The herald., 1898-11-15

General j. c. Breckenridge also appeared
before the committee during the afternoon
session. His testimony dealt largely with
Camp Thomas, of which he was in command
from the 7th OF August until the camp dis
integrated. He said that when he assumed
charge the camp was at the beginning of an
epidemic of fever, and that this condition
gradually grew worse. He found much that
needed remedying from a sanitary point OF
view when he assumed command, but the
conditions varied in the numerous regiment
al camps. He was undcr the impression that
all ordinary efforts had been made by the
officers in command to instruct regimental
officers in the matter of sanitation, and he
thought this instruction had borne fruit.
General breckenridge expressed the opin-
ion that Chickamauga park was suitable as
camp site. He was of the opinion that
the water could have been vastly improved
if there had been willingness to go off the
reservation for it. He had made no recon-
mendation for a water supply after taking
command, because the soldiers were so in
fected that he thought the best remedy was
to disintegrate the command, and he had
made recommendations to this latter effect.
In fact, the greater share Of his attention
had been given to getting the men away
from Chickamauga. General Breckenridge
said that he had increased the number Of
men, giving leave at a time to from two to
six of a company, because the men seemed
depressed, and he thought they needed as
much change as possible. He was, he said,
aware that this order had been criticised,
"but my theory of discipline is to. make, a
soldier do his duty for all that he is worth,
and then let him have his fun for all he de-
serves" he said.
General Breckenridge said that the condi-
ton of all the hospitals at Camp Thomas.
except Sternberg, was bad. They were
crowded and there was lack of skill on the
part of the attendants. He also thought the
quartermaster's department had been remiss
in some of its duties, but he attributed all
the trouble to want of experience. There had
been a lack of tentage at the hospitals, and
he knew Of no reason why the tents should
not have been supplied, as he was informed
that the tents were in the quartermaster's
depot. DR.. Conner made an effort to get
General Breckenridge to say where the re-
sponsibility rested for the poor conditions in
the camp, but the latter said he never at
tempted to locate the responsibility, devot-
ing himself particularly to remedying the
evil
eve all recognized that the conditions
were abnormal" he said, "and the question
was how to meet it. The point was to get to
each man what he needed. This was simple
enough to do, but as matter Of fact it was
not simple. The trouble seemed to be that
the hospital attendants were not familiar
with their duties, and there was not a suf-
ficient nNhber of men in the supply depart
ment to follow up the hospital attendants
and instruct them"
He said that apparently up to his time Of
arrival the first duty had been conceived to
prepare for war. He had changed this by
turning the attention of all to taking care
OF the sick, and if he deserved any credit in
his administration it was for this change lie
said that the war department was apparent
ly as unprepared for the epidemic as were
the men on the ground.
Returning to the question of passes to
visit Chattanooga, DR.. Connor asked if the
conditions in that city were not such as to
injure the morals of the army.
General Breckenridge replied that such
was the case, "but you can't make prison
of camp"
| Continuing, he said the town was run wide
open, and it was impossible to keep the men
in their camps under the circumstances.
| General Breckenridge had not concluded
his testimony when the commission ad.
journed for the day