Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-09
MEDICAL OFFICERS REPORT
Some Glaring Defects in the Santiago
Campaign Pointed Out.

!
EVERYTHING THE MEDICAL. DE-
PARTMENT COULD POSSIBLY
NEED. But INSTEAD OF LANDING
THEM AND CARRYING THEM TO
POINTS WHERE THEY COULD BE
USEFUL THEY WE'RE LEFT
ABOARD THE TRANSPORTS AND
CARRIED OUT TO sEA-CoMMAND-
ING GENERAL REFUSED HIS AID
IN CORRECTING THIS ERROR.
DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING THE
oUTFITT1NG OF TRANSPORTS FOR
SICK AND WOUNDED.
Washington, August s. Surgeon
General Sternberg has received the fol-
lowing report concerning the condi-
tons existing at Santiago, medical
supplies, transportation and other fea-
lures connected with the expedition to
Santiago under General Shafter. The
report explains what has been done by
the medical department, end gives the
disadvantages under which the denars-
ment operated in Cuba.
Tampa Heights, Fla, July 90, 1898.
Army, Washington. ID. c.:
Sir-ln view of the recent charges
made affecting the efficiency of the
army medical department at Santiago
and especially with reference to the
conditions prevailing on the hospital
transports sent north with wounded, |
have the honor to submit the following
facts, believing that my position IA
adjutant to the chief surgeon, Fifth
corps, and as the officer in charge OF
the Quitting of the hospital transports
Iroquois, Cherokee and Breakwater.
may possibly give value to such re-
port.
Drugs, medicines, dressings, instru-
ments, hospital tentage and supplies
were loaded on the transports at Tam
pa in quantities sufficient to meet the
needs of the Santiago expedition. These
supplies were divided upaE the various
vessels, each organization having
ITS OWN EQUIPMENT
While the bulk Of the supplies was with
the organized hospital and regiCenial
equipment was largely il excess OF iti
needs and was intended TO be called III
to supplement, If necessary, the equip
ment Of these hospitals
The landing on Cuban soil was
made as rapidly as possible, each or
ganization, accompanied by the medi-
cal attendance assigned to 1t. and
troops were rushed forward with no
other equipments and supplies than
could be carried by the soldier HaV-
ing no means of transportation Tor
even, .noir acid chests. the regimentA
medical officers had absolutely no re-
sources at their command, except such
as would be provided by the orderly
and hospital corps pouches and the
first aid packets carried by the SOL
diers. Having once left their ships
the latter were promptly ordered out
of the small bays at Siboney and Dali
uuiri to permit the unloading Of other
ships These partially unloaded ships,
in obedience to their orders, then pro-
ceeded to sea from ten to fifteen miles,
where they remained hove to indefi-
uietly. Such orders were given the
transports carrying the reserve and
the first divisional hospitals. The
one carrying the reserve hospital, in
obedience to it's orders. proceeded to
ioin the naval blockading squadron
off Moro Castle. where 1t remained
five days and nights. the other trans
ports disappearing If | was correctly
Informed, for an entire week During
this time the fight at Guasima had oc-
Cured, and large number OF sick
and wounded were requiring treat
ment In the meantime a report or
the conditions prevailing on shore
was made
TO THE CHIEF SURGEON.
who promptly laid the case before the
commanding general. requesting that a
launch be placed under the control OF
the medical department for the eollec-
ton of the medical supplies from the
various transports. 1t was also re-
uuested that pack train be organized,
in the proportion Of one pack mule
to each regiment, to transport sup
especially the field chests-to
the front for proper distribution; and
/ was suggested by the chief surgeon
as available for the performance OF
these duties.
The ejgency of the situation did not
apparently appeal to the commanding
general, and for two days the medical
department was unable TO get trans
portation Of any kind TO the other
ships or TO the shore, although there
were large number OF naval launches
and boats employed on various other
duties. On the third day, by order Of
the Adjutant General, one rowboat
was turned over 10 the medical de-
partment for the purpose named above,
and at the same time an order was is
sued for land transportation to carry
medical supplies TO the front not TO
exceed one six-mule team" On getting
into this boat with supplies from the
headquarters transport | was directed
BY sundry staff officers TO take them on
various erraDds On my refusal TO rec
ognize their authority the commanding
general, who had appeared on the
scene, personally revoked the previous
order and directed after the landing Of
the supplies already In the boat that 1t
should return without delay. Present.
ing the order for land transportation
to the quartermaster on shore was in
formed that only pack mules had az
yet been landed; that neither wagon
nor harness had been brought ashore,
and, finally, that the road was impas-
sable for wagons. After this boat
HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY
the chief surgeon was without any
means Of communication with the med
ical officer on shore or still on the
transports. of finding out their wants
or CT remeGying the many already