New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-18
ANGRY AT MAJOR BELL
MEMBERS or THE sEVENTY-F1R HOSPITAL,
CORPS ACCUSE HIM OF HARSH
TREATMENT

The hospital corps Of the 7lst Regiment mus
tered yesterday afternoon at the Army Build
ing. There thirteen members OF the corps at
the building. and after they had been mustered
out and paid off they assembled the fourth floor
OF the building. where the reporters are stationed
Major W Dufeld Bell surgeon of the regiment
win the and looking after their papers
Or Robert F. Freech Of No ISL West One hun
dred-and twenty ST. who. with six other
graduates o. the College Of Physicians and Sur
geons, Joined the list the night Of their gradu-
alton. approached Major Bell and said:
Major Bell when | enlisted in the regiment I
was physician and a surgeon and gentleman.
From the first you heaped indlgnties upon me.
When We were on our way to Cuba on the Vigil
lancia because failed 10 salute you you passed,
you turned me and spoke so brusque harsh
and uncaled for manner that my humiliation
affected to tears. Major It is a good thing
that you and have never gone into action to-
geher
At Lakeland and Tampa you maintained the
severest kind Of discipline. Three others and my
sef were stopped by the guard for being out late,
though there was no time mentioned on our passes.
You took before the colonel and said that We
disgrace TO the service, and that II the
colonel wanted a recommendation as 10 punish
ment for ycu would recommend that we should
not be allowed 70 again leave camp. Major you
know when you said that that you wanted us kept
IN living hell"
Yes" replied Major Rel. Il wanted you kept in
camp. thought It necessary to the discipline OF
the camp"
When was with you" again continued Or.
Froellch, Il stripped to the waist and made
to work like a longshoreman simply because of my
strength When | was transferred 70 the 18th
Regulars was treated as a reputable physician.
was called Doctor. and SUGGESTIONS and recon-
II always regarded YOU as a good officer and sur
geou. and ! recommended YOU and Fosby for pro,
motion as acting assistant surgeons. Doctor said
Major Bs Does that look as If wished to IN
jure YOU 49,,
Bell that he thought him always severe and I'M
fair Another member Of The corps said the mon
doing guard duty. instead " three or four. as in
other camps and that the men were not allowed
10 have more than the slightest freedom.
That was nor my fault" answered Major Bel.
II tod the colonel IL was foolishness 10 keep the
men under such severe discipline. The first time
no attention was paid 10 me-, but the second Time
the men got more freedom
DR. Lucas said that the men were forced to
carry the officers baggage and that on" day when
hey were nrcd they dropped tho baggage, and
Another man said that They had been forced 20
dig bomh-proof and that when firing began
Major Bell got into the bomb-proof. When Major
Rel was asked about this accusation he said that
he had gof into the bomh-prooi nut ne saw no
reason why he should not have don" so.
This iil-fccling toward me Is surprise to me.
had NO idea it existed. pr Froellch is a skilled
physician self-willcd and uniamed In spirit. and a
me fellow. had 20 discipline him once or twice.
but did not think did II In unnecessarily severe
manner The men were submitted TO many indig-
mites after they were detached from the reg-
ment but this | thought they understood was not
my fault myself think the discipline Was too
severe and such AS the Regulars we're not compelled
10 submit to- The Regular regiments posted two
or three scntries. and the men came and went
through Tho lines as they pleased. but the list
mad out over fifty sentries. and none could leave
camp"
Private Corde had 10 admit that when he was
put I'm the guard because he came late TO camp.
having a pass upon which there was definite time
stated for his return Major Bell promptly got him
released.
There were three OF the hospital corps who stood
by NaiO Bell one Of these Steward James Fair
man no told one OF the officers accusers that
II he had not been behind baggage or i'm a
pombproof himself he would not have seen the
Maior there.
fault 10 find with Major Bells assistants Captains
Harry and James Stafford. and DR. Froelich and
the Major parted with the agreement that they are
to meet in captain Harry Staror1s Office 10 find
on, from the latter whether not he made certain
statements to Or. Froolich rejecting the Major