The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-23
4 ronUNrKER's OBSERVATIONS.
Evils in tho Camps for which the Men
Themselves Wore to BInme.

Themselves We're to Blame.
These observations on the causes OF the sick
ness and the complaints OF the volunteers in
the camps were written by a mar who served
In one of the regiments OF volunteers with the
rank Of Ordnance Sergeant:
II may say that l have never known Secre-
tary Alger and have no interest In him. but
Heaven help him II he has to shoulder the
shortcomings Of all the play-soldier volunteer
officers. 1 will further say that my duties as
Ordnance Sergeanttook me several times into
the camps of regulars. both infantry and cav
airy. where l went to be instructed In the use
Of the 1KraR- J0rgensen rife. with which our
force was to be armed. II II went to the front.
which it did not. / bunked with the regulars
overnight. met their cooks and those In charge
OF supplies. and saw all their methods OF hand
ling the food, &c. from its storage to its service
at mess to the men. 1t Ia needless to add that
l had the same privilege in my own camp. for
being a Regimental Ordnance Sergeant l had
the choice Of my company for my meals aud 1
went tho rounds and took meals with each of
the twelve companies.
Now. in the volunteers. while fresh meat
was frequently issued to the companies. the
company cooks did not seem to understand its
care in the hot climate or how to prepare 1t.
This was due to constant friction in the COM
pany kitchens. caused by frequent shifting Of
the cooks and their assistants. who were ap-
pointed by their Captains to serve for q week
with the privilege OF resiGning or staying at the
expiration OF that term. This trouble, / may
add. did not appear In Companies I. A, c. F and
NJ. as their Captains were men of sound natu-
ral. judgment and displayed it in the commits
sariat. as elsewhere. Now. with the regulars 1
found it the practice to select the cooks on their
own application and n demonstration OF their
iIf m nnnonnNfnnnn h nnnHfn0 In fhn
three companies Of regulars l was with was all
that was to be desired. and the food and ser
vice would be acceptable to even a fastidious
appetite.
the fs0 rD coP% n% WuS SpsS ats mi e eriv SiegSsSa nj d soon
and he kicks like a steer II there be any short
age, unless the trouble occurs on the battle
have to be tolerated. In my regiment even the
chief Quartermaster did not seem to know the
there was often a great shortage. I have
known the whole regiment to have ISSUED for
s g meek a at Z f sanst nSfhin su eSt a s4 tEi hsll Ko 5SfidfG not
be tolerated in a camp OF regulars fortwo days.
Now as to sanitation. Upton is very specific
rigidly observe them. their officers well know
ing that failure, to observe plain sanitary laws
themselves. All possible care is taken about
the water supply. and at the foot OF the COM
Gany streets. at q certain number Of yards
panies. Chloride Of lime is likewise literally
provided. think there is also provision made
great emergency longer than six weeks.
In The case of my regiment; the camr
as T onee. T am i M a sane tRe e IT. s shrt
baRe dump. The camp existed for seven
weeks; The regulations as to the sinks were
entirely disregarded. and | can affirm there
was never an ounce q chloride q lime or other
dlsintectant used. Millions of flies were bred;
settle on the food. Their numbers were, so
each piece Of food had to be brushed right at
introduced. That these flies brought the germs
o. disease. thus causing many cases OF typhoid.
have no doubt. / myself am Just recovering
ablest in my home city. has informed me that
my surmises on this point are correct,
higher ones. seemed to be all at sea. Very
little practical instruction was given the men.
except the regular armory marchings and the
the men. and had they gone into line OF battle
many Casualties would have been self-inflicted
through Ignorance Of how e, handle the rifles.
were issued by an order OF the Colonel OF the
regiment, and men, who used it by companies
tains fearing trouble from the wads, which will
at twelve feet distance make a nasty abrasion
Of. the skin.
The regulars have practice at stated inter-
walls with ball ammunition, and the raw recruit
Is soon sent to tho target for instruction. and
bilities OF his piece, and at intervals squad and
company firing by volleys In close order takes
Place; 1 SSn Ns years MsG age ! ava was t on the frontier tedr Of
Bliss Bfssei DAVIS 9sTs' Elliott, Sill II Russeli and Wiin gate
Wyoming, and l had frequent intercourse with
both, officers and men, and. oh. how different
are they from the volunteers!
Gems. Carpenter and Guy V. Henry one day
Inspected ourcamp and l personally heard Gen:
Gorpepp he SAY to Gen; Henry: A fine lot of
.