Evening star., 1898-09-20
CRITICISM WAS UNJUST
Why New York Regiments We're Sent by a
Circuitous Route.
correspondence of the Quartermas-
ter's Department Published Show
ing the Wishes of the Men.

The quarterr aster's department of the
army, which is among many other charges
designated TO transport troops, has taken
notice of some newspaper criticisms passed
upon recent .roop movements and in just
Ice to the officers who are responsible for
these it has seen fit to make public the
facts. Colonel Bird in charge of the
quartermaster's department during General
Ludington's absence, had his attention
drawn particularly to the case of two New
york regiments, the Sth and 9th, which
were quartared at Camp Thomas These
troops were returned to their native state
over a route tfat was not as direct as
might have been selected and consequently
they were kept longer on the road than ap-
peared necessary. For this the quarter
masters department has been severely
scored, and, it has therefore been deemed
proper to make the facts known.
In the first place. as shown by Colonel
Bird, the New York state authorities sent
their agents to the camp and took the sick
men from these regiments back to New
iork, selecting the route complained Of
because II AFFORDED better facilities for the
distribution OF the men among their homes
throughout the state. The appearance of
e9e traln. however. called forth an outburst
OF lnalgnation on the part of the news-
giaphfc correSpoEden
Quartermaster Generals Office
washington, September 1, 1893.
Cnief Quartermaster, Battlefield, Ga
An article has appeared in New York
papers severely critic ising the routing
OF hospital train containing soldiers of
.ne sth New York Regiment, destined to
New York city, via Cincinnati Cleveland
ana Buffalo, as circuitous. and attended
with unnecessary delay. Do YOU know
anything about this matter? Was the train
routed by quartermaster's department? The
baltimore and Ohio railroad complain here
that the Sth New York is being routed via
Bristol, Lynchburg and Southern railway.
1ou nave twice been directed to route the
regiment reg via Bristol. Shenandoah junction
and Baltimore and Ohio to New York. Is
complaint of the Baltimore and Ohio here
III stated correct? LUDINGTON,
Quartermaster General
Chickamauga National Park
September l. 1893.
Quartermaster General Washington n g
The train for the sick of the Sth New
fork was not ordered nor made up at the
instance of the quartermaster department
put was made up specially by the railroads
10 accommodate the men, two hundred and
sixty In number going on furloughs. Rout-
ing STATED was at special request of the
colonel OF the regiment, who particularly
desired that the train should arrive at 42d
street station and not require tedious and
painful transfer from Jersey CITY. heside
accommodating men along the route. The
ume was thought to be but little longer
and the track known to be smoother. In
regard to routing the remainder of the reei
ment your teiegrams have been received
and there has been no thought of disre-
gardinS them. The regiment is not vet
ready to start, and when shipped will be
routed acc cording to your orders 1 earn
estly protest against the entertainment of
report OF railroad officials as against my
service Of many years standing. LEE,
Chief Quartermaster
Ine facts relative to the Transportation
OF the 9th New York Regiment are clearly
exhibited in the following kilograms:
Chickamauga National Park,
September 6.
To the Quartermaster General, Washing
ton:
Flat rate applies for 9th New York for
both passengers and freight. Regiment
prefers to be routed via the Queen and
Crescent, Big Four. Lake Shore and New
York Central VIII this be satisfactory?
Can get equipment promptly
LEE, Chief Quartermaster