Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-15
AFFAIRS At CAMP MEADE
investigation Made by Secre-
tary of State Hughes.
DELAWARE'S TROOPS WELL FED
CHARTERED in an Exceptionally
Good Location,
A Large Percentage of the Men Anxious to
be Sent Holne-Have Little to Do Except
to Occasionally go on Dress Parade, Per-
form Routine DUTY, Eat and Sleep.

to Occasionally go on Dress Parade, Per-
form Routine DUTY, Eat and Sleep.
Dover, Sept. ~. Secretary of State
Hughes. who has Just returned from
Camp Meade, after making an official
investigation. Ipon being questioned,
gave the following information;
"Tbe Governor having received so
many mmunications relating to the
condition OF the First Delaware Regi-
rnent at Camp Meade requested me 10
visit the different companies of the
regiment. l did SO and spent all of
yesterday. Friday, at the camp. i had
two objects in view; ono to ascertain
the desires of the men as to being
mustered out or kept in the service;
the other to investigate the reports in
the newspapers, and letters from the
camp, OF insufficient and poor food.
The officers were very courtsous to me
and permitted me, 80 far as desired,
to talk with the men alone. which l
diu, visiting their tents. inspecting
their stores and questioning as to thair
treatment, their food and their desire
to remain in service. l also visited
the kitchens of the companies at din
ner and examined the sanitary arrange
ments, hospitals and guard houses.
1.-THE location of the camp 10 excep-
tionally good and l could see nothing
that would prevent il being very
healthiul. The ground ia high, the
water is good and could see no reason
why any disease should be feared.
''As to the desire of the men to re-.
main in service would say, very
large percentage of them expressed a
preference for being sent home. In
some companies very nearly all the men
expressed themselves RS being DESTROYS
of being mustered out, and / could
readily understand this when / learned
that there was 80 little to do in large
camp; that the men were drilled much
less than at Camp Tunnel and that
the restrictions were more rigidEthan
at the latter camp.
Sin camp there seems to be little to
do except an occasional parade, a little
routine duty. eating and sleeping.
can very we'll understand how men who
had enlisted with the IDEA of seeing
activs services could become dissatisfied
with such an inactive and monotonous
life. l found that some Of the COM
panies that were located near Harris
burg and were actively engaged in pro-
vost duty were very much better salts
fled, and indeed many of their men
expressed very strong preference for
being retained for service. Volunteers,
being unaccustomsd to the restrictions
and discipline of camp life, patrioti-
cally responding TO call to arms when
enthusiasm is high, are not expected
| to fall into the monotonous life of the
camp with very good grace.
''As to the reports of starvation and
lack of rAtiuns, 30 far as could learn,
they are largely without foundation.
The food furnished by tha government
is plain ana wholesome. found that
many Of the complaints were based on
two or three days privstion at the
time the men were being moved 10
Camp Meade. At that time they were
| without food, which was owing largely
To their neglect to provide themselves
before leaving Camp Tunnel and pos
sibly conflict of duty or lack of atteu,
ton Oh the part of the quartermasters
| found that there was an annie sup.
ply OF bread, coffee, beef, potatoes
onions, rice and canned goods, and that
most OF the companies had saved iroui
their rations in the past month sums
ranging from s. to SIS. This money is
expended for the benefit of the com.
pany 10 the purchase of such provisions
as the government does not supply.
| With the rations which are drawn for
each comphny properly managed l can
see no ground for complaint. There
is scarcely any sickness in the regi.
ment and the men have all the appear-
ance of most excellent health. / found
some complaint about the beef, which
seems we'll founded. The government
wagons in delivering it are frequently
10 slow that ii becomes spoiled hefore
il can be cooked. OF course there can
be no excuse for that and | have no
| doubt it will be corrected.
~ also visited the hospitals and
found them in most excellent condi-
tion. Indeed they had such an ap.
pearance of cleanliness and comfort
that am not surprised that Some of
tine men are tempted to be sick.
while there appears to have been
at times some ground for complaint on
the part of the men, on account of lack
uf rations l do not believe they have
been unfairly treated and judging
from their own statements and what
saw | am convinced that much of the
complaint is the outgrowth of the
uesire 20 return home.
81 think thnt ii would be possible
for come OF our citizens who are inter-
esting themselves in other ways in the
regiment TO do them service, which
notice the citizens of other Status
have done for their regiments, and that
is provide thom with large tent with
chairs and other comforts, anu supplied
with newspapers. magazines and other
reading matter. This would be a
source of pleasure to the men and make
them better satisfied. "
Col. wicisersham's Resignation Accepted.
Camp Meade. Pa, Sept. 12-Col.