The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-23
TROOPS WERE WELL EQUIPPED
NO SOLDIERS WE'RE EVER BETTER
FED OR CLOTHED, HE SAYS.
Conditions at Chickamauga Reported
TO Gen. Brooke, whose Duty 1t
Was to Remedy Defects.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-Adjutant Gen-
eral Corbin was the first witness before the
war investigating committee and was rigid
ly questioned regarding the selection of
Camp Alger, Va He testified that the re-
moval of Camp Alger was dictated by the
secretary of war himself, and that it's
original establishment was recommended by
Captain Seabura, of General Miles's staff.
He General Corbin) had said at the time
1t could not be a good camp ground because
there was not sufficient range for rifle prac-
tice He understood from the secretary Of
war that General Miles had something to do
with its selection. He was not certain OF
Captain Seaburn's exact statrs, but he had
understood Captain Seaburn had been sent
by General Miles to make the inspection Of
the camp site.
Did General Miles protest against or do
anything against the selection of the
camp?'' he was asked.
mot to my knowledge" was the answer.
General Corbin added that he did not know
the reasons for discontinuance of the camp.
Questioned as to Camp Wikoff General
Corbin said that the troops and horses that
arrived there about Aug. s were those left
behind in the South from the expeditions
to Santiago and Porto Rico and that the
transportation of these had not so far as he
knew, led to railroad congestion or inter-
ferred with the carriage of supplies for the
troops subsequently arriving. He denied
that the contract with the Long Island Rail-
road gave it exclusive control, and said the
only restriction made in that arrangement
was the desirable one of prohibiting excur-
sion steamers landing at the camp. He said
one reason for its selection was the excellent
facilities for water transportation. He said
the camp at Tampa was never designed for
anything but point of embarkation ard
said that the first complaints he had heard
from Camp Thomas Chickamauga, was i'm
the press.
REGULARS WE'LL SUPPLIED.
Asked when he first seriously apprehended
there would be hostilites General Corbiu
said ne might say he did not seriously con<
template war until it was a fact, for nd
had hoped to the last moment that 1t would
be averted. On April 10 the army for one of
it's size, was well equipped and thoroughly
supplied. There never was an army, he saids
better equipped, better clothed, better fed
or with better morale than our regular
army at that time He said prior to the
war there had been no complaints of re-
frigerated or canned beef and that they
WcI0 uSeQ Dy the dIullcS OI Il6 WOIlQ dL0
in commerce. It was no new experiment.
Seriously speaking" said General Corbin,
II do not think the War Department con-
templated war until it was declared by Cons
gress and appropriations were available. OF
course, the possibilities were thought of, bue
there were no general preparations except
far as the department was able to meet
the possibilities that confronted it"
CsaIoucl DANNY who couducfed fha avaro<
ination, here suggested to General corbin
that he observed the latter was cautious
and reticent and explained: at is not our
object to criticise strategy. That is not our
business. The strategy of the war may
have been right and may have been wrong.
But our object is to determine whether the
WeT Department acted efficiently"
General Corbin said when General Shaf~
ter's expedition started it took all the trans-
ports 1t was possible to obtain. The supply
was not equal 10 the demand. 1t had been
planned to carry about $500 troops at that
time, instead of the 1900 taken He re-.
ferred to the letter Of General Miles, dated
June a. laying out the plan OF campaign
of the war, and said it was not approved.
MILES'S PLAN NOT APPROVED.
do you know anything about General
AIiles's dispatch of June "A. / think a letter
TO the secretary of war, in which he pros
posed to have the army march clean through
Cuba and take fifty thousand prisoners and
work them and treat them kindly?" General
Corbin was asked.
YES, sir" was the answer, "that letter
was received, and did not receive the aps
provaI of the secretary of war;
'You say the proposition made by General
Miles to carry on the campaign in the mans
lto f1af
approved?"
1T was not approved" replied General
Corbin.
II would ask you whether the plan OF
campaign against Santiago as adopted, was
recommended by General Miles,
no. sir. / do not think the recommends
tions made in that letter of May q were ap.
proved" was General Corbin's reply
General Corbln said there had been short
age Of uniforms, canvas and tentagc The
fsctories had not made the advance prepara-
tion that had been expected. There had
never been any trouble concerning provls-
IONS he said. He said the matter OF medical
supplies and medical officers was left to the
surgeon general and that the President In
every case would not listen 10 appointing a
medical officer until recommended by the
surgeon general on the ground of fitneas. He
had no suggestions to make based on the
experience of the war. but should be afraid
to see another war for fear it would not
result so well or with so little loss of life.
Advertng 10 General Miiess complaint
that paymasters were not sent to Porto Rico
as requested BY him, General Corbin said
they were ordered immediately, but they
went by way Of Santiago. where one fell ill
With yellow fever. The health authorities
quarAntined the vessel carrying them. ana
General Miles. he said. had thought It best