The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-07
GEN. LEE ON THE STAND
EFFICIENCY or OFFICERS AP-
POINTED FROM CIVIL LIFE.
SPANISH UNIFORMS BEST FOR TROPICS
No Complaint to Make of Supplies. Regimen
tai Doctors moi All Competent, Live
Meat Better than Dead. The
Heahhisst Regiment.
Heallhiest Regiment.

1edilHisSt ntSUlleHls
Washington, Oct G.-rhe War in
yesligation commission he'll two sessicrs
to-day. In the forenoon General H. y.
Boynton concluded his TESTIMONY which
he had begun yesterday, and General
Fitzhugh Lee was heard III the after
noon. General Boynton. dwelt t. day
upon the causes Of disease at Camp
Thomas, charging the increase toward
the close Of the camp to the lack Of
sufficient care on the part of the regi-
mental and brigade commanders in COW
ering the sinks.
lie said there was no foundation for
any reasonable complaint in regard to
food.
He also denied that there was an in
territorial neglect in the hospitals
La discussing with Captain Howell the
question Of rations, supplied to Camp
Thomas, General Boynton volunteered
the suggestion that there had been no
complaints from Southern soldiers in the
camp, and he continued Il do not be-
Iieve 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 Fifzhugh Lee @as before the
4aulission at its afternoon session.
General Lee had no complaint to make
in regard to supplies. In June, while
the expeditions at Tampa were being
gotten off, there was some delay, but
this was likely, and since then supplies
of all kinds had come regularly in
abundance
SOLDIERS LIKE SCHOOL BOYS.
'.There have Of course" he said,
been some complaints. Soldiers are
like school-boys; they some times COM
plain even when there is no occasion
for complaint He thought the army
ration was abundant, and in the main
well suited to a campaign in tropical
climate. Yet he thought some changes
might be made. He was of the opinion
that it would be better TO send live ami
mails to Cuba than to send refrigerator
meat as at present. According to his
ideas the men should have more fruit
ard less meat.
During the course Of the questioning
it developed that General Lee had been
notified that he would be expected to
move his corps to Cuba, i'll the vicinity
of Havana about the first Of November,
and that he considered his troops prop
erly equipped for the campaign. He
considers the Spanish uniform better
adapted to tropical climate than ours,
as they were cool and could be washed
He was fearful that the shirts and
blouses Of our men would be found to
be too heavy for comfort,
General Lee made the announcement
that he was counting upon landing in
friendly country, as he had received
direct information that the American
troops would be welcomed not only by the
Cubans, but by the Spanlards as well.
He said the conservative and property
owning Spaniards were especially desir-
Gus to have the Americans come for the
preservation of order.
GENERAL LEES METHODS.
Speaking 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 a very thor
ough inspection Of the camp and upon
having his forces thoroughly instructed
by the staff officers, who had practically
organized schools for that purpose.
He said the meat was received in re-
frigerator cars and that as a rule it
was good. In Il few instances the outer
edges Of the larger pieces or meat were
spoiled as was also the hard tack, IN
one or two cases. A shipment of pota-
toes was reported to be in bad condition,
and n board was appointed which con-
demned all the goods.
As to the efficiency of officers appoint
ed from civil life, General Lee said some
of them learned duties very promptly
others were very slow to learn; others
never learned, but a majority did. lie
believes that volunteers would always
become effective, especially when con-
fronted by the enemy. Governor Beaver
read letter complaining Of the situation
ia the Jacksonville camp The letter
stated the camp was filthy, the bread
moldy, the doctors generally drunk, etc.
''Is that from my commando Cen
eral Lee asked in evident surprise
When informed that it was he said ne
was astonished and asked for the name
of the author He said in this connec-
tion that occasional complaints had
came to him which he examined and in
every case found them to be unFounded.
Then" said Governor Beaver, after
some further questioning, you consider