The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-31
A WONDERFUL WORK.
What Was Done in Equipping and {
for the Army.

the subsequent sickness that has
broken out in the army, showed the
great wisdom of Gen. Shafter in NOV
ing forward to make the attack while
his men were in vigor. It was NOV
ment bordering on audacity, but 1T
succeeded, and the persistence OF the
attack have, no doubt, greatly dis
heartened the Spaniards. The result
was one Of the greatest victories for
the men engaged of modern warfare.
The number of prisoners taken ex-
ceeded the attacking force by nearly
two to one. When the fever broke
out and the fever list increased into
the thousands, it was for time sup
posed that it was principally yellow
fever. The bringing Of troops north
at once after the surrender, under
such conditions, would have been GER
tain death to vast number, but, upon
inquiry, it was ascertained that very
few of these cases comparatively were
yellow fever, when it was at once de-
cided to bring the army home as
speedily as possible. Everything that
human ingenuity could devise has
been done to succor that army-not in
ingenuity Of the Secretary Of war, but
the result of the combined counsel of
those who have had alife long expert
ence in the field. That some men
have been neglected on transports
coming home there is no doubt, all
against positive orders. and due per-
haps to carelessness and negligence,
but largely on account Of not having
the medical force to spare, (many of
whom were sick), from the camp at
Santiago. Many medical officers sent
with transports were taken i'll on the
way home.
To give you little idea Of the work
that has been done, | append the fol-
lowing:
The work Of the Adjutant Generals
department has been to muster and
order to their station, to be precise,
ZIG, 400 volunteers and 24,9OO for the
regular army. This, with reduced
force, as many staff officers from all Of
the departments had been promoted
and ordered to the field.
The chief Of engineers reports an
expenditure Of $3.50, 900 for harbor
defenses, but from the emplacements
Of heavy guns, mortar batteries and
mines.
The Surgeon General has had the
enormous work Of fitting up hospitals,
organizing the medical corps, employ
ing male and female nurses, contract
surgeons, being surgeons who are en-
ployed from civil life, besides those
commissioned as corps, division and
brigade surgeons, furnishing medical
supplies and answering the demands
from all over the country and from
camps at Santiago, Porto Rico and
Manila. The work done in this line
is almost beyond comprehension.
The Commissary General had pur-
chased and distributed, up to August
l, 110,9O7, 1886 pounds Of rations,
which have been transported and dis
tributed among the destitute Cubans.
The Quartermaster Generals report
is too long TO even give an approx
mate idea Of his work. In the way Of
transportation to Honolulu, Manila,
Santiago and Porto Rico, and return
home, there have been sent 82,638
men with artillery equipment and
supplies. By rail in this country
there have been transported $500
officers, 233,96 enlisted men, also
4O,582 animals, besides thousands of
wagons, artillery and other quarter
master, comlnissary ordnance, medi-
cal and signal service stores. The
total number Of articles Of clothing
and camp equipment distributed to the
army by the quartermaster's depart
ment has been 6,274, ,483, Of which I
can only mention a few articles as
follows: Blankets, 288, ,739; blouses,
293, 1852; trousers, 4O6, 1923; hats, 1884,
106; canvas field uniforms, $1,000;
shoes, pairs, 51l,378; undershirts,
1896; tents, 1912, etc.
The total weight Of food and forage
distributed daily to the army is ap-
proximately 600 tons.
Added to this is the large feet of
transports chartered and purchased,
the management of the same in con-
veying troops, supplies and ammuni-
tion.
Tbo normoctor hoe nrom ntlv Maid