Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-22
O1nfort powder
relieved her SO that her friends noticed it Al
skin irritations are relieved and cured by Il.

Were these men from the hospitals
at Camp Wikoff?''
Il believe they Were furloughed from
the general quarters and not from the
hospital. l cannot say if the authority
issuing the furlough was aware that
the men were suffering from typhoid
fever
Samuel L. Parrish, a lawyer of this
city, who visited Camp Wikoff several
times, was the next witness. He lived
in the Red Cross tent there and work.
ed Independently. doing what he could
for the soldiers in camp. He worked
chiefly with the 9th Massachusetts and
the 18th Regular Infantry. He said
that, Sept. 2, there We're 1888 officers
and men sick of the 525 of the 7th Regi-
ment and there were no hospital ac-
commodations for them. Gen. Wheel
er took action at once when Mr.. Par
IRISH reported to him.
Mr.. Parrish said that the great draw
back to the camp was the lack of one
active. continuous, intelligent, direc-
ting mind. Everybody in authority
did his best, but there were too many
changes. One day Gen. Wheeler was
in charge. When he became familiar
with the conditions he went away.
Gen. Shafter succeeded him and Gen.
Bates succeeded Gen. Shafter and he
again was new to what was going on.
Gen. Beaver asked if there were
many complaints.
Indeed, no, there never was a more
! accompanying man than the Amer-
can soldier. l saw disgraceful condi-
tons but heard no complaints. If
President Mckinley should put himself
in my hands / could have shown him
some things that would have shocked
him. He saw none of them. He was
only permitted to make a parade in
spection."
Mr.. Parrish said he assisted Col
Robert II. r. GODDARD of Providence,
r. l.. who with his steamboat, the St
Lawrence, took two consignments of
| invalids to Providence. AS Gen. Shat
ter was leaving camp Mr.. Parrish
said he asked him "Why is it we can't
move some of these sick men from
quarters as you have no hospital ac-
| commoda tons for them?"
| II would like to let you have the
men, Gen. Shafter replied. and have
wired to Washington, but the wires
are congested and | cannot get any re-
ply
Il said" continued Mr.. Parrish, eff
we don't get these men away from here
many of them will die and then it will
| be a bad thing for the Republican par
ty at the next election"
81 don't care about the politics. the
general replied, but I'd like to help
| the sick men. ! guess I'll take the
! :I,;1 Lot t1ly
Col. Goddard can carry so many in his
boat
Gen. Shafter gave me written or
der and we took two consignments of
so each.''
"All the trouble and suffering at the
camp Mr.. Parrish declared, twas due
to a lack of foresight and the neglect
of some one.
did you see any officers of the army
or doctor neglecting his duty in any
way?" asked Gen. McCook.
General, that is hard question, be-
cause if you had the power of punish
ment for contempt l would have to
answer. That is the trouble with this
commission. A man does not feel he is
protected, because everything he says
is really volunteer testimony"
Col Sexton interrupted by saying
But you don't need any protection
! you are a private citizen"
yes. l KNOW" replied the witness
but / know case when l think 9
man was a most improper man to have
responsible position and yet would
not like to say So"
You. yourself, said DIR. Common
"are acquainted with the facts. The
country is complaining of the govern
!, ment and certain officers of the gov
eminent and particularly of the medi
| cal department of the government hat
not been doing it's duty. Do you there
fore think it fair to decline to give us
facts?"
l There are hundreds of officers who
l would be delighted to tell you wha
: they know" replied the Witness Il
they could protect themselves afte
! stating what they have to tell'
4 You are the first man who has sait
n to this commission exclaimed DR.
e Common angrily, that you decline t,
T give information because you are no
n compelled to give it,
A ~ 4