The times., 1898-08-31
SIGNAL CORPS APPEALS
More Trouble is Reported In
Camp Cuba Libre.
MAY BE INVESTIGATED
Washington Man Refused a Fur
Tough to Attend the Funeral of
His Sister-An Officers Arbitrary
Action-Grieyances Are Laid Re-
fore General Greely.

The strained relations between the Of
ficers and enlisted men OF the signal bat
talon at Camp Cuba Libre, on the out
skirts of Jacksonville, Fla. have been
brought to the attention of the chief sig
nal officer at the War Department, and
an investigation will no doubt follow.
A communication received here. signed
by number of the signal corps volun-
teers, states that the men are treated
with undue severity and that they are
prevented from making an appeal 10 the
proper authorities by Howard A. Cid
dings. captain of the first company who
refuses TO forward their communications
to Washington.
Sixty members of Giddings's company.
smarting under the treatment they were
receiving, wrote out applications request
ing that they be discharged from the ser
vice of the United States. These applica-
tions were taken to GiddIngs, 1t is al
legged, and he fatty refused to receive or
forward them.
Several of the signal volunteers, in
sheer desperation, waived military rules
and forwarded their applications direct TO
Adjt. Gen. Corbin, accompanied by a
statement of the case.
1t is understood that Gen. GreeIy and
Col. Dunwoody are much displeased at
the strained relations existing between
officers and enlisted men ar Camp Cuba
Libre, and that steps are being taken 10
reach the source of trouble.
The battalion in question Is attached TO
the Seventh Army Corps, commanded by
Gen. Lee. 1t comprises the volunteer sig
nal companies from Connecticut and In
diana, detachment of regulars, a por-
ton of the New York company. and
members from the District of Columbia,
Maryland and Virginia.
One of the men, in a communicate ton
received here. stated that there would be
IAN open revoIr' in the camp unless ac-
ton was soon taken by the authorities.
on one occasion recently the first SER
gants of both the First and Second Com
panies were under military arrest at the
same time.
member of the First Company. who
is professional man and left splendid
home and position TO serve his country,
aaS this 10 say:
I'm all my life have never been treated
so badly-like q dog For Gods sake
place this matter in its proper light BE-
fore the proper authorities. our condl-
ton here is simply terrible for men. Our
treatment at the hands OF certain OIL
GERS is as brutal almost as that accorded
the Cubans by their Spanish taskmasters.
We are allowed no liberty whatever. and
! Giddings almost makes US bow down 10
him"
The writer then cites the case Of Private
Falls. young man of an excellent West
Washington family. Who enlisted al
| Washington Barracks. One morning
| Falls was notified by telegraph that his
sister died suddenly at her home in this
city. Armed with the telegram the be-
reaved young man went to Giddings and
asked for a short furlough in order u
come to his home. The granting of the
furlcugh would not have cost the Gov
ernment one penny, but Giddings arbi-
trarily refused 10 grant 1t. The strain
and worry were so severe upon the re-
cruit that he became seriously i'll and is
now an inmate OF the Second Division
Hospital at Jacksonville. II is understood
that the signal men are preparing a petit
tion TO be forwarded to Gen. GreeIy, set
ting forth their grievances.