New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-09
ARMY SURGEONS DEFENCE
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT WAS sERI-
OCSLY HAMPERED AT SANTIAGO


Washington, Aug. S--Surgcon- General Stern
perg has received the following report concern
Ing the conditions existing at Santiago medical
supplies. transportation and other features con-
nected with the expedition to Santiago under
General Shafter. The report explains what has
been done by the medical department. and gives
the disadvantages under which the department
operated in Cuba:
Tampa Heights Fla July %. 1898
To the Surgeon-Genera. L. s. A.. Washington.
Sir: In view OF the recent charges made affecting
the efficiency Of the Army Medical Department at
Santiago. and especially with reference 10 the con
diiions prevailing on the hospital transports sent
North with wounded. have the honor TO submit
the following facts believing that my position
adjutant TO the chief surgeon. Fifth Corps and
the officer In charge Of the outfting Of the hospital
transports the Iropuois. the Cherokee and the
Breakwater. may possibly give value TO such re
port
Drugs. medicines. dressings Instruments. hos
pital tentage and supplies were loaded the
transports AT Tampa IN quantities sufficient 10
meet the needs Of the Santiago expedition. These
supplies We're divided up on the various vessels.
each organization wing its own equipment While
the bulk of the supplies with the organized
hospital. the regnental equipment was largely In
excess Of its needs and was intended 10 be called
In to supplement. IL necessary the equipment OF
these hospitals.
The landing Cuban soil made rapidly
as possible. each organization accompanied by the
medical attendance assigned TO Il. and troops
pushed forward with no other equipment; and sup
plies than could be carried by the soldiers. Hav-
ing no means Of transportation for oven their field
chests. the regimental medical officers had abso-
lutey resources their command except such
provided by the orderly and ship corps
pouches and the frst-aid packets carried by the
soldiers. Having only left their ships. the latter
were promptly ordered out OF the small bays at
Sboney and BaiQuiri to permit the unloading OF
other ships. These partially unoaded ships in
obedience to their orders. then proceeded
from five to fifteen miles. whore they remained
hove-to Indefinitely Such orders were given the
transports carrying the reserve and the first d.
vis.onal hospitals. The ore carrying the reserve
hospital. in obedience It's orders. proceeded 10
join the naval blockadne squadron of Moro
Castle where II remained five days and nights. tho
other transports disappearing. If was correctly
Informed. for entire week During the time
the fight at Guazima had occurred. and large num-
bers Of sick and wounded requiring treat
ment In the mean time report OF the condi-
tlons prevailing shore was made to the chief
surgeon. who promptly laid the before the
commanding general requesting that launch be
placed under the control OF the medical depart
mont FOR the collection OF medical supplies from
the various transports. II also requested that
pack train be organized. in the proportion OF
one pack mule 10 each regiment. 10 transport sup
plies. especially the field chests. the front for
proper distribution.
APPEALED FOR AID TO SHAFTER
The exigency Of the situation did not apparently
appeal 10 the commanding general and for two
days the medical department unable 10 get
transportation Of any kind the other ships or 10
the shore. although there n large number Of
naval launches and boats employed various
other duties. on the third day. by order Of tho
Adjutant-Gcner one boat was turned over
to for tbe hoe.
named. and a. the same time order issued
for land transportation 10 carry medical supplies
to the front. mot 10 exceed one six mule team"
On getting into this boat with supplies from the
headquarters transport, / was directed by sundry
stan officers 10 take them on various errands. On
my refusal to recognize their authority the COM
manfrg general, who had appeared on the scene
personally revoked the previous order and directed
after the landing Of the supplies already in the
boat that ii should return without delay. Present
ing the order for land transportation to the quar-
termaster on shore. Informed that only pack
mules had as yet been landed: that neither wagons
nor harness had been brought ashore: and finally.
that the road impossible for wagons After
this boat had been taken away. the chief surgeon
was without means OF communication with the
medical officers shore still transporis Of
finding ont their wants or OF remedyng the many
already known TO him. This condition OF things |
remained until after the fight at La Quasina. az
which time there absolutely dressings hos |
within reach Of the surgeons already landed The |
news Of the La Quasna fight being reported TO the |
chief surgeon. he finally able get bonrd |
the Olivette and send her to Siboney. where she |
received the wounded. Within the following DAY |
the transports carrying the reserve and first |
divisional hospitals found and unoaded Of |
their hospital contents the latter hospital finally |
obtaining limited transportation to the front After
IA couple OF days duty Oh board the Ovette I was
directed TO put the Iroquo I'm condition to receive
patients and to take the fun capacity of the ship |
on board While doing this was able to set ashore
considerable hospital tentaGe and supplies found |
aboard Of her and having control Of her boats. |
was able to visit other transports in the harbor |
and land medical supplies from them. While subse-
oueutlv outHting tn" Cherokee and the Brcakwatcr.
this work continued as well as opportunity and |
limited facilities permitted; getting supplies from |
perhaps a third Of the transports composing the |
fleet Outside OF this II Is believed that no other
regincnal medical property was ever unloaded up |
10 the time Of my departure with wounded
July 10
HOPELESS REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
Annealing on several occasions for the use Of n
lighter or small steamer TO collect and land medi-
cal supplies vas Informed by the quartcrmaster's
d4por,ment that they could render assistance
&, that way and the medical department COM
nclled 10 rely entirely upon its energies and
trnprovise Its own transportation. feel justified
IN saving that ~ the time Of my departure large
quantities of medical supplies. urgently needed on
shore stiil remained on transports, number Of
which were under orders 10 return to the United
states Had the medical department carried along
double the amount OF supplies IT is difficult to
how with the totally inadequate land and water
TRANSPORTATION provided by the quar'ermasters de-
partment the lamcntabe conditions on shore could
have been in any way improved
The outntting of transports for the reception Of
sick and wounded is a duty demanding thought and
experience. and should never be intrusted TO any
one but II regular medical officer. 1t includes the
proper policing Il The portions OF the sh? to be used
Inv the wounded the removal Of hunks and par