The age-herald., 1898-11-04
THE COMMISSION
 IN CINCINNATI Three Witnesses Examined in Regard to
 ChiCkamauga Hospitals. A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES
This Fact Testified to by Major Hepburn
 Of Kentucky.
SINKS WERE LOCATED NEAR WARDS
A Dumping Ground Where Refuse Was Thrown Was Not Far from the Hospital, Which Was ina
 Chaotic Condition.

Cincinnati, November 3.-The afternoon session of the war Investigating commits sion was occupied in hearing three wit nesses, ostly on the condition of the di- vision hospital at Chickamauga. The first witness was Major E. F. Hepburn, of the Second Kentucky. The death list of his regiment he stated, was twenty-six, most of whom died at home on furlough. The sickness in Chickamauga increased very rapidly. He knew that there was a short age of cots in the hospital as well as of tents. In answer to questions put by Dr. Conner, he stated that he served on com mission appointed on account of com- plaint of the colonel of the First Arkansas to investigate the division hospital. Dr. Ward, the witness and Major Johnston, formed the committee. This committee was appointed in the latter part of Au- gust and reported about September D. The patients were near being removed to the hospital and the hospital was in a chaotic condition. The sinks were as close as 15O feet from the wards, and were in an unclean condition. There was a dumping ground where other refuse was thrown There was gully running right
 
 good condition. The committee examined 200 or 300 witnesses, including commander, chaplain, privates, hospital corps, nurses and visitors.
 The committee concluded that at first the hospital was in a bad condition, but it got better, and during Major Smiths control 1t was in good condition. The committee found that the cause for its bad condition arosefrom the fact that 1t was not intended to be more than temporary hospital, but the sick increased so rapidly that 1t was oYert sowded. Another cause was the in- comf stency of the men detailed from resl- meflts for nurses.
 s Worthless Men Detailed
 Tn many regiments the most worthless men were detailed for that duty The de- tail vas made according to regulation. The fault was not of the medical department |, but of the system. The committee found unnecessary suffering because of lack or tents and of cots, so that the patients were exposed to rain and compelled to lie on the ground This was the fault of the quarter masters department. Acquisitions were not filled for and three days and in in- stances were not filled at all. When asked If there were any deaths resulting from these neglects he said there was an order from Dr. TIof to Major Smith to send fifty of the worst patients to Sternberg hospital. Of these two died in a short time after their removal It was claimed by Dr. Hof that the order was to send nifty patients, and not fifty of the worst patients. The original order was not produced. The wit ness admitted that he would not charge these deaths to neglect, but to want of judgment in sending men not fit to bear the fatigue The only complaint against the medical corps was in the case of one Major Hubbard, who required the sick to stand al nft
 The medical department was not neg lectfu, but was disheartened because of inability to get supplies, medicine and proper nursing. The witness cited an in- stance of thermometer given to an or derly to be used for taking the tempera- ture of patients and when asked for it the next day he said he did not know what is was good for and had given it away.
 As instances of neglect, the witness said his committee had much testimony that patients were allowed to remain filthy in their beds, and were actually fly blown. This neglect was chargeable to the nurses direct. The nurses were frequently changed and the officers in charge were also frequently changed Some were asked to resign, and others broke down. The witness saw many patients on cots on the ground. The wards were not all hoored until in August. The evidence before the committee showed that the medical officers were conscientious and did their best to remedy tie evils prevailing in the hos pitals
 scathing Arraignment
 The witness read the statements that Rev J. Smith and Colonel Hof had made to his committee. The former was a scathing arraignment of the inefiiciency of the supply departments, medicines, medi- cal apparatus, ice, drinking water and other necessities were not furnished. He also complained of the incompetency of the nurses.
 In answer to a question by General Dodge, the witness said he did not know at the time he made this investigation that the hospital commandant had any au- thority to purchase any medical and commlssary supplies, and he did not think the commandant knew it for all the medi- cal corps complained of inability to get supplies
 , Speaking of the water supply being un- wholesome, he said he got his impression of it's unwholesomeness from an order is- sued by the division commander that all drinking water should be boiled.
 Colonel Hof's statement before the com mittee dealt with a defense of the field hospital which he said was originally in- tended to accommodate 200 sick, but the sickness increased so rapidly and unex- pectedly that the supply department was not able to meet the demand. He bought cots himself twice to meet wants that could not othrwise be supplied. Requisi- tions for supplies met many obstacles The railroads were said to be unable to carry goods Then the equipment of the First corps before the Third was given as a reason why supplies could not be fur nished.
 The witness being asked his own opin- ion about the great amount of sickness at Chickamauga said he thought that two- thirds of 1t was due to the negligence of xl, colx lxyoc In hi 1 men who were temepfate and reasonably