the most careful nursing, but
there was no place for them. On the
Seneca were seventy-three sick and
on the Comanche ia. These men had
been packed on board the transports.
almost any extremity being resorted
to that they might leave the deadly
climate OF Santiago. It was known
that tender care near home was all
that could save many lives, SO the men
bore the prlvations on the transports
in silence. Conditions on the Mobile.
however, became a menace to life. ow-
ing to overcrowding and the enormous
sick list. Gen. Young, who acts as ex-
ecutive head of the camp. ordered the
soldiers sent ashore at once. His ac-
ton was significant, for the war de-
partment returned no answer to
stream OF kilograms beseeching for
help.
1T may cost $4,000. and have no
authority to order this done, but we
must save these men. I nm sure
Washington will uphold me. Anyway,
the American people WILL" he added.
In the minds OF many arose thoughts
of the Spanish prisoners, and Of Ger
vera, well fed wined and dined, while
the conquerors were little better on
than galley slaves. Cervera Is APP
plauded at every move. but silence and
deadly neglect were the lot of the he
roes of Santiago. Every ambulance In
camp was brought into use, but each
of the vehicles could carry only four
or five, and consequently they proved
utterly inadequate. Sentries kept back
friends who crowded up. Members Of
the Red Cross society made splendid
efforts to help the men.
In obedience to the order OF DR.. Ma
gruder soup and stimulants were serv-
ed to the wrecks of humanity that
drifted ashore. Into the Red Cross
tents the weak men were taken and
there they were cared for as tenderly
as was possible. Tents, however. were
poor substitutes for regular hospi-
tai. The agonies suffered at Santiago
and on the trip made the victims light.
and they were easily carried by the
observation-disclosures. 1t seemed harvest
of death. Many evidently had only a
few hours OF life within their worn
bodies.
The voyage was one Of horror, ten
men having died after leaving Sam
tiago. Half the sufferers were unable
without aid to leave the stretchers.
The nurses. accustomed as they are
to narrowing sights. said they had
never seen anything to compare with
the condition Of these soldiers. Some
were SO weak that 1t was thought to
be unsafe to give them stimulants.
Many were unable after the long Pc
riod of neglect to partake OF food. An
other awful problem confronts the
physicians, for there are hundreds of
men on the transports who must be
cared for at once or death will claim
them. If brought to shore there will
be no place for these stricken soldiers.
The surgeons and nurses here are do
ing their utmost. Physicians and at
PENDANTS wiring their hands when ask
ed what more they can do. The de-
barkation is being watched by Gen.
Young and Gen. Wheeler. Rain fell az
the soldiers who were called we'll tot
tered along behind the ambulances.
They were often ankle deep in mud.
but all attendants were too busy ID
give them attention.