The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-18
Officers and Men Questioned and
Commissary Stores Examined.
ONLY ONE COMPLAINT HEARD,
Colonel Jones, of South Carolina, Said
That Ills 1ien Were sick on Ac-
count of the Climate-Thc Hos
pitaIs We're Personally In
spectcd aud the Patients
Closely Questioned.

JACKSONVILLE. FLA, Oct 1.-THE
War Investigating Commission spent the
afternoon inspecting the camps Ia the
immediate vicinity Of Jacksonville. \
heavy rain was falling during part OF
the tour. but the commissioners perform
ca heir self-appointed task Of going
through the camp from one end to the
other ln a very painstakins manner.
They TOOK carriages from the depot
Immediately after the arrival Of the train
at l2.so. and did not return until after
nlghtiau. ..-,.-
The commission separated into divisions
OF three members each. but the carriages
kept closely together in the main. Ihey
were escorted from point 20 point oy
General A. *. Arnold. who in the abb
sence of General Lee is in command Oh
tbe CORDS while Colonel Gusts Guild Jr"
INSPECTOR general led cavalry dctach-
ment which accompanied them on their
rounds.
CALLED on COL. BRYAN.
The marty drove first TO the headQuar-
ters OF the First Division cOmmander'
General LLOYD Wheaton and after leaving
this polnt. made quite thorough inspec-
lion OF the camp OF the First Brigade OIL
this division including the First IeAas
and the second Louisiana and the Inlfd
Nebraska Regiments. While here the
members Of the commission made a cah
upon Colone! Bryan, who is personally ac-
quainted with most OF them.
They found him almost completely re-
covered from his recent Hines, Dut very
much occupied I'm arranging Tor the mus
teriug out of the men IN ms regimen Ie-
lieyed by the order of the war Depai l-
ment. reducing the size OF the coHpd-
nies OF his regiment TO the minimum OK
eiehtv men. lie said he was making an
especial effort to relieve the men VINO mad
families dependent upon them.
AN OLD FRIEND.
4 portion Of the commission also made
a special inspection Of the FOrty-ninth
Iowa Regiment as compliment TO Cen
eral Dodge who found ID It's colonel an
old friend
4 regiment which received particular
attention was the Second South Carolina,
because 1t was the newest regiment In the
camp The commissioners interviewed
officers and priyates alike. and made per-
soual visits 10 the quarters, both OF the
men and their commanders. They lifted
the covers from commissary stores. went
through the Kitchens. visited the drug
stores, inspected the apparatus talked
with physicians and nurses, and made
special inquiry into the method Of con-
Quoting the hospitals.
All three Of the division hospitals were
visited and inspected, the commissioners
going through the tents and IN some in
stances where the conversation was al
lowable with the patients
PATIENTS WELL CARED FOR
They found the patients to be apparent
ly we'll cared for. and so far as could
be discovered. they were as cOntented
as sick men generally are. Many Of them
were reading books and magazines. but
a greater number Of cases, the men either
held before their eyes or clasped closely
in their arms letters which had evidently
been received from home.
The patients were all found occupying
clean-looking beds or cots and in no in
stance was q hospital tent OF pavilion
found 20 be without a floor Indeed al
most all the tents I'm the camp were
noored In many cases the hospital
tents We're enectually screened against
flies and mosquitoes.
But one complaint was heard In the
entire round and thls was evidently not
made IN a spirit of fault finding.
Colonel Jones of south Carolina. found
fault with the climate saying that fully
20 per cent Of his men were ill largely on
this account. He also said some rations
Of refrigerator beef had been received IN
bad condition which was due to the
weather.
Summing up the result Of the inspec-
ton. General Dodge. chairman OF the
commission said.
RESULTS SUMMED UP.
1--WE have compared notes after the
dav's work and hnd that complaint was
made from but one regiment during the
day. This was the objection made TO the
climate BY Colonel Jones. We saw both
officers and men. sick and We'll and We
gave all an opportunity 10 be heard. ask
ing the men in the absence Of their Off
GERS II they had any criticism 10 make.
We shall tomorrow begin the in
ouirv by examining men under oath and
we hone if there are any short comings
TO thus uncover them. We found the
sick doing exceptionally well and were
pleased 10 congratulate their physicians
on the excellent arrangements made for
their care"
This statement was made In the pres
ence Of tho members Of the commission
ana was endorsed by them.