The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1898-08-25
Ms SCORES THE GOVERNMENT FOR
TINE way OUR SOLDIERS
ARE TREATED.
Let Our state Authorities Nov Act and
Relieve the suifering Boys from Missis-
sippi Now in the Hospitals.
II Is the Daty Of Our State to those
Who Left Home for CoHntry's
Honor.
C-hlcamauga National Park,
LII % Ana Il 1905.

Lytle, Ga, Aug, 10, 1898.
Mr.. W. D. RatliG, jackson, Miss.
My Dear Sir and Brother Yours
containing letter from Gen. Stern
berg received and in answer win say
that the general is certainly misin-
formed as to the situation at Chic
amauga.
DAnyone who knows anything about
the situation here knows that the
generals statements are not borne
out BY the facts. Where has Gen.
sternberg, or any Of the army officers,
for that matter, ever had the expe-
rlence Of looking after the health Of
40, 900 troops since the days Of the
civil war. Forty thousand troops
cooped up in one place amid such
unhealthy surroundings as is obtain
ed at Chicamauga, is a situation
they have never before had to deal
with.
The generals letter shows at least
where he stands upon the Anticipated
methods Of the civil war, My grand
father used to ride hundreds ofmiles
on horseback during the days when
there we're no railroads. Must l then
continue to travel In the same old
way just because it proved to be a
pretty good mode Of travel This
is about the substance Of the gener-
ais letter,
So much for generalities. Now |
I'm prepared to prove that the gov
eminent has not only failed to fur
nish dellcacies, as the general classes
ice and milk, but has failed to honor
requisition after requisitlon for med
icines made BY the second division
hospital Of the third corps. This is
the only hospital I am acquainted
with, but l I'M told the same con-
ditions exist in the other division
hospitals. The general cannot use
the "Ignorant green" dodge, because
all Of the hospitals are under the
e~rannrvislon of Col, Hofl, u regular
army surgeon, and know Of no more
faithful and efficient officer. Permit
me to say that Col. Hoff is the per.
sonage who requested me to take u
the work Of relieving the distress.
ing condition Of affairs at the sec
ond division hospital, l stand pre-
pared to prove that when / took up
this work chat the hospital was only
receiving 125 pounds Of ice per day,
and from 8 to 10 gallons of milk,
the first furnished by the Red Cross
Society, and the latter by the Ma
tional Relief Society, and to this day,
SO far as I know, not one pound Of
Ice nor one gallon Of milk has been
placed there by the government.
The letter from Gen. Sternberg is
the last straw 90 the camel's back.
l can refrain from talking no longer.
l make the charge that the United
States government has not done it's
duty toward the sick soldiers at Camp
Thomas. 1t has furnished the Sec
ond division hospital with just about
enough nurses to take care Of 100
sick men, and they have had to take
care Of nearly four or five hundred
Of the sick. At the same time train
ed women nurses were begging for the
privilege Of going into these hospi-
tails to nurse the boys. 1t is aston
Ishing to me that more men have
not died.
am thoroughly acquainted with
tile Inside affairs Of this hospitals and
do not hesitate to say that under the
circumstances and with but very few
exceptions the management has been
criticism. Those who have rel
here, and in fact the entire na-
ton, owes a debt Of gratitude to Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid, Of New York, for her
persistent and successful efforts to have
D hospital established in which our
sick boys could be cared for by Gle
bands Of women. Such q hos
is about ready Tor occupation.
are about 100 trained women
the male attendants already
"a the ground, I was over there
thls arternoon aud tie arrange
nents we're superb,
The general speaks Of ration saw.
ugs, where Que Of these division
hospitals are established. 4 would
ike 2 know how o. earth any ratlons
az be saved until The men have take
r sick and are sent 70 tho hospitals
that in the name uf the Lord win
lesc poor Fellows a. ion these things
ntll rations are saved Amply suf-
tient indeed Eighteen cents per
ny This Is tbe market value, SOIL
p Informed, % aration How lonc.
llnR you, would ID take at this rate
; save up enough money to Bus med
ines lce' lemons, etc. things thati
government does not furnish.
1 am told that tlgtfe wasabout s20af