The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-10-20
GENERAL Wilson EXPLAINS
Tells the Commission About
Coast DefenseS.
WHAT THE ENGINEERS SPENT
Surgeon Hon's Testimony rs to tho
Conditions Prevailing at Camp
Thomas-Expcpditures for batteries.

ment made by General John NJ. Will
son, the chief Of engineers, to the com
mission investigating the conduct of
the war, was made public today. Dur
ing the progress of the war, the follow
ing additions we're made to the coun-
try armament:
Armament was placed in POSITION
for six 12-inoh guns, 80 lo-inch, SO H.
inch mortars. and 30 rapid-fire guns
and additional platforms were made
ready for still larger number, and adj
1itional emplacements are under con-
struction for still more. According to
this report, when all the works begun
are completed, the armament will con-
sist of so l2-inch mortars, and 10 rapid
fires. The emplacements were under
construction at rs different harbors
August 81. and there we're double shifts
working at each place.
The total expenditures on account OF
gun and mortar batteries during the
period of the war amounted to $4.S2l,-
500.
Among the purchases for harbor de-
Tense were 400 miles OF cable, $50 tons
cases, a searchlights, etc. Twenty
eight harbors were mined, 535 mines
being planted. The expenditures ON
harbor defense tor the period were S1,-
661, 200. Intrenching tools were pur-
chased and stored at Wilet's point
sufficient for an army Of 80, 600 men.
Hospitals in Chickamauga.
Washington, Oct. l5.-Lieutenant.
Colonel l.. ]. Hoff was before the war
investigating commission at the fore
noon session. He is a regular army
officer, and was chief surgeon in the
| Third army corps at Chickamauga.
Hoff did not consider the camp to have
been in the best sanitary condition. but
expressed the opinion that 1t could not
be better, under the circumstances. In
the beginning, the camp was short Of
medical supplies, due to the expecta-
tion that arriving troops would bring
supplies of medicines.
Continuing, DR.. Hoff said the capa-
city OF the division hospitals was often
doubled and trebled. 1t sometimes &C.
Cured that there were eight men in
date six, because Of delay in securing
tentage to care for the increase of dis
ease, which was unexpectedly rapid.
On one or two occasions patients were
necessarily placed in beds made upon
the floors, because of temporary de-
ficeincy in cots. As rule the nurses
were without training, and this fact
occssioned some difficulty in dealing
with typhoid cases. Yet he knew OF
no specific cases of suffering on this &C.
| count. He specified the case of a man
afflicted with an infectious disease, who
had been compelled to lie in the open
air one night on account Of lack of tent
age. The doctor was sure that no in
jury resulted, as the weather was pleas
ant. DR.. Hoff said that the shortage
in medical supplies had continued for
several weeks, but there was generally
sufficient to meet the immediate de-
mands. He also said that some requisi-
tions had been returned by the WASH
ington authorities because improperly
filled, and he was under the impression
that there had been complaints of some
suffering on this account. There was
considerable delay in securing flooring
for the tents