The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-18
Behind The Bars
AT CAMP CUBA LIBRE.
War Investigation Commission Go
THROUGH the Camp.

Jacksonville, Fla, Oct 17.-The war
Investigating commission spent the after
noon inspecting the camps in the lmmo-
diate vicinity of Jacksonville. A heavy
rain was falling during a part OF the
tour, but the commissioners performed
their sef-appointed task of going
through the camp from one end to the
other in very puinstaking manner.
They took carriages from the depot I'M
mcdiately after the arrival of the train
mt 1870 o'clock, and did not return until
after nightfall.
The party drove first to the head
quarters of the First division command
er General Lloyd Wheaton, and after
leaving this point made thorough in
pection of the camp of the First Brigade
including the First Texas. the Sec
end Louisiana and the Third Nebraska
regiments While here the members Of
the commission made call upon Colonel
Bryan, who is personally acquainted
with the most of them. They found him
almost completely recovered from his
recent illness. but very much occupied
in arranging for the mastering out Of
the men in his regiment relieved by the
order of the War Department, reducing
the size of the companies of his reGi-
mpnt to the minimum Of 80 men. He
said he was making an especial effort to
relieve the men who had families de-
pendent upon them.
SCENES AMONG THE SICK.
The commissioners interviewed Off
GERS and privates alike, and made per-
sonal visits to the quarters both of the
men and their commanders. They lift
ed the covers from commissary stores.
went through the kitchens, visited the
drug stores. inspected the apparatus,
talked with physicians and nurses and
made special inquiry into the method
Of conducting the hospitals. All three
Of the division hospitals were visited and
inspected. They found the patients to
he apparently we'll cared for. and so far
as could be discovered they were as con-
tented as sick men generally are. Many
Of them were reading books and maga-
zines, but in a greater number of cases
the men. had either before their eyes or
clasped closely in their arms letters which
had evidently been received from home.
The patients were all found occupying
clean looking beds or cots, and in no in
stance was a hospital tent or pavilion
found to be without II floor. Indeed al
most all the tents in the camp were
floored. In many cases the hospital tents
were effectualy screened against flies
end mosquitoes.
But one complaint was heard in the
entire round. and this was not evidently
made in Il spirit of faulttinding. Colonel
Jones. of South Carolina, found fault
with the climate, saying that fully 20
per cent. of his men were i'll largely on
this account. He also said some ratiOns
of refrigerator beef had been received in
bad condition, which was due to the
weather.
Summing up the result of the inspec-
ton General Dodge, chairman of the
commission said:
I'VE have compared notes after the
days work and find that complaint
was made from but one regiment during
tIe day. This was the objection made
to the climate by Colonel Jones. We
saw both officers and men, sick and well,
and we gave all an opportunity to be
heard, asking the men in the absence OF
their officers if they had any criticism to
make We shall tomorrow begin the
inquiry by examining men under oath,
and we hope if there are any shortcom-
ings to thus uncover them. We found
the sick doing exceptionally well and
were pleased to congratulate their ply
sicians on the excellent arrangements
made for their care"
This statement was mde in the pres
ence of the members of the commission
and was endorsed by them.
Sub-commissions Of two each were APP
pointed to inspect camps. and if neces-
sary take testimony, at Tampa and Fer
nandina, the commission for TAMPA be-
ing composed Of Messrs. McCook and
Sexton and chat for Fernandina of
Messrs Wilson and Howell
The sub-commissions for outside points
leave Jacksonville tonight or tomorrow.