The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-10-12
Fitzlugh Ice OH the Staud.


afternoon. Gen. BoyntOn dwelt to-day
on the causes of disease at Camp
| Thomas, charging the increase toward
the close of the camp to the lack of
sufficient care OH the part of the regi-
mental and brigade commanders in
covering the sinks. He said there was
no foundation for any reasonable COM
MED that there was any intentional
neglect in the hospitals. In discussing
with Capt. Howell the question OF
| ratiOns supplied to Camp Thomas,
| Gen. BOyntOn volunteered the suggcs-
tion that there had been no complaints
from Southern soldiers in the camp,
"and," he continued, 81 do not believe
that has been raised if all the soldiers
had been from the South"
Gen. Dodge said that only two or
three charges had been received from
the South, and they were not from
| soldiers.
Gen: Fitzhugh Lee was before the
commission at its afternoon session. He
had no complaint to make i'll regard to
the supplies. In June, while the expe-
dItlOns at Tampa were being gotten
| off, there was some delay, but that was
natural, and since then supplies of all
kinds had come with regularity and in
abundance.
"There have, of COURSE" he said,
..becn some complaints. Soldiers are
like school boys, they sometimes COM
plain even when there is no occasion
for complaint" lie thought the army
ration was abundant, and in the main
well suited TO Il campaign in tropical
climate. Ycthe thought some changes
might be made. He was of the opinion
that it would be better to send live
animals to Cuba than to send rcfrigc
ratOr meat, az at present. According
TO his ideas the men should have more
fruit and less meat.
During the course OF the questioning
1T developed that Gen. Lee had been
notified that he would be expected to
move his corps to Cuba, in the vicinity
Of Havana. and that he considered his
troops properly equipped for the CAM
paign.
He considers the Spanish uniform
than ours, as it is cool and can be
washed. He was fearful that the shirts
and blOuseS of orr men would be found
to be too heavy for comfort.
Gen. Lee made the significant an
nOuncement that he was counting upon
landing il Il friendly country, as Ilc
had received direct information that
the American troops would be welcome
not only by the Cubans, but by tho
Spaniards us we'll. He said that the
conservative and property owing Span
iards were especially desirous 10 have
the American troops come for the pre-
scrvatiOn Of order
Speaking of his command he said
that the health of his troops had been
good, only about per cent being sick.
He had insisted on very thorough in
his forces thoroughly instructed by the
staff officers, who had practically
organized schools for that purpose.
he said the meat was received in re-
frigeratOr cars and that as rule it was
good. In few instances the outer
edge pieces Of the meat were spoiled as
also the hardtack in one or two cases.
A shipment of potatoes was reported to
be in bad condition, and q board was
appointed. which condemned all the
goods. AS to the efficiency Of officers
appointed from civil life, Gen, Lee
snid sOIne OF them learned duties very
promptly, Others were very slow to
learn; Others never learned, but ma
jority did. He believes that volunteers
would always become effective, espec-
tally when confronted by tho enemy.
Governor Beaver read Il letter COM
planning of the situation i'll the Jack
sOnville camp. The letter stated that
the camp was filthy. the bread nodded,
the doctors generally drunk, etc.
sis that from my commando" Gen.
Lee asked in evident surprise.
He said he was astOnished and asked
for the name of the author.
In this connection complaints had
come to him which he examined AND in
every case found them to be unfoundcd.
"Then," said Governor Beaver, after
some further questioning, lyon con-
| slider yourself in good condition in
every. way to start i'll the expedition to
Il do" replied Gen. Lee. "Touch a
to Madrid"
He expressed the opinion that it was
impossible for any foreign troops to do
any great amount OF campaigning i'll
the summer months ON account Of the
heat. Not even the Spanish and Cuban
summer season. He thought troops
going to Cuba should have ample pro-
lection against the sun. Complaints
against regimental surgeons were read
to the General from members of the
4th Virginia volunteers, but he replied
that he could not speak definitely of
the regimental doctors in this case.
competent as they should be. The
| surgeons of higher rank we're all COM
petent men.
/ Gen. Lee expressed the belief that
division hospitals we're too large. He
advocated brigade hospitals as COM
promise between the division and regi-
mental hospitals. He expressed the
opinion that the site of The camp at
Jacksonville was we'll selected.
Capt. Howell asked Gen. Lee if he
considered that he had been side
think so,'' he replied. II have from
time to time seen something in the
newspapers to the effect that it was not
the intention of the authorities that l
should have an opportunity for active
participation in the campaign. !, Of
course had no claim to go to Santiago
or Porto Rico, as other officers in the
army ranked me. 1t was always the
understanding that my corps was or
ganized for the Havana campaign.
had some ambition to go there, because
had not been allowed to stay while
was there. I Wanted to go back with
some men, and show our enemies that
/ could stay"
! He continued by saying that the
President had told him within the past
few days that he had always intended