New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-23

SELECTION OF CAMP ALGER's SITE REPORT OF
INsPECTOEs-GENERAI-s SHORTAGE OF SUP
PLIES WHEN THE WAR BEGAN
Washington Dec. 22-Adiutant General Corbin
was witness before the War Department Inves-
.iga,ng Commission to-day. Regarding the selec-
tiOn OF Camp Alger he testified that the removal OF
the camp was directed by the Secretary OF War
himself and that It's orgina' establishment was
recommended by Captain Seyburn. Of General
Mess STAFF. General CorbIn had said at the time
tina; II could not be good camp ground because
there was not sufficient range for rifle practice He
had understood from the Secretary OK War tina,
General Niles had something to do with the selec
ton He was not certain o. Captain Scyburn's
exact status, but mad understood that he had been
sent by General Miles TO inspect the camp site.
Did Go"eral Miles protest against or do any
thing against the selection Of the camp" he
asked
Not TO my knowledge" was the answer General
Corbin added that h. did not know The reasons for
disseminating the camp
questioned as TO Camp WkoN. General Corbin
said that tho troops and horses that arrived there
about August were those left behinl in tn. South
from the expeditions TO Santiago and Porto Rico.
and that the transportation OF them had not. far
az ne knew led 10 railroad congestion interfercd
IN any way with the carriage OF supplies for the
troops arriving later He dcniei that the contract
with the Long Island Railroad gave i exclusive
control. and SAID that the only restriction made IN
That arrangement the desirable one OF prohibit
ing excursion steamers from landing at the camp.
One reason FOR is selection vas the excellent
facilities for water transportation.
Tie camp AZ Tampa was never designed FOR any
thing but point o: omharhation. ana tho first
complaints he had heard from Camp Thomas were
n the press.
Asked when he first seriously believed there would
be hostilties. General Corbin said he did serl
ously contemplate until II was fact. for he
had hoped 20 the last moment that II would be
avcrtcd. on April 10 the Army. for one OF It's size.
was well equipped and thoroughly supplied There
never was an army. he said better equipped better
clothed better fed or with better morale than 70
Regular Army Mt that time. Before the war there
had been no complaints OF refrigerated or canned
beef. and they used by the armies Of the world
and In commerce. It experiment.
seriously speaking" said General Corbin. Il do
not think the War Department contemplated
until II was declared by Congress and appropria-
tons were available. or course. the possibilities
were thought or bat there no general prepara-
lions except so far the Department was able to
meet the possibilities that confronted it,"
ASKED TO SPEAK FREELY
Colonel DENLY who conducted the examination
here suggested 10 General Corbln that he observed
he cautious and roticont. and explained: 1T
is not our object 10 critcise strategy That is not
our business. The strategy of the may have
been right and may have been wrong But OBJ
Ject l. 20 determine whether the War Department
acted efficiently"
General Corbn said that when General Skaters
expedition started IT took all the transports It was
possible TO obtain. The supply not equal to the
demand. II had been planned 10 carry about 5000
troops at that time instead OF the 1900 taken
lie referred the letter OF General Miles, dated
June a. laying out the plan Of campaign OF the
war. and said that IT was not approved.
do you know anything about General Miles's
dispatch OF June "a think letter to the Secre-
tary OF WARN which he proposed 10 have "a the n.
army marcm d yar the and r@a. them Kindly?
Yes sir" was the answer: that letter re-
ceved and did receive the approval Of the Sec
You say the proposition made by General Miles
10 carry the campaign In the manner which he
indicated in that letter was dis9pproysdI? cor,,r
Il would ask YOU whether the plan Of campaign
against Santiago as adopted was recommended d!
no. sir; j do not think the recommended tons
made in that letter Of May p were approved, was
General Cornn ~aid there had been a shortage OF
uniforms canvas ana tentagc The factories ' , han
no, made the advance preparation that han o',h
expected. There had never been any tro9n.e TOa
corning Provisions ne saia me i"h f -, ,hn Sur
reon General and the President In every case wouiG
not listen TO appointing medcaI o0 0' nee ro'nd
recomm, ndcd by the snrgeon-General on the sro""u
OF fitness. loo, -, tho ex
ucricnce Of this war. but would be airald 10 sor
another war for fear II would not resu, 50 we'll OF
with 50 littlr loss OF nc. 49,.
Abiding to General Miles's complaint ,hai p,S
L,. him General tOrbin said mat 'h'E W..
l..rod Immediately. hut went by way OF SaltaTo
,rhern one fell iii with yellow fever. The nralh
,rtborf,i.s auarantinei the vessel CARRYING tl'iu
ana General Miles had thought u b'St lol we Pai
rn,s,rrs not TO 20 ashore ~ Ponce 10 hEolu PyD~i
III. Infection More troops were sent 10 foilo is.o
nan vyerc desired by General Miles but only Il IL"
more. 1870, hor 1, ha,nered IL
tbrre wac anything wrong nj 'hickamauIEa .,
camD Agcr. that the inspectOrs-gehefa. uIu ~ ~,
renort H. lie replied that he did not see any Vi 'e
,nsDrciors' reports from Chckamauga 1890 80
c.unr1' Dodge asked II daily reports WIZ ~
,.i'ed AZ f., equipment and supplies ny telegiaph
frnn the various commands. -. 49, 40.
Genera, Gorhu-Yes. sir. Ana as Ia't 40 ~ ~
,r.re received by me u copy OF each WaS s.ll o,o
s,ma day to the heads Of the depar ,ientap ~
,.,mod ofter the secretary himself ndorseu mn IA
y,,.b the order 10 hurry along the ming, ~ ,S.
Ve-v Frequently the Secretary Wouil Tan 'U1 ", ~. -,
rmciaI and discuss with him the pest wa. ~ al
.1rdirc IN the matter. want 10 say INA. -, %.
1ec,arcies rcporfed were due 10 the Iack .. 49,
~ 90 ,hoee articles From these daliy, rtpO :
,ro MOT only knew what had been recelNtu NV "a
mo number CT uniforms. wagons etC-' i7'"''' ~
10 whom. every day. $1,000, .. ,,-,,sh any rec
IL T., his office At any time he would De pieascu
THE INSPECTOR GENERALS DUTIES
colon., Denby-wha, are the duties OF the In
spector Genera? 49,, ,, "a