The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-22
THEY MUST ANSWER.
Tie Facts PerSiStenty MisrepreSent-
ed at Washington,
THE DEPARTMENT IN IGNORANCE
In a Speech at Knoxville Yesterday
the Secretary OF War Said That
HAD His Department known OF
the Condition at Chickamau-
ga Troops Would Have
Been Moved Sooner.

KNOXVILLE. TENN. Sept 2l-The
Secretary OF War, who to-day inspected
Camp Poland ana reviewed the enlisted
men oncampod there. made speech TO
the commanding officers at General Alc-
KEGS headquarters during the morning
during which hc nxcd tle blame for Che
sickness i'm the different camps through
out the country on the commanding Off
GERS.
After the review General Aiger asked
that the commanding officers assemble at
General McKccs headquarters. and at
the laIters tent, on "A high eminence
overlooking Camp Poland on the one side.
and Knoxville on the other, the Secretary
was surrounded by the officers and tho
Knoxville Citizens Committee. He re-
moved his hat. and in delicate and care
iul manner Of speech, said.
HIS PURPOSE.
Il came here 10 visit this camp Tor the
purpose OF acquaintins myself with the
conditions and see for myself just how
the troops are faring and 90 hear from
the officers any recommendations that
they may think will benefit the camp.
II want 10 hear what the commanders
have 10 say about disyision and regiment
al hospitals more especially. as there has
been great deal OF talk about the cOnll-
tlons of the camps and hospitals.
IL want TO say that had the War De-
partment been acquainted with The con-
ditions, said TO have existed az Chicka-
mauga, the troops there would have been
moved long before they were.
1--WE received only good reports al
Washington from tho commanding oil-
GERS, and it was supposed tnat the outside
reports were exaggerated.
COMMANDERS TO BLAME.
"The commanders of camps are resp0n-
sble for the conditions or their camps.
and II me men are not well cared for and
IL the hospital and sanitary conditions are
bad, the commanding officer must answer
for It.
The War Department has been and Is
ready 10 supply the demands OF the
troops for medicine and sustenance. and
there IS no reason why that conditions
other than the best possible, should
exist"
The Secretary and his party left for
Chattanooga al 4 o clock.
INTERESTING SCENE.
LEXINGTON. KY. Sept. I.-Thore was
an interesting meeting I'm Inspector-Gen-
eral Brecknridge's tent here yesterday
afternoon. in which Secretary Of War
Alger. Surgeon General Sternberg, Quar-
termaster General Ludinston, General
Breckenridge General Sanger, General
Wiley, and Governor Bradley, OF Ken
tucly took part. A discussion took
place as 10 whether 81 was best 20 main
tain division hospitals or TO return TO
d g. II .
tame for a few minutes, but it grew
more animated. and changed 20 the sub
iect Of the management of the volunteer
camps. and then it got hotter.
Gen. Sanger began hy saying there was
something wrong I'm the management or
the departments OF the Quartermasters
and Surgeons General. Looking at Sec
retary Alger he said:
GROSSLY IGNORANT.
"Sir your chief surgeon down at Chick
amauga-I refer TO Dr. Hcldenkoper-Na
nothing but a veterinary surgeon, ana
did not know the word disinlectant !
issued order after order for materials
and medicines. and could not get them.
I failed utterly to get what ! wanted.
I sent requisiton after requisltion. and
none OF them were honored. Finally. !
sent n request more pointed, and receiF-
ed the reply that such stuff was not
needed"
Col. Leonard. Of the Twelfth New
York. who. with the other Colonies. was
present. corroborated General Sanger S
statements as TO Dr. Ieidenkoper, and
then Gen. Wiley began to tax. lie de-
clared: "The neglect TO furnish sup
plies. gentlemen, was criminal Whie ln
Chickamauga I was TN command or the
division over which Gen. Sanger is now,
and while holding that command l IRE
ouently made rcquisitions which were not
honored An imperative order had been
sent TO us TO have AN water boiled. Now.
Won can't boil water Mr.. Secretary,
without boilers. and ] made requisiuon
on Ouartermaster General Lee for wa
ter boilers No attention was paid 10
this. and I repeatedly urged him 10 send
boilers. saying that men were taking
typhoid fever by not having boiled water
to drink.
DIDN'T FURNISH THEM
"Faning 20 get any reply TO my repeat
ed telegrams, ] sent him tart mes
sage. and 1 received a prompt reply
which read: The War Department does
not furnish boilers Failing to get boil
crs from the War Department, ! bought
them myself, but mucn valuable TINE
had been lost. the seeds of disease had
have seen the results Of this negligence
In the large death reports which nave
been sent out from every camp In this
broad land. These men in the Quarter
masters Department cannot stand or
and say Il was somebody else's fault IL
was the fault Of Quartermaster Lee. and
fl was the fault OF Quartermaster Lud-
ington. who Is standing right there.
Here he pointed his finger az Ludington.
Continuing. Cen Wiley said.
"These requisitions We're made both on
his Office and on the Quarternaster Cen
rral IN charge The brigade surgeons
would complain OF the absence or GER
tain medicines and medical instruments
and requisitions FOR these things were
not honored. and men were forced 20
borrow fever thermometers to take INC
temperature OF the sick. and the same
instruments had 10 be taken from ono one
regiment 10 another. These shinAs ~
responsible for the wrctched state oi a.
fairs now confronting you.
WHO IS TO BLAMEy go,
Secretary Alger replied quichN
want 20 get at the bottom OF 'he WIZ
matter. We don't care n somebody