The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-20

| in Washington.
Jacksonville, Fla, October l9.-1he
war investigating committee began It's
work in it's new quarters at the Jackson
vile city hall, today, with Major Noble
II. Creager, depot quartermaster on the
stand.
He said there never had been any serl-
GUS shortage of supplies in the seventh
corps and he was sure there had been no
suffering caused by deficiency OF sup
plies. In the beginning of the history OF
the camp, there had been some complaln5
as to the quality of clothing, but there
had been an improvement in this respect
in recent months. He had also had some
little difficulty in securing proper as
sortment of sizes, but had been able TO
meet the demands Of the men in this
respect.
Major Creager was followed by Con-
gresham Campbell, colonel of the 9th
Illinois volunteers, who was questioned
in regard to the general treatment OF the
roops in the field and asked for sugges'
tions for the benefit of the service. he
spoke in complimentary terms OF the ad-
ministrationiof m officers of the army saying
that reuuisitions of all kinds had been
promptly filled and that the quality OF
articles supplied was generally good.
There had been some complaints, howev-
er, as to the character of refrigerator beef.
put investigation had developed the fact
that while the meat had been received IN
good order it had spoiled because OF ex-
posure in hot weather. The d1f1lou!ty
was overcome by substituting ham for
| beef.
Colonel Campbell expressed the opinion
that the principal cause of sickness In the
camp was the drilling in the early morn
/ ing when the dew was on the ground
| This was tine mistake of his regiment as
the command had been anxious to excel,
| but they had now secured revocatlon
order for the drill and had discontinued
| the practice. He said there were very few
| of his men who were now homesick. He
did not believe to exceed per cent OF SOL
diers would return home in preference to
going to Cuba if given chance. He had
| no suggestion to make beyond request
that his regiment be supplied with the
Kfag Jorgensen rifles as his regiment
| aa uaken first place for craftsmanship
He complained of the red tape methods OF
army Lut made no specifications. Lieut..
Moore, acting commissary of the 9th LII
nois regiment, said there had been no
difficulty except as to the fresh beef.
Lieut.. Tolliver, quartermaster OF the
same regiment, also testified favorab y as
to the quality and quantity OF supplies
reaching the command through his ofics
He thought the tent material poor but
had made Ieauisition for other tents.
DR.. Frye of Bird division hospital testi-
fled as to the management OF the lnSt1tu
tjon and also as to the management of
End division hospital at Montauk Point
and the military hospital at Fort Nc
pherson, Ca, He said the Montauk
patients lacked for nothing and were ex-
seIlently taken care of by both physicians
and nurses. At Fort MCPHERSON there
were at one time 925 patients. There was
no materia shortage in drugs or food a1
this noint. Occasionally there was a
SLIGHT deficiency but it was quickly over
come.
Resuming his testimony DR.. Frye
smoke of the cause of prevalence OF ty-
nhoid fever in the jacksonville camp. he
attributed it largely to the age OF tue
men. young people being more susceptlple
than those more advanced in age to
this disease. He also thought much was
due to the carelessness of the men them
| selves. l.,
with which he had been connected, there
had been a deficiency of bed linen. This
had been especially true at Fort McPher'
son. There had been orders to prepare
beds there for thousand patients, but
this demand had by no means been met.
The hospital here had also been short % OF
lighting facility. There was not SUM
cheney Of candles or lanterns. Requlsl-
tions had been made for them, but they
could not be secured from the government
stores owing to the construction OF or.
ders. Hence it was necessary to depend
upon the Red Cross for these articles.