Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-09


tho transports carrying the reserve and
GrSt divisional hospitals were found
anG, unloaded of their hospital con-
tents; the latter hospital finally obtain
irg limited transportation to the front.
After couple of days duty on board
the Olivette / was directed to put the
iroguois in condition to receive pa
tients and to take the full capacity OF
the ship on board. While doing this
/ was able to set ashore considerable
hospital tentage and supplies from
them. While subsequently QUILTING
the Cherokee and Breakwater this
work was continued as well as oppor-
tunity and limited facilities permitted;
getting supplies from perhaps third
of the transports composing the fleet.
other regimental medical property was
ever unloaded up to the time OF my
departure with wounded on July 10.
Appealing on several occasions for the
use of a lighter or small steamer to
collect and land medical supplies,
was informed by the quartermasters
department that they could
RENDER NO ASSISTANCE
In that way and the medical depart
ment was called to rely entirely upon
Its own energies and improvise its own
transportation feel justified in say
ing that at the time of my departure
large quantities of medical supplies ur-
gently needed on shore still remained
on transports, a number OF which were
under orders to return to the United
States. Had the medical department
carried along double the amount Of
supplies it is difficult to see how, with
the totally inadequ tie land and water
transportation provided, by the quar-
termaster's department. the lamentable
conditions on shore could have been in
any way improved.
The Quitting of transports for the
reception of sick and wounded is duty
demanding thought and experience and
should never be entrusted to any one
except regular medical officer.
Usually it is necessary to overcome
passive resistance and opposition On
the part of the crews and a tendency on
the part of the captains to disregard or
modify orders. In several instances in
my own experience this action of the
crew amounted almost to mutiny and
was only to be dealt with by threats,
show of force, and in one instance, by
the use Of the irons.
While the executive officer at the
general hospital, Fort Monroe, | learn
ed official that the captain Of the
steamship Seneca positively refused to
obey the orders emanating from your
office, given him by the contract sur
geon in charge, to proceed to New
owl bo irir
tional day at Hampton Roads with
sick and wounded and asserting that
he would obey no orders given by the
medical department. similar expert
ence Of my own a. Daiquiri, which had
to be settled by force, emphasizes the
fact that no one should be placed in
charge of such a ship who is not ac-
customed to command men and enforce
obedience
With regard to
THE RED CROSS SOCIETY,
it would seem as if the lofty purposes
OF this organization were OH the San
tiago expedition, subverted to indivi-
dual interests While at Tampa the
Red Gross ship State of Texas was for
mally placed under the control of the
chief surgeon, Fifth corps, by DR..
Egan, the representative of the society;
he acting under Geographic instruc
lions to that effect. Colonel Pope eX
cepted this offer and directed that the
State of Texas accompany the eXpedi
ton of General smarter to It's destlnd-
ton. Although this order was fully
understood by DR.. Egan, the state OF
Texas did not accompany the expedl-
ton nor did it arrive at Siboney uatil
the forces had been landed, battle
fought and our hospitals established
and in working order. The first offers
Of aid made by this society, dealt large
ly in generalities and manifested re-
luctance to subordinate the organiza-
ton to the medical department. Too
much praise cannot be given to the in
dividual efforts Of DR.. Lesser and the
Red Cross nurses. Their work was
untiring and unselfish and the assist
ance rendered by them was of great
value.
In conclusion it is desired to empha-
size the fact that the lamentable con-
ditions prevailing in the army before
Santiago were due to the military ne
cessity which threw troops on shore
and away from the possibility of sup
ply, without medicines, instruments,
dressing or hospital stores OF any
kind. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) EDWARD l.. MUNSON,
Captain and Assistant Surgeon U. 5. A.
Commanding Res. Amb. Co.
Washington, August Seen. Shat