The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-06

THE fact is" hesaid, ''that the sur
geons and the other officers and men
conducted themselves most heroically
and it is painful to me to see the effort
to make it appear that they were COM
planning when they were not"
Major Dimmick was quoted as having
charged the contract surgeons with indif-
ference. The General admitted that there
were instances in which officers had
found it necessary to hunt up physiciars
and take them to the sick men.
Replying to a question he said he had
put in a filter on the 3let of August,
merely as precaution. not because there
was then any danger, hut because some
Of the surgeons had suggested that the
water supply might become impure as
it grow lower. Ma1y Of the doctors had
contended that the filter was not needed.
but the Secretary of War had said that
il it would save one life it should be
ordered. and it was so done out OF album
dant precaution.
General Wheeler said that he had seen
Il statement from DIR. +. Il. Smith to the
effect that the drinking water was con-
taminated. He had had an examination
made not only by the surgeons. but by
Colonel Smart. a noted expert, and they
had informed him that the water was
pure. Replying to some criticisms Of the
disnfecting plant made by DR. Gilman
Johnson, the General said it had been
very effective and had done much good
He thought it entirely probable that
many men had developed typhoid after
leaving the camp. He admitted that be-
fore the steam laundry was put to work
4 49,. - 4
for typhoid and other patients.
Replying to criticisms by DIR. Heber
Newton, referring especially to the fail
ure to have the camps at Montauk pro-
yided previous TO the beginning. of the
war, General Wheeler said that in view
OF conditions as they existed then it
would not have been eXpcdient to build
a hospital.
No COURT MARTIAL, AND WHY.
Mr.. Howell asked why there had not
been u court martial Investigation of the
charges against DR. Tabor in the Par
rctt case,
General Wheeler replied that he con-
Sidered after the report made upon lhr
case the initiative OF 4 court martial
should be taken by the Washington au-
thoritieS and not by himself. uc' also
said in reply To a question from Captain
Howell that he had encount ,rcd no eb-
stacles in securing sucSi supplies as he
bad made requisition for. He thought
there were tents enough TO make fifty
thousand men comfortably while there
We're never more than 10000 men at one
time.
General Wheeler said III reply ID
question from General Wilson that No
had heard of but one instance in which
a surgeon had become intoxicated. The
man was relieved from duty, but there
was no court martial as it was impossi-
bic to procure testimony bearing on the
case.
General Dodge asked the witness for
a general expression of his opinion as to
the conduct of the various bureaus of
the War Department. Replying, he
praised the work of all the supply depart
ments, saying they We're actuated by
zeal and characterized by intelligence.
He had found the medical department.
from General Sternberg Iowa to hc eff
cient and anxious to promote the best
of his department. The same
was also true Of the ordnance, commits
sary and other departments.
General Wheeler spoke of the mortality
among the Spanish soldiers saying that
it was quite equal to that among the
American troops.
BOYNT0N'S EXAMINATION.
General H. " Boynton who has been
on duty at Camp Thomas since July Sth,
part of the time in command of the
camp was examined at the afternoon
session, Chickamauga Park, he said,
where the camp was located had always
been considered 4 healthy place
The wh0lc park Il mderaid hy magNe
sian limestone, and Il was from under
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