The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-09
All Disavow the Responsibility for the Sad
State Of Things in Santiago.
Snrgeon-Cenera| Accuses Gen. Shaher Of Lack
Of Corporation --Munson Sends His Report TO
Sternberg---The Commanders ExcuIpation.

Washington. Aug. 9.--Surgeon General
Sternberg has received the following
report concerning the conditions exist
Ing at Santiago medical supplies. trans
portation and other features connected
with the expedition under General Shaf-
ter The report explains what has been
done by the medical department oper-
ated in Cuba:
Sir--In view OF recent charges made
affecting the efficiency of the army
medical department at Santiago. and
especially with reference to the con-
ditons prevailing on the hospital trans
ports sent north with wounded, have
the honor to submit the following facts.
believing that my position as adjvtant
10 the chief surgeon. Fifth corps. and
as the officer In charge of the Quitting
OF the hospital transports. Iroquois,
Cherokee and Breakwater, may pos
sibly give value to such report.
Drugs. medicines. dressings, instru-
ments. hospital tentage and supplies
were loaded on the transports at Tampa
in quantities to meet the needs OF the
Santiago expedition. These supplies
were divided up on the various vessels,
each organization having its own equip
ment. While the bulk of the supplies
was in the organized hospitals. the regi-
mental equipment was largely in ex
cess of it's needs and was intended to
be called In to supply. II necessary, the
equipment of the hospitals.
The landing on Cuban soil was made
as rapidly as possible. each organization
accompanied by the medical attendants
assigned to II, and troops were pushed
forward with no other equipment and
supplies than could be carried by the
soldiers. Having no means OF trans
portation for even their field chests,
the regimental medical officers had alb
4. solutely no resources at their command
except such as were provided by the
orderly and ship corps pouches. and the
f1rst-aid packets carried by the soldiers.
Having only left their ships. the lat
te., were promptly ordered out of the
small bay at Siboney and Baiquiri to
permit the unloading Of other ships.
These partially unloaded ships. in obe-
dience to their orders. then proceeded
to sea from FIVE to fifteen miles. where
they remained hove-to indefinitely.
Such orders were given the transports
carrying the reserve and the first di-
visional hospitals. The one carrying
the reserve hospital, in obedience to it's
orders. proceeded to join the naval
blockading squadron of MORO castle.
where II remained Ave days and nights,
the other transports disappearing. IL
] was correctly informed, for an entire
week.
During the time the fight at Guasima
had occurred and large numbers OF sick
and wounded were requiring treatment.
In the meantime q report of the condi-
tions prevailing on shore was made to
the chief surgeon, who promptly laid
the case before the commanding general,
requesting that o launch be placed un-
der the control OF the medical depart
ment for the collection of medical sup
plies from the various transports. 1t
was also requested that pack train be
organized, In the proportion of one pack
mule to each regiment, to transport
supplies, especially the field chests, to
the front for proper distribution, and 1t
was suggested by the chief surgeon as
available for the performance of these
duties.
The exigency Of the situation did not
apparently appeal to the commanding
general, and for two days the medical
department was unable to get transpor-
tation Of any kindfto the>other ships or
to the shore. although there were a
large number OF naval launches and
boats employed on various other duties.
On the third day. by order of the ad-
Jutant general. one rowboat was turned
over to the medical department for the
purposes above named, and at the same
time an order was issued for land trans
portation to carry medical supplies Ia
the front mot to exceed one six mule
team" On getting into this boat with
supplies from the headquarters trans
port. was directed by sundry staff
officers to take them on various errands
On my refusal to recognize their au-
thority, the commanding general. who
had appeared on the scene, personally
revoked the previous order and directed
after the landing of the supplies already
in the boat, that 1t should return with
out delay.
BresentinB tne oru-f iot iahu '"hS
portation TO the quartermaster on shore
was informed that only pack mules
had as yet been landed, that neither
wagons nor harness had been brought
ashore. and. finally, that the road was
impassable for wagons. After thi'
boat had been taken away the chief sur
geon was without any means OF com
munication wiN the medical officers or
shore or still on transports. OF findins
out their wants. or of remedying th'
many already known TO him. This
Rupture Can Be Cured
without danger or detention from business