The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-18
KITCHENS WERE
IN EXPERT HANDS
Men at Montauk Point
Well Fed.
DR.. FORW00D'S TESTIMONY
HELEN GOULD SUPPLIED A
NUMBER OF CHEFS.
General Young Tells of the Situation
at Santiago and Says the Sol
diers Received Excellent
Treatment.
DR.. FoRWooD's TESTIMONY
HELEN GOULD SUPPEIED A
NUMBER OF CHEFS.
Special Dispatch to The Can.

WASHINGTON, Nov. II. - In the
course of his testimony before the War
Investigation Commission to-day DR..
Forwood. speaking of the conditions al
Montauk Point where he was chief
army surgeon, said the kitchens were
in the most expert hands. Miss Helen
Gould had supplied a number Of chefs,
and most of them were from the kitch-
ems Of the wealthiest people of New
York City. He had talked with one of
them who had been with W. H. Van
derbilt for more than three years.
As a matter of fact the hospitals were
never so abundantly supplied. The
army rations were supplemented by
everything that could be found in the
larder Of the Waldorf-Astoria, includ-
Ing roast turkey, pheasants, squads,
lambs, sheep, pigs, game of all kinds,
pate de foie gras, mineral waters and
the finest champagnes and liquors. AT
one time he had noticed eight barrels
OF brandy and a large number of cases
Of wine. There was SO much apolli-
naris water that it was in the way, and
when a nurse came for a bottle they
would offer a case.
He said the newspaper men at the
camp were gentlemen, but they ap-
peared to be under orders to criticize
the camp. He knew of two instances
when the reporters had received orders
to roast everything He had told
them not to spare where they found
criticism Justified.
In conclusion DIR. Forwood said that
many patients who had been removed
by their friends had often died, and
that in many instances their deaths
were due to the kindness of friends
who had taken them in charge.
Major General S. b. Young was
before the commission at its afternoon
session, relating in detail his expert
ence at Santiago and vicinity and after
ward at Montauk. He said he had
landed at Baiquirl on the 21st Of June,
and that by the morning of the 23d his
entire brigade had been put ashore. He
had notified General Wheeler imme-
diately and had received orders TO move
on four or five miles and secure good
camp. He accordingly had pushed on
to Siboney. He had asked Wheeler
where the good camping ground was,
and Wheeler had replied that the Span
iards occupied it.
Il them said General Young, asked
permission to- go out and see the
ground, to which General Wheeler as
scented"
In accordance with this arrangement
he moved out at 5 o'clock next morn
ing to fight the battle of La Quasima,
sending the volunteers, the Rough
Riders, by one road and the regulars
by another. He declared that there
was nc surprise in this fight and no
ambuscade had been reported. He had
reconnoitered the Spanish camp within
half hour before the fight had begun, /
and he had attacked the Spaniards and
not the Spaniards him. Speaking of the /
Rough Riders he said there had been
no greater percentage of casualties /
among them than among the regulars, |
and that they were not led into any
situation not to be expected in war.
The report that they were ambus- |
caded was due he said, entirely to 1
the demoraliZed reporter and the de- !
moralized adjutant of the regiment, |
who left the service soon afterward."
General Young said he had occupied
the enemy's camp that day "and it
was very good camp" he added, |
naively.
he had received from the Cubans in this /
fight, he replied, None whatever"
The Cuban guides had deserted him
upon the first fire. General Castillo |
on the night before had told him that /
he would send 500 Cubans with him, /
but when the next morning came and |
he sent to notify Castillo that he was |
prepared to proceed, his messenger |
found card on the Cuban command !
er's door saying that he must not be /
disturbed. He had, therefore, proceed /
ed without the Cubans. After the fight |
was over, however, some of the Cubans |
had come up under the command Of a |
Frenchman, who saluted very tragic |
ally with his saber, saying that he had |
been commanded by General Castillo to |
follow the enemy and fight him wher- |
ever he could find him. General Young |
said he simply ordered the Cubans to |
the rear. and the only service they had /
performed was to gather up the bag
gage that the American soldiers had |
discarded.
General Young said he had been the
only man in the command at La
Quasima who was mounted, and that |
he rode mule. He carried no bag
gage except a rubber "slicker," a pa
jana and a toothbrush. The wounded
were carried back to Siboney, and while
the hospital was somewhat congested
the men were well attended to.
General Young said that immediate
~ after the battle of Quasima he had
looked the ground over toward Eel
Caney and had informed General
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