The age-herald., 1898-09-22
WAR DEPARTMENT Is READY
At All Times to Furnish Medicines and
 SuStenanCe for the Men.
CONDITIONS AT CHlCKAMAUG GA
Were Not Made Known to the Sec retary, or He Would Have Order ed the Removal of the
 Troops Sooner

Knoxville, Tenn, September 21.-The sec retary of war today inspected Camp Po- land and reviewed the enlisted men en- camped there, made a speech to the com manding officers at General McI<ee's head quarters during the morning in which he fixed the blame for the sickness in the different camps throughout the country on the commanding officers.
 Secretary Alger was given an enthusi- astic reception by the citizens of Knox vile, and by the commanding officers of the camp his arrival. He went from the depot directly to the camp and shortly afterwards, accompanied by his staff and the officers of the camp, all on the way back, the secretary rode over the drill field and inspected the troops.
 He then reviewed the grand parade ar- ranged in his honor, and afterwards made a speech to the commanding officers. He next visited the hospitals and regimental quarters and made thorough inspection of the condition of the camp and men. General Alger congratulated General Me- Kee on the splendid condition of his camp and of the troops He expressed satisfac- tion with the location of the camp and showing made by the men.
 Immense Concourse
 The parade at Camp Poland was wit messed by an immense concourse of people, anu General Alger commented upon this fact He said it indicated to his mind that the people of Knoxville were glad to have the soldiers here.
 The commands in review were: The Sec onu Ohio, Third North Carolina, Sixth Vir- ginia, Sixth Ohio, First West Virginia, rlrst Georgia, Fourth Tennessee and Thirty-irst Michigan.
 After the review, General Alger asked t-4e commanding officers to assemble at General McKees headquarters, and at the latters tent on the high eminence overlook ing the city, the secretary was surrounded by the officers and the Knoxville citizens committee. He removed his hat and in a delicate and careful manner of speech he said:
 "I came here to visit this camp for the purpose of acquainting myself with the conditions and see for myself just how troops are faring and to hear from the officers any recommendations they think will benefit the camp.
 Unknown to AIger
 "I want to hear what the commanders have to say about division and regimental hospitals, more especially. There has been great deal of talk about the condi- tions of the camps and hospital. 1 want to say that had the war department been ac- quainted with the conditions said to have existed at Chickamauga the troops there would have been moved long before they were.
 We received only good reports from the commanding officers and 1t was supposed that the outside reports were exaggerated. '"rhe commanders of the camps are re- sponsible for the condition of their camps and if the men not well cared for and If the hospital and sanitary conditions are bad the commanding officer must answer for it.
 ''The war department has been and is ready to supply the demands of the troops for medicines and sustenance, and there is no reason why conditions other than the best possible should exist.''
 Secretary Alger and party left for Chatta- nooga at o'clock