The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-07
GEN. BOYNTON PAYS 4 NEAT COM
PLIMENT TO SOUTHERN VOL
UNTEERS AT CAMP THOMAS.
GEN. LEE BEFORE COMMISSION
SOLDIERS COMPLAIN WITHOUT OC-
CASION FOR COMPLAINT.
Gen. BOyntOn Attributes sickness at
Camp Thomas to the Negligence
of RegimentaI and Brigade
COmmanders-FOOd Was
All Right.

Washington, Oct. 6.-The war investi-
eating commission held two session. to-
day. In the forenoon Gen. H. V. Boyn-
ton concluded his testimony, which he had
begun yesterday, and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
was heard In the afternoon
Gen. Boynton dwelt to-day on the causes
of disease at Camp Thomas, charging the
increase toward the close of the camp to
the lack of sufficient care on the part of
the regimental and brigade commanders
in covering the sinks. He said there was
no foundation for any reasonable com
plant in regard to food He also denied
that there was any intentional neglect In
the hospitals.
In discussing with Capt. Howell the
question of ratlons supplied to Camp
Thomas, Gen. Boynton volunteered the
suggestion that there had been no COM
plants from Southern soldiers in the
camp, "and," he continued, Il do not be-
lieve we would have heard half the out
cry that has been raised if all the sol
ders had been from the South"
Gen. Dodge said that only two or three
charges. had been received from the South
and they were not from soldiers.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was before the COM
mission at its afternoon session. Gen.
Lee had no complaint to make in regard
TO the supplies. In June, while the expe-
ditions at Tampa were being gotten off,
there was some delay. but that was natu-
raj, and since then supplies of all kinds
had come with regularity and in abund-
ance.
There have, of course" he said, "been
some complaints. Soldiers are like school
boys; they sometimes complain even
when there is no occasion for complaint"
He thought the army ration-was abund-
ant and in the main well suited to
campaign in a tropical climate. Yet, he
thought some changes might be made. He
was of the opinion that it would be bet
ter to send live animals to Cuba than to
send refrigerator meat as at present. Ac-
cording to his ideas the men should have
more fruit and less meat
During the course of the questioning 1t
developed that Gen. Lee had been notified
thai he would be expected to move his
corps to Cuba in the vicinity of Havana
about Nov. /, and that he considered .lis
troops properly equipped for the cam
paign
He considers the Spanish uniform the
better adapted to a tropical climate than
ours as they were cool and could be
washed. He was fearful that the shirts
and blouses of our men would be found
to be too heavy for comfort.
Gen. Lee made. the significant announce
ment that he was counting upon landing
in a friendly country as he had received
direct information that the American
troops would be welcome, not only by the
Cubans, but by the Spaniards as well.
He said the conservative and property
owning Spaniards were especially desirous
to have The American troops come for
the preserva ton of order.
Speaking of his command, he said that
the health of his troops had been good,
only about per cent. being sick.
He had insisted on a very thorough in
speetion of the camp, and upon having
his forces thoroughly instructed by the
staff officers, who had practically organ
lied schools for thai purpose
He said the meat was received in refrig-
orator cars, and that as a rule it was
good. In few instances the outer edge
pieces of the meat were spoiled, as also
the hardtaek in one or two cases. A ship
ment of potatoes was reported to be in
bad condition, and board was appointed
which condemned all the goods.
AS to the efficiency of officers appointed
from civil life, Gen. Lee said some of
them learned duties very promptly, others
were very slow 30 learn; others never
learned, but a majority did. He believes
that volunteers would always become ef-
fective, especially when confronted by the
enemy.
Gov. Beaver read letter complaining
of the situation in the Jacksonville camD
bo- laff etc Cd hg
bread moulded, the doctors generally
drunk, etc.
rs that from my command?" Gen.
Lee asked in evident surprise. He sod
he was astonished and asked for the name
of the author.
In this connection complaints had come
to him which he examined and in every
case found them to be unfounded
Then" said Gov. Beaver, after some
further questioning, you consider your
self In good condition In every wav TO
start in the expedition to Cuban"
81 do" replied Gen. Lee. Touch a
button and we are prepared even to go to
Madrid"
He expressed the opinion that IT was
impossible for any foreign troops TO "a
any great amount of campaigning In the
summer months on account of the hear
Not even the Spanish and Cuban forces
had ever been very active in the summer
season. He thought troops going to Cuba
should have ample protection against the
sun.
Complaints against regimental surgeons
were read TO the general from members
of the Fourth Virginia Volunteers bnt
he replied that he could not speak def
nitely OF the regimental doctors in this
case. Some of them, he knew, were MOI
as competent as they should be- The sur
geons of higher rank were all competent
men.
Gen. Lee expressed the belief that d.
vision hospitals were too large. He ad-
vocated brigade hospitals as a compro-
mise between the division and regimental
hospitals He expressed the opinion that
the site Of the camp az Jacksonville was
well selected.
Cant Howell asked Gen. Lee II he con