The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-02
TAKEN FROM THE CONCHO
CONVALEsCENT SOLDIERS TRANS
FERRED TO HOFFMAN ISLAND.
Several Are Seriously III-Dr. Lesser's
Statement Concerning COndi-
tiOns ON the Transport.

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-Mr. Doty health
officer of the port, visited the Concho to-day
and found all on board much improved after
a good nights rest. One hundred and twen-
ty-fve convalescents were transferred to
Hoffman island. The men were elated over
their release from the overcrowded quarters
of the transport. The sick left on board
the Concho will be transferred to more COM
Portable quarters Immediately. All are rest
ing comfortably Corporal Patterson and
Private James Roundtree are both quite
sick with typhoid fever. Maj. H. H. Allen
is still on board suffering from an abscess
in his face. Sir Bryan Leighton, who was
removed from the transport Alamo to- Swim
burne island, is said to be very sick.
DR.. A. M. Lesser, of the Red Cross, who
arrived yesterday from Santiago de Cuba
on the United States transport Concho,
with 172 sick and wounded soldiers, speaking
to-day regarding conditions on board the
transport, said: "Orders were received to
supply the Concho with 1000 rations for 175
persons who were ordered on board of her.
Major Legarde and DR.. Ireland went
through the camp and selected It's GONZALES
cents end cOnValeScent fever patients who
were able to walk. In order to secure a re-
turn home the men will frequently affect
illness to such a degree that it may often
be hard to determine whether one is sick
or not. Medicines were supplied, therefore,
in quantity thought to be sufficient, but on
the evening of departure found the entire
Shipload, excepting possibly twenty-five
persons suffering from fever and bowel
troubles, for which there proved to be an in
sufficient supply of medicines on board the
ship. The rations put on board were there
fore unfit to be served to the sick men. The
supply of water also was impure and unfit
for use, having been taken aboard at
Tampa early in May. The Concho has but
provided for the men between decks, but
being devoid of mattresses and owing to
the intense heat, were practically useless.
The men could not live below, many being
compelled to sleep on deck under awnings.
DR.. Lesser has submitted a statement re-
earding the matter to the president of the
Red Cross Society, which, 1T is expected,
will be given to the press tomorrow
Lieut.. r. r. Stogsdale of the Fourth
United States Infantry, who arrived on the
fects of yellow fever, said to-day: THE men
were put on board the Concho because for
them to remain in Cuba longer was sure
death Yellow fever experts at Santiago
said that in their present weak condition the
men were subject to typhoid, malarial and
foregone conclusion. This being the case,
it was decided to take the lesser of two evils
and get the men north on the boats avail
able, there being a chance that if they
reached the north they would recover This
chance was taken and, as already known,
there were but six deaths during the trip
wish to say that had 1t not been for the
Red Cross rurses and DIR. Lesser, of the
staff, there would probably have been over
fifty deaths on board"