Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-09
THE END IN SIGHT.
GEN. DODGE SAYS HE CAN NOW SEE
CLOSE OF WAR INQUIRY.
DR.. MILO WARD ENDORSED.
His Testimony ms to Conditions mt
Camp Thomas ReIiable-A Chaplain
SAYS Most Complaints Were Abso-
IuteIy without Foundation.

CHICAGO, November s--The War IN
vestigating Commission to-day continued
the examination of witnesses. General
Dodge, chairman of the commission, now
says that he can begin to see an end Of
the long investigation.
DR.. c. A. Smith, Of Clinton. Ia, was
the first witness. He testified that at
times the hospitals at Chickamauga were
crowded; also, that there was a shortage
of medical supplies. lie also complained
of the water.
Asked about DR.. Milo y. Ward, who
testified yesterday, witness said he re-
garded Or. Ward as very competent
and very conscientious man, and would
not doubt any statements DR.. Ward might
make as TO conditions at Camp Thomas.
REPORT STOPPED IN TRANSITU.
DR.. Smith, continuing, said: II once
wrote report to the surgeon-general
but I think 1t never got any further than
by General Compton and Major Denny to
withdraw it, as it might get me into dis
favor, personally, but / told them there
was nothing in II that / wished to with
draw"
A copy OF this report had been preserved
by DR.. Smith, and was handed to the
commission. In it he complains TO the
surgeOn-general about conditions in his
hospital, giving facts and details which
were repeated in his evidence to-day.
Charles Bullock, chaplain of the First
Illinois Cavalry, with rank as captain,
said that in the great majority of cases.
the complaints Of poor food and made
quate supplies at Chickamauga were db-
solutely unfounded, and that the stories
published in the various newspapers about
inhuman treatment of the soldiers were
without any foundation.
CONDITIONS AT SIBONEY.
Mrs. Trumbull White of Chicago, who
went to Cuba with Miss Clara Barton, on
the Texas, and assisted the latter for a
considerable time at Siboney, gave as neT
opinion that there was a great lack Of
attendants at the fever hospital at Sibo-
ney, and also a scarcity of supplies.
Colonel l.. II. Smith, purchasing agent
of the United States army, stationed at
Chicago, was then called 10 enlighten the
commission upon the question of pro-
visions for the troops, the quality, supply,
etc
'-pApHtl Glliltu saul nave Ddu no o.
fetal complaints about any of the sup
plies L purchased, except in the case of
eight barrels of pork which were rep ort-
ed to have been i'm bad condition"
QUALITY OF CANNED BEEF.
The commission next heard two Witness
es from local packing houses, touching
the character of the canned beef pur-
chased for the army They said the same
quality of goods had been delivered to the
French and British governments, and no
complaints have ever been received from
them. They thought it possible that the
weather at the southern camps and in
Cuba might have had some effect on the
canned roast beef
Rev. George X. Hoover. a Chicago cler-
gyman, whose son died in the Second Di-
vision Hospital at Jacksonville, Fla,
said:
FEAR OF STATING FACTS.
In the hospital there seemed to he a
lack Of medicine-some Of the simpler
medicines. In talking with wardmasters.
nurses, and others, l found what l
thought was an unnecessary fear of stat
ing facts.
For instance no one would talk to me
without saying: You must not give my
name, or L will be subject to punish
ment.'"
4 number of other witnesses testified
that supplies were adequate and requisi-
lions promptly filled.