The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-10-07
Secretary of War.
Letter to the Secretary OF War.

'scssIon of the war investigating COM
mission the following letter 10 Secre-
tary Alger, outlining the scope of
their work. was given out.
To the Secretary of War: Sir-Pur-
suant To authority conferred upon us
by the president, we have the honor TO
request that you direct the adiutant
general, the quartermaster general,
the commissary general. the surgeon
general, the chief of ordnance and the
chief of engineers TO furnish us as
soon rs practicable information as to
the condition of their several depart
meufs at the time of the declaration
of war with Spain. and the operations
of those departments from that time
until the present.
Some Specific Questions
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his re-
ply
L. Plan of campaign proposed i'm
mediately after the declaration of
war, was it intended TO move at once
on Havana, or that the campaign
should he postponed until the autumn.
2 When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
J. Why was Tampa selected as the
base Of operations?
T. Why wee summer camps organ
lied at Fernandina, jacksonville and
Tampa?
s. Why was the Porto Rican cam
paign determined upon?
g. Why were the troops held on
transports after embarkation al Tam
pa and not permitted to sail for sew
,eral days?
Other Information Desired.
We desire the information to in
cIutie the following, viz:
First The times and places of the
mobilization of the regular and volun-
.teer Troops
Second. The organization of these
troops into the various subdivisions
of the amy, the personnel of the bril-
gade, division, corps and army com
nianderx, and of their stats, whether
appointed from the permanent estab-
iishmcnt. from the national guard or
from civil life.
Third. The amount and kind of
camp and garrison equipage and other
supplies that were on hand at the be-
ginning of the war. the amount sub
sequently purchased, when and where
delivered to your department, and
when and where actually issued to the
troops
Fourth. Similar information in re-
gard to furnishing the troops with
arms and accoutremcnts.
Fifth. Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various
state camps and which in the general
camps
or judgment the various general rem
devious were selected, and the reasons
for such selection.
seventh Full particulars relative to
the transportation OF troops by sea,
giving an account OF the provisions
made for the accommodation and care
of the sick and wounded.
Eighth. An account of the quantity,
quality and kind Of food furnished
thc troops. and in case that any of
thesn failed of being plcntifully and
seasonably supplied, state the reasons
therefor.
Ninth. AS to proper tentage, beds.
linen, medicines, food and other neces-
ssry equipment and supplies for the
risc of the hospital corps Of the army.
If there was any lack Of these things
mt any time, state the reasons there
for.
Tenth. Whether the medical staff
WAS efficient and sufficient at all times
for the proper care of the sick and
wounded, and il not state the reasons
therefor.
Eleventh. Such information rcla-
tive TO the conditions and operations
of the ordnance and engineering de-
partmcnts as will he OF value to us in
our investigations.
We have outlined briefly a portion
only Of the information that we trust
you will be able 10 give us. II will DC
satisfactory 10 have II communicated
60 us in writing. or by the CHIEFS OF
The several bureaus in person. with
shc submission Of such records con
Erming The statements as they may be
pleased TO hand to US.