The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-10-07
WHEELER TESTIFIES
The General Appears before the
War Investigating Committee.
TIE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN PERFECT.
Gen. Wheeler Stated That the Men IN Hls
Command Were Wen Taken Care
OLA Shortage Of Sup-
pIfes At Tines.

Washington, Oct 6-The war in-
vestigating commission began its ex-
animation of witnesses yesterday by
placing Gen. Joseph Wheeler on the
stand. Chairman Dodge stated TO him
the scope Of the commissions duties
and asked Gen. Wheeler whether he
had any objections TO being sworn.
He replied that he had none. and Maj
Miles. recorder for the commission
administered the oath. Ex-Gcv. Beaver
conducted the examination, develop
ing the essential facts as to Gen.
Wheeler's rank and his command. Gen
Wheeler stated that he left Tampa for
Cuba on the 14th of June, but that he
had no knowledge Of the plan OF
campaign before going aboard the
transport Discussing the plan Of
campaign, he said he doubted whether
any more perfect plan could have been
adopted. Speaking of the medical de-
partment he said that at times there
were complaints, but that they were
not serious On occasions there was 3
shortage Of surgeons, some Of the sur
geOns being sick or wounded. Accord
ing to Gen. Wheeler's belief the
wounded in battle were promptly
cared for. by the surgeons After the
fight Of July1 all the wounded were
carried from the field that night The
witness had heard that there was more
complaint OF the shortage Of medicine
among the infantry than in the cavalry.
Going back to Tampa, he said that
at the season he was there, the first
half of June, the site was without OBJ
lection, but he had felt that it would
be wet later in the season. It was his
impression that Tampa had been Sc
lected as camp site after the begin
ming of the war and was incidental to
the intended movement on Havana
There was, he said, at times some
shortage of supplies at the camp, "but
nothing he added, ''that a soldier
could complain Of" They had COM
Portable tents and the commissaTy
supplies were sufficient The water
also was good He said the men in his
command were well taken care Of
Returning to the Santiago campaign,
he said that only two regiments had
reported shortage Of rations, and he
had Immediately telephOned to the
rear and the shortage, which was due
to accident, had been adjusted. The
meat was poor and they had no bread
but hard tack. They were forced to
live in the sun and water alternately
and necessarily there was much sick
ness While they had the full quota
of doctors and nurses, he thought that
If more had been furnished the men
would have been better cared for. As
for rations, three days supply was
generally issued. He said that as q
rule the quality of hard tack was good.
Where there was any deterioration it
was due to local rains and not to the
fact of original inferiority.
Capt. Howell asked to what ne at
tributed the development of disease
after the capitulatiOn Of Santiago and
Gen. Wheeler replied that it was due
TO the climate and to the exposure
made necessary. So far as he knew
there was general commentator Of
the medical corps, except that on enc
or two occasions there had been some
grumbling in regard TO general condi-
tons He thought there was a def
cheney in the number of ambulanees,
but this deficiency was due to the ext
gencies of the campaign.
After recess Gen Wheeler devoted
his testimony chiefly TO his experience
at WilzOff, Montauk point The presi-
dent, in giving him command there,
had ordered him to spare no pains or
expense to make the men comfortable.
He made an examination Of the camp
and found IL necessary to undertake
much preparation to care for the men
properly, to bore wells, lay water
pipes, build laundries, disinfecting
plants, get floors for the tents, erect
hospitals, etc. The surgeons, at his
request, had made a list Of special arti-
cles to be purchased for the sick. The
people came with many kinds Of food,
''and undertake to say" he declared,
that no army on earth was ever SO
abundantly supplied with necessaries
and luzuries-"
The general location and the trans
portation facilities and the camp were
poor. There were good hospitals
erected, but there was a scarcity Of
nurses. He Immediately wired for
nurses and within five or six days
there was an abundance. He sum
moned the surgeons for a consultation
each morning and would order imme-
diately by wire any article needed
The hospital tents were, he said,
fiOOred The patients were laid upon
mattresses, on the floor, and were sup
piled with clean bedding. From first
to last 10, 900 patients entered the hos
pitals at MOntauk. The hospitals had,
when ne landed, a capacity not to exc
coed 300 and so far as he knew the hos
pitals had, up to this time. been equal
70 the demands upon IL. Over 3, 25z
Of the Santiago troops had been re-
ported sick on arrival, but many Others
Of the arrivals were really sick.
Gen Wheeler explained that the rez-
son there was so much complaint about
the burials was that the burial grounds
was so near and 50 plainly in view.
At four o'clock the commission adj
journed until today, when Gen.
Wheeler viii resume his testimony.
Lzwson CeHege Burned 20 che 6rouad-
Lawson, No, Oct. 5.-LaWson col-
lsFe was completely destroyed By fre
yesterday morning. e was erected
ssFsn years ego at 8 cost Of s]e.aoo -
TIE PresbytsFiHn church, Ihe Gre vas
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