The record-union., 1898-12-23
our object is to determine whether the

our OBJECT Is TO determine WHelHer Lie
War Department acted efficiently
He said when General Skaters ex-
pedition started it took all the trans
ports it was possible to obtain. Ihe
supply was not equal to the demand.
1t had been planned to carry about
%, 900 troops at that time, instead of
1900 taken. He referred to the letter
of General Miles dated June oath, lay
ing out the plan of campaign Of the
war and said it was not approved
DO you know anything about Cen
eral Miles dispatch of-June 24th. l
think-a letter to the Secretary of
War, in which he purposed to have
the army march clean through Cuba
and take $1,000 prisoners and work
them and treat them kindly?" Gen
eral Corbin was asked.
"Yes, SIR" was the answer, that
letter was received, and did not re-
ceive the approval of the Secretary Of
War"
You say the proposition made by
General Miles to carry on the cam
paign in the manner which he indi-
Gates in that letter was disapproved?'
''It was not approved" answered
General Corbin.
Il would like to ask you whether the
plan Of campaign against Santiago was
recommended by General Miles?"
Il do not think the recommendations
made in that letter Of May 9th were
approved was the answer
General Corbin said there had been
a Shortage of uniforms, canvas and
tentage The factories had not been
able to turn them out. There had not
been any trouble concerning provisions,
he said. The matter of medical sup
plies was left to the Surgeon
He had no suggestions to make based
on these matters.
Adverting to General Miles COM
plant that paymaSterS were not sent
to Porto Rico, as required by him,
General Corbin said they were ordered
Immediately but they went by way of
Santiago, where one fell i'll with yell
low fever. The health officers quaran-
tined the vessel carrying them, and
General Miles, he said, had thought it
best for the paymasters not to come
ashore at Ponce, to avoid possible in
fection. More troops, said the wit
ness, were sent to Porto Rico than
were desired by General Miles, but
only a few more.
General Corbin was asked how it
happened if there was anything wrong
at Chickamauga or Camp Alger that
inspectors general did not report it.
He replied that he did not seen any
of the inspectors reports from Chicka-
mauga.
General Dodge asked if daily reports
We're received as to equipments and
supplies by telegraph from the various
commands.
General Corbin-Yes, sir; and as fast
as they were received by me, a copy
of each was sent the same day to the
heads of departments concerned. Often
the Secretary himself indorsed them
with the order to hurry along the
things needed. From these daily re-
ports We not only know what had been
received but also the number Of uni
forms, wagons, etc, issued and to
whom, every day.
Colonel Denby-How does it happen
that the conditions at Chickamauga
We're not reported to the Inspector
General?
General Corbin-I have not seen any
report of inspectors at Chickamauga.
They were sent to the commanding
General there. 1t was his duty to
remedy the defects pointed out
Colonel Denby-We are in a very diff
ficult position, General Corbin.
General Corbin-I've occupied one
myself for some time. It is not a new
thing for me.
He said that he knew of no con-
tracts during the war that were influ-
enced by anything that was not en-
tirely honest and fair to the Govern
ment, and that there was no instance
of favoritism in making appointments
How do YOU account asked Cen
eral Dodge, for all these complaints
against the various departments?
''To a want of realization of the sew
critics of war"
The Commission then adjourned