Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-30
! MORE SEVERE CRITICISMS
Of Camp Thomas AID the Official
Methods and Management

DIERS-SINkS WERE VERY BAD
LY LOOKED AFTER, AND THE
STENCIL THAT AROSE FROM
THEM WAS ALMOST STIFLING.
THE EXCUSE THAT SINKS COULD
NOT BE MADE BETTER BECAUSE
OF THE CHARACTER OF THE
GROUND NOT ACCEPTED-GREA
IMPROVEMENT AFTER GENERAL
BRECKENRIDGE TOOK CHARGE
OF THE CAMP-COLONELS AND
REGIMENTAL OFFICERS BLAM-
ED-THE CASE OF SERGEANT
FRANK
Chattanooga, Tenn, October 90
Major Edward T. Comegys was the first
witness before the war investigating
commission to-day. He was medical
purveyor here during the life Of
Camp Thomas. He stated that there
had never been any delay in fulfilling
his acquisitions on the surgeon general
and that he had always been able to
meet all acquisitions upon himself
Major Comegys admitted that he had
refused to fill some acquisitions from
the hospital of the Second division OF
the Third corps, because satisfied the
articles demanded were not needed.
He accounted for the sickness in Camp
Thomas by saying the men did not
know how to take care of themselves.
They seemed to think" he said, that
when they had put on the uniforms
there was nothing else to do, that they
could simply enjoy themselves and
their officers would do the rest" He
thought the colonies and regimentai
surgeons were to blame.
Lieut.. James NJ Arrasmith, who act
ed as Grief cOmmissary of subsistence
for Camp Thomas, said that While IN
the beginning there had been some
congestion on the transportation lines,
there had never been any shortage OF
supplies. There was constantly on
hand an average of 100000 rations.
The rations were the best he had err
seen issued in many years experience.
He thought the principal trouble in re-
gard to the ratiOns was in the matter
Of cooking. Lieut.. Arrasmith also SAID
the sinks were very badly cared for ana
that the stencil near the camp at night
was simply sitting. He also said the
discipline was very slack. The witness
considered Chickamauga natural
camping site, but that there were more
men in it than there should have been.
Some of the volunteer regiments never
took down their tents during their en-
tire stay and there was general negll-
gence of cleanliness and sanitation. He
did not accept the theory that the
formation of the ground was suca that
the sinks could not be -nade deep
enough. There was. he said, general
improvement in the camp after Gen.
Breckenridge took command.
Drs. Baxter and Boyd, local physi-
clans, were called to testify in regard
to the case of Sergeant Frank, who
died here during the summer as the
result of railroad accident. Dr.. BaX-
ter said that Notwithstanding the man
was in a state of profound shock after
the accident, Dr. Samuel d. Hubbard,
surgeon of the regiment. insisted upon
removing the man to Chickamauga Park
The man died on the way out, as he
(Baxter) had predicted he would.
DR.. Baxter told Of one train of Wis
consin's sick men which he had seen
on its way without medical officer or
medical supplies.
The commission closed its sitting here
tonight by hearing the testimony Of some
residents, stating their observation Of the
condition at Chickamauga Park, while
the troops were there, and giving their
conclusions as to the causes of the sick
ness of the soldiers. They defended the
climate as salubrious and heaithful and
generally attributed the prevalence Of
disease to the habits of the volunteers.
At midnight Gen. Dodges private car
was detached from the special train to
permit the train to depart for Knoxville,
with all the commissioners on board ex-
cept Gen. Dodge Col Sexton and DR..
Connor.
Three members Of the commission re-
main in Chattanooga until tomorrow
night. when they will leave here for Lex
ington. Ky, proceeding thence to Cincin-
natl Chicago and Detroit, and taking tes-
timony at each place in turn. They will
probably be at Lexington Monday and
Tuesday The majority Of the commission
expect to spend those two days at Knox
vile, and will proceed TO Washington d.
rect.