The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-30

Washington, September 27.-The war
investigating commission resumed its
Iabors a t 10 o'clock today in the Lemon
building and at the close of the
morning session gave out number of
documents bearing upon the work to
be undertaken. These comprise the
letter Of Secretary Alger to the presi-
dent, requesting that the investigation
be made; a brief address to the public
in the shape of a resolution; a letter
from Chairman Dodge to the secretary
Of war, enclosing a list of inquiries
to the secretary and to the heads of the
various divisions Of the war depart
ment, calling for specific information
bearing upon the conduct of the war.
The letter to Secretary Alger is as
follows:
ITO the President:
Il have the honor to ask that a
board, consisting of from five to seven
members of the most distinguished sol
ders and civilians that can be selected
be appointed by you,With full power to
investigate thoroughly every bureau of
the war department, in connection with
the mastering, clothing, supplying and
arming of troops, transportation, the
letting of contracts and charLering
vessels, and all expenditures of every
kind, as we'll as the orders issued by
this department-indeed that every
thing connected with the army be thor
Oughly investigated for your informa-
ton. X. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War"
The letter of Chairman Dodge to
Secretary Alger is as follows:
Pursuant to authority conferred
upon us by the president, we have the
honor to request that you direct the
adjutant general, the QuartermaSter
general, the cOmmisSary general, the
surgeon general, the chief of ordnance
and the chief of engineers to furnish
us, as soon as practicable, information
as to the condition of their several de-
partments at the time of the declara
tiOn of war with Spain, and the opera
tionS Of those departments from that
time until the present. We desire the
information to include the following:
Il. The times and places of the mob
ilization of the regular and volunteer
troops.
~. The organization of these troops
into the various subdivisions of the
army, the personnel of the brigade, di
vision, corps and army commanders,
from the national guard or from civil
and of their staffs, whether appointed
from the permanent establishment.
from the national guard or from civil
life.
"3. The amount and kind of camp and
garrison equipage and other supplies
that were on hand at the beginning Of
the war, the amount subsequently pur-
chased, when and where purchased,
when and where delivered. and when
and where actually issued to the
troops.
II. Similar information in regard to
furnishing the troops with arms and
aCCoutrements.
"5 Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped in the various
state camps and which in the general
I camps.
80 Upon whose judgement the va
rious general rendezvous were selected
and the reasons for such selection.
~. Full particulars relative to the
transportation of troops by sea, Civ
ing an account of the provisions made
for the accommodation and care of the
sick and wounded.
IS. An account of the quantity,
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops, and in case that any of them
failed of being plentifully and season.
ably supplied, state the reasons there
for.
49, AS to the proper tentage, beds.
linen, medicines, food and all other
necessary equipment and supplies for
the use of the hospital corps of the
army. If there was any lack OF these
things at any time, state the reasons
therefor.
'-1o. Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient at all times for
the proper care of the sick and wound
ed, and if not state the reasons there
for.
I'll. Such information relative to the
conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering departments
as will be of value to us in our investi-
cations.
I'VE have outlined briefly a portion
only of the information that we trust
YOU will be able to give us. 1t will be
satisfactory to have it communicated
TO us in writing or by the chiefs of the
several bureaus in person. with the
submission of such records confirming
their statements as they may be
pleased to hand to us.
ITO aid you in complying with this
request there is submitted herewith a
list of special questions to which. so
far as is possible, answers are desir-
ed"
INFORMATION DESIRED FROM
THE SECRETARY.
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his re-
ply.
81. Plan Of campaign proposed i'm
mediately after the declaration of
war; was it intended to move at once
to Havana, or that the campaign
should be postponed until autumn?