The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-09
PLACING BLAME FOR
SICKNESS Of ARMY.

VIVtbtu6VV VI tuuuis
Continued from Page One
then proceeded to sea from FIVE 10 fifteen
mics, where they remained hove 10. Such
orders were given the transports carrying
the reserve and the First divisional hos
pital The one carrying the reserve nos-
pitaI, in obedience 20 It's orders, proceeded
to Join the naval blockading squadron on
Moro caste, where Ii remained five days
ard nights. the other transport disappear
INK. IL I was correctly informed. for an
entire week. During this time the fight
o. La Quasina had occurred. and large
numbers Of sick and wounded were reQuir-
ing treatment
In the meantime a report OF the cofdi-
tons prevailing iushore was made 10 the
chief surgeon. who promptly laid the case
before the commanding general, request
ing that a launch be placed under the con-
troll of the medical department for the co..
lection OF medical supplies from The vari-
ous trznGp0rts Il Was also requested that
a pack train be- organized in the proportion
Of one pack mule 10 each regiment, 10
transport supplies - especially the field
ches:s-to the front for proper distribution;
and l was suggested by the chief surgeon
as available for the performance of these
duties. The exigency OF the situation did
not apparently appeal 10 the commanding
general and for two days the medical de-
partment was unable 10 get transportation
Of any kind to the other ships or TO the
shore although there were a large number
Of naval launches and boats employed on
various other duties On the third day,
by order Of the adjuant general, one row.
hSc0 f,rpv nd frS No O.
partment for the purposes above named.
AT the same time an order was issued
for land transportation to carry medical
supplies to the front not to exceed one
six-mule team
ION getting into this boat with supplies
from the headquarters, the transport was
directed by sundry staff officers 10 take
them on various errands. On my refusal
to recognize their authority. their COM
general. who had appeared on the
scene, positively revoked the previous or
der and directed, after the landing of the
supplies already In the boat. that 1t should
return without delay. Presenting the Or
der for land transportation to the quarter
master on shore. l was informed only pack
mules had as yet been landed; that neither
wagons nor harness had been brought
ashore and finally that the road was I'm
passable for wagons.
After this boat had been taken away,
the chief surgeon was without any means
Of communication with the medical Off
cers on shore. or on the transports or OF
finding out their wants or of remedying
the many already known to him. This
condition OF things remained until after
the fight at La Quasina, at which time
there was absolutely no dressings. hospi-
tai tentage OF supplies OF any kind on
shore within reach Of the surgeons al
ready landed. The news Of the Quasina
fight being reported to the chief surgeon.
he was finally able to get on board the
O1ivette and send her to Siboney, where
she received the wounded"
within the following day or so the
transports carrying the reserve and First
divisional hospitals were found and un-
loaded Of their hospital contents. the latter
finally obtaining limited transportation to
the front. After a couple OF days duty on
the Olivette, was directed to put the Iro-
quois in condition to receive patients and
to take the full capacity on board. While
doing this / was enabled to set ashore con-
hospital tentage and supplies. and
having control OF her boats I was abe 10
visit other transports In the harbor and
land medical supplies from them. While
Quitting the Cherokee and
Breakwater, this work was continued as
permitted: getting supplies from perhaps
a third Of the transports composing the
fleet. Outside of this, 1t Is believed that
no other regimentai medical property was
ever unloaded UP to the time OF my de-
parture.
Appealing on several occasions for the
use of a lighter or small steamer to collect
and land medical supplies. I was informed
by the quartermaster's department thai
IN hot
way. and the medical department was COM
peeled 10 rely entirely upon its own energies
and irnprovtse its own transportation.
Needed Medicines Not Landed.
II feel justified In saying that at the
time OF my departure large quantities OF
medical supplies urgently needed on shore
remained on transports, number Of
which were under orders TO rerurn TO the
United States. Had the medical DEPART
ment carried along double the amount of
supplies. IL Is difficult to see how, with
the totally inadequate land and water
provided by the quarter
masters department. the lamentabIe con-
ditions on shore could have been In any
way improved. The Quitting Of trans
ports for the reception Of sick and wound
ed Is duty demanding thought and ex
perience, and should never be intristed
10 any one except a regular medical Off
Ger. 1t includes the proper policing Of
the portions Of the ship to be used hy
the wounded. the removal OF hunks and
partitions 10 give space ard air, the
utilization OF the ships blankets. door
mats, rugs and carpets render the
hunks more comfor table, the securing Of
extra supplies. such az canned SOUPS, line
Juice and oatmeal: the esta b.ishment of q
a mess and laundry and the assignment
OF convalescenis 10 specific light duties,
sha
hospital corps Usually Il Is necessary TO
overcome passive resistance and resistance
on the part OF the crews and a tendency
on the part OF the captains 70 disregard
or modify orders. In several instances
In my own experience this action Of the
crew amounted Amos; TO nlutiny. and was
only TO be dealt with by threats. a show
Of force. and In one instance by the use
Of irons.
While exclusive officer of the hospita,
a. Fort Monroe I learned officially that
the captain OF the ship Seneca positively