The Forrest City times., 1898-09-30
THE ARMY INVESTIGATION.
The Letter Of the Secretary of War
Requesting Investigation of
His Department.
SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION OUTLINED.
Letter from the President of the Commits
sion to Secretary Algcr Indicating the
Several Points ON which the Commission
Seeks to be Informed-some Specific
Questions.

Questions.
Washington, Sept. 2s.-The letter of
Secretary Alger to the president ask
ing for an investigation of the war
department has been made public, as
follows:
War Department, Washington, Sept
s, 1898.
To the President: 1 have the honor
to ask that a board, consisting of from
five to seven members of the most dis
tinguished soldiers and civilians that
tan be selected be appointed by you,
with full power to investigate thor
oughly every bureau of the war de-
partment in connection with the mus
tering clothing, supplying and arm
ing of troops, transportation, the let
ting of contracts and chartering ves-
sells, and all expenditures of every
kind, as well of orders issued by this
department--indeed, that everything
connected with the army be thoroug-
ly investigated for your information.
[Signed] r.. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War.
Letter to tho Secretary of War.
At the conclusion of the morning
session of the war Investigating COM
mission the following letter to Secre-
tary Alger, outlining the scope of
their work. was given out.
To the Secretary of War: Sir-Pur.
suant to authority conferred upon us
by the president, we have the honor to
request that you direct the adiutant
general, the quartermaster general
the commissary general, the surgeon
general, the chief of ordnance and the
chief of engineers to furnish us al
soon as practicable information as tc
the condition of their several depart.
ments at the time of the declaration
of war with Spain, and the operations
of those departments from that time
until the present.
Information Desired.
We desire the information to in
clude the following, viz:
First. The times and places of the
mobilization of the regular and volun.
teer troops.
Second. The organization of these
troops into the various subdivisions
of the army, the personnel of the bri.
gade. division, corps and army com.
manders, and of their stats, whether
appointed from the permanent estab.
lishment, from the national guard OF
from civil life.
Third. The amount and kind OF
camp and garrison equipage and other
supplies that were on hand at the be-
ginning of the war, the amount sub
sequently purchased, when and where
delivered to your department, and
when and where actually issued to the
troops.
Fourth. Similar information in re-
gard to furnishing the troops with
arms and accoutrements.
Fifth. Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various
state camps and which in the general
camps.
Sixth. Upon whose recommendation
or Judgment the various general rem
devious were selected, and the reasons
for such selection.
Seventh. Full particulars relative To
the transportation of troops by sea.
giving an account of the provisions
made for the accommodation and care
OF the sick and wounded.
Eighth. An account of the quantity
quality and kind of food furnished
the troops, and in case that any ~
them failed of being plentifully and
seasonably supplied, state the reasons
therefor.
Ninth. As to proper tentage. beds
linen, medicines, food and other nacas'
sary equipment and supplies for the
use OF the hospital corps of the army.
Ii there was any lack of these tbings
at any time, state the reasons there
for.
tenth. Whether the medical STAR
was efficient and sufficient at all times
Tor the proper care of the sick and
wounded, and if not state the reasons
therefor.
Eleventh. Such information rela-
tive to the conditions and onerotions
OF the ordnance and engineering de.
partments as will be of value IN ne in
our Investigations.
We have outlined briefly a portion
only of the information that we trust
you VIII be able to give us. 1t will he
satisfactory to have it communicated
to US in writing, or by the chiefs of
the several bureaus in person. with
the submission of such records CON
hrming the statements as they may be
pleased to hand to us.
10 aid you in complying with this
request there is submitted herewith a
INST OF special questions to which. as
Tor as possible, answers are required.
Very respectfully,
GRANVILLE NJ. DODGE.
President.
10 Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his re-
ply.
rs