Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-01


OF the armed forces of
this country during our less than toSr
months war with Spain.
A sample illustration Of this crini-
naIIy stupid management is made BY
the Montpelier, Vt, Watchman, 10 the |
following reference to the single regi.
msas furnished by that State, which
has Just bssn cent home altar stay OF
ninety days 10 Southern camp:
The Vermont regiment is at home,
and its condition seems to afford cumu
lstive evidence of the incompetency ut
the Department charged with the adj
ministration Of the goyernment's mill
tasy affairs. A hospital train, carrying
over two hundred sick, about one
fourth Of the regiment, whose confi-
tiou and appearance are CHASTITY re-
aindsrs Of the returning victims OF
libby Prison, Helle Isle aud Anderson
silIs, during the Civil War, from a
command that has never been TO the
front, but has been continually 10
camp, on the national domain, within
the direct circuit of railways, tele
ersphs and all the agenciea Of supply
and ministration, 10 country OF IN
limited rsaources-this is a somewhat
convincing proof OF colossal incompe-
tency and insuEieieney in the military
administration of either the State or
the nation or both.
This is not only true. but 1t forms
the moss aggrayating chapter OF the
great volume of insffcisnoy and mis-
management now spread go wide open
for the peruszl Of the entire world.
Were the country POOR there would be
some excuse. but It ID enormously
wealthy, and has many wealthy citizens
WIN stand ready with money and
measures to relieve every atom Of
suffering, without expense to the gov
eminent, II thoy are but given the
chance.
at Camp wikoff. General Wheeler.
who was placed 10 charge few days
ago and has been from the first chatting
under the bonds of red tape that have
caused much Of the suffering. has
finally decided to brush aside all re-
atraint and apply common seuss and
physical energy 20 the situation. How
he proceeded, and the amazing condi-
tions hs run up sgainat aud promptly
kicked out of existence are told in the
following news dispatch from the camp
General Joseph Whssisr has set out
to cut more Of the red tape that haa
been responsible for the miIsry 10
Camp Wikod- He began today by call
ing down the surgeons who have bSsr
listing men die because they would
not or could not get medicines. 1t wai
reported 10 General Wheeler that thsre
was scarcity Of medicines in camp.
The report came from DR.. Wood o.
General Amss' division hospital. Gen
eral Wheeler Yushed up to the genera
hospital and had q talk with Colone
ForHood. who ia in charge Of rh'
medical department..
How about thisg" he said,
sharply. eff you have no mediiibe
here il is your own fault. These doc
tors say they can't get medicines.
There's plenty OF medicine here, ;
replied Colonel Forwood, "but th
doctors wont send for them.
"We'll SEES about this right now, ;
said the General, and he sum moned al
the division surgeons 20 the genera
hospital. They all SAID they were get
ting medicines in better shape now.
"Rsil, Colonel Furwood has pIsnt
OF medicines" said General Wheeler
land don't want any surgeon to ga
tomorrow he is without proper SUP
ply"
He summoned all the surgeon
together again this forenoon. Dl
Wood waa the only man who said b
had been unable TO get medicines. II
bad made acquisitions on Colon
Forwood, but the medicines did nj
Tome.
How about that Forwood?" aske
ibs General sharply.
"Phs requisition was all right. si
out DR.. Wood would not send at
sorse to take the medicines away
Or. Wood admitted this, but said |
had only one Eorss, aud needed thft
70 carry the medicines.
"See hsrs," said General Whsele
eff you don't know enough To aer
your one horse three times for q
medicine, then you have no busins
here" This General jumped to bis 10
and pounded the table with his fist.
"This nonsense has got to sto
There are supplies enough of all kin
right here in camp, ana IL the aoldie
don't get them it'a your fault. Nj
are dying for lack of medicine, becau
Of your petty ways of doing things.
u Is not stopped at once, ahall be
you personally responsible for eve
death that occurs from lack of care.
will accept excuses about lack of mel
cinss from no one. /"
General Wheolsr did not hesitate
call Colonsl ForwoUd himself down
Irregularities in the hospital
"Thers havo been complaints that
record of the sick men 10 the hospi
is being kept Why is this? Peol
and can find no trace Of them.
they have been hare for days"
"wsll, we have no way Of getEi
such record" said Colonel Porwoc
"I'll tell you how to do It," 81
the gsnegal. First get book "
On index. When man comes in, .
his name down In the book under
proper letter. After the nams put
company and the ward where hs
be found When that patient lea
lust oneok the name off. Now / vi
that done. There has got TO be syst
10 fhis camp
Colonel Rorwood then com plaii
that II the lines were going to be
closely drawn az Of late be him
would not be able to get into the
tontion camp. The general sat do
on the grass where they we're and wi
pass for oil hospitals for Colonel J
wood, surgeon in charge of the cam
Ii 10 amazing that some such CT
mon sense ideas should not have pc
trated the cruniums of those hold