The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-10-05
Secretary Saw and
Seems Satisfied.
Gen. Alger Ends His Tour
and is Back at His Office.

A,eer has returned to Washington.
He came to the war department imme'
dia.ely after breakfast aad vas soon
besieged BY number Of persons who
had been waiting for bis return.
The secretary looked much improved
By his trip, although it was filled With
hard work after be left Detroit. He
sai6 that be had gained gress deal OF
information as to conditions in camps
apd hospitals By bis inspection, which
might take ahape in Official action 5000.
He went TO the Waite House and had
long talk With the President about
army conditions
Tie secretary made verbal report
to the President; on the inspection OF
the army camps which he bad Just
ccoclrded.
Dur,og the inseryiew Secretary
Long came over from the navy depart.
mens With friend and joined the party
10 the cabinet room. On leaving che
White House, Secretary Alger said
be vas muck grasi6ed. With the dicon.
tom Of camps generally he retained
from specifically charging exaggera,
ton Of conditions ofseanp life, but be
said the results Of the trip OF inspection
we're quite satisfactory He bad VS..
tied, be said, every one Of the camps,
the hospitals and the SICK. He Was
gratified to find the men 10 the hospi-
Gals steady improving and thas there
we're SO many convalescents though the
odds againss them from their ualad,es
bad been great. Most Of the men 10
the hospitals, he said, we're in good
spirits. cheerful and happy. aud bright.
" looking forward to the eime when
they will be we'll again. 10 general
way the camps we're kept satisfactory.
bat there we're, be conceded. numerous
points which might be improved upon.
citing especially the unsatisfactory con-
disions Of sinks at some points.
As Jacksonville, he said, the reports
seemed to show fairly large proper
,ior of siek, but be said the percent
age Of sick was accounted for By the
fact that the men sick Of all the reg'-
mepss departing and mustered out
we're kept in the camp.
s.Tbe main trouble" said Secretary
Aleer, (which fonod vas perhaps the
matter of the troops taking care of
themselves. This vas one of the great
difficulties encountered At some
points the eating tents outside tbe
camps conducted by private enter.
prises, proved too tempting for SOL
diers aud the results of improper aud
iuiudiciaus taking OF food soon manifest
ed themselves in the general conssitu.
ton OF the meo. These are things
which sometimes cannot be helped, aud
where there is q most rigid discip.
lioe along those lines the improved
state eff affairs was evident"
Secretary Alger said the report OF a
soeue 10 Gen. Breckenridge's neadauar,
,ers at Lexington, when be was inspect.
ing that camp is absolutely without
foundation. There was no scene, uo
high words and no excited language.
TIE secretary says the story vas made
of whole cloth Secretary Alger and
Gems. Lrding,oo aod Sternoerg each
nave letters from Gen. Wiley, who was
reported as having made accusations
against them. expressing his regret
that any such report was circulated
That to Secretary Alger was as fol
lows
Headquarters First Brigade.
Sd Division. lst Army Corps.
Camp Hamilton. Ky Sept. %
Ny Dear Gen. Alger: | hear that
some Of the oortheru papers are max
iug a great display Of headlines
showing how l pitched ioso" Gems.
Alger, Ludingtou ADD Steruberg at
Geo. Breckenridge's headquarters Oh
the 10Th iossans-"How Called You
Down, Etc "a lot of untrushful trash
Every word said was directed to you
personally. aod We we're witbio four or
Eve feet of each other. and you 30
doubt heard every word of it. Not a
word or sentence vas uttered at that
or any other time, With reference 20
Yourself, Gen. Ludipg,ou or Gen.
S;esnberg. except in expression Of the
bighess regard aud respect for ycur
3 s,ccessful aud faithful performance of
sreat task.
am very respectfully,
Your obediept servant.
JOHN A. WILEY,