The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-10
SHAFTER ENTERS A DENIAL

SBAFTER ENTERS A DENIAL
Washington, August S--General
Shafter has telegraphed the President
regarding the Ground robin signed
by the general officers of mis- COM
mand as follows: "I can very readily
see what intense excitement the pub
lication must nave occasioned great
deal more than the situation warrant
ed Situation is greatly exaggerated.
At least Is per cent. Of the COM
mand had been down with malarial
fever, from which they recover very
slowly and are in no condition to
stand an attack of yellow fever or
dysentery. Placed here now in the
condition in which they were when
they came here, l do not be ve they
would be in any particular danger
The regiment of immunes that recent
" arrived is not suffering at all, and
| do not believe they will They
can keep out of the sun. are well
clothed and we'll fed. What put my
command in its present condition was
the 20 days of the campaign, when
they had nothing bot meat. bread and
coffee, without change of clothes,
without shelter whatever, and during
the period twice as stormy as it has
been since the surrender
"Fresh troops reaching here in the
middle of August. with good camps,
good water, abundance of tentage-
which they will find here-need not
apprehend serious danger. l thank
you for the high fegard in which you
hold my command and the value of
the service they have rendered. 1t
pays for all the suffering we have en-
dured l have read this to Gems.
Wheeler. Lawton, Bates and Kent,
who concur with me in the view ex
pressed above /"
The issuance of this statement
from Gen. Shafter was the sequence
of a conference held at the White
House this afternoon between the
President. Secretary Alger and Sec
retary Long 1t was felt that the
statements made as to the condition
of the troops at Santiago might create
a grave impression abroad. While
the statement as issued was brief, it
occupied almost an hour in its con
sideration, it being felt that the ut
most precaution was essential at the
present stage of the negotiations be-
tween this country and Spain which
it had been first fel: might be at least
impeded by knowledge of the serious
conditions revealed in the appeal
signed by the officers there The is
suaoce of the statement was the re.
suit and it speaks for itself
FURTHER REPORT MADE
This evening Gen Sbafter supple
mented his first dispatch with second
on the same subject addressed to the
aojotant general as follows ''lo con-
nec,ion with NY telegram of the Sd
inst and the letter of the geuera! Off
GERS to me of same date, l have the
honor to say that since then I have
talked with the division commanders
and they join me IN saying that the first
report was made so strong because Of
tho ,xooraned and evharsle6 ccn6iti m
of the command, more than IS per
cent of which have been il! With
very Weakening malarial fever lasting
from four to six days aud which leaves
every man too much brckec down to be
of auy service, and 10 no condition 10
withstand an epidemic OF yellow fever
For strong and healthy regiments com-
lug aere now, and little later, With
plenty Of tentage to cover them aud
not subject to any hardship. ard with