The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-03

11ontauk Point l.. l., sept. 5.-MaJor
General Joseph Wheeler gave out the
following Friday: THE following Is
q sample of the letters we are constantly
receiving regarding the soldiers In the
camp: Regarding my step-son, we
feel very uneasy about him on account
of the newspaper reports OF the priva-
tions and suffering inflicted upon the
private soldiers. Although he has
never uttered complaint since he has
been in the army. we hear from other
sources OF the cruel and horrible treat
ment inflicted on our soldiers under the
pretense of humanity for our neigh
bors. and che whole country Is In u
state OF terrible excitement. should
not be surprised II the feeling should
lead to a revolution of some kind, for
assure you i hear on ell sides the most
violent and bitter denunciations of the
war department and the administration.
1t Is indeed a great pity that the glory
OF our triumph should be dimmed by
such a shameful thing as the ILL
treatment and starvation of our own
brave soldiers while the Spanish prls-
oners have the best treatment the coun-
try can afford
1T Will be seen that this letter says
that not a word of complaint has been
received from this soldier and so far as
my investigation goes, no complaint has
been made by any Of the brave soldiers
that have added glory to our arms In the
Cuban campaign. A great many anx-
tous fathers. mothers, brothers or Sis
ters arrive here from all parts Of the
United States to look after their rel
ntivcs. who they say the papers tell
them are suffering: and many OF them.
have heard that their relatives are in
o condition OF starvation. Most of these
people are little able to- expend the
money for such journey. and they are
surprised when they come here to find
their relatives surrounded with every
thing to eat which can be procured by
money; and II sick in the hospital, they
are gratified and surprised TO find that
they are given every possible care.
I'm reply to q direct request that give
the exact facts as see them. l will state:
Every oEicer and soldier who went to
Cuba regarded that he was given a
great and special privilege in being per-
mitted to engage in that campaign.
They all knew that they were to en-
counter yellow fever and other diseases.
as we'll as the torrid heat of the coun-
try, and they were proud and glad to do
SO. They knew that 1t was impos-
sible for them to have the advantages
OF wagon transportation which usually
accoEps MES armies, and yet officers and
men were glad 10 go. to carry their
blankets and their rations on their
backs, and TO b. subjected, without any
shelten to the sun and rains by day and
the heavy dewa by night. They GER
tainly knew that the Spaniards had
spent years In erecting defenses, and
It was their pleasure to assault and their
duty to capture the Spanish works.
They were more than glad to incur the
hardships and the dangers. They went
there and did their duty, each man
seeming to feel that American honor and
prestige was to be measured by his
conduct. The brave men who won the
victories did not complain OF the neglect
OF the government, but on the contrary
they seemed grateful to the president
and secretary OF war for giving them the
opportunity to incur these dangers and
hafdships. They realized that, in the
hurried organization of an expedition
by a government which had no one with
any experience In such matters, IL was
impossible to have everything arranged
TO perfection; and they will testify that
under the circumstances the conditions
were much more perfect than anyone
could have reason TO expect, and that
the president and the secretary OF war
and others who planned and dispatched
this expedition deserve high commenda-
tion.
"One reason why our army was lack
Ing in some respects in equipage was
that a telegram was received from Ad-
miral Sampson stating that IL the army
reached there Immediately they could
take the city at once, but IL there was de-
lay. the fortifcations OF the Spapiards
would he so perfected that there might
be great difficulty in taking II. On re-
ceiving this dispatch from Admiral
Sampson the war department directed
the army to move at once. and, as all
connected with the army will recall. the
orders were received after dark. and the
army was In motion, had travelled nine
miles and was on the ships at day
light. when the expedition sailed for
Cuba II went there escorted by a large
fleet Of warships.
"At that time II was regarded as i'm
possible for q merchant ship 70. sail on
the ocean safely from any American
port TO Santiago. but as soon as the
Spanish feet was destroyed so that IL
was possible for unarmed ships to sail
safely TO Santiago. the generous peo-
pie OF the United States subscribed
money without limit and dispatched
chip after ship loaced with luxuries and
aelicacies for the Santiago army, and