Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-09-28
B0ARDWA NTS TOKN0W
Long Letter Addressed to Secretary
Alger Regarding the War;
COVERS ALL THE BUREAUS.
Iesidcx requesting Him to Secure
Information From the Various
Heads of His Department, 1T
Puts Some Personal QuerieG.

Washington, Sept. 2S.-The war In
,estigating commission resumed it's la
bors in the Lemon building and at the
close of the session gave out numb
of documents bearing upon the work
undertaken. These comprise the letter
IF Secretary Alger to the president re-
1uastng that the invest cation b. made.
a brief address to the public In the
shape of a resolution and letter from
Chairman Dodge to the secretary or
war inclosing a list of inquiries to the
secretary and to the heads of the vail
Gus divisions of the war department
calling for specific information b9arlr 6
upon the conduct Of the war.
The letter to the secretary of war was
AS follows:
Sir-Pursuant to authority conferred
upon us by the president. we have the
honor to request that you direct the ad-
jutant general, the quartermaster gem
eral, the commissary general, the sur
geon general, the chief of ordnance and
the chief of engineers to furnish us as
soon as practicable information as to the
condition of their several departments at
the time of the declaration of war with
Spain and the operations of these de-
partments from that time until the pres
ent.
We desire the information to include
the following, viz:
First,-The times and places of the mo-
biization of the regular and volunteer
troops.
Second organization of these
troops into the various subdivisions OF
the army, the personnel of the brigade
division corps and army commanders and
of their staffs. whether appointed from
the permanent establishment from the
national guard or from civil life
Camp Eqmipage.
Third-The amount and kind of camp
ard garrison equipage and other supplies
that were on hand at the beginning of
the war, the amount subsequently, pur-
chased. when and where purchased. when
and where delivered to your department
and when and where actually issued to
the troops.
Fourth.-Smilar information in regard
to furnishing the troops with arms and
acoouterments.
Fifth-Which of the volunteers were
armed and equipped In the various state
camps and which in the general camps.
Sixth-Uron whose recon- nendtlt on or
Judgment the various general rendezvous
were selected, and the reasons for, such
selection.
Seventh.-Full particulars relative to
the transportation of troops by sea. CIV
ing on account of the provision made
for the accommodation and care of the
sick and wounded.
Eighth.-An account of the quantity
quality and kind of food furnished the
troops and in case that any of them
failed of being plentifully and seasonably
sllpn1ied The rpa sons therefor
The Hospital Corps.
Ninth.--As to the proper tentage, beds
linen, medicines. food and all other nee
essary equipment and supplies for the use
of the hospital corps of the army. If
there was any lack of these things at any
time, state The reasons therefor
Tenth-Whether the medical staff was
efficient and sufficient at all times for the
proper care of the sick and wounded
and if not state the reasons therefor.
Eleventh.-Such information relative to
the conditions and operations of the ord
nance and engineering departments as
will be of value to us in our investiga-
lions.
We have outlined briefly a portion only
of the information that we trust you will
be able to gi .e us. 1t will be satisfactory
to have 1t communicated to us In writing
or by the chiefs of the several bureaus in
person, with the SUBMISSION OF SuCh rec
ords confirming their statements as they
may be pleased to hand to us.
To aid you in complying with this re-
quest, there is submitted herewith list
of special questions to which. as far as is
possible. answers are desired. Very re-
spectfully, GRENV1LLE NJ. DODGE.
Six Queries to Alger.
To Secretary Alger the commission
has addressed six queries for his reply:
First.-Plan of campaign proposed
Immediately after the declaration Of
war. Was it intended to move at once
on Havana or that the campaign should
be postponed until the autumn?
Second.-When was the Santicgo
campaign determined upon?
Third.---Why was Tampa selected as
the base of operations?
Fourth.-Why We're summer camps
organized at Fernandina, Jacksonville
and Tampa?
Fifth.-When was the Porto Rico
campa gn determined upon?
Sixth.-Why We're the troops held on
transports after Smbarkat on at Tampa
and not permitted to sail for several
days?