Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-07
LEE ON THE STAND,
He Testifes Before War In
quiry Commission
NO COMPLAINT TO MAKE.
Regards Army Conditions as In the
Main Coed.
EXPECTS TO GO TO HABANA.
EXPECTS TO GO TO HABANA.

WASHINGTON, October 6.-The War
Investigating Commission held two ses-
sions to-day In the forenoon General
II. " Boynton concluded his testimony,
which was begun yesterday, and in the
afternoon General Fitzhugh Lee was
heard.
General Boynton dwelt to-day upon the
causes of disease at Camp Thomas,
charging the increase toward the close
of the campaign TO lack of sufficient care
on the part of the regimentaI and brigade
commanders.
He said there was no foundation for any
reasonable complaint in regard to food.
! He also denied that there was any inten-
tional neglect in the hospitals.
In discussing with Captain Howell the
question of the rations supplied to Camp
Thomas, General Boynton volunteered the
suggestion that there had been no com
plants from southern soldiers In the
camp, "and," he continued, II do not be-
lieve we would have heard half the out
cry that has been raised If all the SOL
diers had been from the South"
General Dodge said that only two or
three charges had been received from
the South, and they were not from SOL
diers.
GENERAL LEE
General Fitzhugh Lee was before the
commission at it's afternoon session.
General Lee had no complaint to make
in regard to supplies. In June there was
some delay, but this was remedied, and
since then supplies of all kinds had come
with regularity and in abundance.
mThere have, of course" he said, "been
some complaints. Soldiers are Ike
schoolboys; they sometimes complain even
| wben there is no occasion for complaint
He thought the army ration was abund-
| ont and i'm the main well suited to cam
naien in a tropical climate. Yet he thought
| come changes might be made lie was OF
| the opinion that 1t would ba petter 10
send live animals to Cuba, than to send
refrigerator meat, as at present accord
tho 10 his ideas. the men should have
more fruit and less meat.
| During the course Of the questioning IL
| developed that General Lee had Deen ho-
t,fed that he would be expected TO move
his corps TO Cuba, In the vicinity ol nd,
hama. about the lst OF NoVeHlpei' anu
that he considered his troops piopeiiS
| equipped for the campaign.
lie considers the Spanish uniform the
hetter adapted 10 a tropical climate than
onrs as they are cool and can be washed
he was fearful that the shirts ana
hlouses of our men would be found 10 De
too heavy for comfort.
| General Lee made the announcement
| that he was counting upon Landing In a
friendly country, as he had received oi-
| rect information that the American
| troops would be welcomed. not only py
the Cubans but by the Spaniards az "eil
He said the conservative anu propely
owning Spanlards were especially desl-
rous to have the American troops cohio
for the preservation Of order.
LEES COMMAND HEALTHY.
sneaking of his command. General Lee
stated that the health OF the troops had
| been good. only about 2 per cent. being
sick. He had insisted upon very tho
, rough inspection of the camp and upon
having his forces thoroughly instructed
NV the staff officers, who had practically
, organized schools for that purpose.
Te said the meat was received in re-
frigerator cars, and as rule was gOod.
In a few instances the outer edges OF the
larger pieces Of meat were spoiled, as
was also the hard-tack in one or TWO
cases. A shipment of potatoes was re-
ported to be in bad condition. ana
hoard was appointed, which condemned
all of the goods.
As TO the efficiency of officers appointed
| from civil life. General Lee said some of
l them learned the duties promptly; Others
were very slow to learn; others never
> learned. but a majority did. He believes
that volunteers would always become
} effective. especially when confronted by
the enemy.
COMPLAINT OF CAMP CUBA.
Governor Beaver read a letter complain
ing of the situation in the Jacksonville
camp. The letter stated that the camp
| | was filthy. the bread moulded, the doc
t tors generally drunk etc
'Is that from my command?' General
Lee asked, in evident surprise. When In
formed that 1t was. he said that he was
| astonished, and asked for the name OF
| the author He said, In this connection
| that occasional complaints had come to
| him which he had examined, and In
every case had found them to be un-
founded.
.Then." said Governor Beaver. after
some further questioning. you consider
= vourself in good condition in every way
70 start In the expedition to Cuba?'
~ do" replied General Lee. Touch q
y hutton. and we are prepared. even to &c
| TO Madrid
> NE EXPRESSED the opinion that Il was
: ,mpossible for any troops 10 do any grea
: amount of campaigning I'm the summer
e rronths on account of the heat. Not ever
tho Spanish and Cuban forces had evel
d been very active in the summer season
f We thought troops going to Cuba should
d have ample protection against the sum-
COMPLAINTS FROM 9TH VIRGINIA.
: complaints against regimental surgeon,
I ,ere road 10 the General from member.
20 tho Fourth Virginia Volunteers. but n.
rar,,ed that he could not speak definitel,
90 the regimental doctors In this case
Sa,ne OF them. he knew, were not a,
comnetent as they should be. The sur
seons OF higher rank were all compe
tent men.
General Lee expressed the belief tha
= d,vision hospitals were 100 large. III
q advocated brigade hospitals, as com
- ,ronise between division and regim enta
hospitals. He expressed the opinion tina